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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Revelation 20:1–10. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We have here, I. A prophecy of the binding of Satan for a certain term of time, in which he should have much less power and the church much more peace than before. The power of Satan was broken in part by the setting up of the gospel kingdom in the world; it was further reduced by the empire's becoming Christian; it was yet further broken by the downfall of the mystical Babylon; but still this serpent had many heads, and, when one is wounded, another has life remaining in it. Here we have a further limitation and diminution of his power. Observe, 1. To whom this work of binding Satan is committed - to an angel from heaven. It is very probable that this angel is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ; the description of him will hardly agree with any other. He is one who has power to bind the strong man armed, to cast him out, and to spoil his goods; and therefore must be stronger than he. 2. The means he makes use of in this work: he has a chain and a key, a great chain to bind Satan, and the key of the prison in which he was to be confined. Christ never wants proper powers and instruments to break the power of Satan, for he has the powers of heaven and the keys of hell. 3. The execution of this work, Rev 20:2, Rev 20:3. (1.) He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan. Neither the strength of the dragon, nor the subtlety of the serpent, was sufficient to rescue him out of the hands of Christ; he caught hold, and kept his hold. And, (2.) He cast him into the bottomless pit, cast him down with force, and with a just vengeance, to his own place and prison, from which he had been permitted to break out, and disturb the churches, and deceive the nations; now he is brought back to that prison, and there laid in chains. (3.) He is shut up, and a seal set upon him. Christ shuts, and none can open; he shuts by his power, seals by his authority; and his lock and seal even the devils themselves cannot break open. (4.) We have the term of this confinement of Satan - a thousand years, after which he was to be loosed again for a little season. The church should have a considerable time of peace and prosperity, but all her trials were not yet over.
II.An account of the reign of the saints for the same space of time in which Satan continued bound (Rev 20:4-6), and here observe,
1.Who those were that received such honour - those who had suffered for Christ, and all who had faithfully adhered to him, not receiving the mark of the beast, nor worshipping his image; all who had kept themselves clear of pagan and papal idolatry.
2.The honour bestowed upon them.
(1.)They were raised from the dead, and restored to life. This may be taken either literally or figuratively; they were in a civil and political sense dead, and had a political resurrection; their liberties and privileges were revived and restored.
(2.)Thrones, and power of judgment, were given to them; they were possessed of great honour, and interest, and authority, I suppose rather of a spiritual than of a secular nature.
(3.)They reigned with Christ a thousand years. Those who suffer with Christ shall reign with Christ; they shall reign with him in his spiritual and heavenly kingdom, in a glorious conformity to him in wisdom, righteousness, and holiness, beyond what had been known before in the world. This is called the first resurrection, which none but those who have served Christ and suffered for him shall be favoured with. As for the wicked, they shall not be raised up and restored to their power again, till Satan be let loose; this may be called a resurrection, as the conversion of the Jews is said to be life from the dead.
3.The happiness of these servants of God is declared.
(1.)They are blessed and holy, Rev 20:6. None can be blessed but those that are holy; and all that are holy shall be blessed. These were holy as a sort of first-fruits to God in this spiritual resurrection, and as such blessed by him.
(2.)They are secured from the power of the second death. We know something of what the first death is, and it is awful; but we know not what this second death is. It must be much more dreadful; it is the death of the soul, eternal separation from God. The Lord grant we may never know what it is by experience. Those who have had experience of a spiritual resurrection are saved from the power of the second death.
III.An account of the return of the church's troubles, and another mighty conflict, very sharp, but short and decisive. Observe,
1.The restraints laid for a long time on Satan are at length taken off. While this world lasts, Satan's power in it will not be wholly destroyed; it may be limited and lessened, but he will have something still to do for the disturbance of the people of God.
2.No sooner is Satan let loose than he falls to his old work, deceiving the nations, and so stirring them up to make a war with the saints and servants of God, which they would never do if he had not first deceived them. They are deceived both as to the cause they engage in (they believe it to be a good cause when it is indeed a very bad one), and as to the issue: they expect to be successful, but are sure to lose the day.
3.His last efforts seem to be the greatest. The power now permitted to him seems to be more unlimited than before. He had now liberty to beat up for his volunteers in all the four quarters of the earth, and he raised a mighty army, the number of which was as the sand of the sea, Rev 20:8.
