It gives me great joy, and a real feeling of pleasure to compile, and send this book forth on a timely, and needed mission. The content is thought to be one of the most, if not the most puzzling portions of the entire Bible. Many sincere, and honest people have longed, and sought for the true Biblical explanation of this great chapter.

Great stress is being laid by visionists on suppositional prophecies, and literalizing pictures of supposed future events that will never come to pass. To those who do not know the Scripture, this is serving to bring a dreadful fear, and disturbance of soul and mind, which is robbing many Christians of their rightful inheritance of present victory, comfort, and peace.

There is such a vast amount of the false, and so little of the true going out, it has become very necessary that the real truth be sounded to the entire world.

The objective of this book is to enlighten, comfort, settle, and stabilize all who read it. We wish to make it clear there is no intention of reflection, hurting, or wounding anyone, but rather to set forth the full truth in a helpful manner. To the genuine born-again child of God, it is desired that you will receive much light, strength, and comfort. And especially, you who are yoked up with organizations, creeds, and ways of man that are antagonistic to the way of the Cross, it is believed you will rejoice for knowledge of the way of full truth. Furthermore, we believe you will be happy to know the way God would have you live, how, when and where you should spend your time, efforts, and money. To the sinner may this serve to convict of wrong, show the way to God, and the need, and value of right living.

Chapter I
Some Literal Comparisons

The book of Revelation was written by John the beloved, 66 years after the death of our Lord. He wrote of the things which had been, which were, and which were to be hereafter.

The book of Revelation was written in symbolic language, meaning a language based on analogy. Symbolic means to choose an object, not to represent itself, but something of an analogous character. Analogous meaning, something of resemblance or similar without identity.

Webster defines symbols as follows, “The sign or representation of any moral thing by the images or properties of natural things.” Revelation is not a book to be taken altogether literal, but the paramount truth taught pertains to spiritual things. It is a book to be spiritually understood. To illustrate a scriptural lesson will be used recorded in Revelation 12:1–6. “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.

“And being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven: and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: And her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” To attempt to literalize these scriptures would be ridiculous to intelligent thinking. Let us see how literal reasoning will plan out about the woman, and the dragon.

This woman literally standing on the moon, clothed with (in) the sun, would make her 92,661,143 miles in height. With a crown of twelve stars on her head, would give her an entirely to large a head.

Some facts as given by our great educators will prove further the ridiculousness of attempting to literalize this.

We are told the closest thing to the earth is the moon, with a distance from the earth of 238,857 miles. The diameter of the moon is 2,160 miles, or about 1–80 size of the earth, and in volume 1–49. The period of the moon’s revolution about the earth with reference to the sun is 29 1/2 days.

The most recent distance given of the sun from the earth is 92,900,000 miles. Its linear diameter being 864,000 miles. Its mass size 332,000 times that of the earth. Next to the sun, and the nearest star to the earth, is Alpha, which is about twenty-five trillion miles from the earth. The number of stars in the Milky Way is variously estimated from two billions to forty billions, with other milky ways probably possessing as many.

For one to say a creature living on this earth, known as the great red dragon, will possess a tail that will reach around trillions of stars, when the smallest star is many times the size of the earth, and pull one third of them down on this earth which is the smallest of them all would be one of the most irrational and ridiculous things possible to imagine. No intelligent mind, which stops to think, would entertain such an unreasonable, and erroneous theory.

To you who believe in a one thousand years of literal reign of Christ, on a literal throne here on this earth, which of the calendars, and years are you going to use? There are many in effect now. Here are some of them. The Jewish, the Roman, the Greek, the Julian, the Gregorian, the Chinese, the Civil, meaning our American calendar and others. These all differ in time. If there is going to be a future literal reign of Christ here on earth, it is very important to know which of these calendars the Lord would have used so the proper length of time for the one thousand years could be properly measured. To use the wrong one would put one out of harmony with the Bible. Since various nations use different calendars, which one does the Lord approve. If you can settle on the one approved by the Lord, how are you going to convince other nations who do not use it, that it is the one, and get them to accept it so they too may properly reckon time?

Briefly, the length of various years will be given, so the folly of attempting to literalize will be more clearly understood. The length of the Tropical year is 365 days 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 34 seconds. The common Lunar year is 354 days, which is known as the common Hebrew year; and was the ancient Greek year. There also is the Mohammedan year, and others that could be mentioned.

One thousand years according to the Jewish calendar was 350,000 days. One thousand years according to the calendar as we in America know it is 365,250 days, making a difference of 15,000 days, or 41 years, Again, may I ask, if Christ is going to reign one thousand literal years here on earth, which one is to be used to scripturally reckon time?

From the facts given one can at once see it would be erroneous to attempt to literalize all of the book of Revelation, and would be completely out of harmony with Biblical teaching, current knowledge, and common sense. It would result in a gross state of confusion. “God is not the author of confusion …” I Cor. 14:33.

Bear in mind the twentieth Chapter of Revelation is a panoramic view of the whole New Testament Gospel dispensation, or from Christ to the end of the world. This being so let us go back to the beginning, which is Rev. 20:1.

Chapter II
The Binding of the Dragon

First: “The Angel Came Down From Heaven.” Rev. 20:1.

The angel coming down from out of heaven, spoken of in verse one has reference to, and means Christ. This is proven by Christ’s own statement, saying He possesses “The keys of hell and death.” Rev. 1:18.

Webster defines an angel as a supernatural messenger of God, superior to man in power and intelligence; one clothed in Deity. One bearing a divine message, Christ is all of this.

God’s ministers are likened unto angels. Note these scriptures, “The enemy that sowed them is the devil: the harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels.” Matt. 13:39. In Rev. 2:1 the pastor of the Church at Ephesus is called an angel.… “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write …” The term angel is also used in addressing the pastors of the other churches spoken of in the book of Revelation. The angel spoken of in Rev. 20:1 symbolizes Christ and His power operating through the primitive host of Christians, the ministers in particular.

Second: The Key, V. 1.

The key mentioned in Rev. 20:1 is a symbol of power. It, symbolizes that which opens, or prepares a way. The power to unlock, and power to enter. When possessing a key, one possesses power of entrance. It further symbolizes the power to penetrate the power of darkness of sin. The power to enlighten and open understanding.

Christ possessed this power. “I am alive forever more, and have the keys (power) of hell and death.” Rev. 1:18. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” Matt. 28:18. God’s true ministers are given the keys (power) of the kingdom of God on this earth. Jesus speaking further says, “And I will give unto thee the keys (power) of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matt. 13:19. They have power to bind or loose, as Jesus set forth, while ministering for Him here on earth. God’s people possess power over all of the powers of the devil, and false religions. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19. “He that is begotten of God keepeth himself and the wicked one toucheth him not” I John 5:18. These scriptures show clearly that the people who belong to Christ possess His power symbolized by the key.

Third: The Bottomless Pit, V. 1.

King James version calls it “the bottomless pit.” Goodspeed renders it as “the abyss,” Webster defines it as an abyss so deep that one can not return from it: hell, great distress or trouble.

The bottomless pit, or abyss, means a state of chaos, infernal pit, or regions of evil powers. A realm of infernal spirits, hellish in character, and diabolical. A gross state of heathenism, and spiritual wickedness. Gross wickedness in the name of religion. The bottomless pit does not refer to an earthly pit, but to the awful state of spiritual wickedness of false religious movements. Christian people are wrestling today against spiritual wickedness in high places” Eph. 6:12.

Fourth: The Great Chain, V. 1.

This great chain is symbolic of the great chain of the truth of God through the centuries, symbolizing the great power of the word of God. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds, who being in the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high.” Heb. 1:13.

The literal meaning of a chain is a string of interlinked rings, or links serving to bind, or hold. Spiritually it means a connected series of truth, a succession of God’s word and power.

Jesus promised He would give the power of His word to His ministers, and His church. “And I will give unto thee the keys (power) of the kingdom.” Matt. 16:19.

The apostle Paul set forth the power of God. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth …” Rom. 1:16. The Bible gives an example where Jesus bound the devil while He was here on earth. Matt. 12:29.

Some say this chain will be a literal one. If so, there are two questions that must be answered. First, How can a spirit, and an immortal body be bound with a literal chain? Second, if the literal binding would be possible, where would the chain be fastened? There will be no earth, or material substance existing to tie to, or place for the binding when Jesus returns. Notice, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night: in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” 2 Pet. 3:10.

John the Revelator gives a clear account of happenings when Jesus comes. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and heavens fled away: and there was found no place for them.” Rev. 20:11. When Jesus comes again the earth, and all earthly and material things will pass away, therefore, there will be nothing literal existing to use or fasten to.

From scriptural teaching it can have nothing but a spiritual meaning. To spiritualize this makes it simple to understand, and scriptural in interpretation. For emphasis repetition is used. The great chain is a symbol of great power, which means the word of God, the great chain of truth accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the hands of God’s people, His Church.

Fifth: He (Christ) Laid Hold on the Dragon, V. 2

The Angel, the key, the bottomless pit, and the great chain, as we have noted, all are symbols of spiritual power, therefore the dragon is also symbolic of a great power. The Angel with a great chain is symbolic of power and authority. The dragon mentioned in Rev. 12:3, 9; 13:1; 17:3, 9–10, always was at war, and in strong conflict with Christ, and the powers of Christianity. Upon his various heads, horns (power) and ten crowns were the name of blasphemy. Rev. 13:1, 17:3. This all proves it is a spiritual conflict and not a literal, carnal combat.

