Rev 20 | MHM | STEP | The Binding of Satan This section describes a time when Satan’s power is greatly limited, and the church experiences much more peace. The gospel and the fall of evil systems weaken Satan, but his influence is not fully destroyed. An angel—most likely Jesus Christ—comes with power to bind Satan and lock him away for a thousand years. During this period, God’s faithful people are honored and reign with Christ. After the thousand years, Satan is released for a short time, causing one last rebellion. But God wins the final victory, and Satan is punished forever. v. 1 : John sees an angel coming down from heaven with a key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. This angel is probably Christ Himself, who has the power to defeat Satan completely (Revelation 20:1 ).

‏ Revelation of John 20

The Binding of Satan

This section describes a time when Satan’s power is greatly limited, and the church experiences much more peace. The gospel and the fall of evil systems weaken Satan, but his influence is not fully destroyed. An angel—most likely Jesus Christ—comes with power to bind Satan and lock him away for a thousand years. During this period, God’s faithful people are honored and reign with Christ. After the thousand years, Satan is released for a short time, causing one last rebellion. But God wins the final victory, and Satan is punished forever.

v. 1: John sees an angel coming down from heaven with a key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. This angel is probably Christ Himself, who has the power to defeat Satan completely (Revelation 20:1 ^a).

v. 2: The angel seizes the dragon, who is the devil and Satan, and binds him for a thousand years. Neither Satan’s strength nor his tricks can save him from Christ’s power (Revelation 20:2 ^b).

v. 3: Satan is thrown into the bottomless pit, locked up, and sealed inside so that he cannot deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years are over. After this, he will be released for a short time (Revelation 20:3 ^c).

v. 4: John sees thrones and people sitting on them with authority to judge. These are those who suffered for Christ and refused to follow the beast. They are raised to rule with Christ for a thousand years. This resurrection may be spiritual, meaning the church experiences new freedom and power (Revelation 20:4 ^d).

v. 5: The rest of the dead do not come to life until the thousand years are finished. Only those who shared in the “first resurrection” enjoy this special time with Christ (Revelation 20:5 ^e).

v. 6: Those who share in the first resurrection are blessed and holy. The second death—eternal separation from God—cannot harm them. They will be priests of God and Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6 ^f).

v. 7: When the thousand years are over, Satan is released from his prison for a short time. He is allowed to deceive people again (Revelation 20:7 ^g).

v. 8: Satan goes out to deceive the nations from every part of the earth—called Gog and Magog. He gathers a huge army for one last attack against God’s people. The names Gog and Magog come from earlier scriptures about enemies of God (Revelation 20:8; Genesis 10:2 ^h; Ezekiel 38:2 ⁱ).

v. 9: The enemy army surrounds the camp of the saints and the beloved city—God’s people and His spiritual Jerusalem. But fire comes down from heaven and destroys all of Satan’s followers, just as God promised in the scriptures (Revelation 20:9; Ezekiel 38:22 ^j).

v. 10: The devil is thrown into the lake of fire, joining the beast and the false prophet. There, they are tormented day and night forever. This is the final defeat of evil (Revelation 20:10 ^k).

The Universal Judgment

This section describes the final judgment, which comes after the defeat of the devil. It is the day when everyone’s eternal destiny will be decided. The Bible assures us that there will be a judgment day, as Jesus said, the prince of this world is judged (John 16:11 ^l). This is called the great day, when all people will stand before Christ’s judgment seat. The passage gives us a detailed picture of what will happen on that day, including the throne, the Judge, those who are judged, the standard of judgment, and the final outcome.

v. 11: John sees a great white throne, which is the seat of judgment. This throne is glorious, pure, and perfectly just. It is not like any earthly throne that supports wickedness. The Judge is the Lord Jesus Christ, who appears with such majesty and power that the earth and the heaven flee from his face, and there is no place found for them (2 Peter 3:10 ^m). This means the whole world as we know it will be dissolved and changed at his coming.