1 And I saw an Angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he took the dragon that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and he bound him a thousand years:
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and he shut him up, and sealed the door upon him, that he should deceive the people no more till the thousand years were fulfilled: for after that he must be loosed for a little season. Revelation 20:1-3 (1599 Geneva Bible)
Some translations render the first word in this verse as “And.” Even though chapter 20 follows chapter 19 it does not mean that the vision John is seeing here a continuation of the one from Chapter 19 and previous. This is simply John’s introduction into a new vision. The book of Revelation is not chronological. I have made that mistake myself insisting that events are sequential throughout the book. When we study the book of Daniel we find that there is no sequential order to the chapters there so why must we insist on that here?
The word John used for “Angel” here is the Greek word for “messenger.” It is the same word used throughout the New Testament. What was he carrying? He had a key and a great chain. What was the key to? It was to the bottomless pit. This Angel is God’s anointed messenger who has the authority to bind Satan. Now who could that be? Isn’t this our Lord Jesus Christ?
5 Let the same mind be in you that was even in Christ Jesus, 6 Who being in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God: 7 But he made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and was made like unto men, and was found in shape as a man. 8 He humbled himself, and became obedient unto the death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name. 10 That at the Name of Jesus should every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, unto the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11 (1599 Geneva Bible)
Jesus Christ our Lord is the Messenger of the Covenant of God. He comes down from Heaven with the power and authority to bind Satan. What gave Him this authority? It was by His death and shed blood that fulfilled the New Covenant that gives Him the authority. He is worthy and our enemy cannot stand before Him. This binding of Satan is the fulfillment of Prophesy of the messenger of God who redeems from the hand of the strong one who is Satan. (Matthew 12:29, Mark 3:27, Luke 11:21) Our Lord, the Messenger of the Covenant is the deliverer out of Zion that was prophesied to defeat Satan and free the captives. He was to make strong the New Covenant with Israel. (Jeremiah 31) He is also the foundation of the Temple rebuilding, and the freeing of Israel. How did He do all of this? He had to bind Satan first. Why? Satan actually held the nations (Gentiles) captive with the strong hand of death. Therefore, this Messenger who binds Satan and frees the peoples of the World, is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. <Continue reading post>