The dragon appears as the emblem of the destructive and anti-christian principle known as pagan Rome, which was in power when Christ came and began his earthly ministry. Like the serpent, the dragon is always an anti-christian power ministering evil.

In Christian art the dragon is the emblem of sin. It is often represented as crushed under the feet of saints and martyrs.

When Christianity first commenced its warfare with this huge Pagan system (of the Roman Empire) almost the entire then known world was under its deceptive influence, but by a long conflict, in which thousands of the noble followers of Christ were slaughtered, this anti-christian public system of pagan infidelity was at last completely overthrown, and the final result was that the civilized world became as completely Christian (nominally at least) as it ever had been pagan. The angel that overthrew this public system of pagan infidelity (meaning system of pagan Rome) symbolizes Christ and the primitive host of Christians, the ministers in particular.

It is well to note that the angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, with a great chain in his hand, and who laid hold of the dragon, all happened before (not during or after) the “thousand years,” the Armageddon battle, and the judgment scene. The laying hold of and binding of the dragon, has reference to the power of Christ and the Holy Ghost working through His church and His ministry, attacking and conquering the great power of Paganism which worked through the governmental system of the Roman Empire, which ruled during the time of the primitive, or early Church, more clearly known as the spreading of the gospel during the days of the Apostles, and shortly following. The power of the dragon symbolizes the power and spirit of the devil. The devil himself working through this pagan, wicked, heathen system of the Roman Empire.

Chapter III
The Thousand Years

Some pertinent facts that must not be overlooked. Nations, kingdoms, and peoples were existing as formerly during the period of this thousand years. Rev. 20:3. There were people living, to be deceived; but the restraining power of God, —“Set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years shall be fulfilled,” and after that he must be loosed a little season. V. 3. This is conclusive a proof that nations of people with their various powers were existing during, and would continue to exist after the thousand year period was ended. There was still a lot of deceiving to be done by the devil after the thousand years.… “He must be loosed a little season.” V. 3.

Furthermore, there were to be saints reigning on thrones, with judgment given them, after the thousand years. After the thousand years, Satan would “be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations.” Rev. 20:7–8. This proves time on earth had not ended, even at the end of the thousand years. People were still living and existing with their various ways, and governments and had the privilege of accepting, or rejecting Christ and His truth.

After this period there is to be a gathering of Gog and Magog for a great battle against the saints here on this earth. When Christ comes the earth shall pass away, and all former things, therefore no earth, no people will be here after Jesus comes, to literally fulfill these, as Milennial teachers would have us believe. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Pet. 3:10, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away; and there was found no place for them.” Rev. 20:11. All people will be gathered before our Lord for judgment when Jesus comes. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.” Matt. 25:31–32. These facts make it clear that the thousand years was sometime between the first coming of Christ, which was at His birth, and the second coming of Christ, which will be the end of time, or the end of this world. This being so we must resort to the reign of the dragon or Roman power to locate the period of the thousand years.

It is clear from the first part of Rev. 20 that the dragon or power of Pagan Rome was in operation, with full force during the days of primitive Christianity, or the days of the apostles. This Pagan system began before Christ was born, and continued until the end of the reign of Diocletian which was about the ending of the third century A. D. Following, Constantine ascended to the throne and became what is called the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire. During his reign he changed it from a pagan empire to a nominally Christian one, which became known as Papalism, or Papal Rome. Since the old Pagan system crumbled and fell under the mighty power of early Christianity, Constantine decided to save face and conserve this system by changing it from a purely pagan system to a nominally Christian one. This was accomplished, with special care to transfer the same spirit and power from the anti-christian Pagan system to the new false so-called Christian system. This was done and the record is given in Rev. 13:3–8.

To locate the time of the thousand years is important here. We have set forth the dragon, what it represents and the time of its duration. At the close of the 3rd century A. D. or about 270 A. D. this anti-Christian Pagan power was conquered and overthrown by the mighty power of the gospel proclaimed and practiced by Christians of the first three centuries. It did not give up, but immediately came up in a new form. To make it more deceptive, it came forth as a religious system, possessing great power given it by the dragon. Rev. 13:4. It is known as the beast. This power, or system was to continue for forty and two months, Rev. 13:5. The beginning of the beast, or papalism was about 270 A. D. The Word of God states it was to be in power 42 months, or 1260 days. A day symbolizing a year, would mean that 1260 years from the beginning of the reign of the beast would be the ending of the one thousand years given in the 20th chapter of Revelation. This would place the ending of the thousand years as being 1530 A. D. at which time the Papal system (better known today as the Catholic faith) lost its power of world-wide dominion. These are historical facts as well as Scriptural truths.

