Revelation:20

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 1-3 - Here is a vision , showing by a figure the restraints laid on Satan himself . Christ , with Almighty power , will keep the devil from deceiving mankind as he has hitherto done . He never wants power and instruments to break the power of Satan . Christ shuts by his power , and seals by his authority . The church shall have a time of peace and prosperity , but all her trials are not yet over . * Verse 4-6 - Here is an account of the reign of the saints , for the same space of time as Satan is bound . Those who suffer with Christ , shall reign with him in his spiritual and heavenly kingdom , in conformity to him in his wisdom , righteousness , and holiness : this is called the first resurrection , with which none but those who serve Christ , and suffer for him , shall be favoured . The happiness of these servants of God is declared . None can be blessed but those that are holy ; and all that are holy shall be blessed . We know something thing of what the first death is , and it is very awful ; but we know not what this second death is . It must be much more dreadful ; it is the death of the soul , eternal separation from God . May we never know what it is : those who have been made partakers of a spiritual resurrection , are saved from the power of the second death . We may expect that a thousand years will follow the destruction of the antichristian , idolatrous , persecuting powers , during which pure Christianity , in doctrine , worship , and holiness , will be made known over all the earth . By the all-powerful working of the Holy Spirit , fallen man will be new-created ; and faith and holiness will as certainly prevail , as unbelief and unholiness now do . We may easily perceive what a variety of dreadful pains , diseases , and other calamities would cease , if all men were true and consistent Christians . All the evils of public and private contests would be ended , and happiness of every kind largely increased . Every man would try to lighten suffering , instead of adding to the sorrows around him . It is our duty to pray for the promised glorious days , and to do every thing in our public and private stations which can prepare for them . * Verse 7-10 - While this world lasts , Satan 's power in it will not be wholly destroyed , though it may be limited and lessened . No sooner is Satan let loose , than he again begins deceiving the nations , and stirring them up to make war with the saints and servants of God . It would be well if the servants and ministers of Christ were as active and persevering in doing good , as his enemies in doing mischief . God will fight this last and decisive battle for his people , that the victory may be complete , and the glory be to himself . * Verse 11-15 - After the events just foretold , the end will speedily come ; and there is no mention of any thing else , before the appearing of Christ to judge the world . This will be the great day : the Judge , the Lord Jesus Christ , will then put on majesty and terror . The persons to be judged are the dead , small and great ; young and old , low and high , poor and rich . None are so mean , but they have some talents to account for ; and none so great , as to avoid having to account for them . Not only those alive at the coming of Christ , but all the dead . There is a book of remembrance both for good and bad : and the book of the sinner 's conscience , though formerly secret , will then be opened . Every man will recollect all his past actions , though he had long forgotten many of them . Another book shall be opened , the book of the Scriptures , the rule of life ; it represents the Lord 's knowledge of his people , and his declaring their repentance , faith , and good works ; showing the blessings of the new covenant . By their works men shall be justified or condemned ; he will try their principles by their practices . Those justified and acquitted by the gospel , shall be justified and acquitted by the Judge , and shall enter into eternal life , having nothing more to fear from death , or hell , or wicked men ; for these are all destroyed together . This is the second death ; it is the final separation of sinners from God . Let it be our great concern to see whether our Bibles justify or condemn us now ; for Christ will judge the secrets of all men according to the gospel . Who shall dwell with devouring flames ? **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

---