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Revelation 20 Commentary Part 1 (Verses 1-3)

By Zach Davis · October 31, 2026 · 16 minute read

I have changed my mind on this passage numerous times over the last 4 years, so I wanted to jot down my thoughts as of 5/8/2025 to track for later. Before we get into the text it would do you good to read through the entire chapter. In this commentary I will first give you my outline and then demonstrate how I arrived there.

My Outline

What Timespan Does This Cover?

All camps agree this is the beginning of the millennium. Premillennialism would place this beginning in mine and your future, before a literal one thousand years of Jesus ruling physically from Jerusalem. Amillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Full Preterism would place the beginning of the millennium sometime during or around the ministry of Jesus or around His death, burial, and resurrection. Both Amillennialism and Postmillennialism have the events of verse 7 onward yet to come in mine and your future, while Full Preterism would place the events of verse 7 onward in 66-70AD. Well, at least my version and most of FP would culminate the events there.

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

The first step to interpreting this text is getting the characters and the components right. This has literally taken me four years of study to come to the conclusions that I have now. Let’s take this apart piece by piece.

The Angel and the Key

I put these two together because they are connected. The angel has the key. I read this as most have for many years, as a spiritual angelic being. Through much study of the Greek word Angelos, I now understand that this word does not necessitate a supernatural being but is often used in the Bible to refer to a human messenger. The Septuagint uses angelos in Malachi 3: 1 “Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

The first Messenger here is John the Baptist. The second is Messiah, “the Lord, whom you seek”. In agreement on this verse regarding the second messenger Adam Clarke states “He that comes to fulfil the great design, in reference to the covenant made with Abram, that in his seed all the families of the earth should be blessed.” IF, and I mean IF, we can make solid Biblical connections elsewhere with the context of Revelation 20, then we have solid textual evidence that angelos (used for angel in Rev. 20) can in fact refer to Jesus.

Understanding Jesus as the angel makes even more sense once you throw the key into the equation. Revelation 1: 18 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of [j]Hades and of Death. I am of the opinion that Jesus is the angel with the key. Now it could be a different set of keys, but further revelation in the chapter will clarify this for us.

The Chain- Babylon’s judgement on Judah was near in Ezekiel’s day. Listen to how the prophet described it.

Ezekiel 7: I will give it as plunder
Into the hands of strangers,
And to the wicked of the earth as spoil;
And they shall defile it.
22 I will turn My face from them,
And they will defile My secret place;
For robbers shall enter it and defile it.

23 ‘Make a chain,
For the land is filled with crimes of blood,
And the city is full of violence.

Commenting on this text, Ellicott’s Commentary states “In the midst of this plain prophecy the strong tendency of the prophet’s mind still runs to the symbolic act; but this can be thought of here only as done in word. The chain is to bind captive the guilty people.”

God symbolically bound Israel with a chain before they were plundered by Babylon. Jesus likewise states to Israel’s leaders in Mark 3: 27 27 No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. Our chain is not literal. Instead of the gentiles like in Ezekiel 7, it is now Jesus who will bind Israel (satan) for His millennial reign. He will bind Him to take over his kingdom, but satan’s ultimate destruction will not come until the end of the chapter after the millennium.

It will be the gospel spreading to the known world (Great Commission) that will result from satan’s binding. This does not mean satan will not make war. We see in almost every book of the New Testament Jesus and the apostles waging war against Judaizers and those attempting to drag people back to the OC. Those who trusted in Christ would not take the mark of the beast (by retreating to the OC). Once the Apostles ministry is completed, satan will be released and have success. More on this later.

Bottomless Pit

Abyssou is the Greek word used here for bottomless pit. There are 6 occurrences in the book of Revelation. Specifically, chapters 9, 11, 17 and 20. In chapter 11 we see that the beast ascends out of the bottomless pit. Just as the beast ascends out of the bottomless pit in Revelation 20. It is my belief that these are the same events. I would also include the ascension out of the pit in 9 and 17 as the same event of 11 and 20, but for now I want to focus on chapter 11.