To be Scripturally correct we cannot say the one thousand years is as we know it today. This is proven by the length of various calendar years as we have formerly given. We are correct when we say the one thousand years is an indefinite period of time, covering the entire time of the reign of Papalism which was from about the time of 270 A. D. to about 1530 A. D. We note another symbol of time. “Because thou hast kept the Word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the earth.” Rev. 3:10. This does not mean one hour of sixty minutes in length, but it covers a period of time ranging from the time it was spoken until the end of time. These words are for all Christians, and covers all generations from Christ to the end of the world.

The binding of this great power of heathenism means its operations were confined to certain boundaries and limitations, which included Papalism as formerly given. The one thousand years was an indefinite length of time in which the Apostasy, known as the “falling away,” as recorded in 2 Thess. chapter 2, had reached its fullness which was at the close of the third century, lasting until the reformers came forth with portions of the gospel light publicly once again in the fifteenth century. It is known in the prophecy as the “dark day.” During this time is when the pagan power, working through a religious organization was cast into the bottomless pit, shut up, with a seal upon him. Rev. 20:3. To abide by historical and scriptural facts, we must conclude the one thousand years spoken of in Revelation, 20th chapter, began about 270 A. D. and ended about 1530 A. D.

First: Cast Him into the Bottomless Pit.

The bottomless pit or abyss spiritually as we have formerly considered is a state of chaos, or regions of evil powers A realm of infernal spirits, hellish in character; A gross state of heathenism, and spiritual wickedness; a vast and inconceivable, and unfathomable depth of wickedness, immorality, and sinfulness in the guise of religion, working through human beings on this earth controlling all public worship in the name of true religion during the period of the thousand years. During this time there was about 60,000,000 Christians martyred in the most disgraceful, and inhuman manner by this wicked, devilish, and hellish spirit in the name of true religion. For this power to find out that you were a Christian meant your certain death.

The Bible says this awful power was cast into this pit and shut up, meaning it was confined to these boundaries, and limitations and was not permitted to operate in any other form. The devil was forced to abide in this awful state of corruption and wickedness. In Rev. 20:3 we read where the devil or power of the dragon and beast was shut up, meaning it was limited in workings to one general public form of religion (papalism). To “shut up” further means to enclose or confine in a certain field or realm. Bear in mind the bottomless pit symbolizes a low, base state in the form of Bible religion.

Goodspeed states it. “He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and hurled him into the abyss and closed it and sealed it over him to keep him from leading the heathen astray any longer, until the thousand years are over; after that he has to be released for a little while.” Rev. 20:2–3. This reading further confirms the fact this huge public system of false religion was confined to certain boundaries, and limitations, meaning, it was permitted to operate in only one form publicly until a given time had been fulfilled.

Second: “Set a Seal upon Him.”

The seal symbolizes the power of authority guaranteeing security in a decreed realm. This power was not only confined to certain limitations, but was not allowed to deceive the people except in one general form, until the one thousand years were finished, and then it would be loosed for a little season. The one thousand years meant a period of time dating from the first part of the 3rd Century until the 15th Century.

Third: “Loosed a Little Season.” V. 3

Goodspeed states it, “After that he has to be released for a while.” To fully understand we must recognize that there have always been, and will always be two forms of religion in the world, the true, and the false. The book of Revelation is a panoramic view of things as they have been and things that are now and things that will be. This letting loose for a little season means this huge false spiritual system was going to be permitted to take on new forms of religion, which would be closer to the genuine, making it more deceptive. This little season having reference to the time existing from 15th century to end of time. The power of God working through the morning time Church bound this power, and confined it to certain realms as pictured in Rev. 20:3. The drifting away from the Bible standard by many Christians of the first, second, and third centuries permitted this false power to gain public control of the then known world. Since this did come to pass God confined it to a certain realm of operation.

The compromising, and apostatizing of some of the early Churches was responsible for its being able to gain control. Therefore the same mannerism by man caused this power to be released, through man-made creeds and organizations. It was permitted to come forth publicly in other forms of religion: this being possible only after the true light on justification by faith, which soon conquered, and ended the public world-wide reign of the power of papalism, the huge farce of the Catholic Church.

As light began to dawn, reformers came forth preaching “Justification by faith,” and “Sanctification by faith.” Later other great men came forth preaching the one church, divine unity of all God’s people into one glorious body, and working together as one great family, in the spirit and bond of love. Thus far this was wonderful but the tragical thing happened. Leaders in various reform movements failed to continue walking in the true gospel light as God was revealing, hence, man-made, man-ruled organizations began to comply with the compromising ways and rebellious spirits. The time referred to here is spoken of in Revelation as another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Rev. 13:11–18.

