Revelation 20

Revelation 20:1

Of the bottomless pit. See on ch. Revelation 9:1. This is to be distinguished from the lake of fire. Compare ver. 10.

Chain [αλυσιν] . See on Mr 5:4. Only here in John’s writings.

In his hand [επι] . Lit., upon : resting on or hanging upon.

Revelation 20:2

He laid hold [εκρατησεν] . See on Mr 8:3; Acts 3:11..

The dragon [τονδρακοντα] . See on ch. Revelation 12:3. The word is commonly derived from edrakon, the second aorist tense of derkomai to see clearly, in allusion to the sharp sight of the fabled dragon.

Old [αρχαιον] . See on 1 John 2:7.

The Devil. Note the three epithets : the Old Serpent, the Devil, Satan. See on Matthew 4:1; Luke 10:18.

Revelation 20:3

Sealed. See on John 3:33.

Must [δει] . According to God ’s purpose. See on Matthew 16:21; Luke 2:49; Luke 24:26.

Revelation 20:4

Thrones. See on ch. Revelation 2:13.

They sat. All the faithful members of Christ ’s Church. Compare they reigned with Christ.

Beheaded [πεπελεκισμενων] . From pelekuv an ax. Only here in the New Testament.

They lived. Equivalent to lived again. Compare ver. 5.

Revelation 20:5

Lived - again [ανεζησαν] . Read ezhsan lived, as in ver. 4

Revelation 20:6

Hath part [εχωνμερος] . A phrase peculiar to John as referring to a person. Compare John 13:8.

Second death. See on ch. Revelation 2:11.

Revelation 20:8

Gog and Magog. See Ezekiel 38, 39. Compare Genesis 10:2. where Magog appears as a son of Japhet. Magog is a general name for the northern nations, and, according to Ezekiel, Gog is their prince. Josephus says that the descendants of Magog were the Scythians.

Revelation 20:9

On the breadth [επιτοπλατος] . Lit., over [επι] . As distinguished from the “four corners” of ver. 8. They overspread the earth.

The camp [τηνπαρεμβολην] . See on castle, Acts 21:34. Encompassing and defending the city. Compare Psalms 78:7.

The beloved city. Compare Psalms 78:68.

From God. Omit.

Revelation 20:12

Before God. Read qronou throne for Qeou God. So Rev., before the throne.

The books [βιβλια] . No article. Read books. Compare Daniel 7:10.

Book of life. See on ch. Revelation 3:5.

Revelation 20:13

The sea. As commonly understood, the sea means the literal sea, and the passage signifies that the dead contained in it shall rise. So Alford. Other interpreters, however, say that it cannot mean the literal sea. Thus Milligan argues that the symbols of the Apocalypse must always be interpreted in the same way. “Symbols,” he says, “are a form of speech, and therefore subject to the rules that regulate the interpretation of all speech… The power of that convention which links a certain sense to a certain sound in ordinary terms, is not less binding in the presence than in the absence of metaphor of any kind whatever. Thus when we read in the Apocalypse of ’the sea ’ as an emblem of the troubled and sinful nations of the earth, we are bound, unless forbidden by the context, to carry that interpretation through, and to understand the sea of the troubled and sinful world.”

Hell [οαδης] . Rev., Hades. See on Matthew 16:18.

Revelation 20:14

This is the second death. Add even the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15

And whosoever [ειτις] . Lit., if any. So Rev.