<p>20:3 <i>And threw him into the abyss- </i>The same word as in Lk. 8:31,33, where the demons ask Christ not to send them into the abyss; the parallel record says that they asked not to be sent out of the land of Israel (Mk. 5:10). Also Rom. 10:7 uses the abyss as a term for the lands beyond Israel (it is referring to Dt. 30:13). The beast that comes out of the abyss comes out of the sea (11:7; 13:1). It seems that the geographical area outside Israel from where the beast comes (i.e. the Arab world?) is where it is returned to for punishment. I have suggested in commentary on chapter 9 that the abyss may refer to a distinct geographical area in or on the edge of the earth / land promised to Abraham.</p><p><i>And shut it</i>- The same word is used of how the door is shut around the faithful believers with whom Christ rejoices at His return (Mt. 25:10). There is a brief, appropriate period of intimacy between Christ and His people, during which the dragon cannot do anything.</p><p><i>And sealed it over him</i>- The same word is used about how the final seven thunders of calamity upon the earth / land are &quot;sealed&quot; (Rev. 10:4). This seems to refer to a brief period in between the Lord's return and when He resumes dealing with the dragon system.</p><p><i>That he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished</i>- Loosed a little season once eternity (the &quot;1000 years&quot;) is established. The same word translated &quot;finished&quot; is translated to accomplish; to establish, build up (Lk. 22:37; Gal. 5:16; James 2:8; LXX: Ruth 3:18; Is. 55:11; Dan. 4:30). Consider the usage of the word elsewhere:</p><p>-&nbsp; Luke 22:37: &ldquo;This that is written must yet be accomplished in me.&rdquo;</p><p>- Galatians 5:16: &ldquo;Walk ye in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.&rdquo;</p><p>- James 2:8: &ldquo;If ye fulfil the royal law ... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye shall do well.&rdquo;</p><p>- Romans 2:27: &ldquo;And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee who ... dost transgress the law?&rdquo;</p><p>- Ruth 3:18: &ldquo;the man (Boaz) will not be in rest until he have finished (i.e. accomplished, achieved) the thing this day.&rdquo;</p><p>- Isaiah 55:11: &ldquo;My word ... shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please.&rdquo;</p><p>- Daniel 4:30: &ldquo;Is not this great Babylon, that I have built&rdquo;.</p><p><i>After this he must be released for a little time- </i>Gk. &quot;loosed&quot; (AV), which connects with the theme throughout Revelation of the loosing of the seals and various judgments which are required before the scroll of the book of life is fully unsealed / loosed (Rev. 5:5; 9:14,15). This loosing is required for the scroll of life to be fully opened; it refers to the time of the Lord's return and not the end of a Millennium after His return.</p><p>The Lord spoke in parables so that Israel would be deceived and therefore would not come to salvation (Mk. 4:12; Lk. 8:10 cp. Acts 28:26). This fact is hard to get round for those who feel God isn't responsible for deception. Isaiah spoke likewise (Is. 6:9,10; 29:10,11). The Angels will work in such a way as to allow the world to be deceived at this time (Rev. 20:3,8).</p><p>The &quot;little time&quot; is that of 6:11 and 12:12- the time of persecution just before the Lord's return at the end of the three and a half year tribulation.&nbsp;</p>