The Revelation 20 Scripture is emphatic that at Christ's return, when the Revelation beast's reign has ended, there will then be a "thousand years" reign over the nations by Lord Jesus and His elect. There is a doctrine of men that started in the 2nd century A.D. called Amillennialism that goes directly against this written Scripture. Don't be deceived by it, for the Scripture events are clear that the future 1,000 years reign by Jesus will be literal.
Rev 20:1-6
20 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Later verses will prove beyond all doubt that the above locking Satan in his pit prison for a thousand years will only happen after Christ's future return. But truly, we should know that just by that simple mention of Satan being bound for that period of... "a thousand years".
We know that did not happen in the Apostle's day, because Peter warned the Church that Satan, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The next verse here reveals Satan won't be able to do that once this locking in the pit for a "thousand years" takes place in the future...
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
If that was already history, like some believe that thousand years started by Lord Jesus' crucifixion, then how many years have already passed today? Almost 2,000 years since Christ's death on the cross in 29 A.D. Just when then, was Satan loosed in final 1,000 years after Christ's death on the cross? As you can see, that idea is pretty silly, and does not fit this Scripture Witness at all.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
That is so simple that it begins at the start of Christ's future return. The Revelation beast is for the very end of this world, just prior to Christ's future return. We learn this even on the 6th Trumpet timing of Revelation 11 when the beast that ascends up out of the bottomless pit kills God's two witnesses in Jerusalem during the "great tribulation". The next events there point to Christ's coming on the 7th Trumpet.
That one that ascends is not about a pope, nor any such historical figure as that 'beast', but only one who can ascend out of the bottomless pit. What pit? Well, what "bottomless pit" is being talked about here in Revelation 20, and who is it locked into it when the above verses take place?
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
KJV
I don't know about you, but none of us in Christ Jesus become 'priests' in His Kingdom until His return in our near future. As of right now, we are simply members of His Body, His Church, and are promised to reign with Him as kings and priests if we remain faithful to Him, waiting for His return. Those positions are part of His rewards to His elect faithful Church.
Rev 20:7-8
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
KJV
That above reveals the "nations which are in the four quarters of the earth" will still exist after Christ's future return. That is who Jesus will reign over with the "rod of iron" promised Him per Psalms 2. That reign over the nations with Him He also promised His faithful Church per Revelation 2:25-27.
Rev 20:9-12
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Where does the above show that "beloved city" and that "camp of the saints" is located then? It will be "up on the breadth of the earth"! So you mean our destination when Lord Jesus gathers us at His coming is going to be to that location, on earth?? Yes, exactly! The Zechariah 14 Scripture reveals this more plainly. But not many of my Christian brethren hear much taught from that Zechariah 14 Chapter regarding Christ's future return. (And the orthodox Jew that has crept into Christ's Church and hides, certainly does not like that Zechariah 14 prophecy revealed to the Church either. Thus your duty to study it brethren in Christ Jesus.)
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him That sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
KJV
That shows at the end of the "thousand years", that is when God's Great White Throne Judgment will happen, and the dead (unsaved) will be judged to see if any of their names are found in the Book of Life. After that, those who still reject Jesus will go into the "lake of fire" along with the abode of hell, and the concept of death. Only then will God's Eternity begin.
Rev 20:1-6
20 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Later verses will prove beyond all doubt that the above locking Satan in his pit prison for a thousand years will only happen after Christ's future return. But truly, we should know that just by that simple mention of Satan being bound for that period of... "a thousand years".
We know that did not happen in the Apostle's day, because Peter warned the Church that Satan, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The next verse here reveals Satan won't be able to do that once this locking in the pit for a "thousand years" takes place in the future...
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
If that was already history, like some believe that thousand years started by Lord Jesus' crucifixion, then how many years have already passed today? Almost 2,000 years since Christ's death on the cross in 29 A.D. Just when then, was Satan loosed in final 1,000 years after Christ's death on the cross? As you can see, that idea is pretty silly, and does not fit this Scripture Witness at all.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
That is so simple that it begins at the start of Christ's future return. The Revelation beast is for the very end of this world, just prior to Christ's future return. We learn this even on the 6th Trumpet timing of Revelation 11 when the beast that ascends up out of the bottomless pit kills God's two witnesses in Jerusalem during the "great tribulation". The next events there point to Christ's coming on the 7th Trumpet.
That one that ascends is not about a pope, nor any such historical figure as that 'beast', but only one who can ascend out of the bottomless pit. What pit? Well, what "bottomless pit" is being talked about here in Revelation 20, and who is it locked into it when the above verses take place?
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
KJV
I don't know about you, but none of us in Christ Jesus become 'priests' in His Kingdom until His return in our near future. As of right now, we are simply members of His Body, His Church, and are promised to reign with Him as kings and priests if we remain faithful to Him, waiting for His return. Those positions are part of His rewards to His elect faithful Church.
Rev 20:7-8
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
KJV
That above reveals the "nations which are in the four quarters of the earth" will still exist after Christ's future return. That is who Jesus will reign over with the "rod of iron" promised Him per Psalms 2. That reign over the nations with Him He also promised His faithful Church per Revelation 2:25-27.
Rev 20:9-12
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Where does the above show that "beloved city" and that "camp of the saints" is located then? It will be "up on the breadth of the earth"! So you mean our destination when Lord Jesus gathers us at His coming is going to be to that location, on earth?? Yes, exactly! The Zechariah 14 Scripture reveals this more plainly. But not many of my Christian brethren hear much taught from that Zechariah 14 Chapter regarding Christ's future return. (And the orthodox Jew that has crept into Christ's Church and hides, certainly does not like that Zechariah 14 prophecy revealed to the Church either. Thus your duty to study it brethren in Christ Jesus.)
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him That sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
KJV
That shows at the end of the "thousand years", that is when God's Great White Throne Judgment will happen, and the dead (unsaved) will be judged to see if any of their names are found in the Book of Life. After that, those who still reject Jesus will go into the "lake of fire" along with the abode of hell, and the concept of death. Only then will God's Eternity begin.