Revelation 20 and Satan's plan of action after his release

by Clam 3 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Clam

  As a JW I always had a fascination for Revelation 20, particularly the incarceration and release of Satan after the 1000 years. As a youngster I imagined him locked up but on display, rather like Hannibal Lechter.

  I can't remember what the Watchtower spin was on this, but I assumed that this was all to do with God showing that mankind is still wicked, even without Satan around, ie sin will still be here without Satan?

  Then there's the release after the 1000 years. How long is the gap between here and his final destruction? With the Bible's form this "little season" could go on for a very long time.

  The thing that intrigued me the most though was why Satan would go on this campaign which was destined to fail.

  Has this already happened in the future when at the time Satan didn't realise his fate? Satan must have had a reason to surround the city other than sheer ill will. Maybe the city might be of value to the wicked? I've heard one theory that the city contains the tree of life. The wicked have been resurrected but they do not have glorified bodies, having been brought to judgement and the second death. Satan knows though that if he can convince the wicked to take the city they shall all have access to the tree of life and might then be able to live forever.

  I'd appreciate any thoughts and the society's interpretation of this future period.

  Cheers -

  Clam

  If you're not near a Bible here's the text -

  Re:20:2: And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
  Re:20:3: And 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.
  Re:20:4: And 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.
  Re:20:5: But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
  Re:20:6: 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, and shall reign with him a thousand years
  Re:20:7: And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
  Re:20:8: And 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.
  Re:20:9: And 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.
  Re:20:10: And 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.
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  Narkissos

  The scenario of Revelation is complex due to the merging of different sources -- some possibly Jewish (non Christian). For instance, it's quite unclear who the "nations" of chapter 20 are if we read it as the continuation of chapter 19, where everybody is killed. They are not the other resurrected (apart from the "first resurrection") though (as per the WT interpretation) since resurrection occurs only afterward (20:5a, 11ff).

  I can't remember what the Watchtower spin was on this, but I assumed that this was all to do with God showing that mankind is still wicked, even without Satan around, ie sin will still be here without Satan?

  As far as I remember the WT emphasis is rather on God's influence mending the effects of Satan's influence (a kind of alternate custody pattern?) and bringing people to "perfection" for the "last test" -- the outcome of which shows only a limited success for God's influence.

  Then there's the release after the 1000 years. How long is the gap between here and his final destruction? With the Bible's form this "little season" could go on for a very long time.

  Sure, but it seems to be the last fun before an eternity of "nothing happening" (except everlasting lion-petting)...

  The thing that intrigued me the most though was why Satan would go on this campaign which was destined to fail.

  Has this already happened in the future when at the time Satan didn't realise his fate? Satan must have had a reason to surround the city other than sheer ill will. Maybe the city might be of value to the wicked? I've heard one theory that the city contains the tree of life. The wicked have been resurrected but they do not have glorified bodies, having been brought to judgement and the second death. Satan knows though that if he can convince the wicked to take the city they shall all have access to the tree of life and might then be able to live forever.

  Trees of life are associated with the city in 22:2, but in the extant text this city is separated from that of chapter 20 by the change of "heaven and earth" (20:11; 21:1), after which the city descends (again?), 21:2,10. In the blessings to the conquerors in the messages to the seven churches there is the tree of life (2:7) and the city of God (3:12).
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  megsmomma

  My mind doesn't go as deep as yours does as far as understanding the "true meaning" behind those scriptures....but, as a youngster in the "truth" I was worried about having survivied the big A....and the having to die because I fall for Satan after his release. In my young mind, he would get me to slip up with something like making out with a Brad Pitt look alike....or willfully disobeying my parents in the new world (Going on a fantastic Elephant riding expidition while I was supposed to be grooming my very own pet lion.) I knew Satan would be very trickey as to his schemes....and since he knows each of our weaknesses, that is what he would focus on for each of us.

  The result (which I feel is the society's purpose for teaching about this) is I felt I had to work HARD at being nearly "perfect" in this system...as practice. I was one that believed it all....and it would pain me with guilt when I even swore. (I would PRAY for hours...throwing my young childhood burdens on Jehovah)
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  Clam

  Thank you Narkissos for your usual erudite input.

  Having read the surrounding text I now see your point about the confusion over the identity of "the nations".

  Trees of life are associated with the city in 22:2, but in the extant text this city is separated from that of chapter 20 by the change of "heaven and earth" (20:11; 21:1),

  Ah ok. This is new to me. Thanks again. By the way could you recommend any further reading on how and when what you call the "different sources" came together to make Revelation?

  Megs - This future event was a big focus for me as a kid. It untrigued the hell out of me. It didn't make sense that we had been through the tribulation, come out on the other side, lived in paradise for a thousand years and then let it slip, only to go off and fight in Satan's army. Even more so as we would know the outcome. Like I've said, my guess was that this has already happened in the future and it can't be changed. It also begs the question as to certain personality's compatibility with paradise. Maybe a lot of people get fed up with 1000 years of lion cuddling, and decide they want something different from what God's offering them. Bit like Satan himself.