Satan Bound for 1,000 Years

I have been reading and using Robert Mounce’s classic commentary on Revelation for this study. If my blog articles were term papers, I’d cite Mounce frequently.

Today’s blog article is a condensation of Mounce’s interpretation of Revelation 20. There are many different interpretations of this passage, but I find his to be understandable and reasonable.

Revelation 20.1-10 should not be elevated above such basic themes as the return of Christ, the final judgment and removal of all wickedness, and the splendor of the eternal state.

In the short letter, Jude writes of the binding of evil powers.

And the angels who did not keep their own position but deserted their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment of the great day (Jude 6).

The vision that God gave John explains in greater detail the message of Jude.

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.

He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years

And threw him into the pit and locked and sealed it over him, so that he would deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be let out for a little while (Revelation 20.1-3).

Note, all four titles for Satan in Revelation are found in verse 2.

The dragon is bound and unable to deceive the nations for 1,000 years. At the close of the 1,000 years, he is loosed for a little time.

The purpose of the confinement is not to punish him but to prevent him from deceiving the nations. It is implied that Satan is forced to cease his activities on earth.

No longer are the nations deceived into giving to Satan and the world’s system the worship that belongs to God alone.

Looking ahead to the close of the 1,000-year period, John adds that for a little while Satan must be set free.

Apparently, 1,000 years of confinement does not alter Satan’s plans, nor does 1,000 years of freedom from the influence of wickedness change people’s basic tendency to rebel against their Creator.

The Millennial Reign

God’s gracious plan has always involved humans. He could rule the universe without any human assistance, but he wants humans to join him.

Jesus told his disciples, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28).

Paul also spoke of human participation in his letter to the Corinthians.

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?

Do you not know that we are to judge angels, to say nothing of ordinary matters? (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

Revelation is a picture of what Jesus and Paul said.

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 their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God.

They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its brand on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Revelation 20.4).

Those on the thrones have been given the authority to judge.

The judgment appears to be connected in some way with the vindication of the martyrs and their right to assume the empire of the defeated powers of wickedness.

Take a moment and read Revelation 6:9-11 and 13:15 to learn about all who gave their lives in faithfulness to their commitment to Christ.

Questions and Answers

Robert Mounce poses some questions that may arise in a study of this passage. He also gives us his answers.

Question: What is the purpose of the 1,000-year reign?

Answer #1: The 1,000 years vindicate within history the cause of Christ. Jesus is revealed as the only one worthy to reign.

Answer #2: The martyrs who gave their lives rather than submit to emperor worship receive their just reward.

Question: Are we to think of this millennial reign as an actual period of political and social history that is to follow the return of Christ?

Answer: The essential truth is that the martyrs’ steadfastness will win for them the highest life in union with God and Christ.

The 1,000-year reign is a commentary on Jesus’ message: “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).

The First Resurrection

According to Mounce, the first resurrection refers to the martyrs.

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection.

Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years (Revelation 20.5-6).

They are blessed because they are not subject to the second death and they will be priests of God and reign with him 1,000 years.

Tomorrow’s article will cover the second death.”

People who experience the second death will share the eternal fate of the devil, the beast, and the false prophet.

Today’s Application

No matter how this passage is interpreted, we all can agree that it encourages believers to remain steadfast in our commitment to faith, knowing that our sacrifice and perseverance will be rewarded.

There are eternal consequences of choosing righteousness over the evil one’s deception.

YouTube Video

Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.