Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Revelation 20:10 says that, after Satan's final defeat, he (along with the Antichrist and the false prophet described in Revelation 13) will be thrown into a lake of fire (burning sulfur) where they will all be tormented day and night forever.

November 17 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What happens to the devil after he is defeated?

The book of Revelation helps clarify the answer to that question, and after reading Revelation, I have the following perspective.

The apostle John helps us to understand what happens to the devil, Revelation 20:1-3: "I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it, sealing it over him, so that the Devil might not mislead the nations anymore until the thousand years had ended, with the Devil being locked away by the angel with a chain and key to the lock. After these things, the angel with the key will let the Devil be let loose for a little while." These verses speak of the abyssing of Satan and of his eventual release for a little while. 

Although the demons are not mentioned, it stands to reason that when the angel with the key to the abyss—who is the glorified Jesus Christ—seizes and binds the devil, he will do the same with the demons.— They have over them a king, the angel of the abyss—Revelation 9:11.

Since the demons are not explicitly mentioned as being hurled into the abyss, neither are they specifically spoken of as being released from there. However, their destiny is the same as that of the devil. After being released at the end of the 1,000 years, the devil and those who cooperate with him during the final test of humanity will be at the end of the thousand years, will be hurled into the lake of fire and will thus experience everlasting destruction.—Revelation 20:7-9.

And when the final test at the end of the 1,000 years has been completed, Satan and his demons will be thrown into the same "lake of fire and sulphur" as were the wild beast and the false prophet, in that they too will be destroyed forever. 

The symbolic quality of the lake of fire is further evidence, as seen in the context of references to it in the Book of Revelation. Death is said to be hurled into this lake of fire. (Re 19:20; 20:14) Death obviously cannot be literally burned. Moreover, the devil, an invisible spirit creature, is thrown into the lake. Being a spirit, the devil cannot be hurt by literal fire, so this lake of fire must be symbolic as well. Revelation 20:10;

After the end of the devil and his demons, mankind will enjoy life forever in Paradise, as Revelation Chapter 21 mentions, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and Death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." 5 And the One seated on the throne said: "Look! I am making all things new." Also, he says, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."

October 06 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report