Turning the World Right-Side Up

In this message centering on Revelation 20, Chuck Swindoll addresses the chaotic state of the modern world and the future hope of the "Golden Age," or the Millennium. Swindoll begins by diagnosing why the world is currently "upside down," identifying three root causes: Satan is alive and well on the planet, Jesus is not yet reigning in authority on earth, and unrighteous people constitute the majority in power [6–9]. He posits that for the world to be turned "right-side up," three specific changes must occur: Satan must be bound, Jesus must reign as Supreme Monarch, and the righteous must rule under His authority. Swindoll guides the listener through the prophecy of the Millennium, a literal 1,000-year period where peace, justice, and prosperity will finally prevail. He details the binding of Satan in the abyss, ensuring he can no longer deceive the nations, and the restoration of the earth where even the animal kingdom lives in harmony [14–17]. Swindoll staunchly defends a literal interpretation of the text, rejecting the theological tendency to spiritualize the "thousand years," noting that the specific number appears six times in seven verses [21–23]. The message concludes with a shocking revelation about human nature. At the end of the perfect 1,000-year reign, Satan is released and immediately gathers a massive army of rebels from those born during the Millennium. Swindoll uses this to prove the total depravity of man: even in a perfect environment with a perfect King, the unregenerate heart still chooses rebellion. He ends with practical applications for today: live realistically (protect yourself in a dangerous world) and witness fervently, knowing that Christ is the only cure for the human heart [24–29].

Message Key Facts:

• Three Reasons for Chaos: Swindoll lists three reasons the world is currently a mess:
  1. Satan is active (the world lies in the power of the evil one).
  2. Jesus is not in charge (He is not currently reigning on the throne of earth).
  3. The Unrighteous Rule (citing Proverbs 29:2, "When a wicked man rules, people groan") [7–9].
• Defining the Millennium: Swindoll defines the theological term "Millennium" as coming from the Latin mille (thousand) and annum (year). It is the era following the Tribulation where Christ reigns on earth before the eternal state begins.
• The Abyss vs. The Lake of Fire: Swindoll distinguishes between the Abyss (a temporary prison where Satan is bound for 1,000 years) and the Lake of Fire (the permanent place of torment where Satan, the Beast, and the False Prophet are eventually thrown forever).
• "Some Kind of Cabbage": Swindoll quotes John Phillips to illustrate the peace of the Millennium. Phillips imagines a future child asking, "What is an intercontinental ballistic missile?" and the mother answering, "I don't know... some kind of cabbage maybe?" This highlights that the machinery of war will be forgotten [16–17].
• A Literal 1,000 Years: Swindoll critiques theologians who symbolize the number 1,000. He argues that if the number is symbolic, then the 144,000 witnesses, the 42 months, and the 7 churches could all be dismissed as symbolic. He insists on taking the text at face value [22–23].
• The Failure of Environment: The final rebellion in Revelation 20:7–9 proves that a perfect environment does not create perfect people. Swindoll notes that despite 1,000 years of peace and the absence of demons, humanity's deep-seated sinfulness remains, requiring a Savior, not just a better government.
• Barnum’s "Happy Family": Swindoll tells a story about P.T. Barnum’s exhibit featuring predators and prey in the same cage. When asked if they got along, Barnum replied, "Apart from replenishing the lamb now and then, they get along real well." Swindoll uses this to contrast fake earthly peace with the genuine peace of Christ’s reign.
• "Keep Your Powder Dry": Applying the message to the present day, Swindoll advises "Trust in God but keep your powder dry." He urges believers to live realistically—locking their doors and defending themselves—because we do not yet live in the Golden Age [28–29].

Message References:

• Revelation 20:1–10: The primary text detailing the binding of Satan, the first resurrection, the thousand-year reign, and the final defeat of the devil [1–2].
• 1 John 5:19: "The whole world lies in the power of the evil one".
• Proverbs 29:2: "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan".
• 2 Corinthians 4:4: Paul refers to Satan as "the god of this age".
• Genesis 3: Referenced to identify the "serpent of old" as the one who deceived Eve [13–14].
• 1 Corinthians 6:2: "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?" [19–20].
• Matthew 25:41: Referenced regarding the Lake of Fire being prepared originally for the devil and his angels.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll