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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Revelation 20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/20-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/66_Rev_20_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 20:1 - Satan Bound" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/revelation/19-21.htm" title="Revelation 19:21">◄</a> Revelation 20:1 <a href="/revelation/20-2.htm" title="Revelation 20:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/revelation/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/revelation/20.htm">New International Version</a> And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. <a href="/nlt/revelation/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. <a href="/esv/revelation/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. <a href="/bsb/revelation/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain. <a href="/blb/revelation/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I saw an angel descending out of heaven, holding in his hand the key of the Abyss, and a great chain. <a href="/kjv/revelation/20.htm">King James Bible</a> And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/nkjv/revelation/20.htm">New King James Version</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/nasb/revelation/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/nasb77/revelation/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/lsb/revelation/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/amp/revelation/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And then I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding the key of the abyss (the bottomless pit) and a great chain was in his hand. <a href="/csb/revelation/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven holding the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/asv/revelation/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/cev/revelation/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I saw an angel come down from heaven, carrying the key to the deep pit and a big chain. <a href="/erv/revelation/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/gwt/revelation/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key to the bottomless pit and a large chain in his hand. <a href="/gnt/revelation/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the abyss and a heavy chain. <a href="/isv/revelation/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key to the bottomless pit, with a large chain in his hand. <a href="/net/revelation/20.htm">NET Bible</a> Then I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. <a href="/nheb/revelation/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/wbt/revelation/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/wey/revelation/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from Heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and upon his arm he carried a great chain.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/revelation/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain. <a href="/web/revelation/20.htm">World English Bible</a> I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I saw a messenger coming down out of Heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain over his hand, <a href="/blb/revelation/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I saw an angel descending out of heaven, holding in his hand the key of the Abyss, and a great chain. <a href="/ylt/revelation/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I saw a messenger coming down out of the heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain over his hand, <a href="/slt/revelation/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain in his hand.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/cpdv/revelation/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I saw an Angel, descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the abyss and a great chain. <a href="/nabre/revelation/20.htm">New American Bible</a> Then I saw an angel come down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> AND I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And I saw another Angel from Heaven who had with him the key of The Abyss and a great chain in his hand.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/godbey/revelation/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And I saw an angel coming down out of the heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain on his hand. <a href="/haweis/revelation/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> AND I saw an angel descending from heaven, having the key of the abyss of hell, and a great chain in his hand: <a href="/mace/revelation/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Afterwards I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, with a great chain in his hand. <a href="/wey/revelation/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then I saw an angel coming down from Heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and upon his arm he carried a great chain. <a href="/worrell/revelation/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And I saw an angel coming down out of Heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain upon his hand. <a href="/worsley/revelation/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And I saw an angel come down from heaven, who had the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. <a href="/parallel/revelation/20-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJfD7KQcx0I?start=4185" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/revelation/20.htm">Satan Bound</a> 1<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: eidon (V-AIA-1S) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">I saw</a> <a href="/greek/32.htm" title="32: angelon (N-AMS) -- From aggello; a messenger; especially an angel; by implication, a pastor.">an angel</a> <a href="/greek/2597.htm" title="2597: katabainonta (V-PPA-AMS) -- To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.">coming down</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranou (N-GMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">with the</a> <a href="/greek/2807.htm" title="2807: klein (N-AFS) -- A key. From kleio; a key, literally or figuratively.">key</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to the</a> <a href="/greek/12.htm" title="12: abyssou (N-GFS) -- The abyss, unfathomable depth, an especially Jewish conception, the home of the dead and of evil spirits. Depthless, i.e. abyss.">Abyss,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echonta (V-PPA-AMS) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">holding</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">in</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5495.htm" title="5495: cheira (N-AFS) -- A hand. ">hand</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: megalēn (Adj-AFS) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">a great</a> <a href="/greek/254.htm" title="254: halysin (N-AFS) -- A (light) chain, bond. Of uncertain derivation; a fetter or manacle.">chain.