In this week’s study, I start in Chapter 20. Before I get into the study, I discuss what ‘Woke America’ is all about
We continue with this Chapter 20 with Yahweh’s judgments against those on the earth. The outcome of the first of these final five judgments is the binding of Satan. The judgment of the Beast and the False Prophet and their Confederacy is not enough. The one who planned all, and used all for the accomplishment of his purposes, must now be dealt with. The chief instigator of all the evil must now be deprived of all further opportunity of attempting to frustrate the counsels and purposes of Yahweh. He has been cast out of heaven: he must now be cast out of the earth.
When Satan lost his place in heaven, he still continued to have some power over the earth. He also had power in hell; in Revelation 9:1, he has the key of the abyss, the worst part of hell. Revelation 9:11 calls him by names that mean ‘the destroyer’.
In Revelation 19:17-21, we read about the great battle at Armageddon. In that battle, the devil’s forces will fight against Yahshua Messiah for control over the earth. In that battle, the devil will suffer complete defeat.
At the same time, the devil will also suffer a similar defeat in the spirit world. That is clear because in verse 1, the devil no longer has control over the abyss. He has lost even his power in hell. Now an angel who is a servant of Yahweh holds the key to the abyss. The devil has become his prisoner, and he will remain in that place for 1000 years. That is, the same period as the Messiah’s rule on earth in.
1. And I saw an angel descending out of heaven, = This is another transition. In this case, we go from seeing Yahweh deal with His human opponents on earth to seeing Yahweh deal with his opponents in the spiritual realm. This angel is coming down to earth because that’s where Satan had been cast down.
having the key of bottomless pit, = The fact that he has the key to that underworld is designed to signify here, that he can fasten it on Satan so that it shall become his prison.
and a great chain in his hand. = With which to bind the dragon. It is called great because of the strength of him that was to be bound.
(2) And he laid hold on = Seized him by violence.“the employment of strength” or “force”; and it implies that he had power superior to that of the dragon.
the old serpent, = This is undoubtedly an allusion to the serpent that deceived our first parents and therefore a proof that it was Satan that, under the form of a serpent, deceived them
which is the Devil, = On the meaning of this word, see Matthew 4:1. “Then was Yahshua led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” This word originally means an adversary, or an accuser
and Satan, = the accuser, that is, the devil. Satan, however powerful he may be, desired to be like Yahweh (Ezk. 28; 2 Thess 4), but he is “only” an angel and apparently not even the most powerful of angels.
and bound him a thousand years, = This is the period usually designated as the millennium - for the word “millennium” means “a thousand years.”
(3) And cast him into the bottomless pit = A state of peace and success would exist as if Satan, the great disturber, were confined in the nether world as a prisoner.
and shut him up, = And shut him up - Closed the massive doors of the dark prison-house upon him.
And set a seal upon him = Or, rather, “upon it”. The seal was placed upon the “door” or “gate” of the prison, not because this would fasten the gate or door of itself, and make it secure, for this was secured by the key, but because it prevented intrusion, or any secret opening of it without its being known.
Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com
