What do you think this means in Revelation 20:1-15?

Question

http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=re+20&version=niv&showtools=0

Answer 1

I think the writer is encouraging followers of the way in Ephesus to resist the pressure to engage in emperor worship and assuring them God is on their side, and that though they are persecuted and even killed for standing up for their faith, they will be rewarded and the emperor worshipers will be punished. As it was, Domitian's temple, dedicated in 88CE, had Domitian's own name erased when the senate condemned his memory after his death, and his name was replaced with Vespasian's.

The Church at Ephesus did outlive Domitian and his attempt to return the empire to paganism, but after several conquests and losing it's usefulness as a port, Ephesus, then nothing but a small village, was completely abandoned in 1869. Which makes one ask, if Revelations was prophecy for the 21st century instead of religious polemic for the time it was written in, how is it God needs to write to a church that hasn't existed since the Seljuk Turk conquest in 1090CE and to a city that ceased to exist in 1869?

Answer 2

I study in the manuscripts - as far as your verses there - it would take me five posts to explain the truth of everything written in those fifteen verses -- but a good start would be for you to not read that "new international version".
It is one of the absolute worst translation jobs I have ever seen. So to begin, you would have to get a King James, and at least some of it would be understood by you.
Basically, this is telling you that upon Christs return, there will be a period of 1000 years where there will be teaching and disipline.
The judgement will not occur until after this period is ended. It is not that God is giving everyone a second chance, its just that with what is taught (or not taught), many people don't have even a first chance at learning truth.
During this period of teaching, Satan will be locked up so that he cannot have any influence over anyone - so that people can study and learn. After that, satan will be loosed only a short while so that if any stragglers want to still go along with satan, they can, and can also follow him into the lake of fire where they will be blotted out of existance. The eternity will follow with peace, thank God. Bring it on.
Obviously, there is a whole lot more to be said about these verses to the deeper student, but hopefully this will suffice.
Keep it in mind that if you don't use the best translation possible of Scripture, you will be at a great disadvantage, as is your link you provide. And if your studies are not in the original manuscripts, I suggest you stick with the Good ol King James.

Answer 3

Revelation chapter 20 is prophecy that is waiting fulfillment. in verses 1-3 Satan is locked away for 1,000 years so he can no longer pollute the earth or mislead God's people. At the end of verse 3 it says "After these things he must be let loose for a little while."

Verses 4-6 talk about those humans who will become kings with Christ and rule for a thousand years. Who are these people? At Revelation 14: 1 it says "And I saw, and look! the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads." At the end of verse 3 it states that they "have been bought from the earth." So this is a group of 144,000 people that have been chosen to rule in heaven with Jesus. Then the question is who will they rule over? In Revelation chapter 7 we again see the reference to the 144,000 but in verse 9 it says"After these things I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes." Their will be a great crowd who survive Armageddon and inherit the earth.

In verses 7-10 Satan is released from his prison for a short time and again allowed to mislead mankind. Those who choose to follow Satan will be destroyed once and for all. Then it says that Satan will be "hurled into the lake of fire and sulphur." At the end of verse 14 and also 21:8 it says "This means the second death." This is symbolic of final destruction from which there is no resurrection.

Verses 11-15 are speaking of the resurrection of all those in the memorial tombs. There are refrences to the scroll of life and that the resurrected dead will be judged. Verse 14 states that death and Hades are to be hurled into the lake of fire, so they will be eternally destroyed and there will be no more death. Verse 15 says that anyone not found written in the book of life will aslo be destroyed.

If we read on further into Chapter 21 it says "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem , coming down out of the heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say; "Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." This is the establishment of a new heavenly government where pain and suffering are done away with for good. Jehovah's original purpose for the earth and mankind will be restored.

Answer 4

I am happy to see that you have an interest in the Bible! As I am sure you are aware the Bible is the Inspired Word of God. Sometimes the meanings of certain scriptures are hard to understand.

I would be happy to help you understand anything you are interested in. As for this particular scripture:

Revelation 20: 1-3 is referring to what is in store for Satan and his demons in the future. Who is this angel? It is the glorified Jesus Christ! The dragon, original serpent, is of course, Satan. He is chained and hurled "into the abyss," which is closed and sealed off tightly, "that he might not mislead the nations anymore" This abyssing of Satan is for a thousand years during which time his influence on mankind will be no more than that of a prisoner in a deep dungeon. The angel of the abyss removes Satan completely from any contact with the Kingdom of Righteousness. What a relief for mankind! Satan's demons will be abyssed with him. After the abyssing of Satan and his demons, the Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ can begin.
Revelation 20:4 Who are these ones sitting on thrones and ruling in the heavens with the glorified Jesus? They are "the holy ones" that Daniel described as ruling in the Kingdom with the One "like a son of man." (Daniel 7:13, 14, 18) These are the 144,000 annointed ones that will serve as kings and priests with Jesus.