</a> 2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a> And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” <a href="/isaiah/24-21.htm">Isaiah 24:21-22</a> In that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven above and the kings of the earth below. / They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days. <a href="/2_peter/2-4.htm">2 Peter 2:4</a> For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; <a href="/jude/1-6.htm">Jude 1:6</a> And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day. <a href="/luke/10-18.htm">Luke 10:18</a> So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. <a href="/matthew/12-29.htm">Matthew 12:29</a> Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. <a href="/john/12-31.htm">John 12:31</a> Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. <a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Colossians 2:15</a> And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. <a href="/ephesians/4-8.htm">Ephesians 4:8</a> This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.” <a href="/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19</a> in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison <a href="/daniel/7-22.htm">Daniel 7:22</a> until the Ancient of Days arrived and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for them to possess the kingdom. <a href="/isaiah/14-12.htm">Isaiah 14:12-15</a> How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ... <a href="/ezekiel/28-12.htm">Ezekiel 28:12-17</a> “Son of man, take up a lament for the king of Tyre and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. / You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. / You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. ... <a href="/zechariah/3-1.htm">Zechariah 3:1-2</a> Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. / And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?” <a href="/1_john/3-8.htm">1 John 3:8</a> The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.I saw.<a href="/revelation/10-1.htm">Revelation 10:1</a> And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:<a href="/revelation/18-1.htm">Revelation 18:1</a> And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.having.<a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18</a> I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.<a href="/revelation/9-1.htm">Revelation 9:1,2</a> And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit… <a href="/luke/8-31.htm">Luke 8:31</a> And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.a great.<a href="/2_peter/2-4.htm">2 Peter 2:4</a> For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;<a href="/jude/1-6.htm">Jude 1:6</a> And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/17-8.htm">Abyss</a> <a href="/revelation/19-17.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-1.htm">Arm</a> <a href="/revelation/17-8.htm">Bottomless</a> <a href="/revelation/17-3.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/2_timothy/1-16.htm">Chain</a> <a href="/revelation/11-7.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/revelation/18-1.htm">Descending</a> <a href="/revelation/19-18.htm">Great</a> <a href="/revelation/19-2.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/revelation/19-17.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/revelation/15-2.htm">Holding</a> <a href="/revelation/9-1.htm">Key</a> <a href="/revelation/17-8.htm">Pit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/20-3.htm">Abyss</a> <a href="/revelation/21-15.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/genesis/24-15.htm">Arm</a> <a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Bottomless</a> <a href="/revelation/21-10.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/genesis/41-42.htm">Chain</a> <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/revelation/21-10.htm">Descending</a> <a href="/revelation/20-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/revelation/20-4.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/revelation/20-9.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/genesis/24-21.htm">Holding</a> <a href="/judges/3-25.htm">Key</a> <a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Pit</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 20</div>1. <a href="/revelation/20-1.htm">Satan bound for a thousand years.</a> 6. <a href="/revelation/20-6.htm">The first resurrection;</a> 7. <a href="/revelation/20-7.htm">Satan let loose again.</a> 8. <a href="/revelation/20-8.htm">Gog and Magog.</a> 10. <a href="/revelation/20-10.htm">The demons cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.</a> 11. <a href="/revelation/20-11.htm">The last and general resurrection.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/revelation/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven This phrase introduces a new vision experienced by John, the author of Revelation. The angel's descent from heaven signifies divine authority and purpose. Angels are often depicted as messengers or agents of God's will throughout the Bible, such as in <a href="/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12</a> and <a href="/luke/1-26.htm">Luke 1:26-38</a>. The heavenly origin of the angel underscores the divine nature of the events about to unfold, emphasizing that the actions are sanctioned by God.with the key to the Abyss The "key" symbolizes authority and control, as seen in <a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18</a>, where Christ holds the keys of death and Hades. The Abyss, or bottomless pit, is a place of confinement for demonic forces, referenced in <a href="/luke/8-31.htm">Luke 8:31</a> and <a href="/revelation/9.htm">Revelation 9:1-11</a>. The possession of the key indicates that the angel has been granted power to open or close this realm, reflecting God's sovereignty over all spiritual realms.holding in his hand a great chain The "great chain" represents the means by which the angel will bind Satan, as described in the following verses. Chains are often used metaphorically in Scripture to denote restraint or imprisonment, as in <a href="/2_peter/2-4.htm">2 Peter 2:4</a> and <a href="/jude/1-6.htm">Jude 1:6</a>, where fallen angels are kept in chains. This imagery conveys the impending restriction of Satan's influence, highlighting the theme of divine judgment and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/angel.htm">Angel</a> A heavenly messenger or servant of God, often tasked with carrying out divine orders. In this verse, the angel is given authority and power to bind Satan. 2. <a href="/topical/h/heaven.htm">Heaven</a> The dwelling place of God and His angels. It signifies divine authority and the origin of the angel's mission. 3. <a href="/topical/a/abyss.htm">Abyss</a> A deep, bottomless pit or chasm, often associated with a place of confinement for evil spirits. In the context of Revelation, it is a place of temporary imprisonment for Satan. 4. <a href="/topical/k/key.htm">Key</a> Symbolizes authority and control. The angel's possession of the key indicates the power to open and close the Abyss. 5. <a href="/topical/g/great_chain.htm">Great Chain</a> Represents the means by which Satan will be bound, signifying restraint and limitation of his power.