The Apocalyptic Language of the Apocalypse – Greg Albrecht

Question:

Why does it seem the Bible says Satan the devil is set free after 1,000 years — it seems he is restrained for that period of time and then he is freed from his “prison” — why do that? And then the Bible seems to say that Satan is destroyed in the lake of fire. Is that possible? 

Response:

Of course both of these questions arise from what we read in the book of Revelation. Suffice it to say, this book is the most misunderstood and most difficult of all biblical books for many students of the Bible to understand, as I explain in my book “Revelation Revolution — The Overlooked Message of the Apocalypse.”

The book of Revelation is written in an apocalyptic style (a literary term and form that is not one and the same as the way in which the word “apocalyptic” is used today). That is, today the general definition of the word “apocalypse” as it is used today conveys dramatic end of the world, doomsday events. Both secular and religious usages of the word favor such a definition.  

However, the apocalyptic form or genre of literature which Revelation is an example, while focused on future events (to that of the author — not necessarily only people who live in the 21st century) and in that regard, still concerned with what is popularly spoken of as “end times” today, it does so in an apocalyptic literary style — that is, an unveiling.   

Apocalyptic literature, as used in the Bible, most notably in the books of Revelation and Daniel, is filled with features with which modern day readers are unfamiliar. 

A “literal” interpretation of most of the book can lead to incorrect conclusions, or at least less than complete understandings of what the message of which the book speaks. When the book speaks of any specific number, one is well advised to avoid a literal length of time or of a literal measurement. The literal number may or may not be true, but it is safe to say that a literal number can lead to vastly erroneous conclusions. Apocalyptic literature, such as that we find in the book of Revelation, is filled with poetic imagery, metaphors and figurative symbols. 

When the book speaks of a human being it is a mistake to assume that the identity of that individual is only contemporary or future to our 21st century. Such a person/individual could have lived and died in history, or perhaps several such individuals have… and perhaps others to come in “our” future. But literalizing and specifying in such cases is a mistake, in my opinion.   

Visions are another feature of the apocalyptic genre, and in those visions we often read of nightmarish beasts unknown to our world, who are not on display in a local zoo. Some animals in Revelation are known to us, others (beasts) unknown.

The symbols, figures, numbers and colors of Revelation are not intended to be understood literally, the meaning is deeper — far more spiritual than physical.  

Characters and events, and the intended meaning and messages of Revelation are “real” but not literally real in the sense that we can measure them, they are experiences we have had or can have… the meanings are spiritual and far deeper than any literal interpretation offers.

You speak of “1,000 years” (from Revelation 20) — the imagery and intended meaning is of a long period of time, longer than any human can experience — not of a precise period of time the way humans measure time.

There are several theories about Satan’s destruction in a “lake of fire” — I think the best explanation is 1) no specific explanation is known, as to the ultimate end of Lucifer, Satan, the serpent, the dragon, etc…, but 2) the overarching explanation for anything we ask having to do with God and possibility is that God can do whatever he wishes … he is not bound or constrained, which is part of what it means to be God, and 3) as the book of Revelation ends in it last few chapters any work or devices of evil that Satan once produced and for which he was responsible is not a part of the new heavens and new earth. Where is he? The book does not specifically say, but it’s clear that he is not any part of the new heavens and new earth. 

For more, I recommend “Revelation Revolution — The Overlooked Message of the Apocalypse.”