Revelation 20
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedAn angel binds "the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan" for a thousand years and shuts him in the bottomless pit, and those who had not worshipped the beast "lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years," for "This is the first resurrection," and "on such the second death hath no power." When the thousand years are expired, Satan is loosed and gathers "Gog and Magog" to battle, but fire comes from God, and "the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone." Before "a great white throne" the dead are judged "according to their works," "death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death," and "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:1Revelation 20:2Revelation 20:3Revelation 20:4Revelation 20:5Revelation 20:6Revelation 20:7Revelation 20:8Revelation 20:9Revelation 20:10Revelation 20:11Revelation 20:12Revelation 20:14Revelation 20:15
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
An angel; the dragon, named "the Devil, and Satan"; those who reign with Christ; "Gog and Magog"; and the dead, small and great. Revelation 20:1Revelation 20:2Revelation 20:4Revelation 20:8Revelation 20:12
Where
The bottomless pit, "the four quarters of the earth," "the beloved city," and the great white throne. Revelation 20:3Revelation 20:8Revelation 20:9Revelation 20:11GogMagog
When
Traditionally about AD 95-96, near the end of the emperor Domitian's reign. Most scholars agree; some date it about AD 68-69, soon after Nero's death. Revelation overview
How it fits
Chapter 19 ended with the beast and false prophet cast into the lake of fire; here the devil joins them. Chapter 21 opens, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth." Revelation 19:20Revelation 20:10Revelation 21:1
Key verses
- Verse 6
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ." Revelation 20:6
- Verse 12
"The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Revelation 20:12
- Verse 14
The text names the meaning: "death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Revelation 20:14Revelation 20:15
Takeaway
Satan's defeat is certain and every person will stand before God, so make sure your name is in the book of life. Revelation 20:10Revelation 20:12Revelation 20:15
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.
Satan bound; the first resurrection
1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Satan loosed and defeated
7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And 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: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on 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. 10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The great white throne
11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.