Revelation – Chapter 20

New Testament15 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 20 of Revelation begins: "And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand." Across its 15 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

3And he cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up and set a seal upon him, that he should no more seduce the nations till the thousand years be finished. And after that, he must be loosed a little time.

4And I saw seats. And they sat upon them: and judgment was given unto them. And the souls of them that were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God and who had not adored the beast nor his image nor received his character on their foreheads or in their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5The rest of the dead lived not, till the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. In these the second death hath no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ: and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7And when the thousand years shall be finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison and shall go forth and seduce the nations which are over the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog: and shall gather them together to battle, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

8And they came upon the breadth of the earth and encompassed the camp of the saints and the beloved city.

9And there came down fire from God out of heaven and devoured them: and the devil, who seduced them, was cast into the pool of fire and brimstone, where both the beast

10And the false prophet shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

11And I saw a great white throne and one sitting upon it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away: and there was no place found for them

12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing in the presence of the throne. And the books were opened: and another book was opened, which was the book of life. And the dead were judged by those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13And the sea gave up the dead that were in it: and death and hell gave up their dead that were in them. And they were judged, every one according to their works.

14And hell and death were cast into the pool of fire. This is the second death.

15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the pool of fire.

Important Verses in Revelation 20

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

Revelation 20:1

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. In these the second death hath no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ: and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:6

And there came down fire from God out of heaven and devoured them: and the devil, who seduced them, was cast into the pool of fire and brimstone, where both the beast

Revelation 20:9

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the pool of fire.

Revelation 20:15

Historical Context

Revelation addresses persecuted churches, lifted to see Christ's final victory within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 20 of 22 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a apocalyptic vision revealing God's ultimate victory over evil with 15 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand." It concludes: "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the pool of fire. " In terms of historical background, Written to seven churches of Asia suffering under Rome's demand for emperor worship, Revelation unveils history's hidden meaning through visions of heavenly liturgy: the Lamb who was slain stands victorious, and every… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

Who Wrote It

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle

When It Was Written

About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian

Catholic Commentary

Apocalyptic language here speaks of judgment, hope, and the fulfillment of God's promises. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand." The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of Christ's victory and the new creation. Revelation reveals the Church's ultimate destiny (CIC 1042-1050). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2578).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith and the promise of our own resurrection.

Reflection for Today

Revelation Chapter 20, containing 15 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 756). Here the emphasis falls on the Eucharist as source and summit, which shapes how the Church understands Christ's victory and the new creation.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the Eucharist as source and summit bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Revelation Chapter 20 about?

Revelation 20 contains 15 verses. It opens with "And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand." and closes with "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the pool of fire. ". The book as a whole is apocalyptic prophecy and epistle.

What is a key verse in Revelation 20?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Revelation and when?

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle. About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

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