REVELATION CHAPTER 20
We have witnessed the defeat and destruction of the beast and the false prophet and the armies of the wicked. In this chapter we see the binding of their master, Satan for a thousand years. The followers of the Lamb will reign with Christ and be resurrected in the first resurrection, while the followers of the beast will have to settle for left over body parts at the end of the millennium.
Verse 1 – See 9:1& Moses 7:26- He was chained others is now chained. Also Is. 14:9-20. See Is. 65:17.
Verse 2 – This verse gives us in one verse the four names or titles John calls the adversary, dragon, serpent, Devil, Satan.
“It is important to note that it is the angel who captures and binds the devil, not the inhabitants on earth, but he remains bound because the people refuse to hearken to him. (Parry p. 268) See 1 Nephi 22:26 and Luke 4:13. “When you have resisted a temptation until it no longer becomes a temptation, then to that extent, Satan has lost his power over you, and as long as you do not yield to him, to that degree he is bound.” (Eldred G. Smith, Improvement Era, June 1970, p. 104)
Verse 3 – Other versions of the Bible agree that it was the pit that had a seal upon it, not Satan. – D&C 88:110-115; 43:31;29:22. Joseph Fielding Smith felt that the little season may last as long as another thousand years. (DS. 1:81) 4 Nephi 24- & 3 Nephi 6:10-16
Verse 4-Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign over the earth during the thousand years. They will not probably dwell upon the earth, but will visit it when they please, or when it is necessary to govern it." (TPJS p. 268)
Verse 5 – Details of the 1st and 2nd resurrections are given in D&C 88:95-102
Verse 6 – One of 7 Beatitudes in the Book of Revelation. The second death is spiritual death.
Verse7 – D&C 88:22 – Is the pattern of 4 Nephi a possible sign for the end of the millennium 4 Nephi 1:38? It all starts when a bishop doesn’t say hello to someone in his ward. (vs. 27-administered that which was sacred unto him it had been forbidden because of unworthiness." In the name of tolerance & Christian Love?)
Verse 8 – The names Gog and Magog are symbolic names of the hosts that will follow Satan in the war against the Saints. We find these terms in Ezekiel’s description of the great wars that precede the 2nd coming (Ezek. 38 & 39) Here they or others are represented by the same symbolic names fight the Kingdom of Christ. (Parry 275) In the Bible, a land and people near the Black Sea. Their king, Gog, shall lead the armies of Magog in a last great battle before the second coming of Christ (Ezek. 38:2; 39:6). The scriptures speak of another great battle of Gog and Magog at the end of the Millennium between the forces of God and the forces of evil (Rev. 20:7–9; D&C 88:111–116). Guide to the Scriptures -Magog.
Verse 9 - It looks like armies coming from all over the earth to compass the camp of the saints (Palestine) and the beloved city (the New Jerusalem) but fire comes out of heaven and the bad guys lose. See 2 Kings 1 for Elijah commanding fire to come down from heaven. The fire may be symbolic of heavenly power. (Parry)
Verse 10 - Satan joins the beast and the false prophet (19:20) see 2 Nephi 9:16
Verse 11- The throne is God the Father's. There is no room for the old earth, it is being replaced by the Celestialized version.
Verse 12 - This is the resurrection of those not resurrected back in vs. 4-5. The books will include both those kept on earth and in heaven. (See D&C 128:6-7) President Joseph Fielding Smith taught, "Every man will be judged according to his works, his opportunities for receiving the truth, and the intent of his heart." (DS 2:2) see also TPJS p. 218)
Verse 13 - There will be no missing bodies! see also 2 Nephi 9:10-12
Verse 14 - The second death is the Spiritual Death. The only ones who will endure it forever are Lucifer and the Sons of Perdition. All others will either take advantage of Christ's suffering or pay for their own sins and inherit a lower kingdom.
Verse 15 - Make sure you check your reservation. It is an important book
