9.

Revelation 20:4 says there will be a judgment in heaven

during the 1,000 years. What for? Who will participate?
“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. ... And they lived
and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4).
“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? ... Do you not know that we shall judge
angels?” (1 Corinthians 6:2, 3).

Answer: The saved from all ages (and probably even good angels) will participate in the
judgment during the 1,000 years. The cases of all who are lost, including the devil and his
angels, will be reviewed. This judgment will clear up any questions the saved might have about
those who were lost.
In the end, all will see that people are shut out of heaven only if they did not really want to live
like Jesus or to be with Him.

REVIEW OF THE EVENTS DURING THE 1,000 YEARS:

1. The earth in a battered condition from huge hailstones and a devastating earthquake
(Revelation 16:18–21)

2. The earth in total blackout and desolate, a “bottomless pit” (Jeremiah 4:23, 28)

3. Satan bound and forced to stay on the earth (Revelation 20:1–3)

4. The righteous in heaven participate in the judgment (Revelation 20:4)

5. The wicked are all dead (Jeremiah 4:25; Isaiah 11:4)

During the 1,000 years, every soul who has ever lived on earth will be in one of two places: (1)
on the earth, dead and lost, or (2) in heaven, taking part in the judgment. The Lord invites you to
be in heaven. Please accept His invitation!

The holy city, along with all God's people, will descend to earth at the close of the 1,000 years.

10. At the close of the 1,000 years, the holy city, New
Jerusalem, will come down from heaven to this earth. Who
will come with it? Where will it settle?
“I ... saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. ... And I heard a
loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men’ ” (Revelation 21:2,
3).
“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming. ... And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of
Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two. ... Thus
the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You. ... All the land shall be turned into a
plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem” (Zechariah 14:1, 4, 5, 10).

Answer: The New Jerusalem will settle where the mount of Olives now stands. The mountain
will be flattened to make a great plain, upon which the city will come to rest. All of the righteous
people of all ages (Zechariah 14:5), the angels of heaven (Matthew 25:31), God the Father
(Revelation 21:2, 3),
and God the Son (Matthew 25:31) will return to the earth with the holy city for Jesus’ special
third coming. The second coming will be for His saints, while the third will be with His saints.

Jesus’ Three Advents:

First coming to
Second coming in the clouds at the
Bethlehem in a Third coming with the holy city and
beginning of the 1,000 years to take
manger. all righteous people at the close of
His people to heaven. the 1,000 years.

11. What will happen to the wicked dead at this time? How
will this affect Satan?
“The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. ...
When the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out
to deceive the nations” (Revelation 20:5, 7, 8).

Answer: At the close of the 1,000 years (when Jesus comes the third time), the wicked will be
raised. Satan, loosed from his bonds, will then have an earth full of people (all the nations of the
world) to deceive.

12. What will Satan do then?

“Satan will … go out to deceive the nations … of the earth … to gather them together to battle,
whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded
the camp of the saints and the beloved city” (Revelation 20:7–9).
Answer: Satan, true to his nature, will immediately begin lying to the people left on the earth—
the wicked from all ages. (For more information on the origin of Satan, see Study Guide 2.) He
may claim that the city is really his, that he was unjustly deposed from the heavenly kingdom,
that God is power hungry and ruthless. He will convince them that, if they unify, God does not
have a chance. With the entire world against one city, victory will likely appear certain to them.
The nations will then unite and marshal their armies to surround the New Jerusalem.

13. What will interrupt Satan’s plan to capture or destroy

the city?
“Fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them,
was cast into ... the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”
(Revelation 20:9, 10; 21:8).
“ ‘The wicked ... shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,’ says the
Lord of hosts” (Malachi 4:3).

Answer: Fire will suddenly come down from heaven (not up from hell, as many believe) upon
the wicked and all will be turned into ashes, including the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
This fire that destroys sin and sinners is called the second death. There is no resurrection from
this death. It is final. Notice that the devil will not be tending the fire, as is commonly believed.
He will be in it, and it will put him out of existence.
(For full information on this fire, sometimes called hell, see Study Guide 11. For information on
death, see Study Guide 10.)

14. When the wicked are burned up and the fire goes out,
what glorious, thrilling event will take place next?
“Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17).
“Look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
“He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’ ” (Revelation 21:5).
“The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).

