Revelation 20:9
New International Version
They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

New Living Translation
And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

English Standard Version
And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,

Berean Standard Bible
And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

Berean Literal Bible
And they marched up over the breadth of the earth and encircled the camp of the saints and the city having been beloved. But fire came down out of heaven and devoured them.

King James Bible
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

New King James Version
They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.

New American Standard Bible
And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

NASB 1995
And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

NASB 1977
And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

Amplified Bible
And they swarmed up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints (God’s people) and the beloved city [Jerusalem]; but fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

Christian Standard Bible
They came up across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They came up over the surface of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

American Standard Version
And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them.

Contemporary English Version
and they will march all the way across the earth. They will surround the camp of God's people and the city God loves. But fire will come down from heaven and destroy the whole army.

English Revised Version
And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[I saw that] they spread over the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's holy people and the beloved city. Fire came from heaven and burned them up.

Good News Translation
They spread out over the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people and the city that he loves. But fire came down from heaven and destroyed them.

International Standard Version
They marched over the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. Fire came from God out of heaven and burned them up,

Majority Standard Bible
And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from God out of heaven and consumed them.

NET Bible
They went up on the broad plain of the earth and encircled the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and devoured them completely.

New Heart English Bible
They went up over the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city, and fire came down out of heaven and devoured them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Weymouth New Testament
And they went up over the whole breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of God's people and the beloved city. But fire came down from Heaven and consumed them;

World English Bible
They went up over the width of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from God and devoured them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they went up over the breadth of the land, and surrounded the camp of the holy ones, and the beloved city, and there came down fire from God out of Heaven, and devoured them;

Berean Literal Bible
And they marched up over the breadth of the earth and encircled the camp of the saints and the city having been beloved. But fire came down out of heaven and devoured them.

Young's Literal Translation
and they did go up over the breadth of the land, and did surround the camp of the saints, and the beloved city, and there came down fire from God out of the heaven, and devoured them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they went up upon the breadth of the earth, and they surrounded the camp of the holy, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there came down fire from God out of heaven, and devoured them; and the devil, who seduced them, was cast into the pool of fire and brimstone, where both the beast

Catholic Public Domain Version
And fire from God descended from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who seduced them, was cast into the pool of fire and sulphur,

New American Bible
They invaded the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

New Revised Standard Version
They marched up over the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from heaven and consumed them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they went up on a broad plain, and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven and consumed them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they went to war upon an open place of The Earth and surrounded the city of the camp of The Holy People and of The Beloved City, and fire descended from Heaven from God and consumed them.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven from God, and devoured them.

Godbey New Testament
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed about the camp of the saints, even the city which is beloved: and fire came down out of the heaven, and devoured them;

Haweis New Testament
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and encircled the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: and there came down fire from God out of heaven, and devoured them up.

Mace New Testament
they will spread on the surface of the earth, and encompass the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: and fire shall descend from God out of heaven, and devour them.

Weymouth New Testament
And they went up over the whole breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of God's people and the beloved city. But fire came down from Heaven and consumed them;

Worrell New Testament
And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city; and fire came down out of the heaven, and devoured them.

Worsley New Testament
And they overspread the surface of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: but fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Satan Cast into the Lake of Fire
8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore. 9And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them. 10And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 38:22
I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

Ezekiel 38:9
You and all your troops, and many peoples with you will go up, advancing like a thunderstorm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.

Ezekiel 39:6
I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the LORD.

2 Kings 1:10-12
Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” / Again Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men.

Luke 17:29
But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

Genesis 19:24
Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens.

Hebrews 12:29
“For our God is a consuming fire.”

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Isaiah 66:15-16
For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. / For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.

Psalm 97:3
Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.

Isaiah 29:6
you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with windstorm and tempest and consuming flame of fire.

Isaiah 30:30
And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones.

2 Peter 3:7
And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:10
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.

Malachi 4:1
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”


Treasury of Scripture

And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

went.

Isaiah 8:7,8
Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: …

Ezekiel 38:9,16
Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee…

Habakkuk 1:6
For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.

and compassed.

2 Kings 6:15
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

Micah 2:13
The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

Matthew 16:16-18
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God…

the camp.

Psalm 48:1-3
A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness…

Psalm 74:2-4
Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt…

Psalm 125:1,2
A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever…

and fire.

Revelation 11:5
And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

Revelation 13:13
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Genesis 19:24
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Jump to Previous
Beloved Breadth Broad Camp Circle City Compassed Consumed Destruction Devoured Earth Encampment Encompassed Face Fire God's Heaven Loves Plain Saints Surround Surrounded Tents Whole
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Beloved Breadth Broad Camp Circle City Compassed Consumed Destruction Devoured Earth Encampment Encompassed Face Fire God's Heaven Loves Plain Saints Surround Surrounded Tents Whole
Revelation 20
1. Satan bound for a thousand years.
6. The first resurrection;
7. Satan let loose again.
8. Gog and Magog.
10. The demons cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.
11. The last and general resurrection.














