What does Revelation 20:7 mean?

Explanation

Revelation 20:7 describes an event in eschatological prophecy where Satan is released from a prison after a period of one thousand years.

In a literal sense, this verse suggests that Satan, who had been bound and restricted in his ability to deceive the nations, will once again be free to influence and deceive the world.

The deeper meaning behind this verse delves into themes of temptation, the struggle between good and evil, and ultimate judgment.

The "thousand years" is often understood as the millennial reign of Christ, a time of peace and righteousness before the final rebellion and the ultimate establishment of God's kingdom.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written by the apostle John, traditionally believed to be in the late 1st century AD, during a time of persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

The imagery of Revelation is rich with apocalyptic symbols common in Jewish and Christian literature, serving as both encouragement to believers undergoing trials and a prophecy of the final victory of good over evil.

The specific time frame of the "thousand years" may be interpreted symbolically, representing a long period of completeness, rather than a literal one thousand years.

Theological Insights

From an Amillennial perspective, the thousand-year reign is often seen as figurative, representing the current church age where Christ reigns in the hearts and lives of believers.

From this viewpoint, Satan's binding is his current restricted ability to deceive the nations fully, and his future release would symbolize a period of intensified evil before Christ's final victory.

In contrast, Premillennialists consider the thousand-year reign to be a literal future event, with Christ physically reigning over an earthly kingdom. In this interpretation, Satan will be literally bound during this time and then released for a final rebellion against God's kingdom.

Postmillennialists also interpret the thousand years in a more figurative sense but expect a future golden age of Christian dominance in society before Christ's return, after which Satan will be loosed briefly.

Practical Applications

This verse serves as a reminder to believers that while spiritual victory is assured, there will be periods of spiritual warfare and deception.

The assurance of Satan's eventual defeat and the temporary nature of his influence can encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith, alert, and prepared for spiritual challenges.

Cross-References

• Revelation 20:2-3: "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years."
• Revelation 20:10: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
• 2 Peter 3:8: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
• Revelation 16:14: "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek text of Revelation 20:7 include:

• "ετελεσθησαν" (etelēsthēsan): Translated as "are expired" or "completed," indicating the end of the period.
• "Σατανας" (Satanas): The Greek transliteration of "Satan," often conceived as the adversary or accuser.
• "λυθησεται" (lythēsetai): Translated as "shall be loosed," it is a future passive indicative suggesting an action that will happen to Satan.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient myths, there are stories of gods or beings who are imprisoned or bound and later released, often leading to a cataclysmic event.

For example, in Norse mythology, the trickster god Loki is bound but is prophesied to break free at Ragnarok, leading to a great battle.

Comparatively, Revelation's prophecy of Satan's release serves a similar narrative purpose, heralding the final battle between good and evil.

Scientific Perspectives

Revelation 20:7 contains symbolic language that does not directly relate to scientific inquiry but speaks to the theological and moral conflict between good and evil.

As such, it is generally considered a matter of faith and belief rather than a topic that can be evaluated using the scientific method.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various perspectives on this verse:

• Some propose that this serves as a prophetic warning and a promise, reminding believers that evil will not prevail indefinitely.
• Others stress the importance of being spiritually vigilant and interpreting apocalyptic prophecies symbolically rather than literally.
• A number of commentaries highlight the ultimate hope offered through this verse, as it suggests a period when God's justice will ultimately triumph over evil.