He seized
The phrase "He seized" indicates a powerful and authoritative action. The Greek word used here is "ἐκράτησεν" (ekratēsen), which conveys the idea of taking hold with strength and control. This action is performed by an angel, demonstrating the divine authority and power over evil. In the context of Revelation, this seizing is a pivotal moment in the cosmic battle between good and evil, showcasing God's ultimate sovereignty.

the dragon
The term "the dragon" is symbolic and refers to a formidable and fearsome creature. In the book of Revelation, the dragon represents chaos and opposition to God. The imagery of a dragon is rooted in ancient Near Eastern mythology, where dragons often symbolized evil and disorder. In the biblical narrative, the dragon is a representation of Satan, the adversary of God and His people.

that ancient serpent
The phrase "that ancient serpent" directly connects the dragon to the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). The Greek word "ὄφις" (ophis) is used for serpent, emphasizing the continuity of Satan's deceptive and destructive role throughout biblical history. This connection highlights the ongoing battle between God and Satan, from the beginning of creation to the end times.

who is the devil and Satan
This phrase identifies the dragon explicitly as "the devil and Satan." The Greek word for devil is "διάβολος" (diabolos), meaning accuser or slanderer, while "Σατανᾶς" (Satanas) means adversary. These titles reveal the character and mission of Satan as the one who opposes God and accuses His people. The dual naming underscores the comprehensive nature of Satan's opposition and the clarity of his identity in the spiritual realm.

and bound him
The action "and bound him" signifies the restriction and limitation of Satan's power. The Greek word "ἔδησεν" (edēsen) means to bind or tie up, indicating a loss of freedom and ability to act. This binding is a significant event in eschatological terms, as it marks the beginning of a period where Satan's influence is curtailed, allowing for a time of peace and righteousness.

for a thousand years
The phrase "for a thousand years" introduces the concept of the Millennium, a period of time in which Christ reigns on earth. The number "thousand" in Greek is "χίλια" (chilia), often interpreted literally or symbolically. In conservative Christian theology, this millennium is seen as a literal future event where Christ's kingdom is established on earth, fulfilling God's promises and demonstrating His ultimate victory over evil. This period is characterized by peace, justice, and the restoration of creation under Christ's rule.

(2) And he laid hold on the dragon . . .--Or, And he laid hold of the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. The four words are thus used to describe the archenemy; they are the same as those used for the same purpose in Revelation 12:9. Over the world he has exercised in every quarter his power as prince of this world, and he has been found fierce as the dragon, subtle as the serpent, the slanderer of God and His people, and the adversary of all righteousness. He is bound as Christ declared (Matthew 12:29; comp. Colossians 2:15). A thousand years was the length at which Rabbis fixed the duration of Messiah's kingdom. The period is not to be understood literally (see next verse).

Verses 2, 3. - And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan. These titles are an exact repetition of Revelation 12:9 (which see). And bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit. The abyss, as we have seen (on ver. 1), is the present abode of Satan; the act of binding, therefore, is now over. This fact opposes the interpretation which makes "the thousand years" yet in the future. When, then, did this binding take place? Only one answer can be given. It was when Christ bruised the serpent's head by his act of redemption. Thus, "Christ was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8); "Now shall the prince of this world be cast out." (John 12:31); "The prince of this world hath been judged" (John 16:11). Satan is the strong man bound (Matthew 12:26, 29). Next, what is meant by "for a thousand years"? The best interpretation seems to be that this phrase expresses a quality, and does not express a period of time. That such a method of employing numbers is usual in the Apocalypse we have frequently seen (see on Revelation 1:4, "seven;" Revelation 13:1, "ten," etc.). Here, therefore, as in Revelation 7:4, "one thousand" signifies "completeness." Satan is bound "for a thousand years;" that is, Satan is completely bound. In Ezekiel (from which the following part of the vision is certainly derived) a similar use is made of the terms "seven years" (Ezekiel 39:9) and "seven months" (Ezekiel 39:12). But, again, in what sense can Satan be said to have been "completely" bound by our Lord's work of redemption? The answer is - In relation to the godly. The purpose of this sentence is that which is one great purpose of the whole book, viz. to encourage the struggling Christian. Thus this sentence assures Christians that, for them, Satan has been completely bound, and they need not despair nor fear his might (cf. "loosed," infra). The chapter thus describes, not a millennium of the saints, but the overthrow of Satan. Before the picture of the war and the overthrow, the saints are invited to behold the complete security of those who have not worshipped the beast nor his image; just as the vision of Christ victorious introduced the seal visions. 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 shut [it] and sealed [it] over him, etc. It is possible that there is here a reference to the death and burial of Christ (Matthew 27:66). Satan "met in reality that fate which he was able, in a shadowy and temporary form, to inflict on Jesus - he was bound and shut up in the abyss, and the abyss was sealed over him" (Milligan. Cf. also the word "abyss," supra). Satan was thus bound "that he might deceive the nations no more," etc.; that is, Satan, in his character of the deceiver (cf. Revelation 12:9) of the world, is thus limited in his power by the binding which has been described. The nations; in the sense of the world, not the ungodly world. And after that he must be loosed a little season. Omit "and." "A little time" (μικρὸν χροόνον) is the exact phrase used in Revelation 6:11, where it certainly means the period of this world's existence. Such also is its meaning here. "He must be loosed" signifies that Satan is, in regard to the ungodly, allowed to work his will during this period. The thousand years' binding, and the loosing for a little time, describe two events which occur contemporaneously. While the godly need have no fear, because even in this world Satan's power as regards them is completely limited by Christ's act of redemption, yet in another sense, as regards the ungodly, Satan is loosed and obtains power over them. The chief difficulty in this interpretation lies in the words, "after this." But it must be remembered that the "thousand years" do not express a period of time, but the quality of completeness. Therefore the loosing of Satan must not be supposed to take place in a period subsequent to the period of the binding. The seer wishes to describe the devil in a twofold character, subordinating the second to the first. He thus says, "By Christ's redeeming work Satan is bound and fettered in regard to you faithful Christians; but there is also a second subordinate fact to remember, that at the same time he is powerful in his natural sphere, among his own adherents." The binding of Satan in one direction being immediately followed by a display of power in another, and the former fact being expressed by the chronological symbolism of being bound for a thousand years, it is part of this chronological symbolism to express the second fact as taking place after the first, though a subordination of the secondary to the primary effect is really what is intended to be conveyed (see Milligan, quoted above).

Parallel Commentaries ...


He seized
ἐκράτησεν (ekratēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2902: From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

dragon,
δράκοντα (drakonta)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1404: A dragon or huge serpent; met: Satan. Probably from an alternate form of derkomai; a fabulous kind of serpent.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ancient
ἀρχαῖος (archaios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 744: Original, primitive, ancient. From arche; original or primeval.

serpent
ὄφις (ophis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3789: Probably from optanomai; a snake, figuratively, an artful malicious person, especially Satan.

who
ὅς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

[the] devil
Διάβολος (Diabolos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1228: From diaballo; a traducer; specially, Satan.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Satan,
Σατανᾶς (Satanas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4567: An adversary, Satan. Of Chaldee origin corresponding to ma'bad; the accuser, i.e. The devil.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

bound
ἔδησεν (edēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1210: To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

for a thousand
χίλια (chilia)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5507: A thousand. Plural of uncertain affinity; a thousand.

years.
ἔτη (etē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2094: A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 20:2 He seized the dragon the old serpent (Rev. Re Apocalypse)