Answer: God will create new heavens and a new earth, and the New Jerusalem will be the
capital city of the earth made new. Sin and its ugliness will be gone forever. God’s people will at
long last receive the kingdom promised to them. “They shall obtain joy and
gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10). It’s simply too fabulous to
describe and too glorious to miss! God has a place prepared there for you (John 14:1–3). Plan to
live in it. Jesus is waiting for your consent. (For full information
on heaven, see Study Guide 4.)

REVIEW THE EVENTS AT THE CLOSE OF THE 1,000 YEARS:

1. Third coming of Jesus with His saints (Zechariah 14:5).

2. Holy city settles on the Mount of Olives, which becomes a great plain (Zechariah 14:4,
10).
3. The Father, His angels, and all of the righteous come with Jesus (Revelation 21:1–3;
Matthew 25:31; Zechariah 14:5).
4. The wicked dead are raised; Satan is loosed (Revelation 20:5, 7).
5. Satan deceives the entire world (Revelation 20:8).
6. The wicked surround the holy city (Revelation 20:9).
7. The wicked are destroyed by fire (Revelation 20:9).
8. New heavens and earth created (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
9. God’s people enjoy eternity with God on the new earth (Revelation 21:2–4).

THE 1,000 YEARS OF REVELATION 20

EVENTS DURING THE 1,000 YEARS
1. The earth in a battered condition from huge hailstones and a devastating earthquake
(Revelation 16:18–21). 2. The earth in total blackout and desolate, a “bottomless pit”
(Jeremiah 4:23, 28). 3. Satan bound and forced to stay on the earth (Revelation 20:1–3). 4.
The righteous in heaven participate in the judgment (Revelation 20:4). 5. The wicked are all
dead (Jeremiah 4:25; Isaiah 11:4).

FIRST RESURRECTION - AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 1,000 YEARS

1. A devastating earthquake and hailstorm (Revelation 16:18–21).

2. The second coming of Jesus for His saints (Matthew 24:30, 31).
3. The saved dead raised to life (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
4. The saved given immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51–55).
5. The saved given bodies like Jesus (1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:20, 21).
6. All the righteous caught up into the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
7. The living wicked slain by the breath of the Lord’s mouth (Isaiah 11:4).
8. The unsaved dead remain in their graves until the end of the 1,000 years (Revelation
20:5).
9. New heavens and earth created (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
10. Satan bound (Revelation 20:1–3).
 11. God’s people enjoy eternity with God on the new earth (Revelation 21:2–4).

SECOND RESURRECTION - AT THE CLOSE OF THE 1,000 YEARS

1. Third coming of Jesus with His saints (Zechariah 14:5).

2. Holy city settles on the Mount of Olives, which becomes a great plain (Zechariah 14:4,
10).
3. The Father, His angels, and all of the righteous come with Jesus (Revelation 21:1–3;
Matthew 25:31; Zechariah 14:5).
4. The wicked dead are raised; Satan is loosed (Revelation 20:5, 7).
5. Satan deceives the entire world (Revelation 20:8).
6. The wicked surround the holy city (Revelation 20:9).
7. The wicked are destroyed by fire (Revelation 20:9).
8. God's people enjoy eternity with Jesus.

15. Can we know how soon all these momentous events will
take place?
“When you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” (Matthew 24:33).
“When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption
draws near” (Luke 21:28).
“He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the Lord will make a short
work upon the earth” (Romans 9:28).
“When they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them” (1
Thessalonians 5:3).

Answer: Jesus said when the signs of His coming are being fulfilled rapidly, as they are today,
we should rejoice and know that the end of this world of sin is near—even at the doors. And the
apostle Paul said we can know the end is near when there is a great movement for peace in the
world. Finally, the Bible says God will cut the work short (Romans 9:28). So without a doubt,
we are living on borrowed time. The Lord will arrive suddenly and unexpectedly—at an hour
known to no one, but to God the Father only (Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7). Our only safety is to be
ready now.

16. Jesus, who loves you very much, has prepared a place for
you in His fantastic eternal kingdom. Are you making plans
to live in that glorious home custom-built for you by Jesus
Himself?
Answer:

Thought Questions

1. How long will the time period be from the day the holy city descends until the
wicked are destroyed by fire from heaven?

