Revelation 19:20 - Exposition

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image; that wrought the signs in his sight (Revised Version). Here we have described the destruction of the earthly manifestations of Satan's power; the means by which he seeks to achieve his purposes, and which we have interpreted as the hostile world power and self deception (see on Revelation 13:1-18 .). The whole account contained in Revelation 19:11-21 is a brief recapitulation of the whole period of warfare between Christ and Satan, with special attention given to the final overthrow of the powers of evil. It, therefore, covers the same ground as the vision of seals, and then that of the trumpets, then that of the vials, and afterwards that of the beasts, each occupies. The chief difference is that in all those visions the everyday conflict is more particularly described; whereas in this passage the termination of the conflict is specially brought before us. The same ground is covered in the next chapter, advancing, however, one step further, and showing us the final punishment of Satan himself, as well as of his instruments ( Revelation 20:10 ). These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone; they twain were cast alive into the lake, etc. (On "brimstone," etc., see on Revelation 9:17 , Revelation 9:18 . Cf. Revelation 20:10 , Revelation 20:14 , Revelation 20:15 ; Revelation 21:8 .) This "lake of fire" is the place of punishment for Satan and his hosts; not the place in which he at present works and reigns—which is described as the abyss ( Revelation 9:1 ; Revelation 11:7 ; Revelation 17:8 ; Revelation 20:1 , Revelation 20:3 ).