Revelation 20

Revelation 20

In this chapter we are told about the 1000 years of Christ’s reign. This is one of the most controversial points of the Revelation. We can spend a lot of energy focusing on the last phrase of verse 4. This is a good place to be reminded that the point of prophecy is not future chronology but ethics, not “What will happen and how soon?” but rather, “How do I sustain my faith until I meet Jesus face-to-face?” 

We see in this passage another reference to the overarching theme of the martyrdom of the saints. But there is an interesting and subtle nuance here. In the first part of verse 4, there is a specific reference to those “who have been beheaded.” Let’s not pass over that phrase too quickly. The Romans were, like most expansionist powers, experts in dealing out death. While crucifixion was their most famous and hideous form of execution, it was by no means the only torturous death they employed.  The Romans developed death into a form of entertainment. The gladiatorial games were core to the Roman way of life. The list of torturous forms of death that were practiced is too numerous to mention. But some examples were people covered in oil or pitch and burned as torches to light garden parties; sometimes they were boiled alive, occasionally they were forced to fight animals or trained combatants, and in numerous other ways put to death recreationally. Roman citizens, however, were exempt from any form of execution except for the sword. A Roman citizen convicted of a capital crime could not be tortured by death on the cross; they could only be beheaded—a relatively painless way to die. So, while Peter was crucified, Paul, the Roman citizen, was beheaded.

In this book of encouragement for Christians under persecution, we see that even Roman elites and citizens have begun to turn to Christ. They have declared Jesus is Lord, which means that Caesar is not Lord, and denial of Caesar’s lordship was considered sedition and treason. These Roman Christians have paid for this with their lives. Caesar is losing his grip and losing it to Christ. And even death, which was one of Caesar’s most intimidating weapons, has lost its power over the disciples. 

In view of the ultimate powerlessness of death, we face a vital question. It is the same question our early brothers and sisters faced: “How shall we live?” We have the answer in the double judgment described in the last paragraph of this chapter. It is a double judgment in that everyone is judged about where they will spend eternity based on the Lamb's Book of Life. But there is a second judgment. A judgment based on their deeds recorded in the books—notice the plural “books” in verse 12. So this is how we live: boldly for Christ as our Savior, knowing that we are forgiven, and we live generously, knowing that our deeds are recorded and remembered. When even death has lost its power, we have literally nothing to lose.

“Lord, help me be prepared for the day I will face judgements. AMEN”