Revelation 20

Revelation 20:1

AN angel] He that did open the bottomlesse pit before, chap. 9. 1. now shutteth it. Some take it of Constantines keeping under the heathen emperours, and conceive this chapter to depend upon the twelfth chapter; and to shew what became of the dragon, after he was cast into the earth. But it is likely that the prophecie goeth on; and that the holy Ghost, having described the whore of Babylon, popish Rome, chap. 17. and shewed the fall of it, chap. 18. and the calling of the Jews, and destruction of antichrist and his followers, chap. 19. now declareth the prosperous estate of the Church for a long time after; and the destruction of the Turks, the day of judgement, and damnation of all wicked men, in this chapter: and then setteth out the happie estate of all the godly in soul and body in heaven for ever, chap. 21. and in the beginning of chap. 22. or else looketh back there to the flourishing estate of the Church on earth, when all her foes are destroyed: and so he concludeth with confirmations, exhortations, promises and threatnings.

a great chain in his hand] As going to apprehend some powerfull person, that was to be attached, and bound, as a prisoner or captive, with a chain, Psalms 148:8. 2 Chronicles 36:6.

Revelation 20:2

dragon, &c.] See v. 10. Chap. 12. 9. The pope being destroyed, the devil would bring in the Turk, who seemeth yet to stand, or some other enemy like the heathen emperour, called The dragon, before, chap. 12. 3. to persecute and war against the Christians: but God will not permit it, till the thousand yeers of the Churches prosperity be done: and therefore he causeth Satan to be bound with a great chain, that he might not let loose another dragon before the time. Thus the Churches peace for that time is secured.

bound him a thousand yeers] Either for such a number of yeers, or for a long time indefinitely.

Revelation 20:3

into the bottomlesse pit] Which he desired not to be shut into, Luke 8. 31. For the same Greek word is translated the deep, there. He was cast into the earth, before, chap. 12. 9. here, lower.

set a seal upon him] This sheweth the devils rage, who must not onely be chained, but also shut up, and the door sealed by authority from heaven, that he may be kept from doing mischief, Matthew 27:66.

deceive the nations no more] Not bring in heathenism or popery any more. Or, perswade them to fight against the Church, by his wiles, v. 7, 8. or, wicked agents, chap. 16. 13, 14.

a little season] After Satans loosing, the day of judgement will soon come.

Revelation 20:4

they sat upon them] Or, some sat upon them. Some understand this of Constantines time, chap. 6. 16. Others, of Luthers. Others, of the Church after antichrists destruction. Others, of the day of judgement. In all which, the saints rule, and persecutours are brought to judgement.

the souls, &c.] Coming to demand justice against those that had slain them; by the cry of their blood before kings here; or personally before God at the day of judgement, chap. 6. 9, 10.

for the witnesse of Jesus, &c.] Chap. 6. 9. & 1. 9.

not worshipped the beast] See chap. 13. 15, 16, 17. & 14. 9.

they lived and reigned] The Christian judges in the beginning of the verse, who were esteemed as dead men under the heathen emperours, or under antichrist; now not onely were seen to live, but reigned also, to do justice to Gods people, as Christs deputies, Or, those beheaded ones lived in soul in heaven with Christ. Or, such as they that were persecuted before, shall live and reign after antichrists fall. So we say, The Romanes ruled the world from Julius Cesar to Constantine, and after: yet we mean not the same persons. So John is called Elias, because he came in the spirit of Elias, Matthew 11:14. Luke 1:17. So the two witnesses are raised again. See chap. 11. 11.

a thousand yeers] All the time Satan is chained like a mad dog, the Church shall flourish.

Revelation 20:5

the rest of the dead] Others did not openly professe religion in peace, till Luthers time. Or, some will not come in till after the thousand yeers. Peradventure, some Turks, or others, may come in at the eleventh hour, Matthew 11:6. for the papists were either converted before, or destroyed at the fall of antichrist, chap. 16. 20. & 19. 21. Or, they that will not come in when the Jews do, and antichrist is destroyed, will never come in to Gods Church: for, all Israel, and the fulnesse of the Gentiles, will be come in then, Rom. 11. 25, 26. See the like phrase, 2 Samuel 6:23. Or, God will not right others oppressed, till the end of the world. Or, they lived not in any account, as before, Psalms 88:5.

This is the first resurrection] Either the former part of the verse must be read by a parenthesis, and the words depend on the fourth verse: or, it may be understood of the end of the thousand yeers in some of the former senses. At Luthers time, or after the coming in of the Jews, and antichrists destruction, there will be such a new face of the Church, as if the saints were all raised up again, John 5:25; John 5:28.

Revelation 20:6

Blessed and holy] As they are happie that suffer for Christ, v. 4. so they also whose eyes God doeth open to see their errours, and embrace Gods truth.

part in the first resurrection] This resurrection is not of particular persons, but of whole Churches and nations; as Romans 11:15. alluded to, in the raising of dead bones, Ezekiel 37:1, &c. In which they are said to have part, who by the means then publikely and plentifully afforded, are spiritually quickned; that is, raised from the death of sin, to the life of grace, John 5:24-25. Acts 8:21. Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5.

second death hath no power] They shall not go to hell, v. 14. Chap. 2. 11. & 21. 8. by turning back to the world. Or, they shall no more be seduced by antichrist. Or, not be destroyed by Turks, and other enemies described, v. 9.

priests of God and of Christ] See chap. 1. 6. & 5. 10. Yet here seemeth somewhat more to be intended. For in those places we are said to be made priests to God; that is, to offer spirituall sacrifices to him: but here, to be priests of God that is, excellent priests, 2 Peter 2:9. See the like phrase, Gen. 23 6. Psal. 36 6.

reign with him] Be free from their former persecutions, as living now under Christ, not any longer under antichrist.

