Bishop Keith Butler
Feb 22
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (Revelation 20:1-3)
Revelation 20:1-3 speaks about a thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth when Satan will be bound. This extraordinary time will be one of peace and prosperity. God's divine order will be restored. People will live long, fulfilling lives, reminiscent of the longevity we read about in the early days of the Bible. They will enjoy health and strength. During this time, the survivors of the Tribulation will experience a world separated from Satan’s influence. The absence of sickness, disease, war, and hatred will usher in an era of unparalleled harmony. Human existence will thrive as children are born and civilization continues past the times of the Tribulation.
However, this utopia of sorts won’t last forever. After the thousand-year reign, Satan will once again be released where he will stir up a rebellion and lead an attack against the saints who are in Jerusalem. God's response, swift and decisive, involves heavenly fire ending the rebellion and paving the way for the ultimate act of God's redemptive plan, revealing the New Heaven and New Earth. This earth will be destroyed by fire, along with all the works of the enemy.
So why should we care about this wondrous vision of the future? Because it's a reminder that God's got this. The thousand-year reign is a sneak peek into His unwavering commitment to bring peace and restoration to His creation and the promise of His peace and safety to those who trust in Him.
God's victories are not just promises—they're a part of how God has written history, woven into the very fabric of time. When you are tempted to worry, think about God’s goodness in your past and remember what God has promised about His goodness in the future as well!