Binding the Dragon
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Understanding Satan's millennial incarceration.
Text: Rev. 20:1-3
Date: 01/15/2012, the Evening service.
Series: "Revelation" Part 51
Description:
The so-called "millennium" is the most controversial, the most written about, the most sensationalized, and therefore the most divisive segment in the book of Revelation and perhaps in all of Scripture. Many people are surprised to find that this furor centers around just 10 otherwise non-assuming verses in the 20th chapter. Because of the multitude of ideas concerning the interpretation of this passage and the vast differences between them, any study of the text will be difficult and technical by nature. But I am not so sure this is the way John intended it. When approached with the same principles and methods we have used in the rest of the Apocalypse, the text is surprisingly easy to comprehend, and actually synchronizes well with the rest of Scripture. In this study we will concentrate on just the binding of Satan, but will have to address some of the big issues of the larger passage that will govern subsequent interpretations. We will find that these verses not only have eschatological value, but deep and important meaning for the study of Scripture as a whole and particularly concerning the nature and expansion of Christ's heavenly Kingdom on earth.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Rev. 20:1-3.
A. Context
B. The angel from heaven, vs. 1.
1. "Recapitulation" versus "progression".
a. Interpreting the text as a progression.
b. Interpreting the text as recapitulation.
2. The importance of the angel.
a. The angel "mighty to save", Rev. 10:1.
b. The destroyer of Babylon, vs. 18:1.
3. An angel with a job to do.
a. The key to the bottomless pit, Rev. 9:1.
b. The great chain.
4. The first vital decision.
C. The incarceration of the dragon, vs. 2-3.
1. Pondering parallels.
a. Examining the names for Satan.
i. The great red dragon, Rev. 12:3ff.
ii. The ancient serpent, Rev. 12:14-15.
iii. The accusing devil, Rev. 2:10, 12:12, Job 1:6.
iv. Satan, the adversary.
b. Focus on the work of Satan in the world, Rev. 12:9-10,12.
c. Conclusion
2. The millennial incarceration of Satan, vs. 2b-3a.
a. The meaning of "bound".
i. Locked away for good.
ii. Bound but still dangerous.
iii. The second vital decision.
b. The meaning of "a thousand years".
i. Facts concerning the millennium, Psa. 90:4, 2Pet. 3:8.
ii. Our interpretation of the millennium.
3. The reason for the incarceration, vs. 3b.
a. The importance of "the nations".
b. The problem with "the nations", Rev. 16:14, 19:18,21.
4. Satan's second chance, 3b.
a. More problems with progression.
b. The Great Tribulation, Matt. 24:21-22.
D. Conclusions
III. Application
A. Starting at the beginning.
1. The first Advent.
2. The binding of Satan.
a. Satan's fall from power, Luke 10:18.
b. Christ's mission to bind Satan, Matt. 12:27-29.
c. How and when Satan was really bound, Matt. 16:18, Heb. 2:14.
3. The rationale of recapitulation.
4. The true millennium.
B. Christ as Conqueror.
IV. Conclusion
