What does Revelation 20:2 mean?

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, Revelation 20:2

Explanation

Revelation 20:2 presents a highly symbolic and prophetic image as part of the apocalyptic literature found in the Book of Revelation. The “dragon” represents the personification of evil, traditionally understood as the Devil or Satan. The term “old serpent” alludes to the serpent’s deception in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), linking the figure of Satan to the original sin and fall of humanity. The act of seizing and binding the dragon for a thousand years is often interpreted as a metaphor for the restriction of Satan’s power and influence over the world. This period, known as the millennium, is marked by peace and the reign of Christ on earth, either in a literal or a figurative sense. The verse combines imagery from various passages within the Bible to convey the ultimate victory of good over evil and God’s sovereignty and justice.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation, authored by John the Apostle, is dated to the late 1st century AD and was written to Christian communities facing persecution under the Roman Empire. The apocalyptic genre in which it is written uses vivid imagery, symbolism, and numerology to convey messages of hope and encouragement to its audience. It also acts as a prophetic text, forecasting events believed by early Christians to occur at the end of the current age.

Theological Insights

From a premillennial perspective, believers hold that Revelation 20:2 predicts a physical reign of Christ on earth before the final judgment. In contrast, amillennialists interpret the thousand years not as a literal time period but as symbolic of the era between Christ’s first coming and His return, with Satan’s influence being restrained so the gospel can be preached. Postmillennialists anticipate a future Christianized world leading up to Christ’s return. The binding of Satan is seen as a gradual process through the spreading of the Gospel and the growing influence of Christianity in the world.

Practical Applications

Regardless of eschatological views, Revelation 20:2 encourages believers that evil will not prevail indefinitely. The application of this verse can be in the form of an enduring hope and a call to participate in the spread of the Gospel, trusting in the ultimate victory of good over evil. It also serves as a reminder of spiritual warfare and the Christian’s role in resisting evil through faith and moral integrity.

Cross-References

• Revelation 12:9: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…”
• Genesis 3:1: “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made…”
• Revelation 20:7-10: Describes what happens to Satan after the thousand years are finished.
• 2 Peter 2:4: “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness…”

Language Study

In the original Greek language, the key words are “drakon” (dragon), “ophis” (serpent), “Diabolos” (Devil), and “Satanas” (Satan). “Drakon” evokes a fearsome, mythical creature, illustrating the power and terror of evil. “Ophis” symbolizes cunning and the power to deceive. “Diabolos” and “Satanas” are the Greek words for the accuser and adversary, specifying the spiritual opposition faced by humanity.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The imagery of a dragon or serpent as an embodiment of chaos and evil is common in ancient mythologies, including Mesopotamian and Greek myths. The Biblical personification of evil as a dragon or serpent stands in contrast to other ancient religious narratives where such creatures represent deities or natural forces. The theme of a supreme divine being restraining or defeating a dragon-like adversary also has parallels in other ancient religions, but the Biblical narrative consistently frames it within the context of monotheistic salvation history.

Scientific Perspectives

While Revelation 20:2 does not directly intersect with modern scientific understanding, the concept of an allegorical ‘binding’ of an entity like Satan could be seen as a metaphor for societal progression through moral and ethical development. The verse does not lend itself to scientific analysis as it deals primarily with spiritual forces and eschatological beliefs.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and theologians provide differing interpretations of this verse based on their eschatological frameworks. Premillennialists see the verse as a literal future event, amillennialists as a description of the current church age, and postmillennialists as an optimistic view of the future triumph of Christianity. Most agree, however, that the passage underscores the defeat of evil by divine intervention, regardless of the timeline in which this occurs.