Revelation 20
New English Translation
The Thousand Year Reign
20 Then[a] I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding[b] in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. 2 He[c] seized the dragon—the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan—and tied him up for a thousand years. 3 The angel[d] then[e] threw him into the abyss and locked[f] and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)
4 Then[g] I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge.[h] I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These[i] had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They[j] came to life[k] and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished.)[l] This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who takes part[m] in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them,[n] but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
Satan’s Final Defeat
7 Now[o] when the thousand years are finished, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive[p] the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog,[q] to bring them together for the battle. They are as numerous as the grains of sand in the sea.[r] 9 They[s] went up[t] on the broad plain of the earth[u] and encircled[v] the camp[w] of the saints and the beloved city, but[x] fire came down from heaven and devoured them completely.[y] 10 And the devil who deceived[z] them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur,[aa] where the beast and the false prophet are[ab] too, and they will be tormented there day and night forever and ever.
The Great White Throne
11 Then[ac] I saw a large[ad] white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven[ae] fled[af] from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then[ag] books were opened, and another book was opened—the book of life.[ah] So[ai] the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.[aj] 13 The[ak] sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death[al] and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds. 14 Then[am] Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 If[an] anyone’s name[ao] was not found written in the book of life, that person[ap] was thrown into the lake of fire.
Footnotes
- Revelation 20:1 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 20:1 tn The two clauses “having/holding the key of the abyss” and “a huge chain in his hand” can be construed in two ways: (1) both are controlled by the participle ἔχοντα (echonta) and both are modified by the phrase “in his hand”—“having in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain.” (2) The participle ἔχοντα refers only to the key, and the phrase “in his hand” refers only to the chain—“having the key of the abyss and holding a huge chain in his hand.” Because of the stylistic tendency in Rev to use the verb ἔχω (echō) to mean “hold (something)” and the phrase “in his hand” forming a “bracket” along with the verb ἔχω around both the phrases in question, the first option is preferred.
- Revelation 20:2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 20:3 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel introduced in v. 1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Revelation 20:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 20:3 tn Or “and shut.” While the lexical force of the term is closer to “shut,” it is acceptable to render the verb ἔκλεισεν (ekleisen) as “locked” here in view of the mention of the key in the previous verse.
- Revelation 20:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 20:4 tn Grk “I saw thrones, and those seated on them, and judgment was given to them.” BDAG 567 s.v. κρίμα 3 says, “judging, judgment, the κρίμα ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς authority to judge was given to them Rv 20:4.”
- Revelation 20:4 tn Grk “God, and who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the pronoun “these” as subject.
- Revelation 20:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 20:4 tn On the use of the aorist ἔζησαν (ezēsan) BDAG 425 s.v. ζάω 1.a.β says, “of dead persons who return to life become alive again: of humans in general (3 Km 17:23) Mt 9:18; Ac 9:41; 20:12; Rv 20:4, 5.”
- Revelation 20:5 sn This statement appears to be a parenthetical comment by the author.
- Revelation 20:6 tn Grk “who has a share.”
- Revelation 20:6 tn The shift from the singular pronoun (“the one”) to the plural (“them”) in the passage reflects the Greek text: The singular participle ὁ ἔχων (ho echōn) is followed by the plural pronoun τούτων (toutōn). In the interests of English style, this is obscured in most modern translations except the NASB.
- Revelation 20:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
- Revelation 20:8 tn Or “mislead.”
- Revelation 20:8 sn The battle with Gog and Magog is described in the OT in Ezek 38:1-39:20.
- Revelation 20:8 tn Grk “of whom the number of them [is] like the sand of the sea” (an allusion to Isa 10:22).
- Revelation 20:9 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 20:9 tn The shift here to past tense reflects the Greek text.
- Revelation 20:9 tn On the phrase “broad plain of the earth” BDAG 823 s.v. πλάτος states, “τὸ πλάτος τῆς γῆς Rv 20:9 comes fr. the OT (Da 12:2 LXX. Cp. Hab 1:6; Sir 1:3), but the sense is not clear: breadth = the broad plain of the earth is perh. meant to provide room for the countless enemies of God vs. 8, but the ‘going up’ is better suited to Satan (vs. 7) who has recently been freed, and who comes up again fr. the abyss (vs. 3).” The referent here thus appears to be a plain large enough to accommodate the numberless hoards that have drawn up for battle against the Lord Christ and his saints.
- Revelation 20:9 tn Or “surrounded.”
- Revelation 20:9 tn On the term παρεμβολή (parembolē) BDAG 775 s.v. states, “Mostly used as a military t.t.…so always in our lit.…1. a (fortified) camp…ἡ παρεμβολὴ τῶν ἁγίων Rv 20:9 is also to be understood fr. the OT use of the word.”
- Revelation 20:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Revelation 20:9 tn See L&N 20.45 for the translation of κατεσθίω (katesthiō) as “to destroy utterly, to consume completely.”
- Revelation 20:10 tn Or “misled.”
- Revelation 20:10 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
- Revelation 20:10 tn The verb in this clause is elided. In keeping with the previous past tenses some translations supply a past tense verb here (“were”), but in view of the future tense that follows (“they will be tormented”), a present tense verb was used to provide a transition from the previous past tense to the future tense that follows.
- Revelation 20:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 20:11 tn Traditionally, “great,” but μέγας (megas) here refers to size rather than importance.
- Revelation 20:11 tn Or “and the sky.” The same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky,” and context usually determines which is meant. In this apocalyptic scene, however, it is difficult to be sure what referent to assign the term.
