Amillennial interpretation of Revelation 20:1–6, consistent with the principle of interpreting apocalyptic imagery symbolically and in light of clearer didactic texts:
1. The Binding of Satan (Revelation 20:1–3)Amillennial View:
Satan is already bound—not absolutely, but with respect to deceiving the nations (v.3). This aligns with the reality of the gospel going to the Gentiles after Christ’s first coming.Supporting Scriptures:
Matthew 12:28–29 – “But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?”
→ Christ speaks of binding Satan during His earthly ministry.John 12:31–32 – “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
→ Satan’s power to blind the nations is broken at the cross.Colossians 2:15 – “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
These texts show that Satan was decisively restrained at Christ’s first coming, specifically in his ability to hinder the spread of the gospel to the nations (cf. Acts 1:8).
2. The Thousand Years (Revelation 20:2–7)Amillennial View:
The “thousand years” is symbolic of a long, complete period—the Church age—between Christ’s first and second coming.Supporting Scriptures:
In apocalyptic literature, numbers are often symbolic. A thousand (10×10×10) symbolizes fullness or completeness (cf. Psalm 50:10 – “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills” does not imply the 1001st hill is excluded).
Revelation is not chronological, but cyclical—repeating the same period (Church age) from different angles. Revelation 20 recapitulates earlier visions of final judgment, not follows them sequentially.
3. The First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4–5)Amillennial View:
The first resurrection is either:
The spiritual resurrection of regeneration (cf. John 5:25), or
The entrance of believers’ souls into heaven after death, where they reign with Christ.
Supporting Scriptures:
John 5:25 – “I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
→ Spiritual resurrection—new birth.Ephesians 2:5–6 – “…made us alive with Christ… and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms.”
Hebrews 12:23 – speaks of “the spirits of righteous men made perfect”—saints reigning with Christ now.
Thus, the souls seen in Revelation 20:4 are the disembodied saints in heaven, reigning with Christ until the second coming.
4. The Reign with Christ (Revelation 20:4, 6)Amillennial View:
This reign occurs in heaven, not on earth. It refers to the intermediate state—the conscious reign of departed saints with Christ.Supporting Scriptures:
Philippians 1:23 – Paul desires “to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.”
2 Corinthians 5:8 – “…away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
Luke 23:43 – “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
These verses show that believers go to be with Christ immediately at death, where they reign in joyful communion with Him.
5. The Rest of the Dead (Revelation 20:5)
Amillennial View:
These are the unbelievers, who do not live (i.e., are not spiritually reborn) during the Church age, and will be bodily resurrected only at the end.Supporting Scripture:
John 5:28–29 – speaks of a single resurrection:
“All who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”
6. The Second Death (Revelation 20:6, 14)
Amillennial View:
The second death is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (v.14). Believers are already victorious over it (v.6).Supporting Scripture:
Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
John 11:26 – “Whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.”
Summary:
The amillennial view exalts Christ by portraying Him as the sovereign and reigning King even now—not merely in the future, but throughout this present age. It teaches that at His first coming, Christ decisively conquered sin, death, and the devil through His atoning death and triumphant resurrection. He ascended to the right hand of God and now reigns in majesty, advancing His kingdom by the power of the gospel. This view magnifies the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work and aligns with Reformed soteriology by affirming that the present age is the age of salvation—the time when God's elect from every nation are effectually called, justified, sanctified, and kept by His sovereign grace. It highlights the glory of the cross, the power of regeneration (the “first resurrection”), and the already-but-not-yet nature of Christ’s kingdom. Far from awaiting a future earthly reign, the amillennial view proclaims that Jesus Christ is already enthroned, His people are already spiritually raised, and Satan is already defeated and restrained—all to the praise of God’s eternal purpose and glorious grace.
Conclusion:
The amillennial interpretation sees Revelation 20:1–6 as a symbolic portrayal of the present Church age:
Satan is restrained from deceiving the nations.
Believers who die reign with Christ in heaven.
The “first resurrection” is spiritual (new birth) or heavenly fellowship with Christ.
The thousand years symbolize the current reign of Christ from heaven.
The final judgment and bodily resurrection of all occur at Christ’s return, not separated by a literal 1,000-year reign.