Revelation 20:1-3 ESV
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.
When Jesus defeated Satan at the cross, He set the captives free. The chains of death came loose for those who heard the call. They are no longer deceived, but have received the truth. Satan's kingdom has been invaded and he is bound by the presence of the Holy Spirit by which we are sealed. It is the seal of promise and the guarantee of life to come. This same seal serves to bind the evil one.
The thousand years signifies a long time, but a finite time. This time is bounded by the first and second coming of Christ. During this time the people who once walked in darkness have seen a great light. They no longer walk In the darkness of deception as captives of the serpent, but have become children of the light, no longer deceived. God patiently waits for us to respond to His good news and the calling of our name, to be hearers of the truth.
At some time, known only to God, the restrainer will be taken away. Satan's deceptions will flood the earth unchecked as he amasses his followers for the final battle.
2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;
Jude 1:6-7
And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
Matthew 8:29
And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
There is a time coming. Even the demons know that.
Isaiah 49:24-25
Can the prey be taken from the mighty,
or the captives of a tyrant be rescued?
25 For thus says the Lord:
“Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken,
and the prey of the tyrant be rescued,
for I will contend with those who contend with you,
and I will save your children.
Luke 11:20-22
But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
His kingdom is coming, even as it has arrived. His word divides between the living and the dead.
John 12:31-32
Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
The ruler of this world is defeated now. The light shines on all, but many will cling to the darkness.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Psalms 90:4
For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
We wait for The Lord's second coming and though it seems to be a long time, we will forget our time of waiting and its troubles as we rejoice in His presence. The night will give way to the rising sun.
2 Peter 3:8-11
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
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