What Does Revelation 20:3 Mean by “Short Time”

 What Does Revelation 20:3 Mean by “Short Time” And Does It Have Any Bearing On The Debate Between Realized Millennialism and Premillennialism?

One of the sticky wickets of the debate between Realized Millennialism (also called Amillennialism) and Premillennialism is the subject of the time period between the end for the millennial, as indicated by Revelation 20:3, and the Second Coming of Christ. According to John, the millennium would end and Satan would be given a “short time” to worked upon the earth unhindered before the Coming of Christ; at which time he (Satan) will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming (2 Thess. 2:8).  It seems to be assumed by most everyone that salvational history will continue up to Christ’s return. So, then, the question is asked: How is it that the millennial kingdom of Christ will “end” before the Return of Christ? 

The biblical response to that question is in how the apocalyptic language uses the Greek words for time (chronos and kairos). These two words have the same meaning, both of which may be (and are) translated as time or season (Strong’s Gk. #’s 5550 and 2540 respectively). The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translates chronos in Revelation 20:3 as time. In fact, of the 24 respected English translations polled, chronos is translated time 21 times, and season 3 times for Revelation 20:3.

When attempting to understanding John’s use of the word “time” in Revelation 20:3, we should see Revelation 12:14. Following, are the two texts juxtaposed:

Revelation 12:14 NASB, But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she *was nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the presence of the serpent.

Revelation 20:3 NASB, and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.

It is accepted by most all exegetes of Holy Scripture that apocalyptic language requires its own particular interpretation in that it is mostly allegorical in its presentation, and therefore, also, in its interpretation. The book of Revelation is an allegorical writing from beginning to finish. It is a book of symbols. This is announced in the very first verse of chapter one: “…signified it by his angel unto his servant John:”. The word “signified” is the Greek “esâmanen” from “sâmainō” (St’s G#4591); this word is from sâgma, meaning “a sign.” This very word is used by John (our author of Revelation) three other times: all three in his Gospel. Two reference a covert saying concerning the death of Christ (Jn 12:33 and 18:32) and one referencing a covert saying concerning the death of Peter (Jn 21:19). The point, not to be overlooked, is that in all places John employed “sâmainō” (signify, signified, signifying) he indicated a cryptic sign, a covert indicator of an event. So, here in the very first sentence of his Apocalypse he informs his readers that the things he was about to write were but “signs” of realities and not necessarily the realities themselves.

The word “time’ from Revelation 12:14 (cf Da. 12:7) is to be understood in an apocalyptic sense, as too is the word “time” from Revelation 20:3; this is true because of the allegorical nature of Revelation (Re 1:1, See the previous paragraph.). The phrase “time, times, and a half time” is one way in which the Apocalypse indicates 3 1/2 years: 42 months—Re 11:2 & 5; 1260 days—11:3, 12:16; time, times, and half a time— 12:14 (cf Da 12:7), all reference the same period of time. Therefore, in apocalyptic speak the word “time” indicates one year. 

When we bring this understanding to the phrase “short time” (Grk, mikron chronon) of Revelation 20:3, it is very reasonable to ascertain the period of Satan’s unhindered effect on the earth as a short year; or a little less than a year. In the political climate of the 21st century, and technology being what it is, one can understand how much havoc can be released upon the planet in such a short period of time. 

The point of my line of reasoning is that the possible difference in time between the end of Satan’s release and the Second Coming of Christ is negligible, and therefore a moot point for the debate between Realized Millennialism and Premillennialism.

Amen

Apostolically Speaking,

Bp. Jerry L Hayes D.D.