Revelation 20 begins with a vision of an angel descending from heaven, holding the key to the abyss and a great chain. The angel seizes Satan, binds him for 1,000 years, and throws him into the abyss, sealing it so he can no longer “deceive the nations” during this time. Afterward, Satan is to be released “for a little while.”
For amillennialists, this passage describes a symbolic event that has already begun—Satan’s binding during Christ’s first coming, which marks the start of the Church age. Let’s unpack the key elements to see how this interpretation fits the text and the Bible’s broader teaching.
The Angel, the Abyss, and the Binding of Satan
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.”
Who is this angel?
The text doesn’t specify, but many interpret the angel as a representative of God’s authority—possibly Christ Himself, since He is described as having “the keys of Death and Hades” in Revelation 1:18. Either way, the focus is on God’s power over Satan, not the identity of the angel.
What is the abyss?
The abyss, or “bottomless pit,” symbolizes a place of confinement for evil forces. It appears elsewhere in Revelation (9:1–3; 11:7) and represents God’s sovereign restraint over Satan’s activity.
What does it mean to “bind” Satan?
Here’s the critical question. Amillennialists understand Satan’s binding as a spiritual limitation imposed by Christ through His earthly ministry, death, and resurrection. This binding doesn’t mean Satan is entirely inactive—it means he’s restricted in a specific way: he can no longer “deceive the nations.”
- In Matthew 12:29, Jesus describes binding “the strong man” (Satan) to plunder his house—a clear reference to His power over Satan during His ministry.
- Luke 10:18 records Jesus saying, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” indicating a decisive defeat.
- In John 12:31, Jesus says, “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out,” pointing to His victory through the cross.
So, Satan’s binding in Revelation 20 refers to the curtailing of his power to prevent the spread of the Gospel. Before Christ’s coming, the nations were largely in darkness (Ephesians 2:11–12). After Christ, the Gospel began to penetrate the nations, fulfilling the Great Commission.
The 1,000 Years: A Symbol of the Church Age
“…and bound him for a thousand years.”
Numbers in Revelation are often symbolic, and the “1,000 years” is no exception. Amillennialists understand this number as representing a long, complete period—in this case, the entirety of the Church age between Christ’s first and second comings. Here’s why:
- The number 1,000 (10 x 10 x 10) conveys completeness or fullness, much like the symbolic use of 7 and 12 in Revelation.
- Revelation frequently uses symbolic numbers to convey theological truths rather than literal timeframes.
Thus, the 1,000 years symbolize the current age in which Christ is reigning from heaven, and Satan’s influence is restrained so the Gospel can go forth.
Satan’s Limitation: No Longer Deceiving the Nations
“…so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended.”
The key to understanding Satan’s binding lies in this phrase: he might not deceive the nations.
- Before Christ’s first coming, the nations outside of Israel were in spiritual darkness, largely deceived by Satan (Acts 14:16; 17:30).
- With Christ’s victory on the cross and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel began to break through this deception, spreading to the Gentiles and bringing them into God’s kingdom (Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:13).
This doesn’t mean Satan has no influence during the Church age—Peter warns that he is like a “roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8). But his ability to prevent the Gospel’s spread has been decisively curtailed. The binding of Satan is why the Church can carry out the Great Commission with the assurance of success (Matthew 28:19–20).
The Release of Satan: A Final Rebellion
“After that he must be released for a little while.”
Amillennialists see this as a brief period of increased satanic activity near the end of the Church age. This final rebellion aligns with other biblical warnings about a time of great tribulation and deception before Christ’s return:
- Paul speaks of a “man of lawlessness” and a rebellion before the Day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:3–10).
- Jesus warns of false Christs, false prophets, and tribulation in Matthew 24:21–24.
Despite this temporary release, Satan’s doom is certain. Revelation 20 goes on to describe his ultimate defeat when Christ returns in glory.
How This Fits the Big Picture
Revelation 20:1–3 is not about a future, earthly binding of Satan but about the present reality of Christ’s reign and the Gospel’s unstoppable advance. This interpretation fits with the broader teaching of the New Testament:
- Christ has already triumphed over Satan (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14).
- The Gospel is going forth to all nations, bringing people out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
- Satan’s ultimate defeat is assured, but the Church must remain vigilant until Christ’s return.
Encouragement for Believers Today
For Christians, this passage is a reminder of the victory we already have in Christ. Satan’s power is limited, and the Gospel is unstoppable. Though we still face spiritual battles, we can live with confidence, knowing Christ reigns and His kingdom is advancing.
This interpretation not only makes sense of the text but also gives hope for today and assurance for the future. What do you think about this understanding of Satan’s binding?
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