4.We have the names of the principal commanders in this army under the dragon - Gog and Magog. We need not be too inquisitive as to what particular powers are meant by these names, since the army was gathered from all parts of the world. These names are found in other parts of scripture. Magog we read of in Gen 10:2. He was one of the sons of Japheth, and peopled the country called Syria, from which his descendants spread into many other parts. Of Gog and Magog together we only read in Eze 38:2, a prophecy whence this in Revelation borrows many of its images.
5.We have the march and military disposition of this formidable army (Rev 20:9.): They went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city, that is, the spiritual Jerusalem, in which the most precious interests of the people of God are lodged, and therefore to them a beloved city. The army of the saints is described as drawn forth out of the city, and lying under the walls of it, to defend it; they were encamped about Jerusalem: but the army of the enemy was so much superior to that of the church that they compassed them and their city about.
6.You have an account of the battle, and the issue of this war: Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured the enemy. Thus the ruin of Gog and Magog is foretold (Eze 38:22), I will rain upon him and upon his bands an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, and fire and brimstone. God would, in an extraordinary and more immediate manner, fight this last and decisive battle for his people, that the victory might be complete and the glory redound to himself.
7.The doom and punishment of the grand enemy, the devil: he is now cast into hell, with his two great officers, the beast and the false prophet, tyranny and idolatry, and that not for any term of time, but to be there tormented night and day, for ever and ever.
Historical interpretation
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"And they went up upon 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. And the devil who seduced them was cast into the take of fire and brimstone, where both the beast and the false prophet shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."]This belongs to the last judgment. And after a little time the earth was made holy, as being at least that wherein lately had reposed the bodies of the virgins, when they shall enter upon an eternal kingdom with an immortal King, as they who are not only virgins in body, but, moreover, with equal inviolability have protected themselves, both in tongue and thought, from wickedness; and these, it shows, shall dwell in rejoicing for ever with the Lamb.
[That they encompassed the beloved city] obviously does not mean that they gathered or will gather in some one place where, we must suppose, the camp of the saints and the beloved city is to be. For, of course, this city is Christ's church, which is spread over the whole world. Wherever his church will be (and it will be among all nations, "over the breadth of the earth"), there is to be the camp of the saints and the beloved city of God. There will she be, surrounded by all her enemies, intermingled with her as they are and will be in every people, girded with the appalling magnitude of that besetting, hemmed in, straitened and encompassed by the pressures of that mighty affliction; but never will [the church] give up her fighting spirit, her "camp," as John says. [The fire from heaven] must not be taken to indicate that supreme punishment of the ungodly, which is to begin only with the words "Depart from me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire." For it is then that the wicked are to be cast into fire rather than to have fire fall on them. John's words, "fire from heaven," can well be interpreted as symbolizing the staunchness of the saints, their refusal to give in and do the bidding of their raging enemies. For the heavens are called a "firmament," and by its firmness the ungodly will be tormented by blazing zeal, because [they are] powerless to win over Christ's holy ones to the camp of antichrist. This is the devouring fire, and it is said to come from God because it is by God's grace that the saints are to be unconquerable, to the great torment of their foes.
It is not to be understood of the final punishment which shall be inflicted when it is said, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire; Matthew 25:41 for then they shall be cast into the fire, not fire come down out of heaven upon them. It is well understood of the firmness of the saints, wherewith they refuse to yield obedience to those who rage against them. For the firmament is heaven, by whose firmness these assailants shall be pained with blazing zeal, for they shall be impotent to draw away the saints to the party of Antichrist. This is the fire which shall devour them, and this is from God; for it is by God's grace the saints become unconquerable, and so torment their enemies. For as in a good sense it is said, The zeal of Your house has consumed me, so in a bad sense it is said, Zeal has possessed the uninstructed people, and now fire shall consume the enemies. Isaiah 26:11 And now, that is to say, not the fire of the last judgment. ; Or if by this fire coming down out of heaven and consuming them, John meant that blow wherewith Christ in His coming is to strike those persecutors of the Church whom He shall then find alive upon earth, when He shall kill Antichrist with the breath of His mouth, ; but the last judgment is that which they shall suffer when the bodily resurrection has taken place.