Revelation 20:7

loosed] See v. 2.

Revelation 20:8

to deceive the nations] To draw them to fight against the Church, to their destruction. See v. 3.

in the four quarters] In all parts, some shall be deceived.

Gog and Magog] Ezekiel 38:2. & Ezekiel 39:1. Either the papists not destroyed in Armageddon, chap. 16. 16. & 19. 21. or rather, the Turks, or other foes, assaising the Church a little before the day of judgement, v. 11. For the rising of the Turkish empire is spoken of, chap. 9. 3, &c. but their fall no where, till now. It seemeth they shall be restrained for the thousand yeers of the Churches prosperity after the fall of the pope, from fighting against it; but afterwards let loose and destroyed, as the popish empire before.

as the sand of the sea] See Joshua 11:4. Judges 7:12. 1 Samuel 15:5. 2 Samuel 17:11. 1 Kings 4:20.

Revelation 20:9

they went up, &c.] Or, went forth. Chap. 13. 1. They seemed not to be in an army, before; but suddenly arose to a great multitude, Jer. 46. 7, 8. & 47. 2.

breadth of the earth] All over where the saints of God abide, Isaiah 8:8. Ezekiel 38:9; Ezekiel 38:16.

compassed about] Endeavouring that none of the faithfull might escape them. See the like, 2 Kings 6. 14, 15. & 25. 1.

the camp of the saints] The Church militant, compared to Israel in their tents, Numbers 2. and now being in tents, to fight against the Turks, or other unchristian enemies.

the beloved citie] The Church of God, driven to some strong place for shelter.

fire came down, &c.] Gods wrath, shewed in an extraordinary way, delivered his Church, by destroying these enemies, Hebrews 10:27. & Hebrews 12:19. Job 20:26. Psalms 21:9. Genesis 19:24. 2 Kings 1:10; 2 Kings 1:12.

Revelation 20:10

the devil] The Turk, the devils new agent, another dragon, like the heathen emperour, v. 2. Chap. 12. 3. Or, some other enemy, no Christian by profession, shall be sent to hell, to keep the last pope and popish emperour company. Here it may be noted, that the foes of the Church, that professe not the Name of Christ, as the heathen and Turkish emperours, are in this book compared to dragons and serpents, and to the devil himself: but the popes, and popish emperours, who professe Christianity, are compared to wilde beasts.

where the beast, &c.] See chap. 19. 20.

for ever and ever] Gr. to ages of ages. As one succeeding another, without any end.

Revelation 20:11

And I saw] This may well be understood of the day of judgement, which was to come shortly after the loosing of Satan again, vers. 3. It sheweth, that from the fall of the Turk, to the day of judgement, the Church shall have peace. And also, that those enemies of the Church that are left after that great battel, though they escaped the sword then, and dare not openly oppose the Church any more; yet God will call them to judgement.

a great white throne] Fit for him that cometh now to judge all the world, Luke 1:32. Titus 2:12. Acts 17:31. And white, to shew the uprightnesse and glory of the judge, chap. 19. 11, 14. But some understand it of Constantines judging heathen idolaters, and freeing Christians persecuted formerly by the heathen, chap. 6. 14, 15. Others, of the solemn destruction of antichrist, and gathering of the Jews. Both which, are lively resemblances of the last day. Others, of the destruction of the Turks, newly spoken of.

fled away] Or, vanished, chap. 16. 14. 2 Peter 3:7; 2 Peter 3:10-11.

found no place] Chap. 12. 8. They shall appear no more in that form they are now in, but changed, chap. 21. 1, &c.

Revelation 20:12

great and small] All, without exception, chap. 13. 16. Or, as some think, each one in that proportion or stature in which he died.

and the books] Daniel 7:10. Christ, or their own consciences, shall charge with all their sins; as judges proceed with depositions upon record.

another book, &c.] Chap. 3. 5. To exempt the godly from condemnation, chap. 21. 27. Philippians 4:3. Men write in a book the names of those they intend to deliver, or to prefer.

according to their works] The wicked must be judged according to their works written in the books. The just, written in the book of life, shall not come into judgement, John 5:24. Chap. 21. 27.

Revelation 20:13

And the sea, &c.] All men must rise to judgement, whether drowned in the sea, or denied buriall on earth, or buried in the grave. Or, death and sea gave up their bodies to be judged, and hell their souls.

hell] Or, the grave, chap. 6. 8.

Revelation 20:14

death and hell] Or, the grave. Men dead and buried before, were now sent to hell in soul and body both. Or, there shall be no more death nor grave for Gods people to fear, nor any torment remaining, but for those that are in hell.

lake of fire] Vers. 10. Chap. 19. 20.

second death] See v. 6.

Revelation 20:15

in the book of life] Vers. 12.

lake of fire] Vers. 14.