Imprisonment of Satan on Earth / Judgment by Saints in Heaven
- Dates
- Future
Millennium means "1,000 years." It is a period of time in Revelation 20 marked by two resurrections. The righteous dead are resurrected and join the righteous living in heaven. Satan is bound to the earth. The wicked rise at the end to be judged.
In detail
Revelation 20:3 says plainly that Satan is a prisoner in the abyss, or bottomless pit, for 1,000 years. The confusion is about the nature of this abyss. The Greek word is "abussos," the same word used in the Septuagint in Genesis 1:2 for the pre—Creation earth. Also, Revelation 12:12 says Satan was bound to earth after the cross, and 2 Peter 2:4 says Satan and his angels were sent to "hell" to be reserved for judgment. Thus, they are reserved for judgment on earth. This also shows us that "hell" is on earth, not underneath it. The saints are shown judging in Revelation 20:4—6.
Bible passages
- Revelation 20:1-14
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. …
Text of the King James Version.
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