“And the devil and his people went up into the height of the earth,” that is, in the presumption of their arrogance, and “they surrounded the camp of the saints and the city of the beloved,” that is, the church. This refers to what was earlier said about those assembled at Armageddon. They cannot be gathered into one city from the four corners of the earth. Rather, in every corner [of the earth] each people will be gathered together for opposition to the holy city, that is, for persecution of the church. “And fire shall descend out of heaven from God,” that is, out of the church, “and consume them.” In this passage the fire may be interpreted in two ways. Either they will believe in Christ through the fire of the Holy Spirit, and they will be spiritually consumed by the church, that is, incorporated into the church, or they will be consumed by the fire of their own sins and will perish.
“And they ascended upon the height of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints.” Lifted up by their arrogance, the impious ascended into the heights, but their earthly arrogance holds them back. They are wise in nothing heavenly, nor do they fear the power of celestial greatness. “They surrounded the camp of the saints.” [This means that] they wished to exist in common with the saints, but of them the prophecy is fulfilled that says, “They shall return at evening and be hungry as a dog and go around about the city.” In the present passage he calls the city “beloved,” saying, “they shall surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city.”
fire coming down from heaven, either a visible fire as happened to the two commanders of fifty men in the présence of Elijah (2Kgs 1) or the coming of Christ in glory will destroy them by the breath of his mouth.
Just as fierce animals come out of their caves, so, it says, those led by the devil and the demons with him will come from their various locations and spread themselves out over the earth to ravage the camp of the saints, clearly meaning the church, which is established throughout the four corners of the world. But they do not know that it is not only a single angel but many angels who encamp round about them who fear God, as the psalm says. They will come to subdue the new Jerusalem, the beloved city, from which the divine law has gone into all the world through the apostles. Then, they say, the antichrist will seat himself in the temple of God. This refers either to the ancient temple of God among the Jews that was destroyed because of their audacity against Christ and which those Jews who hate God still expect to be rebuilt by him, or it refers to the true temple of God, namely, the catholic church. The antichrist will usurp for himself what does not belong to him and “proclaim himself to be God,” as the apostle says. Not long afterward, it says, fire comes down from heaven. This will be either a physical fire such as that which burned the two groups of fifty at the time of Elijah, or the passage refers to the glorious coming of Christ, who will slay them “by the breath of his mouth” and consume the aforementioned nations and their leader, the devil. Christ will hand them, along with the antichrist and the false prophet, over to the lake of fire, where they will be tormented forever and ever. Christ the Savior has taught us to pray that we enter not into temptation, and so, recognizing our weakness, let us do that earnestly, that we be saved from the trials of that which is prophesied.
And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. This should not be considered the final punishment, but rather the fire of envy by which they will be tormented, the adversity stemming from the firmness of the saints. For heaven is the firmament. This is the fire that came out of the mouth of God's witnesses and devours their enemies. For on the last day, fire will not rain upon them, but the gathered and judged will be cast into the eternal fire, of which it is also said here:
And they ascended over the breadth of the earth, etc. It is not meant that they came or will come to one place, as if the beloved city, that is, the Church, would be confined to one place. Rather, by the term breadth of the earth, it is intended to indicate that it will be persecuted among all nations and will not abandon its struggle, preferring to use the term camp.
And they went up over the extent of the earth, and they will surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
And they will surround the beloved city, that is, the Church.
But fire brought from heaven will devour them all, and when the end has come, the prime evil Satan will be cast together with the Devil and the Antichrist into the lake of fire, that is, Gehenna.
the beast. That is, those living in a bestial fashion.
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Summary
Revelation 20:9 vividly depicts the climactic and decisive end of Satan's final rebellion against God and His people following the thousand-year reign of Christ, often referred to as the Millennium. Despite a period of unparalleled peace and divine rule, evil is given one last opportunity to manifest its inherent opposition to God, only to be met with an immediate, overwhelming, and supernatural judgment that utterly consumes the forces arrayed against the divine kingdom and the "beloved city." This passage underscores God's absolute sovereignty and the ultimate futility of all rebellion against Him.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated at a crucial turning point in the eschatological narrative of Revelation. It immediately follows the release of Satan from his thousand-year imprisonment in the bottomless pit, as detailed in Revelation 20:7. Upon his release, Satan immediately goes out "to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle" (Revelation 20:8). This final, audacious assault on the "camp of the saints" and "beloved city" (Jerusalem) is presented as the ultimate, definitive test of humanity's allegiance, even after a millennium of direct divine rule. Verse 9 then describes the swift and final divine response, leading directly into the eternal judgment of Satan and his followers in Revelation 20:10.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery of "Gog and Magog" in Revelation 20:8 draws directly from the prophecies in Ezekiel 38, Ezekiel 39, where these names symbolize the ultimate enemies of God's people, representing a vast, hostile coalition from the ends of the earth. While some interpret this literally, in Revelation, it functions more as a symbolic representation of all nations opposed to God. The concept of "compassing" or besieging a city was a common military tactic in the ancient world, signifying a complete encirclement with the intent to conquer. However, in this context, the siege is divinely interrupted before it can even begin to pose a threat. The "beloved city" refers to Jerusalem, a city with profound theological and historical significance to both Jews and Christians, often called "the city of God" or "the holy city" throughout scripture, emphasizing its special status in God's plan.