This is known as the time of Protestantism, when the two witnesses (Word and Spirit) spoken of in Rev. 11:3–6 lie dead in the street: meaning the true church was not completely controlled by the Word and Spirit. The church then was governed chiefly by man-rule. The period under consideration dates from 1530 A. D. to 1880 A. D. at which time D. S. Warner and others came forth preaching the one church Divine. This is the time when the two witnesses (Word and Spirit) were resurrected. Meaning the true Church once again was governed by the Word and Spirit of God.

This condition of dividing, and sub-dividing has increased until today there is a very acute, confused and chaotic condition in the modern religious world. At a time when all Christians should stand 100% united, Christianity finds itself weakened by gross and hurtful division. There are Christians everywhere, and in every man-made movement we gladly acknowledge. But the need of the hour is for all Christians to unite in Spirit, faith, and effort to combat, and hold in check the strong powers of false religions released to a degree in the world today. For the sake of Christ and His cause, the future of the Church and the American way of life, all Christians should unite, arise as one great body, with all the power of heaven delegated to us, marching forth with victory and holding high the great banner of truth, heralding the full gospel message to the whole world. The more the genuine is being demonstrated, the more of the counterfeit we can expect. However, be careful not to be deceived by the false. Paul warns us in 2 Cor. 11:14–15. “And no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” For emphasis we repeat. This “little season,” spoken of in Rev. 20:3 also in verse 7, refers to the time from the close of the dark ages which was the first part of the 15th century A. D. until Jesus comes, which will be the end of time.

Fourth: And I Saw Thrones, and They Sat upon Them, and Judgment was Given unto Them. Rev. 20:4.

It is very important to know the meaning, and symbol of throne. The meaning of throne is a supreme stand or position. A symbol of an exalted state. To give dominion. Invested with sovereign power. Without difficulty it can be seen this refers strictly to the exalted position, and spiritual reign of all Christians with Christ while living here on this earth.

Jesus spake of this time in Matt. 19:28–29; “And Jesus said unto them, Verily, I say unto you, that ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Jesus here is revealing the exalted position of all those who have been redeemed from sin, and the great power delegated to His church through accepting the gospel first proclaimed by Jesus and the twelve Apostles. Jesus did not mean to convey that only the apostles had this high honor. It includes all who have been regenerated by the power of Christ, and who have accepted the same gospel the apostles did, from the time of Christ to the end of the world.

The “twelve tribes” has reference to all Israel, meaning saved people, the church. Daniel speaking of this time states, “His throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” Dan. 7:9. This burning fiery flame means the fire of the Holy Ghost sending forth the Word of God in the New Testament dispensation burning up sin and the false beginning with the morning time church. Paul speaks of this in 1 Cor. 6:2, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world …?” This judging is being done by the Gospel preaching and righteous living of God’s glorious church. Saintly living, and true Biblical preaching while here on this earth will judge whether one is right or wrong. This is the preliminary judgment of the saints, the final to be when Jesus comes.

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my words unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.” Rev. 2:26. This means here in this present world. The judgment spoken of here, as stated, is being done by the gospel preaching, the righteous living of the saints of God here on this earth, convincing the world of right and wrong. This is further confirmed by the words of Jesus to Peter when he said, “Behold, I give unto you the keys of the Kingdom.” Meaning power.

Fifth: The Reigning of Souls For One Thousand Years. Rev. 20:4.

“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 in their foreheads, and in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Rev. 20:4. First we will set forth some important facts that will help to understand the reign spoken of here in Rev. 20:1–6.
a. It does not mention Christ’s second coming.
b. It does not mention a bodily resurrection. John saw the “Souls” V. 4.
c. It does not mention a reign on earth, it is with Christ. V. 4.
d. It does not mention Christ as being on earth.
e. It does not mention us.
f. The reign of Martyrs in V. 4 took place with Christ in paradise, not here on earth, during the thousand years of the reign of Catholicism. Keep in mind the souls were reigning, not bodies and souls. These were disembodied spirits that were reigning with Christ.

The Bible teaches that when Christ ascended up to heaven he sat down on the right hand of God. Note carefully, these souls were up with Christ during this reigning period of one thousand years. No earthly reign is taught nor even intended. The souls that John saw reigning are the souls of the man child spoken of in Rev. 12:5. “And she brought forth a man child (meaning, early morning Church) who was to rule the nations with a rod of iron (meaning the Word of God), and her child was caught up to God, and to his throne,” Not an earthly throne here on this earth, but up in heaven where God is.

The pagan power tried to destroy, and dispose of the morning time Church by persecution and martyrdom but God gave a detailed account of what was happening to those who are being killed. This proof is given, that as soon as a Christian was killed his soul was immediately transported to the paradise of God, and continued his reign with Christ. No earthly, bodily reign is hinted at here. It is all up in heaven with Christ around the throne of God. They were beheaded because they witnessed for Christ here on this earth.

