Can anyone tell me what Rev. 20 means?

Question

20:1 "And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. .........Rev 20:7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore."

Here's the full chapter.
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/revelation/revelation20.htm

So does this mean after the thousand year reign with Christ, Satan is going to be released and tempt the nations once again? Or What is it talking about? Thoughts.

Answer 1

Yes,you are correct...he(Satan) will be loosed on earth for a short period,after the 1000 year period.

Answer 2

Satan's Doom
7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.


Yes, but only to be destroyed.

Answer 3

I am a Seventh-Day Adventist, and we believe that this chapter means pretty much what it says, and that is that after Christ's return, there will be a 1000-year period during which time the Saved will be in Heaven, and the Earth will be dark and barren and completely depopulated, since the wicked who were living at the time of His return were slain by the brightness of His coming. Since Satan is a spiritual being, he cannot be bound with physical chains. Satan will be imprisoned on this desolate planet, but the "chains" refer to "chains of circumstance", because there won't be anyone for him to tempt. He will simply be alone with himself, forced to contemplate the results of his rebellion against God. At the end of the 1000 years, the New Jerusalem (the city where God and the saved live) will return to Earth and land on the Mount of Olives, which will cleave in two to form a plain. Then God will resurrect the wicked of all ages to judgment. Satan will be allowed to deceive these people once again, but only to show that their hearts haven't changed. They will attempt to attack the city, but then fire will come down from Heaven and consume them. That will be the end. They will not be tortured forever.

Answer 4

Yes, that's what it means. During the thousand year reign of Jesus and his associate rulers, mankind (those who were delivered through Armageddon and those who are resurrected from death) will learn to practice right and will grow to perfection. Meantime, earth is restored to its paradise condition. At the end of that 1,000 years, man will be perfect as was Adam and Eve.

Satan will be released at this time so that man can be tested in that perfect state (as was Adam and Eve) to determine whether he will remain obedient. Those who remain obedient receive the gift of everlasting life on earth. Those who do not are put to death. Satan and his demons are themselves forever destroyed.

Will anyone ever disobey in the future? Well, as long as free will is around, there is always that possibility. The difference, however, is that it will not be necessary to answer the issue that is now before mankind (the rightfulness and righteousness of God's universal sovereignty). That issue is being resolved even as we speak. Once the issue is resolved, this precedent - now being set - will stand to time indefinite so it will not be necessary for any wickedness that arises to be tolerated - no, not for a moment. God will deal with it on the spot. No one will ever again be allowed to disrupt the peace and security of obedient man.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 5

Yes - this is what will happen after the great tribulation (which comes after the rapture). Once the tribultion is over, Satan will be bound for a thousand years. Once that period is over, he will be released for a short time and after that, he will be thrown into the lake of fire forever.

If you haven't read the Left Behind series, they are excellent!! These authors have interpretted the book of Revelation into what it will be like here during this time. I recommend them!

Answer 6

No,it is a symbolic timeframe.Satan was bound and defeated at the Cross of Calvary.Nations have had the Gospel for 2,000 years so as not to be deceived,unless choosing deception.Satan is loosed now as time is running out for him as we approach the New World Order and rise of the Antichrist.

Answer 7

I have heard many interpretations of this.
My opinion (for what it's worth) is: For the billions of people that never got a chance to know Jesus to get their rightful chance to heaven will now get an equal chance. The most fair thing to do would be give them a chance (with satan's influence) to accept or deny Jesus and the chance for eternal life in heaven.

Answer 8

I think in that style of writing numbers are highly symbolic. This is the church age, and we are in the "1,000 years" which in apocalyptic writing just means a good long time. Of course many would disagree with me, but that is my take on it.

Answer 9

This is where the, "church of 'GOD'" differs from everyone else. We do not find Biblical grounds for such support, of this type of a literal interpretation, of the majority of the book of Revelation; including this verse.

Answer 10

That is what it means. But like before he will fail.