New Testament

Revelation 20:1

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, John describes a vision where he sees an angel descending from heaven.

Author: John the apostle
Written: Around AD 95
Genre: Apocalyptic prophecy
Original Audience: The seven churches of Asia Minor

CBTClear Bible Translation

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

KJVKing James Version

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, John describes a vision where he sees an angel descending from heaven. This angel carries a key that unlocks the bottomless pit, a place often associated with chaos and evil. The great chain signifies the power to bind and restrain. The imagery suggests that the angel has authority over the forces of darkness, indicating a significant moment in the cosmic battle between good and evil. The bottomless pit represents a place of confinement for evil spirits, and the angel's actions foreshadow a time when evil will be restrained. This moment is crucial in the narrative of Revelation, as it sets the stage for the eventual defeat of Satan and the establishment of God's kingdom. The key and chain symbolize divine authority and control over the spiritual realm, emphasizing that God is ultimately in charge of the fate of evil.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Revelation 20:1 to your life

This verse reminds us that God has the ultimate authority over evil and chaos in our lives. We can find comfort in knowing that, despite the struggles we face, God is in control and will ultimately bring justice. Trusting in His power can help us navigate our challenges with hope.

Curated for this public verse page. Revelation Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Revelation 20:1 mean?

Revelation 20:1 describes a vision where an angel comes from heaven with a key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. This symbolizes the angel's authority to bind evil and suggests a significant moment in the battle between good and evil.

What is the significance of the bottomless pit in Revelation 20:1?

The bottomless pit represents a place of confinement for evil spirits and chaos. In this verse, it signifies the power of God to restrain evil forces through the angel's actions.

What does the angel represent in Revelation 20:1?

The angel in Revelation 20:1 represents divine authority and intervention. By holding the key and chain, the angel symbolizes God's control over evil and the spiritual realm.

What does the chain symbolize in Revelation 20:1?

The great chain in Revelation 20:1 symbolizes the power to bind and restrain evil. It indicates that the angel has the authority to limit the influence of darkness.

Book Summary

The Book of Revelation

Revelation 1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gives Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to John, who bears record of the word of God. A blessing is pronounced upon those who read and hear the words of this prophecy and keep the things written therein, for the time is at hand. John writes to the seven churches in Asia, sending grace and peace from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, who washed us from our sins in His own blood. He declares Himself Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. John, in the isle of Patmos for the word of God, is in the Spirit on the Lord's day and hears behind him a great voice as a trumpet. Turning, he sees seven golden candlesticks and one like the Son of man among them, clothed to the foot, His head and hairs white as wool, His eyes as a flame of fire, His feet like fine brass, His voice as the sound of many waters, seven stars in His right hand, and a sharp twoedged sword going out of His mouth. John falls at His feet as dead, and the Lord lays His right hand upon him, saying, Fear not, I am the first and the last, He that liveth and was dead and is alive for evermore. He reveals that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.

Revelation 2: Letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira The Lord dictates letters to four of the seven churches. To Ephesus He commends their labor and patience and their rejection of evil men, but charges that they have left their first love, calling them to repent and do the first works. To Smyrna, suffering tribulation and poverty yet rich, He warns of coming imprisonment and bids them be faithful unto death to receive a crown of life, promising the overcomer shall not be hurt by the second death. To Pergamos, dwelling where Satan's seat is, He commends their holding fast His name but rebukes those holding the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans, promising the overcomer hidden manna and a white stone with a new name. To Thyatira He commends their charity and works yet rebukes their suffering the woman Jezebel to teach and seduce His servants, declaring He will cast her into a bed of tribulation and that He searcheth the reins and hearts; the overcomer shall have power over the nations and the morning star. Revelation 3: Letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea The Lord continues to the remaining three churches. To Sardis He declares they have a name that they live but are dead, urging them to be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, yet noting a few who have not defiled their garments who shall walk with Him in white. To Philadelphia, who has kept His word and not denied His name, He sets before them an open door which no man can shut, promising to keep them from the hour of temptation that shall come upon all the world, and that the overcomer shall be a pillar in the temple of God. To Laodicea He rebukes their being lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, so that He will spue them out of His mouth; they think themselves rich and increased with goods, but are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, and He counsels them to buy of Him gold tried in the fire. He declares that He stands at the door and knocks, and if any man hear His voice and open the door, He will come in to him; the overcomer shall sit with Him in His throne.

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