Sixth: The Beast and the Image. V. 4

It has been shown that the beast symbolizes the great false religious system known as Papalism and is better known today as the Catholic Church. A scriptural record is given in Rev. 13:3–18. The beast power as we have noted is descriptive of the political and false religious system rising at the expiration of the dragon power, which was about 270 A. D. The scriptures teach this beast power was to continue for 1260 years, which would bring us to 1530 A. D.

The Bible teaches that at the end of this beast power there would arise another beast having two horns like a lamb, and which spake as a dragon. He exercises all the power of the first beast before him. Rev. 13:11–18. This makes it clear that the dragon was symbolic of pagan Rome. When it ended there arose a beast out of the earthly Pagan organization of man which put on a spiritual cloak or profession. The dragon, pagan Rome transferred all of its power to the beast, meaning the false religious system of Papal Rome. When the reign of this power ended at 1530 A. D. it transferred its power over to the two horned beast which is symbolic of Protestantism. The dragon and beast power continued its deceptive, and destructive work through the multiplicity of man-made organizations called churches, deceiving the nations. Rev. 13:12 it is clear refers to Protestantism, which is nothing more than man-made dogmas, creeds, ways, and organizations. This causes the people in these earthly organizations of man to worship the first beast, which means the Catholic church.

We note further this two-horned beast, meaning Protestantism, was an image of the beast. (Papalism). Through these various organizations great wonders were done. Because of these false miracles and wonders many would be deceived. One primary objective of Protestantism according to the Scripture, was to cause all who worship it to make an image to the beast, (Catholic Church) which had the wound and did live. You will note the beast, Papalism, had power to give life unto the image of the beast (Protestantism) that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast, should be killed. Rev. 13:13–15. This is the history of Protestantism during early centuries of its beginning.

Furthermore this great power of the two horned beast, (Protestantism) “causeth both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or upon their foreheads, and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: and his number is six hundred and sixty six.” Rev. 13:16–18.

The very fact these beasts could convey power from one to another, prove they were a political and ecclesiastical power. If these were literal beasts they would be unable to transfer their power. Beyond question the beast, and the image of the beast symbolize the great false religious systems in the world working through various organizations of man.

Seventh: The Mark of the Beast. V. 4

From the foregoing it should be easy to locate the “Mark of the Beast,” since the beast symbolizes the great false religious system of Papalism, known in our day as the Catholic Church, and the image of the beast symbolizes Protestantism; this should make it easy to locate the mark of the beast. The beast, and the image of the beast is spiritual, therefore the mark must be spiritual.

To receive the mark of the beast would be to believe, or adhere to either the doctrine of the Catholic Church, or Protestantism. It means all man-made, man-ruled organizations created by man here on this earth. It includes all except the glorious Church of God, which is divine and includes no one but genuinely born-again Christians.

Being marked in the forehead means to receive the false doctrine of these false religions in the mind. Receiving the mark in the hand means receiving the right hand of fellowship when receiving the theories of these false doctrines. Those who adhere to these erroneous doctrines will certainly extend to everyone first class fellowship if their man-made creeds are accepted. But to reject these man-created false religious systems, would mean to be denied fellowship. If one fails to accept, they will seek to kill in reputation, character, and in many instances of centuries past they took the lives of those who witnessed for Christ and would not bow to their demands.

The conclusion: The Mark of the Beast is not a literal, or physical mark, but a spiritual one. To take the mark is to receive in the head and believe the doctrines of those false religions. To be marked in the hand means to extend the hand of fellowship to the adherents of the false.

To be able to buy, and sell during this time also is to be taken spiritually. The meaning in brief is: If one does not receive, and adhere to these false doctrines he will not be granted the privileges in their so-called churches and worship services. It is a known fact many now will not permit any degree of freedom unless the full system is accepted. If in doubt, test it for yourself.

Those who possess the spirit of division, and error do not want to be disturbed. They want to go on in their deception. They are not wanting the true gospel, neither will they sell to you unless you are willing to go along, and become one in belief and kind.

Eighth: The Rest of the Dead. V. 5

“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” Rev. 20:5. The statement, “The rest of the dead” implies there are two divisions, or two phases of the dead. Since the “rest of them” are here at the close of the thousand years, there is without controversy another part some where prior to this time that is recognized as not living.

However, the other part of the dead is not hard to locate. In Rev. 20:4 John says, “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.” The first division of the dead was with Christ, reigning with him during this one thousand years. It was the souls of the martyred saints that gave their lives here on earth for the witness of Jesus, and the Word of God, that were reigning with Christ. Not here on earth in bodily form, but their souls were reigning with Christ in the paradise of God.

John gives another picture of this in Rev. 12:5 where he states “The man child (the morning-time church) was caught up to God, and to his throne.” This refers to the ones who died and were put to death physically for their testimony of Jesus here on earth. To clarify further let us find out the meaning of the word dead. Webster defines it as: “A state of sore trial. Being devoid of activity, A condition or state of inactivity, a state of profound gloom.”

