Keraia
Revelation 20

Revelation 20:9

Satan Cast into the Lake of Fire · Revelation 20:7–10
Read Revelation 20

Translations

Modern
And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them.
Traditional
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Literal
And they went up over the breadth of the earth and encircled the camp of the saints and the city having been beloved. But fire came down out of heaven and devoured them.
Latin
Et descendit ignis a Deo de cælo, et devoravit eos: et diabolus, qui seducebat eos, missus est in stagnum ignis, et sulphuris, ubi et bestia

Original

Greek
English
And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

Notes

Revelation 20:9

No battle happens (see Revelation 16:16–21; 19:19–21) because fire from heaven comes down and consumes them, just like in Sodom (Genesis 19:24; see also 2 Kings 1:10–12; Ezekiel 38:22–23; 39:6). God's enemies cannot stand against him.

Revelation 20:7–10

Satan's attempt to defeat God's people ends with his fiery destruction. This passage has two main purposes:

  1. to demonstrate God's complete justice, as Satan and his followers deserve punishment and will not change; and

  2. to highlight the corruption of those who follow Satan. Even after witnessing Christ's rule for many years, they still join Satan when he is released.

These reasons form the basis for the judgment at the great white throne (Revelation 20:11–15).

Revelation 20:1–10

This passage has three parts:

Four themes emerge:

  1. Satan's war is pointless—he cannot resist even an angel;

  2. God’s holy people will be justified and honored;

  3. God will achieve the final victory; and

  4. even when sinful people experience Christ’s good purposes, they still follow Satan when he gains some freedom to act.

Revelation 19:11–20:15

The drama reaches its peak: God's enemies face defeat and punishment in two episodes (Revelation 19:11–21; 20:7–10). Meanwhile, the faithful enjoy a 1,000-year resurrection (Revelation 20:1–6) followed by the final judgment (20:11–15).

Glossary

Book of Revelation Eschatology Gog Hades Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Lucifer Magog Millennium Suffering

Topics

Fire: Judgments Millennium: General Scriptures Concerning Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Thrones of Judgment