And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Revelation 20:7
What does Revelation 20:7 mean?
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Revelation 20:7
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What's easy to miss is that Satan's release isn't a surprise to God; it's precisely the end of the designated time for his restraint. This temporary return of his influence highlights that even a thousand years of peace and Christ's reign are an opportunity for humanity, not an automatic guarantee of perfect faithfulness.
And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a glorious thousand-year reign where Satan is bound, this passage describes his temporary release. This isn't a return to his former power, but a final, desperate act of deception against humanity, immediately preceding God's ultimate judgment. The narrative sets up a stark contrast: a period of immense peace and righteousness followed by a surprising, last surge of evil before the final consummation.
After a thousand years of peace and Christ's reign, why would Satan be set free? It seems counterintuitive, doesn't it?
This verse describes Satan's release not as a complete return to his former power, but as a limited freedom. His 'prison' is the abyss, a place of confinement. When he's released, it's not to roam without any restraint, but to 'deceive the nations' (Revelation 20:8). Think of it as a final, desperate act. God permits this temporary release to expose the hearts of those who would turn away from Him, even after experiencing a millennium of His direct rule.
After a perfect era, why would anyone listen to Satan again? This release serves a crucial purpose.
The thousand-year reign signifies a time when Christ's rule is fully established on earth. When Satan is released, it's a final test for humanity. It reveals that true loyalty to God isn't just about experiencing good times; it's about choosing God even when tested. The outpouring of evil after this perfect age shows that external conditions don't guarantee internal devotion. People can still choose to be deceived, highlighting the persistent human capacity for rebellion against God.
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Satanas · Greek Noun
The Adversary, the chief opponent of God and His people; a created spiritual being who acts as a tempter, accuser, and deceiver.
This verse is a foundational prophecy of the ongoing conflict between humanity and the serpent, foreshadowing Satan's ultimate defeat even as he continues to 'bruise the heel' of humanity, mirroring his temporary release and final destruction in Revelation.
Job 1:6-12This passage shows Satan having access to accuse and afflict God's people, even when allowed by God, illustrating the principle that Satan's 'prison' is not absolute, and he can still operate within divine limits.
Luke 4:1-13Jesus' temptation in the wilderness demonstrates Satan's cunning and persistent efforts to deceive and lead astray, even after a period of spiritual power or restraint, which parallels his activity after being released in Revelation.
2 Thessalonians 2:7-10This passage speaks of a 'mystery of lawlessness' that will operate before the final consummation, highlighting Satan's deceptive power that is restrained until a certain time, echoing his release and deception of nations in Revelation.
barnesRevelation 20:7: "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,"
And when the thousand years are expired - See Revelation 20:2 . Satan shall be loosed out of his prison - See Revelation 20:3. That is, a state of things will then occur as if Satan should be for a time let loose again, and should be permitted to go as formerly over the world. No intimation is given "why or how" he would be thus released from his prison. We are not, however, to infer that it wou…
pulpitRevelation 20:7: "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,"
Verse 7. - And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison; are finished; that is, the power of the devil having been in principle completely overthrown by our Lord (see on preceding verses), Satan is still permitted to wage war and exercise sway on the earth. "His prison" is the "abyss" of vers. 1, 3 (cf. also ver. 3).
What's easy to miss is that Satan's release isn't a surprise to God; it's precisely the end of the designated time for his restraint. This temporary return of his influence highlights that even a thousand years of peace and Christ's reign are an opportunity for humanity, not an automatic guarantee of perfect faithfulness.
After a glorious thousand-year reign where Satan is bound, this passage describes his temporary release. This isn't a return to his former power, but a final, desperate act of deception against humanity, immediately preceding God's ultimate judgment. The narrative sets up a stark contrast: a period of immense peace and righteousness followed by a surprising, last surge of evil before the final consummation.
After a glorious thousand-year reign where Satan is bound, this passage describes his temporary release. This isn't a return to his former power, but a final, desperate act of deception against humanity, immediately preceding God's ultimate judgment. The narrative sets up a stark contrast: a period of immense peace and righteousness followed by a surprising, last surge of evil before the final consummation.
"And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison" — What's easy to miss is that Satan's release isn't a surprise to God; it's precisely the end of the designated time for his restraint. This temporary return of his influence highlights that even a tho…
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Last reviewed October 2026