Revelation 20:11 – 21:8 – Lesson 26

 

 Revelation 20:11-15 – Great White Throne Judgment

At the end of the Millennial the Great White Throne Judgment will take place.  It will be the time of judgment for all humans throughout history who have died in their sins.  This will be the final judgment of the human race, but Christians need not fear because, “That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Rom. 10:9

John saw Jesus sitting on the great white throne.  White symbolizes the purity of the One who sits on it.  We know it’s Jesus because John 5:10 tells us, “the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.”  The earth and sky as we know it did not exist.  He saw every person from the great to the rich to the poor who had died standing before the throne.  The books were opened.  These books contained a record of the resurrected dead who were not saved – their every thought, word and deed.  Jesus judged each person according to His records in the books.  This might mean there are different degrees of hell.  Everyone who didn’t accept Jesus will have to account for their deeds.  All the dead people and those who had gone to Hades were judged and thrown into the Lake of Fire.  The Lake of Fire is the 2^nd death.  This is a place of eternal punishment.  Another book was opened, which is the book of life.  Those whose names are not written in the Book of life will go into the lake of fire.  Those whose names are in the book will not go into the Lake of Fire, because these are God’s people – all believers.  They believe in Jesus and will not suffer for their sins.  Jesus had already taken away their sins when He died on the cross.  God has raised them to eternal life to be with Him forever. (Rev. 20:11-15)

Believers will be judged according to their deeds at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Some believe this will occur in heaven between the Rapture of the church and Christ’s return.  Some believe it will occur during the tribulation and will have already occurred prior to the Tribulation judgments being poured out upon the earth.  Matthew 16:27 tell us it will take place after His return the earth.  Revelation 22:12 tells us it will take place after the Rapture of the church.  We know this judgment had already happened because it is represented in Revelation 4 when faithful believers throughout history lay their crowns down before the throne and worship the Lord.  Believers will not be judged for sin at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Every sin of every believer was judged at the  cross.  Jesus had already taken away their sins when He died on the cross.  God has raised them to eternal life to be with Him forever.

Do not make that terrible mistake by not accepting Jesus as your Savior.  Place your faith in Him and ask Him to forgive your sins.  Be ready when He returns with your name in the Book of life.  Believe, repent and be baptized.  Do not put it off!  Tomorrow may be too late.

What can you do to be saved and be sure your name is in the Book of Life? 

Admit you are a sinner – Rom.3:23, 6:23     

Confess Jesus is Lord – Rom. 10:9-10     

Repent of your sins – Luke 13:5    

Believe in Jesus – John 3:16; 14:6      

Then be baptized in obedience as a public testimony.  

Then to promote spiritual growth join with other Christians in a church, pray, read the Bible, and witness.

The second death is the resurrection to dead.  This happens when the millennium is over.  These are unbelievers who will be raised for eternal punishment in the lake of fire.  Romans 8:1-4 tell us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Him the law of the Spirit of life has set believers free.

Principle:  Unbelievers stand before the Great White Throne Judgment and believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Revelation 21:1-8 – New Jerusalem

This chapter describes the New Jerusalem following the Millennium and the final judgment.

Heaven and earth are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth.  This has to happen in order to get rid of sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death.  Everything will be cleansed from all sin and ready for God’s people.  Everything is made new!  Earth had been the domain of Satan and now is purified so God can come down to the new earth.  It will be like the Garden of Eden. 

John saw a new heaven and a new earth.  The 1^st earth and the 1^st heaven were now gone.  Even the sea was gone.  2 Peter 3:13 says the earth will be destroyed by fire.  It will be consumed, destroyed, and completely forgotten.  Why then do we try to build riches of houses, cars, large bank accounts?  Nothing on earth is going to survive this fire.

Then John saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven.  This city is called holy because everyone who in it is holy.  It is Christ’s Kingdom.  John heard a loud voice saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Rev. 21:1-4   

New Jerusalem comes down from heaven to us just like Jesus came down to earth to us.  God desires to dwell with us ever since the garden.  God dwelt with His people in the Old Testament in a sanctuary called the Tabernacle.  Now that Jesus has come and died for us, He dwells with us through His Holy Spirit.  In the New Jerusalem God will dwell with us continually and believers will literally see Him as He is.  All sin will be gone and all tears, pain, sorrow, fear, and death will be removed.  God repairs creation and re-creates it for His children.  There will be eternal life there for all believers.  God’s dwelling with His people is His grand plan of redemption, which He has stated throughout the Bible.