- Revelation 20:11 tn Or “vanished.”sn The phrase the earth and the heaven fled from his presence can be understood (1) as visual imagery representing the fear of corruptible matter in the presence of God, but (2) it can also be understood more literally as the dissolution of the universe as we know it in preparation for the appearance of the new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1).
- Revelation 20:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
- Revelation 20:12 tn Grk “another book was opened, which is of life.”
- Revelation 20:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the books being opened.
- Revelation 20:12 tn Grk “from the things written in the books according to their works.”
- Revelation 20:13 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 20:13 sn Here Death is personified (cf. 1 Cor 15:55).
- Revelation 20:14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
- Revelation 20:15 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 20:15 tn The word “name” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
- Revelation 20:15 tn Grk “he”; the pronoun has been intensified by translating as “that person.”
启示录 20
Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified)
撒旦被捆绑一千年
20 我又看见一位天使从天降下,手里拿着无底坑的钥匙和一条大链子。 2 他捉住那龙,就是古蛇,又叫魔鬼,也叫撒旦,把它捆绑一千年, 3 扔在无底坑里,将无底坑关闭,用印封上,使它不得再迷惑列国。等到那一千年完了,以后必须暂时释放它。
未受兽印记的同基督做王一千年
4 我又看见几个宝座,也有坐在上面的,并有审判的权柄赐给他们。我又看见那些因为给耶稣作见证并为神之道被斩者的灵魂,和那没有拜过兽与兽像,也没有在额上和手上受过它印记之人的灵魂;他们都复活了,与基督一同做王一千年。 5 这是头一次的复活。其余的死人还没有复活,直等那一千年完了。 6 在头一次复活有份的有福了,圣洁了!第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄。他们必做神和基督的祭司,并要与基督一同做王一千年。
撒旦被释放
7 那一千年完了,撒旦必从监牢里被释放, 8 出来要迷惑地上四方[a]的列国,就是歌革和玛各,叫他们聚集争战,他们的人数多如海沙。 9 他们上来遍满了全地,围住圣徒的营与蒙爱的城,就有火从天降下,烧灭了他们。 10 那迷惑他们的魔鬼被扔在硫磺的火湖里,就是兽和假先知所在的地方。他们必昼夜受痛苦,直到永永远远。
末日的审判
11 我又看见一个白色的大宝座与坐在上面的,从他面前天地都逃避,再无可见之处了。 12 我又看见死了的人,无论大小,都站在宝座前,案卷展开了;并且另有一卷展开,就是生命册。死了的人都凭着这些案卷所记载的,照他们所行的受审判。 13 于是海交出其中的死人,死亡和阴间也交出其中的死人,他们都照各人所行的受审判。 14 死亡和阴间也被扔在火湖里。这火湖就是第二次的死。 15 若有人名字没记在生命册上,他就被扔在火湖里。
Footnotes
- 启示录 20:8 “方”原文作“角”。
Revelation 20
New International Version
The Thousand Years
20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven,(A) having the key(B) to the Abyss(C) and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan,(D) and bound him for a thousand years.(E) 3 He threw him into the Abyss,(F) and locked and sealed(G) it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations(H) anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
4 I saw thrones(I) on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.(J) And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded(K) because of their testimony about Jesus(L) and because of the word of God.(M) They[a] had not worshiped the beast(N) or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.(O) They came to life and reigned(P) with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.(Q) 6 Blessed(R) and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death(S) has no power over them, but they will be priests(T) of God and of Christ and will reign with him(U) for a thousand years.
The Judgment of Satan
7 When the thousand years are over,(V) Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations(W) in the four corners of the earth(X)—Gog and Magog(Y)—and to gather them for battle.(Z) In number they are like the sand on the seashore.(AA) 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded(AB) the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.(AC) But fire came down from heaven(AD) and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them,(AE) was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,(AF) where the beast(AG) and the false prophet(AH) had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.(AI)
The Judgment of the Dead
11 Then I saw a great white throne(AJ) and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence,(AK) and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small,(AL) standing before the throne, and books were opened.(AM) Another book was opened, which is the book of life.(AN) The dead were judged(AO) according to what they had done(AP) as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades(AQ) gave up the dead(AR) that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.(AS) 14 Then death(AT) and Hades(AU) were thrown into the lake of fire.(AV) The lake of fire is the second death.(AW) 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life(AX) was thrown into the lake of fire.
Footnotes
- Revelation 20:4 Or God; I also saw those who
Revelation 20
New King James Version
Satan Bound 1,000 Years
20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, (A)having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of (B)the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and (C)set a seal on him, (D)so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years
4 And I saw (E)thrones, and they sat on them, and (F)judgment was committed to them. Then I saw (G)the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, (H)who had not worshiped the beast (I)or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they (J)lived and (K)reigned with Christ for [a]a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such (L)the second death has no power, but they shall be (M)priests of God and of Christ, (N)and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Satanic Rebellion Crushed(O)
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out (P)to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, (Q)Gog and Magog, (R)to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 (S)They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (T)where[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they (U)will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
The Great White Throne Judgment
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face (V)the earth and the heaven fled away. (W)And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, (X)small and great, standing before [c]God, (Y)and books were opened. And another (Z)book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged (AA)according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, (AB)and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. (AC)And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then (AD)Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. (AE)This is the second [d]death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life (AF)was cast into the lake of fire.
Footnotes
- Revelation 20:4 M the
- Revelation 20:10 NU, M where also
- Revelation 20:12 NU, M the throne
- Revelation 20:14 NU, M death, the lake of fire.
Revelation 20
King James Version
20 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
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.
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.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
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.
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.
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.
11 And 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.
12 And 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.
13 And 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.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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