Revelation 20 is best understood in what way?

[Checkpoint]

Many questions are asked about this chapter of Revelation, and answers given can differ widely.

Here are just a few questions, for example.

1. How does the chapter fit in with the theme of the whole book?

2. The "thousand years", if literal, are for what purpose? If metaphorical or symbolic, this conveys what?

3. "the first resurrection" describes what, and takes place when?

4. "the lake of fire" is what, and how is it related to "the second death"?

5. What is the nature of the reign "with Christ" that is mentioned?

[brianbbs67]

1. I think it fits with the theme of the book of end time prophecy.

2. I believe literal, relating the thought of a thousand years is like a day to the Lord...

3. It seems to me it describes the 144000 Elect of the tribes of Isreal. At the time of Christ's return.

4. We have a earthly death and secondly a spirit one. Fire purifies and refines and if too hot or long, consumes. IE, impurities removed.

5. Sounds like a pretty good period of time here on Earth. Maybe to sort out the fate of those here before the Second death.

it is always better understood with Gods Help and as per the exact way it is given to us.

I have God's help. Do you?

[TripleZ]

1. I think it fits with the theme of the book of end time prophecy.

2. I believe literal, relating the thought of a thousand years is like a day to the Lord...

3. It seems to me it describes the 144000 Elect of the tribes of Isreal. At the time of Christ's return.

4. We have a earthly death and secondly a spirit one. Fire purifies and refines and if too hot or long, consumes. IE, impurities removed.

5. Sounds like a pretty good period of time here on Earth. Maybe to sort out the fate of those here before the Second death.

,, this is a very small and brief account of what happens to Satan during the 1000 year reign of Yeshua over Israel, His Church being with Him..thne we are told that Satan is then released..at the end of 1000 years.

[TripleZ]

1. I think it fits with the theme of the book of end time prophecy.

2. I believe literal, relating the thought of a thousand years is like a day to the Lord...

3. It seems to me it describes the 144000 Elect of the tribes of Isreal. At the time of Christ's return.

4. We have a earthly death and secondly a spirit one. Fire purifies and refines and if too hot or long, consumes. IE, impurities removed.

5. Sounds like a pretty good period of time here on Earth. Maybe to sort out the fate of those here before the Second death.

why would the word of god be only " symbolical " ? are His Commandments real or symbolical ? How are the Sacrifices actually done or were done in the past, or just symbolically ?
Is GOD real or just symbolical ?

Is it possible that you could post the Scriptures relating to your suppositions above ?

[brianbbs67]

[Replying to post 72 by TripleZ]

I don't think I even implied God was symbolical. I read all scripture literally first. I have found most times literal is correct. So, I am not sure what you want me to post scripture about? Where is the disagreement? Then maybe I can counter with words of God.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 1 by Checkpoint]

4. "the lake of fire" is what, and how is it related to "the second death"?

They are one and the same. Revelation 20:14; 21:8.

The lake of fire is the metaphor for the second death, which is literal.

This is made obvious in 20:14.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 1 by Checkpoint]

1. How does the chapter fit in with the theme of the whole book?

I guess we will each answer based on what we consider to be the theme of Revelation.

My view is that Revelation is about the spiritual world, and its scenes reveal aspects of the battle between God and Satan, so its theme is the clash of their kingdoms.

Following its introduction, chapters 1-5, I find there is a pattern that is twice repeated, in chapters 6-20, followed by its conclusion, chapters 21-22.

The pattern is first seen in chapters 6-11.

These begin with the clash of the two main players and/or their representatives [6:1-4], and end in the final battle and the victory of the kingdom of God [11:15-18].

This basic pattern is repeated in chapters 12-19, and then once more in chapter 20.

The relevant verses are 12:1-11 and 19:11-21, and 20:1-4; 7-10.

This pattern each time covers this present age, from Jesus' first coming to his second one.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 1 by Checkpoint]

2. The "thousand years", if literal, are for what purpose? If metaphorical or symbolic, this conveys what?

I used to think it was literal, as many do, but then changed my mind.

So my position, long held, is that it is metaphorical, and is the complete period covering our present age, which began with the first coming and ends with the second coming.

This interpretation is, I believe, firmly based on what is stated in chapter 20, and how that is supported by other relevant scriptures.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 1 by Checkpoint]

3. "the first resurrection" describes what, and takes place when?

The thousand years ends and the general resurrection and judgment then takes place; see 20:11-15, compare John 5:28-29.

Therefore that is not "the first resurrection", which takes place during the thousand years.

In the first resurrection we pass from death to life [John 5:24-25], by being born of the Spirit from above. On such the second death has no power.

Without such we would remain part of "the rest of the dead" and be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 1 by Checkpoint]

5. What is the nature of the reign "with Christ" that is mentioned?

It is our reign as a royal priesthood in this age, 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6, with Christ as our High Priest on the throne of grace, Hebrews 4:16.

Having experienced "the first resurrection", we sit with Christ in heavenly places, Ephesians 2:6.

So we reign in life and are more than conquerors, Romans 5:17; 8:37.

An interesting passage that describes these things is Revelation 12:10-11.

[tam]

Checkpoint (peace to you), how can the thousand years have begun already when the first resurrection (and coming to life) refers also to those who have been beheaded for their testimony for Christ? Only after that do they come to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years:


I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for [Jesus] and because of the Word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.





Peace to you!