And they marched
The phrase "and they marched" indicates a deliberate and organized movement. The Greek word used here is "ἀνέβησαν" (anebēsan), which conveys the idea of ascending or going up. This suggests a determined advance, possibly reflecting the final rebellion against God. Historically, this can be seen as the culmination of human defiance, echoing the organized opposition seen throughout biblical history, such as the Tower of Babel or the armies against Israel.

across the broad expanse of the earth
The "broad expanse of the earth" signifies the vastness of the rebellion. The Greek term "πλάτος" (platos) refers to width or breadth, emphasizing the widespread nature of this uprising. This imagery recalls the global scope of humanity's rebellion against God, reminiscent of the days of Noah when wickedness was pervasive. It serves as a reminder of the persistent nature of sin and the ultimate need for divine intervention.

and surrounded the camp of the saints
"Surrounded the camp of the saints" highlights the strategic and hostile intent of the forces of evil. The word "παρεμβολήν" (parembolēn) refers to a military encampment, suggesting a siege-like scenario. Historically, the "saints" have often been under threat, from the Israelites in the Old Testament to the early Christians facing persecution. This phrase reassures believers that, despite appearances, God is aware and in control of the situation.

and the beloved city
The "beloved city" is traditionally understood as Jerusalem, a city with profound biblical significance. The Greek word "ἠγαπημένην" (ēgapēmenēn) denotes deep affection, reflecting God's enduring love for His chosen people and the city that symbolizes His covenant. Jerusalem has been central to God's redemptive plan, from the reign of King David to the ministry of Jesus, and it remains a focal point in eschatological prophecies.

But fire came down from heaven
"But fire came down from heaven" signifies divine judgment and intervention. The imagery of fire is often associated with God's holiness and purifying judgment, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah or Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal. The Greek "πῦρ" (pyr) underscores the sudden and overwhelming nature of God's response, affirming His sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will.

and consumed them
The phrase "and consumed them" indicates total and decisive destruction. The Greek word "κατέφαγεν" (katephagen) means to devour or consume completely, leaving no trace. This final act of judgment underscores the ultimate victory of God over evil, fulfilling the promises of Scripture that righteousness will prevail. It serves as a powerful reminder of the hope and assurance believers have in God's ultimate plan for redemption and justice.

(9) And they went up on the breadth of the earth.--The hostile multitudes spread like swarms over the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. Jerusalem is the beloved city--in it was the Mount Zion which God loved (Psalm 78:68). It is the figure of the true spiritual Zion and Jerusalem which has been faithful to her king. The beloved city has its camp; it is ready for war. It has waged its spiritual warfare against all forms of evil, Its citizens, like the returned exiles (Nehemiah 4:17-18), could never lay down the sword (comp. Ephesians 6:10; John 2:14; John 5:4); but the hostile demonstration is arrested by divine intervention. There came down fire out of the heaven (the words "from God" are of doubtful authority) and devoured them. The Shechinah light tabernacled over the holy city. Its light was also a flame ready to break forth upon the wicked. (Comp. Revelation 1:14; Revelation 7:15, Note; Hebrews 12:29; 2Thessalonians 1:6-10.) There may be allusion to the overthrow of the cities of the plains (Genesis 19:24), but other incidents may have been in the prophet's mind: the fire which fell from heaven upon the enemies of an earlier prophet, Elijah (2Kings 1:9-14), and the fire which broke forth from the tabernacle in the wilderness upon those who defied the laws of the God of Israel (Numbers 16:16-17; Numbers 16:35; Leviticus 10:1-2). It must be remembered that, in the passage before us, the prophet is using the incidents and actions of the past as imagery, and that the present vision is figurative, though of course not mere empty figure: for Christ will thoroughly purge His floor (Matthew 3:12). . . . Verse 9. - And they went up on the breadth cf the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city; over the breadth. "They went up" as an army to attack the enemy (cf. Judges 1:1). Either we must render the camp... even the beloved city, or else we must understand the camp as a defensive outpost placed around or near the city. In Acts 21:34 the same word is rendered "castle." "The beloved city" is evidently Jerusalem (of Psalm 78:68), that is, the Church of God, of which it is always a type in the Apocalypse (cf. Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2, 10). The description plainly portrays the Church militant here on earth. And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. "From God" is omitted in A, a few cursives, and Primasius, but appears in א, B, P, l, 7, and most cursives and versions; but these authorities vary in the position of the added clause. So in Revelation 11. fire devours the enemies of the two witnesses. This sentence is introduced in connection with the description of Gog and Magog, following the account of Ezekiel, where the same punishment is foretold (see Ezekiel 38:22; Ezekiel 39:6). It is probable, therefore, that nothing more definite is intended than to convey the general idea that God aids and protects his Church even while on earth. He, as it were, gives the enemies of his people a foretaste, while here on earth, of their future punishment of the lake of fire (see also on the seal visions).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they marched across
ἀνέβησαν (anebēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

broad expanse
πλάτος (platos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4114: Breadth. From platus; width.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

surrounded
ἐκύκλευσαν (ekykleusan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2944: To encircle, besiege, surround. From the same as kukloi; to encircle, i.e. Surround.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

camp
παρεμβολὴν (parembolēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3925: From a compound of para and emballo; a throwing in beside, i.e., battle-array, encampment or barracks.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

saints
ἁγίων (hagiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

beloved
ἠγαπημένην (ēgapēmenēn)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

city.
πόλιν (polin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

But
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

fire
πῦρ (pyr)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4442: Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'.

came down
κατέβη (katebē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2597: To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

heaven
οὐρανοῦ (ouranou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

consumed
κατέφαγεν (katephagen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2719: To eat up, eat till it is finished, devour, squander, annoy, injure. From kata and esthio; to eat down, i.e. Devour.

them.
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 20:9 They went up over the breadth (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 20:8
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