Meaning of Revelation 20:2

This verse describes a pivotal moment in the eschatological vision of Revelation, where a powerful angelic being, identified as the dragon, the ancient serpent, the devil, and Satan, is decisively restrained for a millennium. This binding signifies a period of profound peace and righteousness on earth, directly attributable to the subjugation of the primary antagonist of God's people. The act is not one of annihilation but of incapacitation, preventing Satan from his usual activities of deceiving nations and inciting rebellion against God. This temporary but significant defeat sets the stage for further divine judgment and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

Context and Background

Revelation 20 is the culmination of the visions presented in the book, detailing the final conflict between good and evil and the subsequent establishment of God's eternal reign. This specific verse follows the description of the defeat of the beast and the false prophet, and the judgment of the wicked. The binding of Satan is presented as a prerequisite for the thousand-year reign of Christ and his saints, a period often referred to as the Millennium. The imagery of the "dragon, that ancient serpent" directly links Satan to the serpent in Genesis 3, emphasizing his long-standing role as the tempter and adversary of humanity and God's purposes.

Key Themes and Messages

• Sovereignty of God: The verse underscores God's ultimate power and control over all forces, including the most formidable spiritual adversary. Satan's binding is an act of divine decree, demonstrating that even the devil is subject to God's authority and timing.
• Defeat of Evil: This represents a significant, albeit temporary, triumph of good over evil. The cessation of Satan's deceptive influence allows for a period of unprecedented peace and justice.
• The Role of Satan: The verse explicitly identifies the "dragon" as Satan, the devil, highlighting his multifaceted nature as a deceiver and ancient enemy. His binding prevents him from fulfilling his typical role of instigating sin and rebellion.
• The Millennium: The binding of Satan is inextricably linked to the thousand-year reign described in the subsequent verses. This period is characterized by righteousness and the absence of Satan's corrupting influence.

Spiritual Significance and Application

From a spiritual perspective, this verse speaks to the ongoing spiritual warfare that believers face. While Satan is currently active and influential in the world, his ultimate defeat is assured. For believers, this provides assurance of God's victory and the eventual eradication of evil. It also encourages perseverance, knowing that their struggles against sin and temptation are part of a cosmic battle where God's plan will ultimately prevail. The binding of Satan during the Millennium can be seen as a foreshadowing of the complete eradication of sin and its effects in the new heavens and new earth.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The binding of Satan in Revelation 20:2 is the ultimate fulfillment of promises and prophecies scattered throughout Scripture. From the protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15, where God foretells that the seed of the woman will bruise the serpent's head, to the pronouncements of victory over spiritual forces in Ephesians 6:10-18, this event signifies the decisive subjugation of the ancient enemy. It is the ultimate answer to prayers for deliverance from evil and the establishment of God's righteous kingdom, a theme present from the Old Testament prophets to the teachings of Jesus.

Analogies

One analogy for Satan's binding is that of a powerful predator being securely caged. The animal is still present and possesses its inherent nature, but its ability to roam freely and cause harm is completely neutralized. Similarly, Satan, though bound, is not destroyed; his power to deceive and oppress nations is temporarily removed. Another analogy could be a general's army being completely surrounded and disarmed by a superior force. The soldiers are still present, but their capacity to wage war is eliminated.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 3:15: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." This foundational promise of a future victory over the serpent's influence finds its ultimate expression in Satan's binding.
• Luke 10:18: Jesus declares, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." This statement prefigures Satan's eventual disempowerment and fall from grace, culminating in his binding.
• Ephesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Revelation 20:2 demonstrates the ultimate victory over these very spiritual forces.
• 1 John 3:8: "The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work." Satan's binding is a critical step in the complete destruction of his work.