John was told by God to write these words because they are trustworthy and true.  God said, “I am making everything new!” – Rev. 21:5  Everything that He said will happen.  God has completed His final work.  He completed creation in Genesis (Genesis 2:3).  He completed His work on the cross (John 19:30).  Now His has completed His plan for renewing creation.  “It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” – Revelation 21:6.  His plan is complete.  He leaves nothing unfinished.

Alpha and Omega are the A to Z in the Greek alphabet meaning He is the first and the last.  The water of life is free.  People today are thirsting for so many things that won’t give them fulfillment – like money possessions and even relationships.  Only Jesus can give you satisfaction to never thirst for anything again.  All you need to do is ask God to deepen your thirst for Him.  Then He will fill your life with satisfaction and joy.

The overcomers will inherit all this, but the unbelieving have their place in the fiery lake, the 2^nd death. (Rev. 21:7-8)  There are 2 kinds of people – believers and unbelievers.  They experience 2 different lifestyles on earth and go to 2 different eternal destinies.  Believers go to eternal life.  Unbelievers will experience the 2^nd death - the lake of fire, because they are vile, murderers, sexually immoral, practice magic arts, idolaters, and liars as described in verse 8.  Those whose lives are characterized by such things are evidence they are not saved and will not enter the heavenly city.  All who prefer sin to Jesus Christ are assured of the 2^nd death.

Principle:  To restore His creation, God must rid the world of sin; He will judge sin and live with His people forever.

Next week we will continue the study of Revelation 21 and also study Revelation 22.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Revelation 20:1-10 – Lesson 25

 

Revelation 20:1-6 – The Thousand Year Millennium         

John saw an angel coming down from heaven.  This angel had power given to him by God.  He had the key to the Abyss and a great chain in his hand.  He seized the dragon, Satan and bound him for 1,000 years.  The angel threw Satan into the Abyss and locked and sealed it to keep him from deceiving the nations until the 1,000 years ended.  There he will have no power.  Then Satan will be released for only a short time. (Rev. 20:1-3)  The Abyss is the place where demons live and the place where they wait for God’s punishment. 

This shows God’s sovereignty and authority over the all things – heaven, earth, humanity and Satan and his demons.  God can do what He wants, to who He wants because He is the Creator of all and everything is under His control.

What the Scriptures say about Satan ….

John 8:42-45 – He is a liar, a father of lies, and a murderer.

2 Corinthians 4:4 – He blinds the eyes of unbelievers.

1 Peter 5:8 – He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Why would God release Satan?  This is one of the mysteries of God.  First of all let’s not forget it’s God’s plan.  Perhaps it is to show the depravity of the human heart and how easily we can be deceived.  It proves beyond any doubt the sinfulness of man and that we all need a Savior.  Satan will come out to seduce the nations.  He will muster them for war.  Remember during the Millennium people will be living as usual – marrying and having children.  Men will still have a sinful nature.  They will have a choice to follow Jesus or not.  God has always allowed people to choose between good and evil.  This time will be no different.  Many will respond to Satan’s intrigue and reject God.

Then John saw those who had been given authority to judge sitting on thrones.  He saw souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and the Word of God.  These are those who lived during the Great Tribulation and had not worshiped the beast or his image or received his mark.  They will come to life and reigned with Christ for 1,000 years.  This is the 1^st resurrection.  The 2^nd death has no power over them.  The rest of the dead will not come to life until the 1,000 years has ended.  That will be the 2^nd resurrection, the 2^nd death.  (Rev. 20:4-6)  (Note:  Remember believers before the tribulation began were already raptured.)

Believers who take part in the 1^st resurrection are “blessed and holy” because they are saved from the 2^nd death, which is the Lake of Fire.  They are safe and will live with Jesus always.  God will judge the rest of the people after the 1,000 years.  During the 1,000 years many people will have not believed and trusted God and they, too will die the 2^nd death going into the Lake of Fire.

What is the 1^st resurrection?  This is the resurrection to life.  This is when all believers - the church, Old Testament and Tribulation saints will be raised to life.  They will reign with Christ during the 1,000 year millennium and for eternity in heaven with Jesus.  Unbelievers will have no part in this resurrection.

