Satan Abyssed

What, then, is in store for Satan himself and his demons? John tells us: "And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, that he might not mislead the nations anymore unto the thousand years were ended. After these things he must be let loose for a little while." -Revelation 20:1-3.

Who is this angel? He must have tremendous power to be able to dispose of Jehovah's archenemy. He has "the key to the abyss and a great chain." Does this not remind us of an earlier vision? Why, yes, the king over the locusts is called "the angel of the abyss"! (Revelation 9:11) So here we again observe Jehovah's Chief Vindicator, the glorified Jesus Christ, in action. This archangel that cast Satan out of heaven, that judged Babylon the Great, and that disposed of "the kings of the earth and their armies" at Armageddon would surely not step aside to let a lesser angel deliver the masterstroke in abyssing Satan! -Revelation 12:7-9; 18:1, 2; 19:11-21.

When the great fiery-colored dragon was hurled down from heaven, he was spoken of as "the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabitant earth." (Revelation 12:3, 9) Now, at the point of being seized and abyssed, he is described again in full as "the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan." This infamous devourer, deceiver, slanderer, and opposer is chained and hurled "into the abyss," which is closed and sealed off tightly, "that he mighty not mislead the nations anymore." This abyssing of Satan is for a thousand years, during which time is influence on mankind will be no more than that of a prisoner in a deep dungeon. The angel of the abyss removes Satan completely from any contract with the Kingdom of righteousness. What a relief for mankind!

What happens to the demons? They too have been "reserved for judgment." (2 Peter 2:4) Satan is called "Beelzebub the ruler of the demons." (Luke 11:15, 18; Matthew 10:25) In view of their longtime collaboration with Satan, should not the same judgment be meted out to them? The abyss has long been an object of fear to those demons; on one occasion when Jesus confronted them, they "kept entreating him not to order them to go away into the abyss." (Luke 8:31) But when Satan is abyssed, his angels will surely be hurled into the abyss with him. (Compare Isaiah 24:21, 22) After the abyssing of Satan and his demons, the Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ can begin.

Will Satan and his demons be active while in the abyss? Well, remember the scarlet-colored, seven-headed wild beast that "was but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss." (Revelation 17:8) While in the abyss, it 'was not.' It was non functioning, immobilized, to all intents and purposes dead. Likewise, speaking of Jesus, the apostle Paul said: "Who will descend into the abyss?' That is to bring Christ up from the dead." (Romans 10:7) While in that abyss, Jesus was dead. It is reasonable to conclude then, that Satan and his demons will be in a state of deathlike inactivity for the thousand years of their abyssing. What good tidings for lovers of righteousness!

Next time: Judges For A Thousand Years .

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988