Revelation of John 20
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
An angel came down from heaven - One of the executors of the Divine justice, who receives criminals, and keeps them in prison, and delivers them up only to be tried and executed. The key of the prison and the chain show who he is; and as the chain was great, it shows that the culprit was impeached of no ordinary crimes.
Open source ↗SATAN BOUND, AND THE FIRST-RISEN SAINTS REIGN WITH CHRIST, A THOUSAND YEARS; SATAN LOOSED, GATHERS THE NATIONS, GOG AND MAGOG, ROUND THE CAMP OF THE SAINTS, AND IS FINALLY CONSIGNED TO THE LAKE OF FIRE; THE GENERAL RESURRECTION AND LAST JUDGMENT. (Rev 20:1-15) The destruction of his representatives, the beast and the false prophet, to whom he had given his power, throne, and authority, is followed by the binding of Satan himself for a thousand years. the key of the bottomless pit--now transferred from Satan's hands, who had heretofore been permitted by God to use it in letting loose plagues on the earth; he is now to be made to feel himself the torment which he had inflicted on men, but his full torment is not until he is cast into "the lake of fire" (Rev 20:10).
Open source ↗And I saw an angel come down from heaven,.... All Christ's enemies, and Satan's instruments being removed, the devil is left alone, and only stands in the way of Christ's kingdom; and what will be done to him, and how he will be in the issue disposed of, this vision gives an account: by the "angel" John saw, is not to be understood Constantine the great; for though he is the man child that was taken up to God, and his throne, being advanced to the empire, yet he cannot, with that propriety, be said to come down from heaven; and though he vanquished the Heathen emperors, in which the dragon presided, and cast Paganism out of the empire, by which the devil ruled in it, yet the binding of Satan is another kind of work, and seems too great for him; and besides, did not take place in his time, as will be seen hereafter: nor is an apostle, or a minister of the Gospel intended; such are indeed called angels in this book, and may be said to come down from heaven, because they have their commission from thence; and particularly the apostles had the keys of the kingdom of heaven, but not the key of the bottomless pit; and a chain and system of Gospel truths, which they made good use of for the establishing of Christ's kingdom, and weakening of Satan's, but not such a chain as is here meant; and they had the power of binding and loosing, or of declaring things lawful or unlawful, but not of binding and loosing of Satan; nor was he bound in the apostolic age: nor is one of the ministering spirits, or a deputation of angels designed; for though Christ will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, and will make use of them, both to gather together his elect, and to cast the wicked into the lake of fire, yet not to bind Satan; but the Lord Jesus Christ himself is this angel, wh…
Open source ↗We have here, I. A prophecy of the binding of Satan for a certain term of time, in which he should have much less power and the church much more peace than before. The power of Satan was broken in part by the setting up of the gospel kingdom in the world; it was further reduced by the empire's becoming Christian; it was yet further broken by the downfall of the mystical Babylon; but still this serpent had many heads, and, when one is wounded, another has life remaining in it. Here we have a further limitation and diminution of his power. Observe, 1. To whom this work of binding Satan is committed - to an angel from heaven. It is very probable that this angel is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ; the description of him will hardly agree with any other. He is one who has power to bind the strong man armed, to cast him out, and to spoil his goods; and therefore must be stronger than he. 2. The means he makes use of in this work: he has a chain and a key, a great chain to bind Satan, and the key of the prison in which he was to be confined. Christ never wants proper powers and instruments to break the power of Satan, for he has the powers of heaven and the keys of hell. 3. The execution of this work, Rev 20:2, Rev 20:3. (1.) He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan. Neither the strength of the dragon, nor the subtlety of the serpent, was sufficient to rescue him out of the hands of Christ; he caught hold, and kept his hold. And, (2.) He cast him into the bottomless pit, cast him down with force, and with a just vengeance, to his own place and prison, from which he had been permitted to break out, and disturb the churches, and deceive the nations; now he is brought back to that prison, and there laid in chains. (3.) He is shut up, and a s…
Open source ↗20:1-10 There are three parts to this passage: the binding of Satan (20:1-3), the reign of God’s holy people (20:4-6), and the release of Satan for his final attempt at a battle (20:7-10). Four themes emerge: (1) Satan’s war is futile—he cannot withstand even an angel; (2) God’s holy people will be vindicated and glorified; (3) God will have the final victory; and (4) even when sinful and depraved human beings experience Christ’s good purposes in the world, they still flock after Satan when he gains even a small amount of freedom to act. 20:1-2 Like the Old Testament “angel of the Lord” (see Gen 16:7-11; 22:15; Exod 3:2; Num 22:22-34; Judg 2:1-4; 6:11-22), the angel coming down from heaven has God’s authority, symbolized by the key that controls the bottomless pit and the power to put chains on God’s great enemy (cp. Rev 12:7-9) for a thousand years. See “The Thousand Years (The Millennium)” Theme Note.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… καταβαίνω (katabaínō, G2597) — to descend (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… κλείς (kleís, G2807) — a key (as shutting a lock), literally or figuratively ἄβυσσος (ábyssos, G12) — depthless, i.e. (specially) (infernal) "abyss" μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) ἅλυσις (hálysis, G254) — a fetter or manacle ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κρατέω (kratéō, G2902) — to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (literally or figuratively) δράκων (drákōn, G1404) — a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate) ἀρχαῖος (archaîos, G744) — original or primeval ὄφις (óphis, G3789) — a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are διάβολος (diábolos, G1228) — a traducer; specially, Satan (compare H07854) Σατανᾶς (Satanâs, G4567) — the accuser, i.e. the devil δέω (déō, G1210) — to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… χίλιοι (chílioi, G5507) — a thousand ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἄβυσσος (ábyssos, G12) — depthless, i.e. (specially) (infernal) "abyss" κλείω (kleíō, G2808) — to close (literally or figuratively) σφραγίζω (sphragízō, G4972) — to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or… ἐπάνω (epánō, G1883) — up above, i.e. over or on (of place, amount, rank, etc.) ἵνα μή (hína mḗ, G3363) — in order (or so) that not πλανάω (planáō, G4105) — to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… ἔτι (éti, G2089) — "yet," still (of time or degree) ἄχρι (áchri, G891) — (of time) until or (of place) up to χίλιοι (chílioi, G5507) — a thousand