The beast in Revelation 11: 7 helps us fill in the gaps. 7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.

  1. The they here in verse 7 are the two witnesses. I take the two witnesses to be in correlation to Jesus the Son and the church through the Spirit. Remember the unpardonable sin… Matthew 12: 31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. The two witnesses testify to the known world from 30-66AD (in our context). During that time Satan is bound. Upon completion of their testimony, Satan is released from the bottomless pit. Whoever you take as the two witnesses they are without a doubt good guys, believers in Jesus.
  2. Satan’s ascension out of the bottomless pit is for the purpose of making war. In Revelation 11: 7 he makes war AGAINST the two witnesses, who I take as Christ and the church. In Revelation 20: 7-9 the beast ascends out of the bottomless pit and makes war against “the saints/ beloved city”. My assertion is that the two witnesses the beast makes war with in Revelation 11, are the same people he makes war with in Revelation 20. In other words, these are the same events performed by the same beast against the same people. In Revelation 11 and 20 the beast is overcome by the Godly people.

That being said, if this beast represents apostate Israel, then she is bound for the work of the great commission during the millennium (roughly ad30-66), then given power and authority again for 3 ½ years. Thus, necessitating this is not a physical bottomless pit. It is imagery used to convey a thought for John.

Satan Section in Verse 2

All four designations for satan represent the same entity, which I take to be in some way or another old covenant apostate Israel. If pressed, probably some form of leadership. Those four designations are dragon, serpent of old, the devil and satan.

Dragon

If nothing else, a dragon in the Bible, and in our culture provides the idea of something scary and bad for the most part. By looking at the way the dragon is used in other passages, we can help to interpret what the dragon’s role is here in chapter 20. I believe consistent use of this term dragon is present throughout the book of Revelation. The following are facts about the dragon, not an interpretation of anything about the dragon.

Facts About the Dragon from Revelation 12

Verse 3- 7 heads and 10 horns

Verse 4- drags down 1/3 of the stars from heaven

Verse 7- fights with Michael

Verse 9- he is cast out of heaven

Verse 13- persecutes the woman

Verse 16- spews out a flood

Verse 17- fights the woman’s offspring

Facts About the Dragon from Revelation 13

Serpent

2 Corinthians 11: 2-4 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the [a]simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

If you go back to the garden, you will find that deception is a major theme. The serpent deceived Eve by crafty words. Now a new serpent was doing the same thing to a new bride. 1 Peter 2: 14 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Here is the catch though…. The bride grew up and matured. The New Testament church fights off the serpent under the headship of a better leader, a better Adam, Jesus Christ.

The serpent spews the dangerous false doctrine of the Judaizing heresy out of its mouth in Revelation 12, but the Christ rejectors swallow it up instead of the bride. She withstands by the blood of the lamb and the word of her testimony.

Devil

Greek word= diabolos

Strongs G 1228

17 occurrences in the New Testament

Diabolos specifically means slanderer or false accuser. Romans 8 is the first place that comes to mind with this definition. Romans 8: 1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Paul’s doctrine of accusation is connected to the law. So, if the devil is the accuser, and old covenant Israel’s law is what is used to accuse, it would lead one to believe that those clinging to said law are the devil in mind.

Exodus 18: 13 13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. Moses was given the seat to judge and bring charges. Note what Jesus says in Matthew 23: 1-2 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.

Because of the work of Christ, those under the Old Covenant had been set free from it, and the gentiles now were not being brought under it. This is why there was so much controversy about Paul no longer circumcising the gentiles in places like Acts 15. The devil had been nullified and would be destroyed shortly when John writes the Revelation.

Satan

This word is used for one who is against God. Its usage does NOT necessitate it has to be a spiritual being. For example, Peter is called satan in Matthew 16: 23 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, [i]“Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are [j]an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

The Messiah had to die; therefore, Peter was against God in his attempt to keep Christ from going to the cross. I believe there are adversaries, or people who are against God throughout the Old Covenant stories. One example is Ezekiel 22: 23 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 24 “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not [d]cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ 25 The conspiracy of her [e]prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured [f]people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy [h]people, and to get dishonest gain.