What is the 2^nd resurrection or 2^nd Death?  This is the resurrection to death.  This happens when the millennium is over.  These are unbelievers who will be raised for eternal punishment in the lake of fire.

What is the Millennium?  Some believe this is not a literal 1,000 years, but I believe it is.  The 1,000 years is used 6 times in Revelation 20:2-7.  If it wasn’t a literal 1,000 years, then God would have said so.  It is 1,000 years when Christ will reign as God’s promise is fulfilled.  He will rule the world with the saints of all ages – Old and New Testament saints, Tribulation saints, and the church.  All evil is gone.  Satan will be locked away and cannot influence anyone.  It will be a time of peace and tranquility.

Revelation 20:7-10 – Satan’s Doom

Satan has been actively deceiving people since the Garden of Eden.  He deceived Adam and Eve and all humanity fell into a sinful nature.  He even tried to tempt Jesus.  He prowls around looking for people to devour.  He tries anything he can to defeat God and His purposes.  He is a master deceiver, a liar, and a murderer.  But God will restrain Satan showing his power is limited by the mighty hand of God.

Satan’s character will have not changed in the 1,000 years.  When the 1,000 years are over, Satan will be released from his prison only for a short time and will again try to deceive people of all the nations as he has always done.  He will cause nations from the four corners of the earth (Gog and Magog) to come together for war.  They will surround the city God loves.  That city is Jerusalem.  When Satan thinks he has won, fire will come down from heaven and devour them.  The Satan will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur (Lake of Fire) joining the beast and the false prophet.  They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev. 20:7-10)

Why would Satan and his rebels continue to fight the Kingdom of God?  Doesn’t Satan know God will win?  It is because he is full of pride and this pride has blinded him.  Sin is deceptive and deception is Satan’s very nature.  Human nature is also prideful, which is the worst sin and is the most evil of all sins.

People run from God because they love the world and they like their sin too much.  They are comfortable in their sin.  They put other things before Him.  They take their children to soccer games on Sunday instead of taking them to church, go to R and X rated movies, drink and party, and think only of themselves.  They don’t read their Bible or pray.

You can protect yourself from Satan’s deceptions by reading and studying the Bible regularly, staying on your knees in prayer and asking God to help you to stand firm, strong, faithful, and obedient to Him.

Can you imagine a life where there is no Satan?  He can’t temp anyone.  Remember there are 3 types of people who will populate the Millennium – Christians who have been raptured, Old Testament and New Testament saints, and believers who naturally survived the Battle of Armageddon.  These natural believers will live and have children and life will go on as it does today.  Their children will have to be taught about Jesus and many will not accept Him even though He will constantly be with them.  Because the nature of man is wicked, many of these children will rebel.  The earth will be filled with many people just like it is today.  There will be believers and unbelievers.

Principles: 

All history is controlled from Heaven.

Jesus will reign as King forever.

God’s promises are clear and His fulfillment is certain.

God remembers those who paid for truth.

If anyone’s name is not found in the book of life, he will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Next week we will finish the study in Revelation 20 and also study Revelation 21 where we will learn about the New Jerusalem. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Revelation 19 – Lesson 24

 

Last time we saw the destruction of Babylon.  Now John is hearing a great multitude in heaven shouting their praises to God.   Then in his vision he sees the long-awaited second coming of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 19:1-10 – Praises in Heaven           

In Revelation 19:1 we see salvation and glory and power belong to God.  Salvation can only be found in Him because He delivered us from sin and eternal hell.  It is God who will bring us glory.  By His power He created the world and by His power only He can bring it to a meaningful conclusion.

In the opening verses we see several attributes of God.  He is powerful, true, and just.  “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments.”  There was a celebration because God destroyed Babylon punishing her with the punishment she deserved.  Babylon’s destruction was final and will never be built again.  (Rev. 18:21; 19:1-3)  This is heaven’s response to the judgment of the great harlot, Babylon.  The multitude is praising God for the judgment.  These are probably angels, because the saints are not told to praise God until verse 4.

God’s judgments are always absolutely fair.  He is to be worshipped because He is just and He will judge every evil empire and avenge the blood of the martyrs.  He will do this through Jesus.  Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords. 

The 24 elders and the 4 living creatures fell down and worshiped and called for all the believers including Old Testament saints, the church age saints and the Tribulation saints to give praise to God. (Rev. 19:4-5)

This should influence and change our worship.  God is in control and He keeps His promises.  Good will triumph at the end.  We should be extremely thankful and celebrate and honor God.

