What Precedes Heaven

What Precedes Heaven

Sermon by Pastor Brent Snook / Nov 30, 2025

Series: The Hope of Heaven

Main text: Revelation 20:1–10

Revelation 20: The calm after the storm (see timeline)

Three interpretations regarding the Millennium

1. Amillennialism: the Millennium is pure symbolism
2. Post Millennialism: Jesus will come after the Millennium. 
3. Pre Millennialism: Jesus must come before the church can enjoy a thousand years of peace on earth

I. SATAN RESTRAINED (Revelation 20:1–3)

A. The Bound (Rev 20:1-2)

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

B. The when Satan is Bound

C. The where Satan is Bound (Rev 20:3)

D. The for which Satan is Bound

II. THE SAVIOR’S REIGN

How the Millennium Begins

• Jesus returns physically to earth.

Zechariah 14:4 – His feet stand on the Mount of Olives.

Acts 1:11 – He will return in the same manner He left.

A. of His Reign

Jeremiah 23:5 – A righteous King will rule with justice.

B. of His Reign

• Curse on creation lifted.

Isaiah 35:1 – “The desert shall… blossom as the rose.”

• Harmony in the animal kingdom (Isaiah 11:6–7).

• No sickness (Isaiah 33:24).

• No crime, war, or fear.

Isaiah 2:4 – “They shall beat their swords into plowshares…”

• Righteousness reigns; Satan removed.

III. THE SAINTS’ ROLE (Revelation 20:4–6)

A. of the Saints

2 groups will reign with Jesus:

1. The saints who have come back with the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:2–3)
2. Those beheaded for their witness (Rev 20:4)

B. of the Saints

Read Rev 20:5, 20:6, 20:14-15

IV. SINNERS REBEL (Revelation 20:7–9)

A. of Rebels (Rev 20:9)

B. of the Devil

Revelation 20:10 – Satan cast into the lake of fire forever.

Matthew 25:41 – The lake of fire was prepared for the devil.

CONCLUSION

If we believe these truths, they should produce:

1. Anticipation — Matthew 24:44.

2. Evangelism — urgency to reach others.

3. Examination — 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves…”