Revelation 20:1-6

The Establishment of the Millennium.

Revelation 20:1. key of the abyss: Revelation 9:1 *. chain: i.e. manacle or handcuff.

Revelation 20:2. dragon: Revelation 12:3 *.

Revelation 20:4. thrones: the imagery is suggested by Daniel 7:9. they sat: the subject of the sentence is omitted, and we do not know who are here denominated as judges; probably, however, the saints and martyrs referred to in the subsequent verses (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:2). the beast: i.e. the Emperor. mark: Revelation 13:16 *. they lived and reigned: there is no definite statement in the passage as to whether the reign was in heaven or on earth.

Revelation 20:5. The rest of the dead: only the martyrs were raised from the dead; other Christians were apparently still in the sleep of death. This conception contradicts the teaching of Paul, who definitely states that to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). first resurrection: these words must be taken literally and not spiritualised. According to Rev. the first resurrection was confined to the martyrs. second death: cf. Revelation 20:14.