The praise continues and calls for the marriage of the Lamb.  “Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” – Rev. 19:6-8  The group praising God is so loud that it sounds like rushing waters and thunder.  They continue rejoicing and praising God for the marriage of the Lamb has come.  The fine clean white linen represents the righteous acts of the saints.

The marriage is the eternal union of the church with Christ.  The bride is the church universal.  She has made herself ready for her wedding.  Jesus loved the church and gave Himself for her by His death on the cross.  The marriage of Jesus and His church will be complete and there will be a great wedding meal.  She is given the dress to wear, salvation.  She has not earned it, but she has obeyed the Lord and has done what was right.

The angel told John, “Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb… These are the true words of God.” – Rev. 19:9  No one can earn the right to go the wedding meal - only those whom God invites.  Some believe those invited are Israel who will turn to Christ during the Tribulation. (Rom. 11:25-27)

Passages that display the love of the Lord Jesus for His people:

John 14:15-21 – He sent His Spirit to be with us.

John 15:9-17 – He chose us.

2 Corinthians 11:2 – He has a godly jealous for us wanting us to be pure.

Ephesians 5:25-33 – He loves us so much that He died for us.

The church is the bride of the Lamb, the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

John was so impressed with the angel that the fell to his feet to worship him, but the angel told him not to.  Angels are servants of God and so are all Christians.  We should only worship God. (Rev. 19:10)

Principle:  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

Revelation 19:11-21 – The Rider on the White Horse

John saw heaven standing open.  He saw a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True and with justice he judges and makes war.  The rider is God the Son, Jesus.  These names reflect His character; He is always faithful to His promises and always speaks the truth.  He comes to make war with Satan and his armies and to judge all on the earth.  This is the Battle of Armageddon.  Jesus will come for all to see and with a large heavenly army.  His eyes were like fire and he had many crowns with a name on Him that no one knows but He himself.  He’s dressed in a bloody robe and His name is the Word of God.  Some believe the bloody robe is the blood of Jesus from His death on the cross.  Others believe this blood is the picture of judgment - the blood of the slaughtered enemies. (Isaiah 63:1-6)  Armies of heaven followed Him on white horses.  This army is the redeemed saints.  They were dressed in fine, white, and clean linen because they have overcome the devil.  His mouth had a sharp sword to strike the nations.  He will rule with an iron scepter – meaning His law is absolute and unwavering and He will never change.  He will tread the winepress of God’s wrath.  On  His robe and on His thigh is written “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. (Rev. 19:11-16) 

Details of His coming are found in Matt. 24.  He will come as fast as lightning and He will come immediately after the Great Tribulation.  The sun is darkened and moon will not give light, stars will fall, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.  He will be coming on the clouds with great power and glory.  A great trumpet will sound announcing His coming. 

The armies are probably the raptured church, angels, the church, Old Testament saints, and the Tribulation saints.  All will share in the victory.  This war is the Battle of Armageddon John described in Rev. 16.

Then John saw an angel standing in the sun calling to the birds in the air, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” – Rev. 19:17-18.  The angel is inviting the birds to feed on the results of what will shortly take place.  Christ’s victory is declared before it ever begins.  When this battle is over, the great supper will take place.  Actually there won’t be a war at all as we think of war.  It will be over immediately. 

Then he saw the beast (the Antichrist), the kings and their armies gathered together to make war against the God and His armies.  But the beast and the false prophet were captured.  They were thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  The rest were killed by the rider (Jesus) and the birds ate their flesh. (Rev. 19:19-21)

The beast and the false prophet were used by Satan to perform his evil deeds.  They were vile and evil and they will get what they deserve by being sent to the Lake of Fire or Hell.  Satan will join them, but only for 1,000 years.  Then Satan will be released for a short while.  Then he will join the beast, the false prophet and all unbelievers for all eternity.  We will see this described in Rev. 20. 

Principles: 

Jesus will conquer His enemies and claim His people as His bride.

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords!

Hallelujah!  What an exciting chapter.  All corrupt religious and political systems that are controlled by Satan’s power will not last.  They will come to an end.  Until then God’s people will continue to give Him praises, because He governs destiny.  The Lamb will be triumphant!

Next week we will study Revelation 20.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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