Commentary on Revelation, Vision 7 · Chapter 20 · Part 1
The Argument, Parts, and Analyſis of CHAPTER XX.
THe Dragon is bound with a chaine, and by an Angell caſt into the bottomleſſe Pit a thouſand years, that be might no longer ſeduce the Nations: In the mean while the ſoules of the Martyrs and the Conquerours of the Beaſt and his image, do live and reigne with Chriſt, as the Bleſſed and Holy Prieſts of God and of Chriſt, the remnant remaining in death. After the thouſand yeers the Dragon being let looſe, doth again ſeduce the Nations, and raiſeth Gog and Magog to battell againſt the campe of the Saints: but they being conſumed with fire from Heaven, the Dragon is caſt into the Lake of fire and brimſtone; and the Vniverſal Iudgement of the dead is ſet forth.
The Parts are three.
THe Firſt of the Dragons binding a thouſand years: in 6. verſes
The Second of his looſing after the thouſand yeares: and of his attempt, verſ. 7.8.9.
The Third of the caſting of the devill and all adverſaries into the lake of fire: from the latter part of ver. 9. unto the end of the Chapter.
In the firſt part which concernes the binding of the Dragon,
1. Is noted the Author, An Angell deſcending from Heaven: and the Inſiruments, the Key of the bottomleſſe pit, and a great chaine, Verſe 1.
2. His forceable falling on the Dragon: Hee layed hold on him. The Dragons Surname and binding: and the time of thouſand yeers, ver. 2. The place alſo and the manner of the impriſonment: He cast him into the bottomleſſe Pit, and ſhut him up, &c. and the end, that he ſhould deceive the Nations no more: and the time of his looſing: Afterward he muſt be looſed a little ſeaſon, ver. 3.
3. By a certaine Prolepſis or prevention: whither in the meane while the affaires of the Church ſhould be in peace? and whither the Dragon being bound, Tyrants ſhould not perſecute the godly, and the Beaſt rage and invade the kingdome? John ſeeth the ſoules of them that were beheaded for the teſtimony of Ieſus, and them that have not worſhipped the Beaſt, ſitting on thrones, living and reigning with Chriſt thoſe thouſand years, ver. 4. Whoſe happines is figured out by the Antitheſis of the wicked, who lived not againe during thoſe thouſand yeares, but remained in the death of ſin, ver. 5. And it is amplified by an Exclamation, ver. 6.
In the ſecond part touching the looſing of the Dragon is ſhewed, 1. when, and whence the Dragon was looſed, Ver. 7.2. What he attempted being looſed: to ſeduce againe the Nations, and to gather Gog and Magog to battel, Ver. 8.3. What was the ſucceſſe of the attempt: They compaſſe the campe of the Saints about, and the beloved City: this attempt is broken off in the former part of verſe 9.
In the third part, which is the Cataſtrophe of the Gogiſh battell: the deſtruction of the adverſaries is deſcribed. 1. Specially, both the overthrow of Gog and Magog in the latter part of Verſe 9. as alſo the puniſhment of the devill himſelfe, verſe 10.2. Generally, the laſt judgement of all: In which type is noted 1. the majeſty and preparation of the Iudge, ver. 11.2. The guilty to be judged: all the dead, and the ſentence taken out of the Books, ver. 12. 3. A prevention touching ſuch as were ſwallowed up of the Sea, Death, and Hell: that they were all delivered up, ver. 13. 4. The execution of the Sentence both on the laſt adverſaries, Death and Hell, Verſe. 14. as all others, Verſe 15.
CHAPTER XX. The Firſt part of the CHAPTER.
Of the DRAGONS binding a thouſand Yeeres.
1. And I ſaw an Angell come downe from Heaven, having the Key of the bottomleſſe pit, and a great chaine in his hand.
2. And he laid hold on the Dragon that old Serpent, which is the devill and Satan, and bound him a thouſand years.
3. And caſt him into the bottomleſſe pit, and shut him up, and ſet a ſeale upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more: till the thouſand yeers should be fulfilled: and after that he muſt be looſed a little ſeaſon.
4. And I ſaw thrones, and they ſate upon them, and judgement was given unto them: and I ſaw the ſoules of them that were beheaded for the witneſſe of Jeſus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the Beaſt, neither his image, neither had received his marke upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived, and reigned with Chriſt a thouſand yeers.
5. But the reſt of the dead lived not again untill the thouſand yeers were finished. This is the firſt reſurrection.
6. Bleſſed and holy is he that hath part in the firſt Reſurrection: on ſuch the ſecond death hath no power, but they shall be Prieſts of God, and of Chriſt, and shall reign with him a thouſand years.