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_authority.htm">Divine Authority</a> The angel's descent from heaven with the key and chain illustrates God's ultimate authority over evil. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty and His plan to ultimately defeat Satan. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_restraint.htm">The Power of Restraint</a> The binding of Satan with a great chain signifies that God can and will limit the influence of evil. Christians can find hope in knowing that evil is not beyond God's control. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_justice.htm">Hope in God's Justice</a> The imagery of the Abyss and the binding of Satan assures believers that God's justice will prevail. This encourages perseverance and faithfulness in the face of present evil. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_angels.htm">Role of Angels</a> Angels are active participants in God's plan, serving as His messengers and agents. This reminds believers of the unseen spiritual realm and God's provision through His heavenly hosts. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_christ's_reign.htm">Preparation for Christ's Reign</a> The binding of Satan sets the stage for Christ's millennial reign, emphasizing the importance of readiness and anticipation for His return.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_revelation_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 20</a> <a href="/q/how_is_satan_bound_for_1000_years.htm">(Revelation 20:1–3) How can Satan be literally bound for a thousand years and then released if he is not a physical being? </a> <a href="/q/is_satan_bound_1,000_years_in_revelation.htm">Is Satan bound for 1,000 years in Revelation?</a> <a href="/q/millennial_kingdom__literal_or_symbolic.htm">Is the Millennial Kingdom literal or symbolic?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_millennium.htm">What defines the concept of the Millennium?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/revelation/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>THE BINDING OF SATAN.(1) And I saw an angel come down . . .--Rather, And I saw an angel descending out of the heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain on (not merely in his hand, but hanging from it as it would do when on) his hand. It is needless to settle who is represented by this angel. It is enough that in the vision he manifests by the key and the chain which he carries that there is power in Him, who has the keys of death and of Hades (<a href="/revelation/1-18.htm" title="I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.">Revelation 1:18</a>), to bind, as He has death-wounded, him that had the power of death. The bottomless pit is the abyss, as we have had elsewhere (<a href="/revelation/9-1.htm" title="And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven to the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.">Revelation 9:1</a>; <a href="/revelation/11-7.htm" title="And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.">Revelation 11:7</a>; and <a href="/revelation/17-8.htm" title="The beast that you saw was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.">Revelation 17:8</a>. Comp. <a href="/luke/8-31.htm" title="And they sought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.">Luke 8:31</a>); it is figuratively the abode of the devil and his associate angels (<a href="/matthew/25-41.htm" title="Then shall he say also to them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:">Matthew 25:41</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - And I saw an angel come down from heaven; coming down out of heaven. The usual mode of introducing a new vision (cf. <a href="/revelation/4-1.htm">Revelation 4:1</a>, etc.). On account of <a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18</a>, some have considered this angel to be Christ himself; but this is incorrect. As in <a href="/revelation/12-7.htm">Revelation 12:7-9</a>, an angel is the immediate agent in this expulsion of Satan (vide infra). Having the key of the bottomless pit; the abyss; as in <a href="/revelation/9-1.htm">Revelation 9:1, 2, 11</a>; <a href="/revelation/11-7.htm">Revelation 11:7</a>; <a href="/revelation/17-8.htm">Revelation 17:8</a>. In all these places the word signifies the present abode of Satan and his angels, whence they direct their operations in hostility to God, not the place of their final punishment (see ver. 10). In <a href="/luke/8-31.htm">Luke 8:31</a> the word has exactly the same meaning; while in the only remaining place where it is used in the New Testament, viz. <a href="/romans/10-7.htm">Romans 10:7</a>, it stands for the place of abode of the souls of the dead. Having the key of the abyss therefore informs us that power is given to this angel over Satan during the time of this world's existence. And a great chain in his hand; literally, upon his hand, as if lying on it and hanging from it; the chain evidently symbolizing the power of the angel over the inhabitants of the abyss, and the purpose with which he now comes, viz. to restrain the power of Satan. <a href="/commentaries/revelation/20-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. I saw εἶδον (eidon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. an angel ἄγγελον (angelon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_32.htm">Strong's 32: </a> From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor. coming down καταβαίνοντα (katabainonta) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2597.htm">Strong's 2597: </a> To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. heaven οὐρανοῦ (ouranou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. with the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. key κλεῖν (klein) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2807.htm">Strong's 2807: </a> A key. From kleio; a key, literally or figuratively. to the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Abyss, ἀβύσσου (abyssou) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_12.htm">Strong's 12: </a> The abyss, unfathomable depth, an especially Jewish conception, the home of the dead and of evil spirits. Depthless, i.e. 'abyss'. holding ἔχοντα (echonta) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. in ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. hand χεῖρα (cheira) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5495.htm">Strong's 5495: </a> A hand. a great μεγάλην (megalēn) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> Large, great, in the widest sense. chain. ἅλυσιν (halysin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_254.htm">Strong's 254: </a> A (light) chain, bond. Of uncertain derivation; a fetter or manacle. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/20-1.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 20:1 I saw an angel coming down out (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/19-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 19:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 19:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/20-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 20:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 20:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>