Before we take a look at Rev 20 and consistent hermeneutics, I would like to make a few applicable points. First, historically, the interpretation of the first few verses of Rev 20 has at times brought much shame upon Christ. Churches have split, families have feuded and friends have become hateful to one another, all over the meaning of the words “a thousand years”. We must resolve ourselves, as brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ, not to dishonor him even when we disagree.
Another preliminary consideration is this: Rev 20 is the only place in the Bible which specifically mentions a millennium. Now this fact does not diminish its importance in relation to the whole, but it should remind us that our interpretation of these verses must be held in the context of Rev itself, and ultimately, in the larger framework given to us in all the Scriptures. It does mean, however, that there is a good chance that a person’s millennial view might not be well informed by and consistent with the rest of the Bible if little study has been done.
Another preliminary point is this: I have come to settle upon an interpretation of Rev 20 which would historically have been labeled as “amillennial”. It is at least somewhat significant for me to point out that I initially held a dispensational premillennial view, and as I studied eschatology with more vigor I found significant biblical inconsistencies within that view. This led me to tentatively hold what would be called “historic premillennialism”. As I studied further, I continued to find inconsistencies in premillennialism in general and finally came to my current resting place – “realized millennialism” or amillennialism. I think it is the only framework which is fully consistent with all that the Bible has to say about how the end will come. And most importantly, realized millennialism is the only view which is completely gospel-centric.
Yet another point, Revelation is a book full of metaphors and symbols and images. Even the premillennialists cannot deny this. One of the base principles in hermeneutics is due consideration of the literary type of the document in question. Revelation is full of figurative language. Revelation is an apocalyptic text. These things cannot be denied. And lastly, what is the overall purpose of Revelation? It is to magnify the glory of Jesus Christ as the only true comfort and motivation for worship among suffering saints. With these things in mind, let’s look at Rev 20.
Rev 20:1-3
1Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.
Then I saw…
Throughout the book of Revelation, these are words John repeats indicating that what he is “seeing” is part of the vision or visions he is communicating to us. What we see here in chapter 20 is a recapitulation of what has already been seen earlier in the book. In chapter 12 we see that through the incarnation and redemptive work of Christ, Satan has been soundly defeated. Here in chapter 20 we see another vision of what Christ has done to Satan at the cross. This interpretation is solidified when we consider what Jesus himself said in John 12:31-33 : “31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.” Likewise, the Greek word that John uses in Rev for Satan being bound is the same word Jesus uses in Matthew 12:22-29 : “22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" 24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.” Therefore it is the first advent of Christ and what he accomplished in it by which the devil is currently bound!
Does the notion that Satan is currently bound line up with our experience? Compared to Old Testament times – the time before the first advent of Christ, has his message been squelched or has it explosively expanded to encompass the ends of the earth? Prior to Christ’s first advent, the gospel was largely contained solely within one ethnic people – Israel. Now, the gospel has encompassed all the earth! Though Satan has certainly not been annihilated, his activity in this gospel age has been so curtailed that he cannot prevent the spread of the gospel to the nations of the world. The church – Christ’s kingdom on this earth – is conquering the nations! So the “thousand years” is figurative language for this gospel age in which you and I currently live.
