Revelation 20:1-3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 20:1-10

We have here, I. A prophecy of the binding of Satan for a certain term of time, in which he should have much less power and the church much more peace than before. The power of Satan was broken in part by the setting up of the gospel kingdom in the world; it was further reduced by the empire's becoming Christian; it was yet further broken by the downfall of the mystical Babylon; but still this serpent had many heads, and, when one is wounded, another has life remaining in it. Here we have a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 20:1-15

Since the great importance of this chapter is that it is what might be called the foundation document of Millennarianism or Chiliasm, it will be better to read it as a whole before we deal with it in detail. 20:1-15 1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss, and with a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a 3 thousand years, and cast him into the abyss, and locked him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 20:1

And I saw an angel come down from heaven ,.... All Christ's enemies, and Satan's instruments being removed, the devil is left alone, and only stands in the way of Christ's kingdom; and what will be done to him, and how he will be in the issue disposed of, this vision gives an account: by the "angel" John saw, is not to be understood Constantine the great; for though he is the man child that was taken up to God, and his throne, being advanced to the empire, yet he cannot, with that propriety,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 20:2

By whom is meant not Paganism, for that was destroyed in the Roman empire under the sixth seal, and was the consequence of the war between Michael and his angels, and the dragon and his; and before this time it will be destroyed in other parts under the sixth and seventh vials, when the kings of the earth, being gathered together at Armageddon, will be slain, and the cities of the nations will fall, not only Papal, but Pagan, and Mahometan; and what will not will be converted, for before this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 20:3

And cast him into the bottomless pit ,.... Or deep, into which the devils desired they might not be sent, and which they dreaded as a torment, it may be, because a place of confinement, Luke 8:31 for this is called a prison, Revelation 20:7 and is distinguished from the lake of fire, into which the devil is afterwards cast, Revelation 20:10 . And shut him up ; that so he might not rove about in the air, nor go to and fro in the earth, nor walk about like a roaring lion, seeking to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 20:1

An angel came down from heaven - One of the executors of the Divine justice, who receives criminals, and keeps them in prison, and delivers them up only to be tried and executed. The key of the prison and the chain show who he is; and as the chain was great, it shows that the culprit was impeached of no ordinary crimes. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 20:2

The dragon - See the notes on Revelation 12:9 . That old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan - He who is called the old serpent is the Devil - the calumniator, and Satan - the opposer. He who supposes that the term old serpent here plainly proves that the creature that tempted our first parents was actually a snake, must enjoy his opinion; and those who can receive such a saying, why let them receive it. Selah. A thousand years - In what this binding of Satan consists, who can... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 20:3

He should deceive the nations no more - Be unable to blind men with superstition and idolatry as he had formerly done. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 20:1

And I saw an angel come down from heaven; coming down out of heaven. The usual mode of introducing a new vision (cf. Revelation 4:1 , etc.). On account of Revelation 1:18 , some have considered this angel to be Christ himself; but this is incorrect. As in Revelation 12:7-9 , an angel is the immediate agent in this expulsion of Satan ( vide infra ) . Having the key of the bottomless pit; the abyss; as in Revelation 9:1 , Revelation 9:2 , Revelation 9:11 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 20:1-2

The first scene in the moral history of redeemed humanity: the scene of moral struggle. "And I saw an angel come down from heaven," etc. No inspired book presents a greater scope for visionary and idle speculation than this Apocalypse. Here every imagination has the widest sweep for its wildest evolutions. Hence we have almost as many interpretations of its contents as we have expositors. One can scarcely pursue a more easy or certain path to popularity than by propounding some ingenious... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 20:1-10

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 20:1-15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 20:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 20:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 20:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 20:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 20:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 20:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 20:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 20:1-2

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