Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Sunday, August 02, 2009 3:44:24 PM
There is a striking parallel between Revelation chapters 11-14 and chapter 20. Both divide history into the same periods. Once this plan of history is seen, Revelation 20 is less difficult to understand…
Revelation 12: 5-12: In connection with Christ’s birth, death, ascension and coronation, Satan is hurled down from heaven.
Revelation 20:1-3: Satan is bound and cast into the abyss; his power over the nations is curbed. Instead of the nations conquering the Church, the Church begins to conquer the nations through the work of missions.
Revelation 11:2-6; 12:14: A long period of power and witness bearing for the Church, which is nourished ‘away from the face of the serpent’. The devil’s influence is curbed.
Revelation 20:2: A long period of power for the Church, Satan having been bound. He remains bound for a thousand years, that is, during this entire gospel age. In heaven the souls of the redeemed are living and reigning with Christ (20:4-6).
Revelation 11:7; 13 7: A very brief period of most severe persecution. This is Satan’s little season: the most terrible and also the final manifestation of the persecuting power of antichrist.
Revelation 20:7: A very brief period of most severe persecution: Satan marshals the army of Gog and Magog against the Church. This is the Battle of Har-Magedon.
Revelation 11:17; 14:14: The one and only second coming of Christ in judgment.
Revelation 20:11: The one and only second coming of Christ in judgment.
Christ’s first coming is followed by a long period during which Satan is bound; followed by Satan’s little season; followed by Christ’s second coming in power and great glory in judgment. Now it is clear that the 1000 year period precedes the second coming.
The main theme of the book is the victory of Christ and His Church over every enemy. When Satan is hurled into the lake of fire (20:10) not a single enemy is left to vex the Church. We are conquerors; indeed, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us [Romans 8:31-39]. Not only do we triumph over every foe, but we also live and reign with Christ.
[credits: More than Conquerors by William Hendriksen]
Next: The first resurrection, living and reigning with Christ