Revelation 20:1-6 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

The Establishment of the Millennium.

Revelation 20:1. key of the abyss: Revelation 9:1 *. chain: i.e. manacle or handcuff.

Revelation 20:2. dragon: Revelation 12:3 *.

Revelation 20:4. thrones: the imagery is suggested by Daniel 7:9. they sat: the subject of the sentence is omitted, and we do not know who are here denominated as judges; probably, however, the saints and martyrs referred to in the subsequent verses (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:2). the beast: i.e. the Emperor. mark: Revelation 13:16 *. they lived and reigned: there is no definite statement in the passage as to whether the reign was in heaven or on earth.

Revelation 20:5. The rest of the dead: only the martyrs were raised from the dead; other Christians were apparently still in the sleep of death. This conception contradicts the teaching of Paul, who definitely states that to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). first resurrection: these words must be taken literally and not spiritualised. According to Rev. the first resurrection was confined to the martyrs. second death: cf. Revelation 20:14.

Related Commentaries of Revelation 20:1

Revelation 20:1-6

1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.