One Thousand Years

The saw-scaled viper is one of the deadliest snakes in the world. Its aggressive nature means it bites early and often. Scientists believe it is responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined. It’s found in the dry regions of Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Middle East.

Catching a deadly snake is not easy, but in today’s verse, the deadliest serpent in history is captured and bound for a thousand years. The devil is ultimately responsible for all death and destruction on our planet, and it will be a huge blessing when he is tied up.

At the Second Coming, the righteous dead will be resurrected from their graves (1 Thessalonians 4:16); the righteous living “shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (v. 17). The living wicked are slain. They do not “live again until the thousand years [are] finished” (Revelation 20:5). They will not have a chance to repent.

Satan is thus bound by not being able to tempt or destroy humans on Earth. The righteous are in heaven; the wicked are dead. The chain that binds him and his evil companions is a chain of circumstance. Like the scapegoat in the Old Testament sanctuary service on the Day of Atonement, the devil is sent out into the wilderness for causing sin and suffering on this earth (Leviticus 16:10).

No longer will the accuser of the saints, this liar, deceiver, and murderer, be able to tempt or touch God’s people. While we rejoice with gladness in heaven, Satan wanders the barren earth for a thousand years, his guilt of the ruin he has caused laid before him.

Dear Jesus, I rejoice that the devil will be bound and unable to attack Your people. Thank You for crushing the head of the serpent.

For Further Study: Leviticus 16:6–9, 20–22; Isaiah 14:3–7, 18–20; Matthew 12:27–29

Key Bible Texts

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (Revelation 20:2 KJV)