Could you explain Revelation 20:4 and when the events in this verse occur as related to the little time of trouble?
First we will establish the time and setting of Revelation 20:4. This verse is part of an event that is described in verses 4–6. The event described in these verses is the executive (sentencing) phase of the judgment which takes place during the 1,000 years or millennium.
Immediately preceding the millennium is the second coming of Jesus as described in Revelation 19:11–21. In the battle that takes place at the coming of Jesus (verse 19) the beast (papacy) and the false prophet (Protestant United States) are captured and thrown into the lake of fire (verse 20). The rest of the people are destroyed and the birds eat their flesh (verse 21). In this battle the dragon is not destroyed, but bound and held as a prisoner on this earth for 1,000 years as described in Revelation 20:1–3.
Next follows the executive phase of the judgment during the 1,000 years in which the sentences of the wicked are determined. This is the event that is described in Revelation 20:4–6. Following the millennium is the execution phase of the judgment in which the sentences are carried out on the wicked. The execution phase of the judgment is described in Revelation 20:7–15.
Next we want to understand how the little time of trouble relates to the executive phase of the judgment. There are two specific times of trouble mentioned in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy. They are the (1) short (little) time of trouble and (2) the time of Jacob’s trouble. These two times of trouble make up the whole period of the time of trouble.
The little time of trouble takes place during the final warning which begins with the falling of the latter rain and ends soon after the close of probation. At this time the death decree is issued which immediately brings on the time of Jacob’s trouble. The time of Jacob’s trouble ends on the date that has been set by the world on which to kill God’s people at which time God delivers them.
So we see that the little time of trouble and Revelation 20:4–6 are two separate events, the little time of trouble taking place before the close of probation, and the sentencing phase of the judgment (Revelation 20:4–6) occurring during the 1,000 years after the second coming of Jesus.
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