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Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent, [1886], at sacred-texts.com


Revelation Chapter 20

Revelation 20:1

rev 20:1

Of the bottomless pit

See on Rev 9:1. This is to be distinguished from the lake of fire. Compare Rev 20:10.

Chain (ἅλυσιν)

See on Mar 5:4. Only here in John's writings.

In his hand (ἐπί)

Lit., upon: resting on or hanging upon.

Revelation 20:2

rev 20:2

He laid hold (ἐκράτησεν)

See on Mar 8:3; see on Act 3:11.

The dragon (τὸν δράκοντα)

See on Rev 12:3. The word is commonly derived from ἔδρακον, the second aorist tense of δέρκομαι to see clearly, in allusion to the sharp sight of the fabled dragon.

Old (ἀρχαῖον)

See on Jo1 2:7.

The Devil

Note the three epithets: the Old Serpent, the Devil, Satan. See on Mat 4:1; see on Luk 10:18.

Revelation 20:3

rev 20:3

Sealed

See on Joh 3:33.

Must (δεῖ)

According to God's purpose. See on Mat 16:21; see on Luk 2:49; see on Luk 24:26.

Revelation 20:4

rev 20:4

Thrones

See on Rev 2:13.

They sat

All the faithful members of Christ's Church. Compare they reigned with Christ.

Beheaded (πεπελεκισμένων)

From πέλεκυς an ax. Only here in the New Testament.

They lived

Equivalent to lived again. Compare Rev 20:5.

Revelation 20:5

rev 20:5

Lived - again (ἀνέζησαν)

Read ἔζησαν lived, as in Rev 20:4

Revelation 20:6

rev 20:6

Hath part (ἔχων μέρος)

A phrase peculiar to John as referring to a person. Compare Joh 13:8.

Second death

See on Rev 2:11.

Revelation 20:8

rev 20:8

Gog and Magog

See Ezekiel 38, 39. Compare Gen 10:2. where Magog appears as a son of Japhet. Magog is a general name for the northern nations, and, according to Ezekiel, Gog is their prince. Josephus says that the descendants of Magog were the Scythians.

Revelation 20:9

rev 20:9

On the breadth (ἐπὶ τὸ πλάτος)

Lit., over (ἐπί). As distinguished from the "four corners" of Rev 20:8. They overspread the earth.

The camp (τὴν παρεμβολὴν)

See on castle, Act 21:34. Encompassing and defending the city. Compare Psa 78:7.

The beloved city

Compare Psa 78:68.

From God

Omit.

Revelation 20:12

rev 20:12

Before God

Read θρόνου throne for Θεοῦ God. So Rev., before the throne.

The books (βιβλία)

No article. Read books. Compare Dan 7:10.

Book of life

See on Rev 3:5.

Revelation 20:13

rev 20:13

The sea

As commonly understood, the sea means the literal sea, and the passage signifies that the dead contained in it shall rise. So Alford. Other interpreters, however, say that it cannot mean the literal sea. Thus Milligan argues that the symbols of the Apocalypse must always be interpreted in the same way. "Symbols," he says, "are a form of speech, and therefore subject to the rules that regulate the interpretation of all speech... The power of that convention which links a certain sense to a certain sound in ordinary terms, is not less binding in the presence than in the absence of metaphor of any kind whatever. Thus when we read in the Apocalypse of 'the sea' as an emblem of the troubled and sinful nations of the earth, we are bound, unless forbidden by the context, to carry that interpretation through, and to understand the sea of the troubled and sinful world."

Hell (ὁ ᾅδης)

Rev., Hades. See on Mat 16:18.

Revelation 20:14

rev 20:14

This is the second death

Add even the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15

rev 20:15

And whosoever (εἴ τις)

Lit., if any. So Rev.


Next: Revelation Chapter 21