The Bible says it will be a “little while” (Revelation 20:3). Enough time will be required for
Satan to persuade people to follow his plan and prepare weapons of war. The exact length of
time is not revealed in Scripture.

2. What kind of bodies will people have in God’s new kingdom?

The Bible says the redeemed will have bodies like that of Jesus (Philippians 3:20, 21). Jesus had
a real body of flesh and bones after His resurrection (Luke 24:36–43). The saved will not be
ghosts. They will be real people, just as Adam and Eve real bodies.

3. Does the Bible say how the lost will react at Jesus’ second coming?

Yes. The Bible says they will cry “to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the
face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His
wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’ ” (Revelation 6:16, 17). (See also verses 14 and 15.)
The righteous, on the other hand, will say, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him,
and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His
salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).

4. Will the wicked be able to see the righteous people who are inside the New
Jerusalem?
We don’t know with certainty, but the Bible does say the city wall will be the see-through type—
clear as crystal (Revelation 21:11, 18). Some believe that Psalm 37:34 and Luke 13:28 suggest
the saved and the unsaved will be able to see each other.

5. The Bible says God will wipe away all tears from the eyes of His people and
that there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain. When will this happen?

From Revelation 21:1–4 and Isaiah 65:17, it appears that this will happen after sin is cleansed
from the earth. During the final judgment and destruction of sin by fire, God’s people will have
many reasons for deep sorrow. As they realize that relatives and friends are lost and that people
they loved are being destroyed in the fire, anguish will doubtless bring tears and heartache to
God’s people. But after the fire goes out, the Lord will wipe away their tears. He will then create
new heavens and a new earth for His people, which will bring them unspeakable joy and
fulfillment. And sorrow, sadness, crying, and heartache will be forever gone. (For more on the
heavenly home of God’s people, see Study Guide 4.)

6. How will the destruction of wicked angels and people affect God the Father
and His Son?

Doubtless they will be relieved and overjoyed that the ugly cancer of sin is gone forever and that
the universe is forever secure. But just as certain, they will also experience deep sadness over the
fact that so many of those they love—and for whom Jesus died—chose to cling to sin and reject
salvation. Satan himself was once their friend, and many people in the fire were once their dearly
beloved children. It will be like the agony of seeing one of your own errant children killed. Sin
has been a crushing load upon both Father and Son since its inception. Their aim has been to
love people and gently draw them to salvation. Their feelings are expressed in Hosea 11:8, which
says, “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? ... My heart churns
within Me; My sympathy is stirred.”

7. What kind of body does Jesus have?

He has a body of flesh and bones. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples (Luke
24:36–43) and demonstrated that He was flesh and bones by having them feel His body and by
eating some fish and honey.

Jesus Ascends
He then walked with them to Bethany and, as He finished conversing with them, ascended to
heaven (Luke 24:50, 51). The angel who appeared to the disciples as Jesus ascended explained,
“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you
saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

This Same Jesus Will Return

The angel’s emphasis was that this same Jesus (of flesh and bones) will come again. He will be
real, not ghostly, and the risen saints will have bodies like His (Philippians 3:20, 21; 1 John 3:2).
The saints’ new bodies will also be incorruptible and immortal (1 Corinthians 15:51–55).

Quiz Questions

1. Mark the events that will take place at the beginning of the 1,000 years of Revelation
chapter 20: (10)

_____ Second coming of Jesus.

_____ Earthquake and hailstorm.
_____ Righteous dead raised.
_____ Satan bound.
_____ Living wicked slain.
_____ Righteous given immortality.
_____ Holy city descends.
_____ Righteous taken to heaven.
_____ Wicked in graves remain dead.
_____ Righteous given bodies like Jesus.
_____ Righteous caught up into the clouds.
_____ Some saved will be left on the earth.

2. Every living person on earth will see Jesus at His second coming. (1)

_____ True.
_____ False.

3. The righteous will have ghost-like bodies in heaven. (1)

_____ True.
_____ False.

4. Which of the following items are true about the 1,000-year period? (2)

_____ Many sinners will be converted.

_____ Satan and his angels will be forced to stay on the earth.