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20:15 If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was
cast into the lake of fire.
vs 4-6 The redeemed will be given authority to judge: "Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?" 1Co 6:3 (Possibly speaking of fallen angels)
The thousand year reign is also known as the Millenial Kingdom, to which Jesus often referred in the gospels as he spoke of "the kingdom of God". Although the term "kingdom of God", was often used in a broader context, encompassing the church in all ages, yet Christ also used the term to specifically refer to the millenial kingdom. Of course these two are correlated in that everyone who enters into God's eternal kingdom also will enter into the Millenial Kingdom.
Belief in the 1000 year earthly reign is theologically known as "Chiliasm". Though this idea is not held by the Catholic church, the Orthodox church, nor Reformed Theology, it is the most literal interpretation of New Testament Eschatology and was the view held by the earliest church fathers.
"But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged, [as] the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and others declare. ... there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem; and that thereafter the general, and, in short, the eternal resurrection and judgment of all men would likewise take place." Justin Martyr (150 ad)The second death is defined in vs 14"there will be a millennium after the resurrection from the dead, when the personal reign of Christ will be established on this earth." Papias (early second century)
vs 7-9 This seems to be almost a repeat of the Armageddon scenario. Which of itself is not unusual in that events are often repeated in history in various forms. What is baffling is where do these nations come from who are to be decieved? They are not the redeemed. So where did they come from? The redeemed, having died or been raptured no longer marry nor are given in marriage, but rather are as angels.
Mt 22:30 "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."So they weren't involved in repopulating the earth with unbelievers.
Consider the following propositions:
This also parallels Israel's entry into the promise land. For the first generation died in the desert because they were mostly unworthy to enter. But the next generation entered. This would also answer the obvious question as to whom are the redeemed to rule over. Of course this brings up other questions and issues like what must these unredeemed individuals in the Millenial Kingdom do to be saved.
vs 10 Some, who can't conceive of God torturing people for eternity, view hell as a place of annihilation in which people simply slip into a comfortable non-existence. But this is not consistent with the way hell is portrayed here. "They will be tormented day and night forever." Jesus also portrays hell in this manner in the Luke 16 parable of Lazarus and the rich man. (See also a topical study on Hell).
vs 11-15 The great white throne judgment will separate the redeemed and unredeemed. The second resurrection takes place, which is resurrection of the unbelievers. There are two types of books involved in this judgment. "The Books" are simply the record of the lives of the individuals. People are judged according to what they had done. If they had sinned, their sin must be payed for. That's simply justice.
"The Book of Life" is a different book. It is not a record of the deeds of the individual, but simply contains a list of names. If in examing the record of a person's life, he is found to have sinned, the book of life is opened to see if his name is in it. If it is, then such sin is reckoned to have already been paid for through the atoning work of Christ. If not, then he must pay for it himself. That's simply justice.
There is also the possibility that pages related to the believer's sins have already been torn out of "the books" (the record of his life) by this time, in that under the New Covenant God has promised "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Heb 10:17 Thus even based even on an examination of the record of his life, a believer will be found to be justified. And his name will also would have been found in the book of life.