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.