The Reign of Christ

Musical compositions sometimes have a coda, a passage that brings the piece to an end like the final paragraph in an essay or a story. A musical coda can be short, lasting for only a few measures, or it can be much longer. Some composers, including Beethoven, occasionally employ a “false” coda, a passage that seems about to draw to a close but then resumes.

After reading Revelation 20, yesterday’s text may feel a bit like a false coda. Isn’t the war over? Hasn’t Jesus been declared the victor? Today’s passage gives us more details and describes several things that happen after the victory.

First, Jesus dispatches His primary enemy and the chief instigator of all opposition against God. Satan is bound in the Abyss for a thousand years. As we will soon see, this is not Satan’s ultimate doom. It is a temporary measure intended to keep Satan from deceiving the nations until the thousand years have ended (vv. 2–3).

Next the first of two major resurrections takes place. One is for “those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God” (v. 4). They are given a resurrection body and will reign with Christ for the thousand years. This is the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore the kingdom to Israel through the reign of the Messiah (Matt. 19:28; cf. Acts 1:6–7).

After the thousand years, Satan reappears to deceive the nations. This is not a setback or accident. Satan will not escape; he will be released (v. 7). It is all part of God’s plan. But this time his effort to thwart God’s plan is short-lived. Satan is thrown into the lake of burning sulfur with the beast and the false prophet. His long rebellion is over.

Pray with Us

As we continue to pray for Stewardship, please add to your list Field Representatives who maintain personal connection with our donors all over the country. Ask the Lord for safety and protection in their travels and for encouragement in their work.

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.