From the foregoing definition the paramount thought of inactivity is conveyed forcefully. The real thought the writer intended to construe is the true church would pass through a state of sore trial, and would be denied public activity in service and worship as Christians until the thousand years spoken of is ended. Following the one thousand years the church which was denied the privilege of public worship and services, would once again, through the preaching and living of the true gospel, conquer the power of Papalism, and be permitted to enjoy public services and worship. The thought of activity is certainly the key that will unlock this apparent mystery. Bear in mind the Revelation speaks and refers to the Church as a whole, and not individually. God had a true Church during this period of one thousand years, but it was denied public activity in services. As far as the public was concerned it was dead, meaning unknown, and inactive publicly. Be it known, there were many true saints of God possessing real Bible salvation during all the years of gross darkness. The 60,000,000 martyrs for Christ through this time certainly confirms this beyond question.

The man child caught up to God, as we have noticed, represented those who gave their lives for the witness of Jesus during early centuries of the New Testament era. When they died physically here their state of earthly, or public activity ceased. To the world they were dead, or inactive on this earth, but John saw them reigning with Christ, hence they were alive spiritually, and for all eternity.

The truth presented in Rev. 12:6 is that as soon as the man child (morning time church) was caught up, the woman (which is symbolic of the true Church) fled into the wilderness, meaning into seclusion, or obscurity where she hath a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days, which covers the time of the one thousand year reign. This sets forth the fact the true Church was refused public reign during this thousand years. Since they were refused public liberties, and were put to death if caught worshipping, and witnessing for Christ, they were forced to worship in dens and caves, or wherever they could find obscurity.

God had a church, but it was in seclusion as far as the public world was concerned, hence was termed as dead or better understood, inactive in public worship and service, which actually meant non-existent to the general public. Only one religion was permitted public freedom during this time, and that was Papalism. The word “dead” in Eph. 2:1 denotes a state of spiritual inactivity. “And you (Christians) hath He quickened (made alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins.” This does not mean the people were dead physically, and were resurrected physically, but it does express the fact that while in sin they were dead to and inactive in the things of God. By experiencing a spiritual resurrection, they had been lifted from a dead state of sin, made alive, and become active in the work of the Lord.

When the word of God in Jude 12 states “twice dead, plucked up by the roots,” it does not mean one dies two times physically, but it does mean spiritual death, and spiritual inactivity. This truth is further confirmed by the statement given in Rev. 20:5, “This is the first resurrection.” The ones considered here are the ones who had part in the first resurrection. To locate the time and nature of the first resurrection will shed further light. At this point we will consider the first resurrection.

Ninth: The First Resurrection. Rev. 20:6

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part (or shares) in the first resurrection.” Rev. 20:6. The nature and work of the first resurrection is of primary importance here. The thought to clarify: Is the first resurrection a spiritual or literal one? Without question it is a spiritual one. The text states it makes men and women holy.

The words of Jesus Himself makes it clear that the first resurrection is a spiritual one. “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. Verily, Verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.” John 5:24–25. This is clear enough for any one to see that the time you believe on Christ you are resurrected from a dead state of sin. The time you receive everlasting life is when you pass from a dead state of sin to spiritual life in Christ by being born again. The Bible teaches two resurrections. John 5:24, 28.

The first resurrection is spiritual and puts one in possession of everlasting life. John 5:24. The second is a literal resurrection and puts one in possession of immortality. John 5:28. The first is attained by hearing and believing the Word of God. The second by time ending. The first one sets free from sin now. The second puts one beyond sin’s power and its effect. The first is spiritual and has to do only with the soul, the second has to do only with the body.

There is nothing in a literal resurrection to make holy. It only changes from the mortal to the immortal, from the corruptible to the incorruptible bodies, and does not change in any degree the condition of the soul. The first is spiritual, and has to do only with the soul, changing it from a dead state in sin, to life in Christ, delivering it from a state of bondage in sin to one of freedom in Christ, translating it from a condition of darkness in the kingdom of Satan to a condition of Heavenly light in the kingdom of God.

The first resurrection is known in scripture by other very familiar terms such as the new birth, conversion, justification, and repentance. The scriptures teach, “We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14. Today as Christians we rejoice in the fact we are resurrected from a dead state of sin, to a life of newness in the Lord, enjoying true Christian fellowship, and sitting together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

The first resurrection puts us beyond the power of the second death. Rev. 20:6. The second death is clarified to us in Rev. 20:14, “And death and hell was cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” The second is death and hell. One genuinely saved is delivered from all the power of satan and hell: as long as you obey God in this life, you need not fear the devil, nor the powers of hell here in this life, nor in the world to come. A Christian has been delivered out of, acquitted from, the kingdom where these powers exist, and function, into the kingdom of light, life, and peace where God dwells, and the power of death and hell cannot enter. The second death means eternal separation from God, and torment with the devil and his angels in hell.

