Revelation 19:20; And The Beast Was Taken

Revelation 19:20 (KJV)  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 

The outcome of the struggle is never in doubt – And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 

The prophet includes no description of the course of the battle and no indication of any effective resistance. He simply notes that the Lamb and His forces seizes the beast and the false prophet and throw them into the lake of fire (Swete, Johnson).

The agents for casting the two to their fiery destiny is unnamed, but presumably it is He with whom they came to do battle.

Stern treatment of the beast requires no further justification, but in case someone has forgotten, the false prophet is the one “that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image”.

His miraculous signs in promotion of beast worship explain why he received the same treatment as the beast (Lee, Beckwith). This is language that repeats elements of Revelation 13:13-17.

Revelation 13:13-17 (KJV)  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 

He could deceive only those who agreed to accept the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16; 14:9-11; 16:2; 20:4) and who worship the beast’s image (Revelation 13:15), but this was not enough to assure his destiny of doom alongside the beast.

Revelation 13:16 (KJV)  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 

Revelation 14:9-11 (KJV)  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 

Revelation 16:2 (KJV)  And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. 

Revelation 20:4 (KJV)  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 396-397]