Revelation 20 explains the biblical teaching about the millennium: Christ takes the saved to heaven, while Satan remains on the desolated earth until the final judgment. This chapter does not support the idea of a secret rapture or a second chance for repentance after death, but reveals God’s justice, love, and final victory over sin.
The book of Revelation presents end-time events through symbols, so chapter 20 should be read in connection with chapters 19 and 21. In chapter 19, Christ comes triumphantly as King of kings; chapter 20 describes the millennium; and in chapter 21, the New Jerusalem descends to the renewed earth. The central question of this chapter is: what will happen to Satan, the righteous, and the wicked between Jesus’ Second Coming and the final restoration of the world?
The Second Coming of Christ and two groups of people
Jesus’ return will not be a secret, unnoticed event. It will be glorious, audible, and visible to the whole world. Christ will raise those who died in faith, and the faithful who are living on the earth will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thess 4:16–17
The Bible speaks of two general resurrections: the resurrection of life for the saved and the resurrection of judgment for those who rejected God’s grace.
“The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth: those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.” Ів 5:28–29
The first resurrection takes place at the Second Coming. The wicked who meet Christ alive will perish from the glory of His coming, and the wicked dead will remain in their graves until the end of the thousand years. Thus, during the millennium there will not be a single living person on earth.
What does the “bottomless pit” and Satan’s chains mean
The apostle John sees Satan bound for a thousand years in the “bottomless pit.” This does not mean that the devil will be chained physically with a literal chain in an underground cave. In the Greek text, the word used is related to the description of the earth before creation: it was empty, unordered, and dark. After Christ’s coming, the earth will again become desolated: cities destroyed, the righteous taken to heaven, and the wicked dead.
“I looked at the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; and at the heavens, and they had no light… I looked, and indeed there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens had fled.” Jer 4:23–25
This desolation is precisely the "chains of circumstances" for Satan. He will have no one to tempt, deceive, or persecute. The one who deceived the nations for thousands of years will have to see the consequences of his own rebellion. Revelation plainly points to the purpose of his imprisonment.
"And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years... so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished." Rev. 20:2–3
The righteous reign and take part in judgment
At that time the saved will be with Christ in heaven. They will not sit as vengeful judges, but will have the opportunity to be convinced of the absolute righteousness of God's decisions. God will open the books so that no unresolved question remains in the universe: why one person is saved and another is lost; why God allowed certain events; whether He truly did everything possible for the salvation of every person.
"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Rev. 20:4
Ellen G. White emphasized that during this period the redeemed will see the full harmony between God's justice and mercy. God's judgment is not arbitrary: every lost person finally and voluntarily rejected the salvation offered in Jesus Christ.
The end of the millennium and the final victory
After the thousand years, the New Jerusalem will descend from heaven. Then the wicked will be raised—this is the second resurrection. Satan will again have someone to deceive and will lead them against God's city. Yet even in the presence of God's glory, they will show no repentance. Their choice will become evident to all.
"Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations... to gather them together to battle." Rev. 20:7–8
Fire from God will destroy sin, Satan, and all who have consciously identified themselves with him. This will be the "second death," the final opposite of eternal life. Hell in the biblical sense is not endless torment, but the just and final destruction of sin.
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Rev. 20:14
Hope for every person
Revelation 20 is not only a prophecy about the future, but also a personal appeal. A name is written in the book of life not by human merit, but through a living relationship with Christ. He died for us, forgives the one who comes to Him, and gives power for a new life.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." Rom 8:1
The practical application is simple and important: today, entrust to Jesus what troubles your conscience, confess your sin to Him, receive His forgiveness, and build your life daily on God's Word. The one who belongs to Christ has the hope of taking part in the first resurrection and reigning with Him forever.