Key Themes
Revelation 20:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Revelation and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the Futility of Rebellion against God; even a vast, globally assembled army is utterly powerless against divine intervention. This highlights God's Absolute Sovereignty and unchallengeable power, demonstrating that no force, no matter how great, can ultimately thwart His purposes or overcome His kingdom. Secondly, it emphasizes Divine Protection for the Saints; the "camp of the saints" and "beloved city" are not left to their own defenses but are divinely safeguarded. God's intervention is immediate and decisive, showcasing His unwavering commitment to His people. Finally, the swift and immediate destruction by "fire came down from God out of heaven" signifies Swift and Final Judgment, leaving no room for prolonged conflict or further deception, thereby cementing the ultimate triumph of good over evil, a theme prevalent throughout Revelation.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Derived from the word for "circle," this verb means "to encircle, to surround." In military contexts, it denotes a siege or blockade. Here, it emphasizes the complete encirclement of the "camp of the saints" and the "beloved city," indicating a full-scale assault. However, the immediate divine intervention means the encirclement is merely a prelude to their own destruction, never allowing the siege to truly commence.
This word signifies a deep, unconditional love, often used to describe God's love for humanity or Christ's love for the church. Applied to "the city," it highlights Jerusalem's unique and cherished status in God's eyes. It is not merely a geographical location but a place divinely chosen and protected, reflecting God's profound affection and covenant faithfulness towards it and its inhabitants, the saints.
This verb means "to eat down, to consume entirely, to devour." It implies a complete and destructive consumption, leaving nothing behind. In this context, it vividly portrays the utter annihilation of the rebellious forces by divine fire, emphasizing the totality and finality of God's judgment. There is no escape, no remnants, only complete destruction.
Verse Breakdown
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth"
This clause describes the global scope of the final rebellion. "They" refers to the nations deceived by Satan, gathered from "the four quarters of the earth" as mentioned in Revelation 20:8. "Breadth of the earth" emphasizes that this is a worldwide mobilization, indicating the vastness and universality of the forces arrayed against God's kingdom, signifying the culmination of all human rebellion.
"and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city"
This details the objective of the gathered forces: to besiege and conquer God's people and His dwelling place. The "camp of the saints" refers to the faithful, likely those who have survived the tribulation and entered the millennial reign, residing with Christ in Jerusalem. The "beloved city" is unequivocally Jerusalem, the earthly capital of Christ's millennial kingdom, which holds a special place in God's heart and plan. The encirclement signifies the ultimate, concentrated assault of evil against divine righteousness.
"and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."
This is the swift, decisive, and supernatural climax. Before the encircling armies can even launch their attack, divine judgment is unleashed. "Fire from God out of heaven" is a clear sign of direct, miraculous intervention, reminiscent of Old Testament judgments. This fire completely "devoured" the rebellious forces, signifying their instantaneous and utter annihilation, leaving no survivors and no possibility of further threat. This act underscores God's absolute power and the futility of any opposition to His will.
