The Dragon Bound
Satan is chained a thousand years while the martyrs who refused the beast reign. Released, he gathers the nations one last time and fire from our Father devours them. Then the books are opened and the dead are judged by what they did. Death itself is thrown out.
20 1I saw an angel coming down from heaven, with the abyss's key and a great chain in hand. 2He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, the devil and Satan, and bound him 1,000 years. 3He threw him into the abyss, shut and sealed over him, to stop him deceiving the nations until the 1,000 years ended; then he must be freed briefly.
4I saw thrones; those seated on them received authority to judge. I saw too the souls of those beheaded for their witness to Jesus and the word of our Father—who had not worshiped the beast or its image, nor accepted its mark on forehead or hand. They came alive and reigned with Christ 1,000 years. 5(The rest of the dead didn't live until the 1,000 years ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is the one sharing the first resurrection; the second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of our Father and of Christ, reigning with him 1,000 years.
Satan Released
7When the 1,000 years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison. 8He will go out to deceive the nations at earth's four corners—Gog and Magog—gathering them for war, numbering like the sea's sand. a a v8 Gog and Magog are not two literal nations but symbols, drawn from the prophet Ezekiel, for all the rebellious peoples of the earth gathered against our Father's people. 9They advanced across the earth's full breadth and surrounded the saints' camp and the beloved city, but fire fell from our Father out of heaven and devoured them. 10The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, joining the beast and false prophet. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
The Great White Throne
11I saw a great white throne and its occupant. Earth and heaven fled from his presence; no place remained for them. b b v11 The great white throne of final judgment is our Father's throne. Every person who has ever lived stands before him. 12I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. Scrolls were opened, and another—the book of life. The dead were judged by what was written in the scrolls, each by their deeds. 13The sea gave up its dead; Death and the grave gave up theirs; each was judged by what they had done. 14Death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