Note the declarations of Israel’s false leaders… roaring lion coming after the prey and wolves tearing the prey seeking dishonest gain. Compare that with 1 Peter 5: 8 8 Be [c]sober, be [d]vigilant; [e]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Satan the adversary is Israel’s wicked leaders in both stories.

There are 17 uses of this word in the New Testament, and I would like to emphasize something here: there are numerous stories throughout the Bible where the enemy comes from within. Usually in the form of a false leader, such as Haman in the Esther story. It is possible this is what is going on in Genesis 3. The serpent there could be someone who led Eve astray, and like Israel, Adam played along as well.

This was a common theme. The sin at Sinai comes to mind. The people worshipped the golden calf and Aaron let them walk right into it… Exodus 32: 21 And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?”

Note the wording Paul uses later… Exodus 32: 25 Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies). PERSONALLY I believe this concept is super important to our understanding of Paul’s restrainer in Thessalonians. I believe Paul and the apostles were restraining the people from going back to the New Egypt, the Old Covenant. Once they are removed, the little season breaks out.

Now in Revelation and the New Testament, it is Israel who is the satan at hand (See Revelation 2: 9 and 3: 9), but the Bride will endure faithfully and not be deceived because she has a better Adam, the faithful priest Jesus Christ. Also, apostles once Christ is gone to help fight off the attacks.

This is consistent with Paul in Romans 16: 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord [d]Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and [e]simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

Remember where we are headed next in Revelation 20…. The binding of satan so he can no longer deceive the nations.

The Binding of Satan

Since we have established who satan is (or at least who I think), now we can determine the purpose and timing of the binding. Verse 3 is clear that the purpose of the binding was so that he could not deceive the nations. Here is a clear pattern… if the bride is deceived then those outside and around her will never come to the truth. The bride is protected by the priestly leader. If that leader is faithful then the bride will be too, and she will lead those around her in righteousness.

1 Timothy 2: 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

Israel’s leaders had played the harlot, Revelation 17. Her people followed suit. So did those around her. Revelation 18: 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.

Follow this logic: Babylon the harlot is Apostate Israel. She deceives the nations in chapter 18. Satan deceives the nations in 20. Thus… Apostate Israel is satan. Her influence led the nations astray. Matthew 23: 15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of [h]hell as yourselves.

The Millennium and the Binding

Once the millennium begins, satan is bound. Here is how I understand this. The millennium begins sometime around the ministry of Christ. Either during that ministry, the resurrection, but for sure no later than the ascension per David’s quotation of 2 Samuel 7 declaring Jesus was seated on the throne.

Satan was bound so that his false doctrine could no longer deceive the nations, meaning the gospel message of the church would be successful. This DOES NOT mean that satan was not active and coming against the church during this time. I think he was, which is why you see so much judaizing in the New Testament. However, it wasn’t successful. The whole world got the gospel as Jesus said (Matthew 24: 14).

Here is my timeline:

Satan’s Activity During the Millennium

It is a common pushback from people to have satan active in any way during the millennial reign of Messiah. I would declare exactly the opposite. It is exactly what should happen because it was predicted that way. David’s life was a pattern for this. David reigned for 40 years and note what was stated in 1 Kings 5: 3 You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the Lord put [a]his foes under the soles of his feet.

To say this another way, David ruled in the midst of his enemies. On the throne. For 40 years. This is typological of Christ. One of the most quoted chapters in the New Testament is Psalm 110. It fits perfectly with the time of the New Testament as it discusses the millennial reign. Psalm 110: The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” 2 The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! His adversaries and enemies would be placed under His feet shortly per Romans 16: 20 and Revelation 2:9-10 and 3: 9-10.

I will discuss the end of verse 3, satan’s little season, when we get to verse 7.

T

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