Revelation 20:1
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This isn't just any angel; the "great chain" suggests an immense power is being brought to bear, signifying the absolute authority this angel wields over the forces of darkness. The key to the bottomless pit isn't merely a tool, but symbolizes control over the very place of Satan's confinement, showing this angel acts with divinely granted dominion.
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the climactic battle against the beast and false prophet, John witnesses an angel descending from heaven, equipped with a key to the abyss and a great chain. This scene signals a drastic shift, as the angel is about to imprison Satan, the ancient serpent, for a thousand years to prevent him from deceiving the nations any longer. The introduction of this specific angel, holding these instruments of restraint, directly follows the judgment poured out on God's enemies and precedes the vision of saints reigning during Satan's confinement.
Why does an angel, not Christ himself, descend to bind Satan? And what does the 'key' and 'chain' truly represent?
This vision opens with an angel descending from heaven, not Christ directly. This isn't to diminish Christ's ultimate authority, but to show that He delegates power to His agents. The angel holds "the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain." These aren't just literal objects; they symbolize divine authority and restraint.
Where exactly is this 'bottomless pit,' and what does it mean for Satan to be confined there?
The 'bottomless pit' (or abyss) mentioned here isn't the final destination of hell. Instead, it's depicted as a place of confinement for Satan during the thousand-year reign.
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Understand the original words
angelos · Greek Noun
A messenger of God, either human or divine, who serves as an agent in fulfilling God's purposes in history and executing His judgments.
abyssos · Greek Noun
A symbolic location representing the abyss, the realm of the dead, or the prison where demonic forces are temporarily restrained by God's authority.
The vision in Revelation 20 unfolds within the context of intense Roman persecution and the nascent understanding of Christ's victory over spiritual forces, shaping early Christian hopes for future deliverance.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus' death and resurrection mark a pivotal moment, understood by Christians as a victory over death and the power of evil, including Satan.
c. AD 30-70
Early Christian Ministry and Persecution
The first century saw the rapid spread of Christianity amidst increasing opposition and persecution from both Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire.
c. AD 95— this verse
Writing of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is believed to have been written during a period of intense persecution under the Roman Emperor Domitian, offering visions of hope and ultimate victory.
c. AD 200
Early Church Fathers Interpretations
Commentators like Irenaeus and Tertullian began developing theological understandings of Revelation's prophecies, including ideas about future kingdoms and the binding of Satan.
c. AD 313
Edict of Milan
This edict granted religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, significantly altering the landscape for Christians and influencing subsequent interpretations of prophetic timelines.
c. AD 1517 onwards
The Reformation
The Protestant Reformation led to diverse new interpretations of biblical prophecy, including detailed analyses of Revelation and its timeline, often challenging established views.
This passage uses the same term for 'abyss' when the demons plead with Jesus not to cast them out into the abyss, highlighting its association with the domain of demonic powers.
Jude 1:6This verse speaks of angels who 'did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling,' which is conceptually linked to the confinement and judgment described for Satan in Revelation 20.
2 Peter 2:4Similar to the binding of Satan, this verse mentions God casting angels who sinned into hell (Tartarus in the Greek) and committing them to chains of gloomy darkness, awaiting judgment.
Matthew 12:29Jesus' parable about binding the strong man (Satan) in his house before plundering his goods directly illustrates the concept of Satan being restrained and his power being neutralized.
Revelation 1:18This verse states Jesus has the 'keys of Death and Hades,' showing a divine authority over the places of the dead and the forces of destruction, which is now delegated to the angel in Revelation 20 to bind Satan.
meyerRevelation 20:1: "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand."
Revelation 20:1-3 . An angel, descending from heaven, binds Satan with a great chain, and casts him into the abyss for one thousand years. ἄγγελον . The comparison of Revelation 1:18 cannot prove that the angel[4144] is Christ.[4145] ΤῊΝ ΚΛΕῚΝ ΤῊς ἈΒΎΣΣΟΥ . The key of the abyss—which, according to the analogy of the in other respects not entirely conformable presentat…
pulpitRevelation 20:1: "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand."
Verse 1. - And I saw an angel come down from heaven; coming down out of heaven. The usual mode of introducing a new vision (cf. Revelation 4:1, etc.). On account of Revelation 1:18, some have considered this angel to be Christ himself; but this is incorrect. As in Revelation 12:7-9, an angel is the immediate agent in this expulsion of Satan (vide infra). Having the ke…
This isn't just any angel; the "great chain" suggests an immense power is being brought to bear, signifying the absolute authority this angel wields over the forces of darkness. The key to the bottomless pit isn't merely a tool, but symbolizes control over the very place of Satan's confinement, showing this angel acts with divinely granted dominion.
Following the climactic battle against the beast and false prophet, John witnesses an angel descending from heaven, equipped with a key to the abyss and a great chain. This scene signals a drastic shift, as the angel is about to imprison Satan, the ancient serpent, for a thousand years to prevent him from deceiving the nations any longer. The introduction of this specific angel, holding these instruments of restraint, directly follows the judgment poured out on God's enemies and precedes the vision of saints reigning during Satan's confinement.
Following the climactic battle against the beast and false prophet, John witnesses an angel descending from heaven, equipped with a key to the abyss and a great chain. This scene signals a drastic shift, as the angel is about to imprison Satan, the ancient serpent, for a thousand years to prevent him from deceiving the nations any longer. The introduction of this specific angel, holding these instruments of restraint, directly follows the judgment poured out on God's enemies and precedes the vision of saints reigning during Satan's confinement.
"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain." — This isn't just any angel; the "great chain" suggests an immense power is being brought to bear, signifying the absolute authority this angel wields over the forces of darkness. The key to the bottom…
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Last reviewed October 2026
