Satan Bound and the Reign of the Saints
Revelation 20:1-6
Rev.20.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αγγελον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- καταβαινοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ουρανου: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
- εχοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,n
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κλειν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αβυσσου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αλυσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μεγαλην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- χειρα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Rev.9.1 (verbal): The fifth angel is given 'the key to the shaft of the abyss'—the same wording/idea of an angel possessing the key of the abyss (ἀβυσσός).
- Luke 8.31 (allusion): The demons beg Jesus not to be sent into the abyss—shows the abyss as a place of confinement for evil spirits, echoing Revelation's use of the abyss as a prison.
- 2 Peter 2.4 (thematic): Speaks of God casting sinful angels into Tartarus and committing them to chains of darkness for judgment—parallels Revelation's imagery of angels, binding, chains, and imprisonment awaiting judgment.
- Jude 6 (thematic): Refers to angels who did not keep their proper domain being kept in chains under darkness for judgment—closely parallels the motif of angelic binding and chains in Revelation 20:1.
- Rev.20.3 (structural): Immediate continuation of 20:1: the angel uses the chain to bind Satan and cast him into the abyss—shows the fulfillment of the angel's possession of the key and chain described in 20:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
- Then I saw an angel coming down out of heaven; he held in his hand the key to the abyss and a great chain.
Rev.20.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εκρατησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- δρακοντα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- οφις: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αρχαιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Διαβολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Σατανας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εδησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- χιλια: NUM,acc,pl,n
- ετη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Revelation 12:9 (verbal): Same identifying formula—'the great dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan'—and the motif of his expulsion from heaven, providing the immediate narrative background for 20:2.
- Isaiah 27:1 (allusion): OT precedent of God/Israel slaying or restraining a sea‑monster/dragon (Leviathan/dragon imagery), which provides mythic background for Revelation's image of binding the chaotic dragon.
- Psalm 74:13–14 (thematic): Speaks of God cutting the sea and breaking the heads of Leviathan—parallel theme of divine triumph over a monstrous sea‑serpent figure that echoes Revelation's dragon motif.
- Job 26:12–13 (allusion): Job language about God striking the fleeing serpent and treading down the monster resonates with Revelation's portrayal of subduing the ancient serpent (Satan).
- Luke 10:18 (thematic): Jesus' remark 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven' echoes the theme of Satan's overthrow and expulsion that culminates in his being bound in Revelation 20.
Alternative generated candidates
- He seized the dragon—that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan—and bound him for a thousand years.
- He seized the dragon—the ancient serpent who is called the devil and Satan—and bound him for a thousand years.
Rev.20.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εβαλεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αβυσσον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εκλεισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εσφραγισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- επανω: PREP
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- πλανηση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- ετι: ADV
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- αχρι: PREP
- τελεσθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- χιλια: NUM,acc,pl,n
- ετη·μετα: NOUN,acc,pl,n+PREP
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- λυθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- μικρον: ADV
- χρονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 20:1-2 (verbal): Immediate context: the angel seizes and binds the dragon and casts him into the abyss—same action and language as v.3's account of imprisonment in the abyss.
- Revelation 20:7 (structural): Closely parallel within the chapter: states the dragon must be released 'for a little while' after the thousand years, echoing v.3's timing of release.
- Luke 8:31 (verbal): Demons beg Jesus not to be sent into the abyss (Greek 'abyssos'), using the same term and concept of the abyss as a place of confinement.
- Daniel 12:4, 9 (verbal): Daniel is told to 'shut up and seal' the vision until the time of the end—similar language and motif of sealing and delaying until an appointed time, as v.3 seals the abyss until the thousand years are fulfilled.
- Isaiah 24:21-22 (thematic): Speaks of cosmic powers and earthly kings being gathered and shut up like prisoners and visited after many days—parallels the imagery of imprisonment and deferred visitation/judgment in Rev 20:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- He threw him into the abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were completed. After that he must be released for a little while.
- He threw him into the abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were completed. After that he must be released for a short time.
Rev.20.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- θρονους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εκαθισαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- επ᾽αυτους: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- κριμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εδοθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- ψυχας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πεπελεκισμενων: PART,perf,pas,gen,pl,f
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μαρτυριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- προσεκυνησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θηριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εικονα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ελαβον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- χαραγμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μετωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- επι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- χειρα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτων·και: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εζησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- εβασιλευσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- μετα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- χιλια: NUM,acc,pl,n
- ετη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Revelation 12:11 (verbal): Speaks of believers overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and 'the word of their testimony'—language and theme echoed in Rev 20:4's 'for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God.'
- Revelation 6:9-11 (thematic): Depicts the souls of martyrs under the altar asking God for justice—parallels Rev 20:4's focus on the souls of those slain for the witness of Jesus and their vindication.
- Revelation 13:15-17 (thematic): Describes worship of the beast, its image, and receiving its mark—Rev 20:4 contrasts the faithful who did not worship the beast nor receive its mark.
- Revelation 5:10 (verbal): Declares that the redeemed are made 'a kingdom and priests' who will reign—parallels Rev 20:4's promise that the martyrs 'lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.'
- Daniel 7:22 (allusion): States that 'judgment was given to the saints' and they received the kingdom—an Old Testament precedent for the imagery of thrones, judgment, and the saints' reign found in Rev 20:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given authority to judge. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God; they had not worshiped the beast nor his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
- Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Rev.20.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- λοιποι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εζησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αχρι: PREP
- τελεσθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- χιλια: NUM,acc,pl,n
- ετη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αναστασις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πρωτη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Revelation 20:4 (structural): Immediate context: describes those who came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years — identifies those who participate in the first resurrection.
- Revelation 20:6 (verbal): Repeats the phrase 'first resurrection' and explains the blessed status of those who share in it, clarifying its significance.
- John 5:28-29 (thematic): Jesus' teaching about two kinds of resurrection (to life and to judgment) parallels Revelation's distinction between the 'first' resurrection and the later rising.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (thematic): Paul describes the dead in Christ rising first and believers being caught up — a New Testament parallel to an initial, privileged resurrection at Christ's coming.
- Daniel 12:2 (allusion): Prophetic precedent for end-time awakening: many who sleep in the dust will awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame — background for Revelation's eschatological resurrection motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.
- The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev.20.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μακαριος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αγιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- μερος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αναστασει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πρωτη·επι: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δευτερος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- θανατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εξουσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλ᾽εσονται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,pl
- ιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- βασιλευσουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- χιλια: NUM,nom,pl,n
- ετη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Rev.20.4-5 (structural): Immediate context: the vision of those who partake in the 'first resurrection' and who 'lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years,' directly connected to the statement that the second death has no power over them.
- Rev.2.11 (verbal): The promise to the overcomer that 'he shall not be hurt by the second death' repeats the exact phrase and theological assurance found in 20:6.
- Rev.5.10 (verbal): Jesus says he has made his people 'a kingdom and priests to our God,' and they 'will reign on the earth,' echoing the priestly and reigning language of 20:6.
- Exod.19.6 (allusion): God's call to Israel to be 'a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' provides the Old Testament background for the depiction of God's people as priests and a royal people in Revelation 20:6.
- 1 Pet.2.9 (thematic): Believers are described as 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,' a New Testament formulation that parallels the priestly/kingly identity affirmed in 20:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection; the second death has no power over them. They will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
- Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power. They will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years.
Then I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding the key of the Abyss and a great chain in his hand.
He seized the dragon—that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan—and bound him for a thousand years.
He hurled him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were completed; after that he must be released for a short time. And I saw thrones, and those seated on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power. They will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.