What happensPermalink
An angel binds Satan for a thousand years while those who remained faithful to Christ reign with Him. When the thousand years are ended, Satan is released and gathers the nations for one final rebellion, but God destroys them with fire from heaven. The devil joins the beast and false prophet in the lake of fire forever. Then all the dead stand before God’s throne to be judged according to what is written in the books, and Death and Hades themselves are thrown into the lake of fire.
Why it mattersPermalink
Christians have long disagreed about how the thousand-year reign relates to the rest of God’s plan. Whatever one’s view, the chapter’s center is unmistakable: Satan, sin, and death are finally defeated; every person stands before God’s righteous judgment; and only those written in the book of life enter eternal life.
Key versePermalink
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.