Literary Devices
Revelation 20:9 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. Symbolism is prominent, with "fire from God out of heaven" symbolizing divine wrath, judgment, and purification, echoing similar imagery throughout biblical history (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah). The "camp of the saints" and "beloved city" are also symbolic, representing God's protected people and His chosen dwelling place, embodying the spiritual and physical locus of His kingdom. The rapid sequence of events—encirclement followed by immediate destruction—creates a sense of Dramatic Irony; the vast, globally assembled forces believe they are on the verge of victory, yet their very act of aggression triggers their instantaneous demise. The description of "devoured them" uses vivid Imagery to emphasize the totality and finality of the judgment, leaving no doubt about the overwhelming power of God's intervention. Furthermore, the passage functions as a Climax to the narrative of Satan's final rebellion, providing a definitive resolution to the conflict between good and evil before the ultimate eternal state is established.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Revelation 20:9 serves as a profound theological statement on God's ultimate sovereignty and the inevitable triumph of His kingdom. It demonstrates that evil, no matter how widespread or organized, possesses no true power against the divine will. The immediate and overwhelming destruction of the rebellious forces by fire from heaven underscores that God's justice is swift, absolute, and requires no human assistance. This passage reinforces the biblical truth that God is the ultimate protector of His people, and His plans cannot be thwarted. It speaks to the futility of human rebellion and the certainty of divine judgment for all who persist in opposing God. Ultimately, it provides assurance that the forces of darkness will be utterly vanquished, paving the way for the eternal reign of righteousness.
Reflection and Application
Revelation 20:9 offers profound assurance and a sobering warning. For believers, it is a powerful reminder that God's ultimate victory is not merely a hope but a certainty. No matter how overwhelming the forces of evil may appear in our world, or how dire circumstances may seem, God's sovereignty remains absolute, and His protection over His people is unwavering. This truth should instill deep peace and confidence, enabling us to persevere through trials and opposition, knowing that our ultimate security rests in His mighty hands. It encourages us to trust in His perfect timing and His just judgments, even when we cannot fully comprehend them. For those who resist God, this verse serves as a stark warning of the inevitable and inescapable consequences of rebellion. It calls for repentance and submission to Christ's reign, for there will be no escape from divine judgment for those who ultimately reject His authority and grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who are "they" that went up on the breadth of the earth?
"They" refers to the nations of the world, specifically those who have been deceived by Satan after his release from the bottomless pit at the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ. As stated in Revelation 20:8, Satan "shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle." These are individuals who, despite experiencing a millennium of Christ's righteous rule, still harbor rebellion in their hearts and choose to follow Satan in one final, futile assault against God and His people.
What is "the beloved city"?
"The beloved city" is a clear reference to Jerusalem. Throughout biblical history, Jerusalem has been uniquely cherished by God, often referred to as "the holy city" or "the city of God." In the context of Revelation 20, it is understood to be the earthly capital of Christ's millennial kingdom, where He reigns directly. Its designation as "beloved" emphasizes its special status in God's plan and His unwavering protective care over it and its inhabitants, the saints. This is consistent with its significance in passages like Psalm 87:2 and Isaiah 60:14.
Why is Satan allowed one final rebellion after the Millennium?
The allowance for Satan's final rebellion, as described in Revelation 20:7-9, serves several theological purposes. It conclusively demonstrates that even a perfect environment under Christ's direct rule cannot change a heart set on rebellion. It proves that human sinfulness is not merely a product of environment or temptation but originates from a deeper, inherent rejection of God's authority. This final test reveals the true allegiance of all humanity, distinguishing those who genuinely love God from those whose obedience was merely circumstantial. It also serves to fully expose the utter depravity and futility of evil, leading to its final, irreversible judgment, thereby vindicating God's justice and righteousness before all creation.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Revelation 20:9, though depicting a future judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "fire from God out of heaven" that devours the rebellious forces is a manifestation of divine justice and power, attributes perfectly embodied in Christ. He is the one who, in His first coming, disarmed principalities and powers, triumphing over them on the cross (Colossians 2:15). His atoning sacrifice on Calvary was the decisive blow against sin and death, guaranteeing the ultimate defeat of Satan and all his works. This future judgment in Revelation 20:9 is merely the final, public execution of a victory already secured by Christ's redemptive work. Furthermore, the "camp of the saints" and the "beloved city" are protected because they are united with Christ, who is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23) and the King of kings (Revelation 19:16). His second coming will usher in this perfect reign, and His presence is the ultimate defense against all evil. Thus, the swift and total annihilation of the enemy forces in Revelation 20:9 is a powerful testament to the absolute and unchallengeable authority of the resurrected Christ, who will ultimately cast every enemy under His feet and establish His eternal kingdom where righteousness dwells (1 Corinthians 15:25-28).