Revelation 20:1-15

The details written in Revelation 19:17 - 20:15 pertain to effects or events taking place on earth as a result-of and corresponding-to the previous events which took place in heaven (Revelation 19:1-16). These verses continue to reveal the full scope of redemption and salvation that is written in the stars and the constellations.

This section records the completion of the final judgments being implemented on earth following the blowing of the 7th trumpet with its 7 bowls. It is the 7th time that John records events on earth following those occurring in heaven (7 is the number associated with completeness).

Revelation 20:1-3 continues with the effects of the war recorded in Revelation chapter 19 in relation to the spirit-beings opposing the Lord Jesus Christ and those with him.

Revelation 20:1-3:

^20:1And I saw an angel descending out-from heaven having the key of the abyss and a great chain on his hand, ^.2and he strongly-held the dragon - the snake, the old (snake), who is the devil and satan - and he bound him a thousand years ^.3and threw him into the abyss, and he shut and sealed (it) over him in order that he may not yet cause the nations to-wander continuously-until the thousand years may be completed; after these (years) it is necessary (for) him to be loosened a small time.

John writes: And I perceived (knew with my mind) an angel...

• descending out-from heaven (moving downwards, coming down from the sky above)
  • having (holding)
  • the key (the instrument which is necessary to be able to bind or loosen, tie or untie, lock or unlock, close or open, exclude or receive, stop the exit or grant the entrance/access)
    • of the abyss (that place which does not have a bottom to it, very far away, without measured depth underneath the observed land and sea; refer to Revelation 9:1 and 2 regarding the 5th angel blowing his trumpet who has this key)
  • and a large chain
  • on his hand (so as to use them),

...and he strongly held (with forceful strength, he took strong hold of)...

• the dragon (the word "dragon" is used to emphasize the massive scope of activity of what is being described; refer to Revelation 12:3-5, 7-9 and 13-18) -
  • specifically referring to the snake (the name "snake/serpent" is used to describe his activities, attitudes, etc, designating his distinguishing and distinctive constitution; snakes were known to be thoughtful, sensible, intellectual, and perceptive in their activities; refer to Genesis 3:1-5 and Revelation 12:9),
    • emphatically and specifically the old snake (the serpent that existed during the beginning or former time-period; the Greek word translated "old" emphasizes his former existence as a "snake" against mankind; refer to Genesis chapter 3),
  • who is the
    • devil (the word translated "devil" comes from the Greek word diabolos which translates into 2 words meaning: "through" and "throw/cast" – the devil throws/casts things through people, like stabbing a person from outside through the person and out the other side with an accusation, slander, etc)
    • and satan (this is the name that emphasizes the dragon's opposing and adversarial attributes being in total opposition to the only true God) -

...and the angel bound (tied, fastened) the dragon for a thousand years (1,000 years, a millennium) and cast him into the abyss (as verse 1 above)...

• and he shut (closed, prohibiting access-to or exit-from what is shut)
• and sealed the abyss (securely fastened it, put on the mark of authentication and approval on it, ratification, made it fast, as sealing a letter so it is not opened and read by anyone except by the one to whom the letter is addressed - this seal cannot be opened except by the one who is authorized to re-open the abyss)
  • over him (upon, up-above the dragon)
• for the purpose and result that the dragon would not yet/still cause the nations to wander (he would no longer make groups of people without reference to their background to err and thus reject God and His son, the Lord Jesus Christ - the word "nations" usually refers to people of the Gentile background, the ethnic groups other-than Israel/Judah, however, in this context it is referring to all nations including Israel/Judah - the dragon would no longer cause people not to stay in their rightful place, lead them astray from the correct location in the walk/behavior category, like a planet is constantly moving around when viewed from the earth unlike the stars which retain their position relative-to each other; refer to Revelation 12:9)
  • for the whole duration of time up to the point when the thousand years may be completed (until the 1,000 years would be brought to their ending issue, caused to be accomplished, in the state of completeness, their completion);

...after these 1,000 years, it is necessary (binding, there is an obligation, it must or ought-to happen)...

• for the dragon to be loosened (to be unbound, unfastened, released, untied)
• - for how long? -
• for a small amount of chronological time (a little length of time lasting for a particular duration, a short quantity of time).

When the dragon (devil, snake, satan) is thrown into the abyss and bound for 1,000 years, all of the devil-spirits (demons) in his "army" will be bound there also with him.

[Reference: Genesis chapter 3; Luke 8:31; John 8:44; I Corinthians 6:2 and 3; II Corinthians 11:3; I Peter 3:19; II Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; Revelation 9:1, 2 and 11, 11:7, chapter 12, 13:2 and 4, 16:13, 17:8, 18:23, 19:11.]

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Revelation Chapter 21