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Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Rev_20:1-15
A. Chapter 20 must be related theologically to Revelation 19 (the Second Coming) and Revelation 21-22 (the eternal kingdom). The interpretive question is whether the Second Coming precedes the millennial reign of Christ, if so then some form of pre-millennialism is inevitable (if this is to be interpreted as historical narrative). But what if Revelation 20-22 are a new unit that recapitulates Revelation 17-19 (cf. W. Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors)? This change would be similar to the recapitulation between the seals, trumpets, and bowls, then some form of idealism or amillennialism fits best.
B. Revelation 20 introduces several theological concepts not revealed in other parts of the Bible:
1. a two-stage resurrection
2. a limited temporal reign of martyrs
3. a Messianic earthly reign for 1000 years
4. an ineffectual reign of the Messiah (mankind rebels again at the instigation of Satan after a 1,000 year reign of Christ)
5. another battle with unbelievers after the Great White Throne judgment
C. Difficulties in interpretation exist because of
1. the theological distinctives of Revelation 20
2. the ambiguity in several key areas
a. Satan's binding, Rev_20:2
b. number of groups in Rev_20:4
c. who is involved in the first resurrection, Rev_20:5
d. the who, where, and how, of this reign with Christ, Rev_20:6 e.where do "the nations" in Rev_20:8 come from
f. meaning and location of "the beloved city," Rev_20:9
g. who is involved in the White Throne Judgment of Rev_20:11-15 and how it relates to Mat_25:31 ff
3. There is a great lack of agreement among godly, believing commentators, even those of the same millennial theory. One's millennial theory should not affect the reality of a physical, literal Second Coming which is referred to often in the NT.
4. some good quotes by people I trust
a. in his commentary, Revelation, George E. Ladd says "American Evangelicalism has placed an unwarranted emphasis on this doctrine of millennium. . .One thing is clear; he (Jesus) is not concerned to teach a temporal earthly kingdom before the eternal order in the Age to Come."
b. in Word Pictures in the New Testament, A. T. Robertson says, "This wonderful book was written to comfort the saints in a time of great trial, not to create strife among them" (pp. 457-458).
c. in Worthy is the Lamb, Ray Summers says, "This chapter needs to be approached with great humility of spirit, a recognition of its difficulties, an avoidance of dogmatic statements, and respect for the honest interpretation of others. This chapter has been a bitter debating ground for Christians for many centuries" (p. 202).
d. in his commentary on The Book of Revelation, New International Commentary Series, Robert H. Mounce, says, "Judging from the amount of attention given by many writers to the first ten verses of chapter 20, one would judge it to be the single most important segment of the book of Revelation. The tendency of many interpreters at this point is to become apologists for a particular view of the millennium. Without denying the significance of this important passage, it should not be elevated above such basic themes as the return of Christ, the final judgment and removal of all wickedness, and the splendor of the eternal state. A careful reading of the millennial passage (Rev_20:1-10) will show that it is perhaps limited to the resurrected martyrs alone, and that it contains no specific indication that their reign with Christ takes place on earth or that it necessarily follows the second advent" (p. 351).
D. The millennial reign is not the same as
1. the Messianic Age, or
2. the Kingdom of God (both #1 and #2 are eternal, cf. Dan_7:14; Dan_7:27; Isa_9:7; Luk_1:33; 2Pe_1:11; Rev_11:15; Rev_22:5)
E. The concept of a 1,000 years of bliss with Christ may have come from the idea of 6,000 years of history and then a Sabbath rest of prosperity from Genesis 1. It seems this (historical pre-millennialism) was part of some early Christian writings (cf. Epistle of Barnabas 15 and II Enoch 33).
F. This chapter is obviously inspired revelation and has a divine purpose. However, what is that purpose: (1) outlining end-time events or (2) giving spiritual insight into the spiritual struggle of every age?
Interpreters must be careful of pushing their own agenda and not John's. Curiosity, one-upmanship, or loyalty to a theological position or teacher has caused a legion of interpretations and bad attitudes. John's agenda/purpose is conveyed in his choice of genre and his choice of OT, not NT, imagery! Taking apocalyptic literature literally is not a sign of conservatism, but misguided enthusiasm! Why do modern interpreters try to make some of John's symbols literal and others figurative? They are all figurative (this does not mean they are not true)! John's end-time presentation is primarily an OT structure. He seems to purposely ignore Jesus' and Paul's eschatological teachings. The biblical writers, both OT and NT, do not reveal a systematic eschatology. They certainly present truth, but not in a logical, chronological, or systematic way! Let us affirm the central truths of the visions and not be dogmatic about the details.
G. This chapter has been made to bear theological weight out of proportion to its place in the overall structure and message of the book! This is not the major emphasis of the author! The millennium is a precursor to the eternal reign of God. Only Revelation chooses to mention this temporal Messianic reign. It appears in a genre that communicates truth by means of symbolic language. Personally, it is not the millennial reign that surprises me (in light of OT texts), but
1. the two-stage judgment
2. the mixing of resurrected saints and normal humans together in an earthly setting
3. the presence of rebellion after a lengthy Messianic reign
Will Christ's personal reign be ineffectual in bringing mankind unto righteousness even with the absence of Satan? Or is this a symbolic way to clearly show the extent and debauchery of human kind?
H. God help us all in light of Rev_22:18-19! We are all affected by our sin nature, our age, our experience, and our teachers!
HELPFUL AUTHORS
A. Alan Johnson, "Revelation," The Expositors Bible Commentary, vol. 12
B. George Ladd, Revelation of John
C. Leon Morris, "The Revelation of St. John," Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, vol. 20
D. Robert Mounce, "The Book of Revelation," The New International Commentary
E. Ray Summers, Worthy Is the Lamb
F. Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock, Progressive Dispensationalism
G. D. Brent Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why do so many godly, Bible-believing commentators disagree on the interpretation of this chapter?
2. If this book is written in symbolic language (apocalyptic genre), why do so many people take this chapter so literally and historically?
3. Why is Satan bound for a little while? Where do the nations come from in Rev_20:3; Rev_20:8?
4. How many groups are involved in Rev_20:4 and why is this significant?
5. Why is it so surprising to find a two-stage resurrection in this chapter?
6. How do resurrected saints co-exist with physical nations?
7. Who is involved in the great White Throne Judgment of Rev_20:11-15?