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate καθίζω (kathízō, G2523) — to seat down, i.e. set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down);… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κρίμα (kríma, G2917) — a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ψυχή (psychḗ, G5590) — breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient… πελεκίζω (pelekízō, G3990) — to chop off (the head), i.e. truncate διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) μαρτυρία (martyría, G3141) — evidence given (judicially or genitive case) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. λοιποί (loipoí, G3062) — remaining ones νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) ἀναζάω (anazáō, G326) — to recover life (literally or figuratively) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) χίλιοι (chílioi, G5507) — a thousand ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year τελέω (teléō, G5055) — to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) ἀνάστασις (anástasis, G386) — a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive…
Open source ↗μακάριος (makários, G3107) — supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… μέρος (méros, G3313) — a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) ἀνάστασις (anástasis, G386) — a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… τούτων (toútōn, G5130) — of (from or concerning) these (persons or things) δεύτερος (deúteros, G1208) — (ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb) θάνατος (thánatos, G2288) — (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… χίλιοι (chílioi, G5507) — a thousand ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year τελέω (teléō, G5055) — to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) Σατανᾶς (Satanâs, G4567) — the accuser, i.e. the devil λύω (lýō, G3089) — to "loosen" (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… φυλακή (phylakḗ, G5438) — a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) πλανάω (planáō, G4105) — to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. τέσσαρες (téssares, G5064) — four γωνία (gōnía, G1137) — an angle γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… Γώγ (Gṓg, G1136) — Gog, a symbolic name for some future Antichrist Μαγώγ (Magṓg, G3098) — Magog, a foreign nation, i.e. (figuratively) an Antichristian party συνάγω (synágō, G4863) — to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō, G305) — to go up (literally or figuratively) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… πλάτος (plátos, G4114) — width γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… κυκλόω (kyklóō, G2944) — to encircle, i.e. surround παρεμβολή (parembolḗ, G3925) — a throwing in beside (juxtaposition), i.e. (specially), battle-array, encampment or… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) πῦρ (pŷr, G4442) — "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning) καταβαίνω (katabaínō, G2597) — to descend (literally or figuratively) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… διάβολος (diábolos, G1228) — a traducer; specially, Satan (compare H07854) πλανάω (planáō, G4105) — to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… λίμνη (límnē, G3041) — a pond (large or small) πῦρ (pŷr, G4442) — "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning) θεῖον (theîon, G2303) — sulphur ὅπου (hópou, G3699) — what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot θηρίον (thēríon, G2342) — a dangerous animal ψευδοπροφήτης (pseudoprophḗtēs, G5578) — a spurious prophet, i.e. pretended foreteller or religious impostor βασανίζω (basanízō, G928) — to torture ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) λευκός (leukós, G3022) — white θρόνος (thrónos, G2362) — a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate κάθημαι (káthēmai, G2521) — and (to sit; akin to the base of G1476 (ἑδραῖος)); to sit down; figuratively, to remain,… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that πρόσωπον (prósōpon, G4383) — the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… φεύγω (pheúgō, G5343) — to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) μικρός (mikrós, G3398) — small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity) μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… ἐνώπιον (enṓpion, G1799) — in the face of (literally or figuratively) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very βιβλίον (biblíon, G975) — a roll ἀνοίγω (anoígō, G455) — to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications) ἄλλος (állos, G243) — "else," i.e. different (in many applications) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ζωή (zōḗ, G2222) — life (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… θάλασσα (thálassa, G2281) — the sea (genitive case or specially) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… θάνατος (thánatos, G2288) — (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively) ᾅδης (háidēs, G86) — properly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls κρίνω (krínō, G2919) — by implication, to try, condemn, punish ἕκαστος (hékastos, G1538) — each or every κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… θάνατος (thánatos, G2288) — (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively) ᾅδης (háidēs, G86) — properly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… λίμνη (límnē, G3041) — a pond (large or small) πῦρ (pŷr, G4442) — "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning) οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are δεύτερος (deúteros, G1208) — (ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.
After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory.
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire.
And the demons kept begging Jesus not to order them to go into the Abyss.