I have explained quite a bit here, If you are interested in more information please feel free to contact me. [e-mail]

Answer 5

At this point in Revelation, the Rapture has already happened, so all the Christians are in Heaven with God. After that, there will be so much turmoil, it will seem as a literal Hell on earth. However, the reference to the 1,000 years speaks of Satan being bound for that long, and total peace being on earth, without the evil enfluences of Satan. At the same time, those that are in Heaven, will be reigning with God during that time period. It's during the 1,000 years that all those that have not committed their life to Christ, (and are still on earth) will have one last chance to do so. When those 1,000 years are over, Satan will be released for the last time, and will spread lies and deceit as best he can before the end of all time. The Great White Throne judgement that it talks about, is for those that are still here on earth, not those that have already gone to Heaven. God's Book of Life, which in it is recorded the names of those that have accepted Him as Savior, will be opened. All those that are not found written in the Book, will then be judged and then will go to Hell. God, however, will not be responsible for their going to Hell. They will be the ones that made up their own mind not to follow Christ, and thus made that choice and doomed their own selves. After all of this takes place, then eternity will begin, both for those that are in Heaven and are in Hell.

Answer 6

Rev.9:1-5 [ 5x 30 = 150 ]; The pit is open for Satan. The sealed of God are there.

THE BOOK THE BIBLE TO TELL OF THIS:
Dan.8:12-14 [ 2300 after Babylon Empire #3 ended kings, the word of truth is in the world to tell people of the last days on down to the end times of this old world, at 300 years word in circulation is 2600 after #3, 2007 after Jesus is in Roman Empire #6,it is 2613 after Empire #3 ended Promised Land kings [ THERE WILL BE NO KING UNTIL JESUS AT HIS SECOND COMING TO REIGN 1000 YEARS ].
Rev.20:1-6,12,13 from 1Cor.15:22-28,51-53; Rev.3:12,14; The heavenly first for the new heavens died for the WORD OF TRUTH, are with Jesus, to resurrect the earthly Heb.9:27; 2Cor.5:10; Rom.14:9-12; Philip.2:5,9-12; John 12:47,48; for the new earth 2Pet.3:13; Isa.45:18; 65:17; 66:1,22,23; Psm.1-4:29,30; and all must be made new and perfect as before Eden beginning 6,130 years after Eden, the time for Satan and his seven heads [ Empires #1 to #7 ends at Rev.12:1-12 [ 2520 years after Empire #3 ]; SATAN HAS A SHORT TIME IN THE 8TH ]; 10 horns [ Rev.17:10-14 # 1 to #5, #6 is Rome, #7 word and Satan in end times, Satan has short time in the 8th of the 7 ]; Rev.18:1-6; Jesus second coming ends the 8th of the seven 2670 years after Babylon Empire #3 and his 1000 year reign with holy angels and holy redeemed Heb.12:22-24; Mark 13:;27; raised up at the last day John 6:39,40,44; 14:3; when Satan and 1/3 unholy angels are cast out to cleanse the heavens and make a place prepared for them to be with Jesus, to cleanse the earth in 1000 years and give all the offsprings of Adam, the same that Adam had, all that Adam lost for them, Jesus brings back.
Rev.20:7-10; end of 1000 years and final cleansing of earth. Rev.21:1-5 All made new, 8 the second death. ALL PERFECT PASS INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Answer 7

Hey. This is only my oppinion. Ive sat under several different teahings on the subject, but i am by no means an authority on it. I think this passage simply points to the second coming of Christ. When Christ returns, Satan will be bound for a thousand years and the rightious people of God will rule the earth with Christ for a thousand years. In that time, there will be no sin or death. There will be children born however (paralells are in the book of daniel). so after the thousand years are up, satan will be loosed to tempt the nations again. then one event leads to another and we end up at the final judgement of God. aka the great white throne. hope this helps you:)

Answer 8

The returning of Jesus, also, the end of the times. God's judgment on mankind. Also, The current life as we know it as of today, the releasing of satan to deceive and destroy for a little while, then locked away to deceive no more. It's a dream passage. Judgment day in specifics. The judging of the dead.The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Answer 9

I would be reffered to as a "Literalist". I think that it says something about future events that are to occur after the Great Tribulation, and after the Armageddon that is to take place after the thousand years. The so called Millenium.

It means what it says. There will be judgements and heaven and earth will pass away.

Answer 10

The millieniam is a very debated topic. But I would say theat i am probably a Post-milliealist. Read Keath Mathisons book called Post-Millinalism.