Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
This will be a study on Revelation 20:1-3. This is a very key chapter in the book of Revelation as the determination of the chronological nature of this passage will largely shape one's view of eschatology and in a lesser way ecclesiology (doctrine of the church) and soteriology (doctrine of salvation).
Does Revelation 20 teach a future millennium or is it a recapitulation of the new covenant church age? I will comment on each verse showing that this chapter should be understood within the framework of covering the new covenant church age spanning the ascension of Christ to His second coming. Revelation 20:1-3 1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.2 And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time. The phrase "bottomless pit (KJV), Abyss (ASV)" comes from the Greek word "abussos" (Strongs 12) and means "depthless, deep, abyss, bottomless pit" "Abussos" in the Greek is somewhat similar to "thowm" in the Hebrew (Strongs 8415) as "thowm" means "an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean water-supply): - deep (place), depth. The word "thowm" was used to describe the waters in Genesis chapter 1, the creation account. "Abussos" also has a somewhat similar meaning to the Hebrew word "tohuw" (strongs 8414) which means "to lie waste; a desolation (or surface), i.e. desert; without form, nothing, empty place, waste, wilderness". "tohuw" was also used in Genesis 1 to describe the earth prior to Jehovah God organizing the earth through His creative works. The bottomless pit (abyss) that Satan is cast down to is the earth as this vision is linked with the defeat of Satan at Christ's exaltation to heaven (Revelation 12:7-12) on the throne of David. In Revelation 12 we see that Satan and his angels are cast out into the earth as a result of his battle with Michael. In verse 10 of Revelation we see that the Kingdom of God and His Son Jesus Christ had come as a result of the Son of God's ascension into heaven and Satan's subsequent casting out. Verse 13 of Revelation 7 shows that Satan was cast to the earth resulting in him persecuting the woman (new covenant Israel). One may ask how is Satan bound if he then goes on a vicious crusade to persecute the church and also we know that many have been deceived during the church age? We must understand the binding of Satan in the context of what Jesus accomplished during His earthly ministry. Matthew 12:28-29 28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.29Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. Contrary to many false teachers the Kingdom of God arrived 2,000 years ago at Jesus first advent. This is important to understand in terms of eschatology especially when we read Revelation 20. Who is the the strong man? Satan is and his house is his Kingdom. Satan's goods are his subjects meaning unbelievers. Through the power of the holy Spirit Jesus bound Satan in order to enter into Satan's kingdom and spoil (strip, plunder) him of his goods (subjects, possessions). During Jesus first advent the Kingdom of God was breaking through the Kingdom of Satan showing that Christ decisively defeated the devil. It was Jesus casting out devils, performing miracles, healing people and raising the dead that bound Satan and allowed Him (Jesus) to enter into his (Satan's) palace (Kingdom) and plunder his possessions (subjects). We even see the binding of Satan prophesied by Isaiah: Isaiah 24:21-23 21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will punish the host of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days shall they be visited.23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Jehovah of hosts will reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders shall be glory. The punishing of the host of the high ones refers to Satan and his angels. This was fulfilled at Christ's ascension to Jehovah God's throne in heaven. As a result of the Son of God's victory Michael and his angels went to war against Satan and his angels and won. Satan and his angels were then cast down to the earth (the abyss) coinciding with the arrival of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and His enthronment on the throne of David. Revelation 12:7-2 speaks of this. The pit mentioned in verse 22 refers to the bottomless pit that Satan was bound to Revelation 20 and is simply the earth as Satan has no more access to heaven (Revelation 12:10) therefore he is bound to the abyss (earth). Satan and his angels will be visited after many days refers to the great and terrible day of Jehovah God also known as the second advent of Christ. Verse 23 of Isaiah 24 speaks of the cosmic disturbances that we know are to happen on the day of Jehovah. We know that the day of Jehovah God will be the end of Satan and his Kingdom once and for all. This will result in Jehovah God reigning over the new heavens and new earth where all flesh will worship Him every Sabbath day and every new moon (Isaiah 66:22-23). Luke 10:17-18 17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. The apostles, in partnership with Jesus, were binding Satan and plundering his Kingdom through the work of the holy Spirit thereby the Son of God prophetically saw Satan being cast out of heaven. John 12:31 "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." Christ's death is a mysterious conquest of man in rebellion against God. The Son of God's death and resurrection resulted in the casting out of Satan from heaven. This casting out of Satan as a result of the ascension and enthronement of Jesus on the throne of David highlights Christ's decisive victory over the Devil. John 16:11 "Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." This statement by Jesus is within the context of the work of the holy Spirit. The ministry of the holy Spirit reveals to men the Son of God's victory over Satan. The Spirit of Jehovah God empowered Jesus to bind Satan by doing miracles, healings and raising from the dead and bringing the reality of Jehovah's Kingdom to the world. This binding of Satan allowed Jesus to enter into his Kingdom and spoil it of it's possessions (the lost). Colossians 2:15 "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." The context here is the death and resurrection of Christ and Paul says that He stripped (spoiled) the Satanic principalities and powers (Satan's Kingdom). In order to spoil Satan's Kingdom Christ had to bind him first which He did during His earthly ministry. This again shows Christ's victory over Satan at the cross and His resulting enthronement. Hebrews 2:14 "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" Christ conquered Satan on the cross and refuses to allow him to charge God's elect. So in the context of Revelation 20 Satan's binding implies two things. First, the Devil can no longer keep the Gentiles outside of Israel in total spiritual darkness (decieve the nations no more), because Christ is gathering His redeemed people through the gospel (Revelation 5:9; John 12:31-33). Second, the Devil cannot so mobilize the world against the church as to destroy it (Revelation 12:15-16), though he will briefly be permitted one last great attack at the end of the age (loosed a little season, Revelation 20:7-10).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
November 2021
Categories |