Rev 20:2-7 | TNotes

20:3 ^a This incarceration, portrayed as the bottomless pit, is a preliminary defeat for Satan and the powers of evil. Various New Testament passages describe the effect of Christ’s work on Satan (Luke 10:17-20 ^b; Acts 10:38 ^c; 26:18 ^d; Rom 16:20 ^e; Eph 6:11 ^f; Jas 4:7 ^g; see Matt 12:24 ^h; 16:19 ⁱ; 18:18 ^j; John 12:31 ^k; 1 Jn 3:8 ^l). Christ’s presence with his people binds evil powers (see 2 Thes 2:7 ^m), reminding persecuted Christians that there is a future with God.

• so Satan could not deceive: Deception is the trademark of the devil, who is a liar (see John 8:44 ⁿ; 1 Jn 3:8 ^o); no liar will enter heaven (Rev 21:8 ^p, 27 ^q; 22:15 ^r). The faithful believers who experience Christ’s reign will not be deceived.

• The little while might be the equivalent of the symbolic three and a half years (see 11:2-3 ^s, 9-11 ^t; 12:14 ^u; 13:5 ^v)—it is a limited time.
20:4 ^w thrones ... people sitting on them: This portrayal of a heavenly tribunal includes the elders (4:4 ^x) on thrones (see Dan 7:9-10 ^y), the victorious martyrs (see Dan 7:22 ^z), and all God’s people.

• beheaded for ... Jesus: Beheading was a common form of execution for Roman citizens.

• The faithful who resisted receiving the mark of the beast (Rev 13:16-17 ^aa) will judge the condemned (see 1 Cor 6:2-3 ^ab) on thrones similar to those of the worshiping elders (see Rev 4:10-11 ^ac; 5:8-10 ^ad; 11:16 ^ae).
Summary for Rev 20:5-6: 20:5-6 ^af John contrasts the first resurrection with the second death (see 20:12-15 ^ag; cp. John 5:29 ^ah).
20:6 ^ai Blessed: This fifth blessing of Revelation (see also 1:3 ^aj; 14:13 ^ak; 16:15 ^al; 19:9 ^am; 22:7 ^an, 14 ^ao) focuses on the promised reward of life. God’s faithful people (20:4 ^ap) will reign with Christ as priests of God (see also 1:6 ^aq; 5:10 ^ar).
Summary for Rev 20:7-10: 20:7-10 ^as Satan’s all-out attempt to conquer God’s people is followed by his fiery demise. This passage has two major purposes: (1) to show God’s absolute justice, because Satan and his followers are worthy of punishment and will never change; and (2) to show the depravity of people who follow Satan. In spite of viewing the nature of Christ’s reign in the world for many years, they still flock to Satan’s standard when he is freed. These factors are the basis for the judgment at the great white throne (20:11-15 ^at).
Summary for Rev 20:7-8: 20:7-8 ^au When free to act (20:7 ^av), Satan still seeks to deceive. He will gather a mighty army (cp. Ezek 38–39 ^aw) in a final attempt to overwhelm God’s people (Rev 20:9 ^ax).