“And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain . . . “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge . . . “When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle . . ..” (Revelation 20:1, 4, 7–9, NIV)
"These verses are among the most controversial in Revelation. Responsible scholars disagree regarding the meaning . . .." [1] In this passage there are three particular sights that John sees, as noted above. He saw a binding of Satan for 1000 years; then He saw people on thrones for 1000 years; and then he saw the nations gathered for the battle of Armageddon. This latter vision is the same battle that we witnessed in Revelation 16:14 (NIV)
14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
That battle occurred prior the Seventh Bowl. And its the same battle that we saw in Revelation 19:19 (NIV)
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army.
This alerts us to the fact that the three movements in Revelation 20 must be some synonymous recapitulation (see my previous Blog). Before I delve into the sequence of events and what the 1000 years means, let's examine some of the details. We note at the beginning an angel throws Satan into the Abyss. Revelation gives us good information about Satan. We learn that [2]:
1. The dragon begins in the heavens (12:3).
2. It fails in its effort to destroy Christ at his first coming (12:4).
3. It is thrown down to the earth (12:12).
4. It is thrown into the Abyss for a thousand years (20:3).
5. It is released for a little while and deceives the nations (20:8).
6. It is thrown into the fiery lake forever (20:10).
It is interesting that we are told of Satan using his four titles (the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan [3]). These names contrast with the four names of the conquering Christ, just previously in chapter 19 (Faithful and True; the Word of God; King of kings; Lord of lords). The demise of Satan is established. The enduring reign of our Lord will be eternal.
Father, Satan is real. He is that ancient Serpent. He is the Devil. He is also defeated. Father, Your Christ and our King reigns today in the midst of His enemies. Some day all opponents will fall in humble acknowledgement that You are King of kings and Lord of lords. Today I bow my heart before Your sovereignty and Your majesty. Reign and rule today in my life.
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1. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2492). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
2. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (370). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
3. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Re 20:2).Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
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