The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

more especially to the particular time of its completion, after the change of the "Great
Company" class.
The period of Satan's restraint is stated to be for a thousand years. From the days of St.
John down to the present time, expositors, with scarcely an exception, though differing
with one another regarding the nature and character of those times, have understood these
years to be literal.
In the bottomless pit
After Satan's binding, and the restraint of his power and influence in the affairs of
humanity have been accomplished, and after the overthrow and collapse of the present
order of things is complete, there remains yet one more thing necessary to make further
evil operations of his power and influence impossible. This is his complete subjection and
banishment, either by destruction or by his being placed in a condition in which he will be
utterly helpless to deceive or in any way injure mankind, who during that period of a
thousand years will be having their judgment, trial, or probation. We learn in the symbolic
words that follow that the latter is what is to be done--that he is to be cast into the "abyss,"
which is shut up and sealed that he might deceive the nations no more until the thousand
years are ended. Concerning the symbolical significance of the "abyss," we have already
explained in a previous chapter. Briefly stated, it signifies a state or condition rather than a
place. The abyss being without bottom is strongly suggestive of a condition of restraint in
which Satan will be without any foundation for hope--no basis on which to formulate any
plans--all will be total darkness, uncertainty, hopelessness; he will be awaiting his final
punishment, which will be his utter destruction.
The sealing up of the abyss is designed to further strengthen the symbol--to show the utter
powerlessness of Satan and his followers to do harm or to escape from the bonds that hold
them. This binding and imprisonment of Satan portrayed in this Revelation vision, is not
the only place in which it is mentioned in the Scriptures. Jehovah, through the Prophet
Isaiah, had long before St. John's day, foretold it, as we read: "It shall come to pass in that
day [see context], that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and
the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are
gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be
visited." That it occurs in connection with the establishment of the Lord's Kingdom is also
shown: "Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of
hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously."--
Isa. 24:21-23.
In this Scripture we have just as clearly revealed as in the one under consideration, the
judgment of the great evil governmental powers, both the unseen, spiritual, and the
earthly; and it is just as clearly revealed that the judgment is governmental, not individual,
and that it is not the final one.
It should be kept in mind that the Millennial period represents righteousness reigning on
the earth, rather than righteousness in its full sense dwelling on earth. While it is true that