Tenth: The Priests of God.

“But they shall be priests of God, and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Rev. 20:6. According to Scripture the spiritual or first resurrection makes one a king and priest unto God and Christ. The very moment one is saved he begins to reign with God, and Christ on this present earth, and in this life. The Bible makes this clear.

In Rev. 1:5–6 the scripture states. “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” The teaching here sets forth the truth that the very moment we are washed from our sins by the blood of Christ we become kings and priests unto God.

It being a Biblical fact that we become kings and priests unto God at the time we are “born again,” prepares us for a spiritual reign with Christ in this present life. This is further taught in Rev. 5:9–10, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth.”

The word of God further confirms this truth in Rom. 5:17. “For if by one man’s offence (meaning Adam’s) death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace, and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” The term king sets forth the truth of reigning. The term priest, the power to worship, and the office of serving. This glorious honor and privilege is foretold in Isaiah 61:6, “But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord, men shall call you the Ministers of our God.” Peter expresses this same thought. “But ye (Christians) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9. Many other Scriptures could be brought forth to support this truth, but the foregoing should be ample to convince that the reign spoken of is a spiritual one that we experience and enjoy the very moment we are saved from sin in this life. To interpret, it in any other way would be non-scriptural. The first, meaning spiritual resurrection, includes all who have been born again, and those who will be born again from the time of Christ until Jesus makes His second—which is his final—return.

Since I have formerly dealt extensively with the thousand years, and feeling sufficient evidence has been given to properly locate the time of it, makes it unnecessary to give further consideration. However, bear in mind that the Christians not only enjoyed a spiritual earthly reign with Christ during the morning time, and through the dark ages, lasting until the 15th century; but this spiritual reign is experienced by all Christians in this life until Jesus comes. For a little logical reasoning with those who think this is a literal reign here on this earth after the Lord Jesus makes His return, and feel we should literalize, and interpret it from a literal viewpoint, and not a spiritual one, let us see where it will place us.

In Rev. 20:2 it is stated the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan was bound a thousand years. During this same time the souls of them that had been beheaded were reigning in heaven around the throne with Christ, and were not reigning here on earth. Rev. 20:4 So from this we can see at a glance that the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and satan is bound here on earth, with no one here on earth to reign. The reigning spoken of in verse four is going on in the paradise of God. From this literal reasoning the devil is bound here with no one on earth to reign and enjoy it for one thousand years.

In Rev. 20:5 we see some dead ones coming to life, living again after this thousand years is over and the scriptures state they were priests of God and shall reign a thousand years. You see according to this theory, the devil is bound the first thousand years, and no Christians on earth to enjoy it, they are reigning in heaven. The second thousand years it is stated people are living holy pure lives here on this earth, and nothing is said about the devil being bound. To say the least, there are two thousand years here to reckon with if one would try to literalize this with an earthly literal reign. At a glance it can be seen this would lead into gross confusion and error.

To recognize it as a spiritual reign while living here in this life as the Bible teaches it, makes it easy to understand. Furthermore, it harmonizes with all the word of God. From the deep of our hearts we say, Praise God for a clear vision of His glorious truth, and the wonderful privilege of enjoying a spiritual reign with Christ while living in this life.

Eleventh: Expiration of the Thousand Years and the Loosing of Satan. Rev. 20:7

“And when the thousand years are expired satan shall be loosed out of his prison.” This thousand years are the same as we have considered. As stated, it refers to the time of the dark ages, from 3rd to 15th centuries. It is a Biblical and historical fact gross spiritual darkness that prevailed had an ending. This was brought about by the preaching of the true gospel by reformers. When light began to dawn, darkness began to disappear. So much so that in course of time there was a spiritual revolution in many places. Now to the thought, “The loosing of Satan.” It has been set forth previously that the prison that the devil and paganism were placed in, meant God only permitted this deadly power to work through one general form of heathen religion, known as papalism. “God shut it up, put a seal upon it” (Rev. 20:3) until a certain time, when the thousand years would be finished. The true meaning of this is: God confined, or limited it to a certain realm or sphere of operation. In verse seven this power is being loosed out of this confined realm, and is permitted the opportunity of taking on various religious professions and forms. This false religion did this very thing. It is symbolized in Revelation as the two-horned beast (Protestantism) that came up out of the earth (earthly organizations of man).

The beginning of man-made organizations following the Augsburg Confession in 1530 A. D. gave the devil through false religious systems the privilege of taking various forms of religions, dogmas, and creeds. Through various man-made ways and organizations the devil is still performing his deceptive work. Wherever, there is a genuine a counterfeit will be found. The devil is loosed today in many forms.

[ Continued---See Link Below ]