How long is Satan to be imprisoned on this earth?
Answer
"I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his
hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a
thousand years, 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." Rev. 20: 1-3.
NOTE - The word rendered "bottomless pit" in this text is abussos, the Greek term employed by
the Septuagint in Gen. 1: 2, as the equivalent of the Hebrew word rendered "deep" in our English versions.
A more literal translation would be "abyss." It is a term applied to the earth in its desolate, waste, chaotic,
dark, uninhabited condition. In this condition it will remain during the one thousand years. It will be the
dreary prison-house of Satan during this period. Here, in the midst of the smoldering bones of wicked
dead, slain at Christ's second coming, the broken-down cities, and the wreck and ruin of all the pomp and
power of this world, Satan will have opportunity to reflect upon the results of his rebellion against God.
But the prophecy of Isaiah says, "After many days shall they be visited."
How long will the Word of God endure?
How many were embraced in God's promises to Abraham?
What course on the part of children is well pleasing to the Lord?
For what reason is worship justly due to God?
What did the Savior say should precede the end?
15. What commands obeyed would bring about a peaceful solution to this wide-spread and growing conflict?
Is there any limit to God's ability to help?
Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle