Revelation 20:3

Translations

Modern

And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.

Traditional

And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Literal

And he cast him into the Abyss, and shut and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years should be completed. After these things, it is necessary for him to be released for a little time.

Latin

…et misit eum in abyssum, et clausit, et signavit super illum ut non seducat amplius gentes, donec consummentur mille anni: et post hæc oportet illum solvi modico tempore.

Original

Greek

English

And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.

Notes

Revelation 20:3

This imprisonment, described as a bottomless pit (Abyss), represents an initial defeat for Satan and the forces of evil. Various New Testament passages explain how Christ's work impacts Satan (Luke 10:17–20; Acts 10:38; 26:18; Romans 16:20; Ephesians 6:11; James 4:7; see Matthew 12:24; 16:19; 18:18; John 12:31; 1 John 3:8). Christ's presence with his followers restrains evil powers (see 2 Thessalonians 2:7), reminding persecuted Christians that they have a future with God.
he could not deceive: Deception is the devil's hallmark, as he is a liar (see John 8:44; 1 John 3:8); no liar will enter heaven (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15). Faithful believers who experience Christ's reign will not be deceived.
The brief period of time might symbolize the three and a half years (see Revelation 11:2–3, 9–11; 12:14; 13:5)—it is a limited time.

Revelation 20:1–10

This passage has three parts:

the binding of Satan (Revelation 20:1–3),
the reign of God’s holy people (Revelation 20:4–6), and
Satan's release for a final battle attempt (Revelation 20:7–10).

Four themes emerge:

Satan's war is pointless—he cannot resist even an angel;
God’s holy people will be justified and honored;
God will achieve the final victory; and
even when sinful people experience Christ’s good purposes, they still follow Satan when he gains some freedom to act.

Revelation 19:11–20:15

The drama reaches its peak: God's enemies face defeat and punishment in two episodes (Revelation 19:11–21; 20:7–10). Meanwhile, the faithful enjoy a 1,000-year resurrection (Revelation 20:1–6) followed by the final judgment (20:11–15).

Theme notes and profiles

Adam and Eve God as Holy Warrior God or Satan? God’s Promised Kingdom Jesus and Satan Resurrection in the Old Testament Symbolic Numbers The Day of the Lord The Thousand Years (The Millennium) Visions

Related verses

Revelation 17:8
The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.
Revelation 20:1
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain.
Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Daniel 6:17
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.
2 Thessalonians 2:9–11
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
Revelation 20:7–10
When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison,
2 Corinthians 11:3
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.
Matthew 27:66
So they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard.
2 Corinthians 11:13–15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Revelation 16:14–16
These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.
Psalm 90:4
For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.
Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

Glossary

Amillennialism Book of Revelation Bottomless Pit Eschatology Hades Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Lucifer Magog Millennium Place of the Dead Snake

Topics

Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Universality of the Kingdom of Millennium: General Scriptures Concerning Pit: The Bottomless Pit Satan: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Satan's Fall Seals: Restraint Seals: Security The Serpent Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: Satan Bound for One-Thousand Years Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Thrones of Judgment Year: Satan to be Bound for a Thousand

Revelation 20:3

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