Bible Gem 2371 – satan Bound for 1000 Years – When & Why? (Revelation 20:1-3)

¹Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. ²He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. ³The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while. 

Revelation 20:1-3

Similar to the text in Gem 2370, this text must spark questions in you. It certainly does for me. I am sure there will be a number of you who will want to point out my mistake: namely satan spelt without a capital S. That is a feature of something I have been doing for a long time. I refuse to use a capital S to spell satan’s name. Call it quirky but that is my long standing practice where the name of satan is concerned.

You will also have noted that I am sticking with dividing the long passage in this portion of Revelation according to John’s visions. I saw, I saw, I heard. This third vision presents us with some problems. Did this portion leave you with some questions? If not go back and read it again. What questions come to mind as you read this text in the light of the wider context?

• Are these visions sequential? i.e. Ordered in time?
• Are we dealing with a linear time sequence for each vision?

This is typical of apocalyptic writing and typical of John here in Revelation. Remember the things I have told you about the use of the tenses in Greek throughout these Gems on Revelation! [See Gems 2225, 2283, 2287, 2345] Don’t assume that a series of visions or a series of anything in Revelation is set in a linear time line. Often times the settings for visions, statements given by an angel or events themselves can be ‘flashback backs’ or ‘fast forwards’ to a different time frame. I think that is what is happening here! It is also a feature of apocalyptic writing to spell out the identity of satan by listing his aliases. Here we have a similar list: the dragon, that old serpent, who is the devil, satan. (See also Revelation 12:9.)

Have you noticed the repetition of the “thousand years time period” in this section? Let me point it out to you. There is a fivefold repetition of this element within this short block.

• He seized the dragon and bound him in chains for a thousand years. Revelation 20:2
• He was locked and sealed until the thousand years ended. Revelation 20:3
• They (the martyrs) came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Revelation 20:4
• The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. Revelation 20:5
• They (those who have a part in the first resurrection) will reign with him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

I urge you to read this section carefully. How do you interpret it based on the plain reading of the text? I have looked at a number of the commentators I have in my reference library and it is all rather confused. Gordon Fee ‘says’ the following:

On this note all later millennial speculation has been based. It is not, of course, that this matter is otherwise easily resolved: but it does seem unfortunate that so many would take this one number, in a book of so many other symbolic numbers of a variety of kinds, and build an actual temporal millennium on it.

Gordon Fee, Revelation pp 281-282

In point of fact, given the statements related to the thousand years in this short paragraph, it leaves me concluding that the only ones who are with Christ during this thousand year period are those who were martyred for their willingness to follow him in death. If that is the way we ought to interpret this section, the thousand year reign is only experienced by the martyrs and not those who are numbered among ‘the rest of the dead’! That my dear readers puts a whole different spin on all of this.

I believe it also answers an anomaly which arises from a careful reading of this wider block of text. Revelation 19:18-21 makes it clear that all the armies of the nations: kings, generals, warriors, riders, all humanity, free and slave, small and great were part of the carrion banquet. I would conclude by that statement that “the nations per se” ceased to exist. How does that fit with the repeated mention (7 times) of tribe, language, people, nation? Do the nations matter as I asked in Gem 2239 and 2243?

Robert Mounce makes exactly that point in his commentary. A point that I had thought before reading his commentary on this passage.

In chapter 19 the kings of the earth and their armies were slain by the sword of Messiah. Yet now in chapter 20 the nations are pictured as still in existence.

Robert Mounce, The Book of Revelation, p 353

Mounce himself goes on to give two possible alternative explanations by Moffatt and Caird.

Such discrepancies were inevitable in the dovetailing of disparate conceptions.

James Moffatt, The Revelation of St. John the Divine, EGT p 471

The nations of chapter 19 are about, the smashing of the political power, undergirded by idolatrous religion and materialistic seduction organized to resist the sovereignty of God.

G B Caird, The Revelation of St. John the Divine, p. 252

In summary, all three commentators along with a number of others have noted the discrepancy described by Moffat above. It is curious you have to admit. I will address it in the next Gem.

The other aspect which Gordon Fee draws our attention to in his quote above, is the possible variation to be seen in the number ‘1,000’ as to whether it is to be taken literally or symbolically. I will pass on that matter and only draw your attention to the fact that 2 Peter 3:8 gives us a hint to the fact that the number may not signal a standard use of numbers but may hide another meaning.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.

2 Peter 3:8

So after all of the above scholarship, what are we to think about this third vision of John? I hope you picked up on the reason or purpose for the binding of satan. John was clearly told that satan was bound and sealed so that he could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years had finished. That is important, why?

I don’t believe we ought to think of these visions as being linear in sequence. I think the purpose for this third vision being given to John is to encourage the martyrs or those who are yet to be martyrs. John is making it clear that the martyrs who depart at the time of the first death will indeed be sitting on thrones and ruling for a thousand years. But what is true for the people who will experience the first resurrection is also true for all of God’s redeemed people ultimately. In fact none will miss out. It is like the martyrs will be part of the first fruits. There is more good news to come on this in the Gems I will write on chapters 21 and 22.

Dear Readers, don’t sweat the small stuff, the details, at this stage. Rather take in the overall purpose at the macro level and the minutiae will resolve itself within the big picture. If nothing else, take confidence in the fact that all that John has written for us is God’s Word which is trustworthy and true! Remember John was told this twice, once by an angel sent by God (19:9) and a second time by the One who sits on the throne (21:5). So again I say, Don’t sweat the small stuff. Learn to take God at His Word.

When all is said and done, you will have the privilege of being part of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. After supper you can ask an angel, John, Jesus, or God Himself to clarify any confusing element for you.

Ian

But in fact when the Perfect comes you will know as you are known and therefore you won’t have to ask any questions at all.

Paul of Tarsus (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Well, you didn’t expect I would answer all of your questions now did you? Now I see through a glass darkly or see puzzling reflections in a mirror, just like you this side of Glory.

Ian

But feel free to contribute any other questions you have in typical Bible Gem fashion. Feel free also to add your take on any of the aspects covered in this Gem.

Ian

Next we will cover some more interesting elements detected in John’s series of visions.

I will also share any insights you may have with the 1750⁺ readers of the Gems, but only if you give me permission to do so.