Revelation 20

Revelation 20:1-6 – The Thousand Year Millennium         

John saw an angel coming down from heaven.  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 him into the Abyss and locked and sealed it to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore 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 to punish them. 

Why would God release Satan?  First of all 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. 

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.  Those 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.

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.  They had not worshiped the beast or his image or received his mark.  They came 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)

Believers will not suffer 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.  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 is locked away and cannot influence anyone.  It will be a time of peace and tranquility. 

Have you trusted in Jesus?

Do you know where you will spend eternity?

What does reigning with Jesus mean to you?

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 restrained 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.  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?  Pride is the worst and most evil of all sins and this pride has blinded Satan.  Sin is deceptive and deception is Satan’s very nature. 

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, “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 God sitting on a great white throne.  The earth and heaven had disappeared.  The earth and sky as we know it did not exist.  He saw every person who had died standing before the throne.  The books were opened.  These books contained a record of each person’s life – their every thought, word and deed.  God judged each person according to His records in the books.  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.  Those whose names are written in the book of life will not go into the lake of fire, because these are God’s people.  They believe in Jesus and would 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)

Will you experienced the 2^nd death or is your name in the book of life?

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?

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

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

3.      Repent of your sins – Luke 13:5

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

5.      Then be baptized in obedience as a public testimony.

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

Here is an example of a prayer you might pray:

Heavenly Father,

I come to you in prayer asking for forgiveness of my sins.  I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, and that He died on the cross that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in heaven.  Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come into my life and be my personal Lord and Savior.  I repent of my sins and will worship you all the days of my life!  Because your Word is truth, I believe that I am now born again and cleansed by the blood of Jesus! 

In Jesus Name, Amen!

Congratulation!  If you prayed this and believed this with all you heart, you are now a member of God’s family and will spend eternity with Him.  The Christian life is not easy.  There will be hard times, but God will be with you.  There will be times you will sin and not live up to how God’s wants, but remember no one but Jesus is perfect.  Christianity is a process and you won’t get there overnight.  Just stay in His Word and keep praying and trusting in God.

Next week we will study Revelation 21 where we will learn about the New Jerusalem.  Hope to see you here.

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Revelation 19 - Hallelujah!

      

Last time we saw the destruction of Babylon.  Now John is hearing a great multitude in heaven shouting their praises to God.   “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments.” – Rev. 19:1.  God destroyed Babylon punishing her with the punishment she deserved.  Babylon’s destruction was final and will never be built again.  (Rev. 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 5.

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.  Those who believe in Jesus will judgment because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

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)

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 done what is 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)

How does your praise anticipate Jesus’ return?

Are you prepared for the wedding supper of the Lamb?

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 Christians.  He should only worship God. (Rev. 19:10)

John saw heaven 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.  He is always faithful to His promises and always speaks the truth.  He comes to make war with Satan and his armies and judge all on the earth.  This is the Battle of Armageddon.  Jesus will come for all to see and with a large group.  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 Jesus’ blood He shed 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) 

Is Jesus your King of kings and Lord of lords? 

If not, will you surrender to Him now before it’s too late?

How do you see Jesus as Faithful and True?

Notice that Jesus will return in a very public way.  The fact that “Faithful and True” are capitalized lets us know that this is the Lord Jesus Christ who has been made Lord of Lords and King of kings.  He is the Judge and is always faithful to His promises and He always speaks the truth.  His every word is true and without error.  He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” in John 14:6.

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 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.  

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 governs destiny.  The Lamb will be triumphant!

Next week we will study Revelation 20.  Hope to see you here.

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Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon

John sees another angel coming down from heaven.  He had great authority and the earth lights up with his glory.  He was probably always with God since the glory of God shines and is absorbed by those around Him.  (Rev. 18:1)  Remember when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai.  He came down from the mountain and his face was shining from being in the presence of God.  When we spend time with God, we shine as well.

 

The angel shouted “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!” – Rev. 18:2a  He said the city has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of unclean spirits and detestable birds.  Every nation is influenced by Babylon.  Every merchant grew rich from her excessive luxuries.  (Rev. 18:2b-3)

Who or what is Babylon?  In the last sentence of chapter 17 it tell us that the woman that John saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.  In John’s time that city was Rome.  Rome was an enemy of God and persecuted many Christians.  Babylon represents any evil city, nation, place or even government systems.  It has great influence over people with material possessions, luxuries, wealth and the worship of anything other than God.

There are consequences for making riches and luxuries the top priority in life.  The more you have the more it seems you want.  You never seem to be satisfied.  You become greedy and self-centered.  You tend to forget God and what He’s done for you.  He is not the center of your life.  Wealth and possessions are your number one priority.  The Bible warns against this.  “Set your hearts on the things above, not on earthly things.” - Col. 3:1-2  “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matt. 6:20-21

Then John heard another voice from heaven calling for believers to come out of Babylon.  He is also giving another chance for unbelievers to repent and turn to Him.  He is a God of second chances.  God wanted them to separate themselves from Satan’s kingdom.  (Rev. 18:4)  Babylon had so many sins that they were piled up to heaven.  God remembered her crimes and will give her a double portion of judgment.  (Rev. 18:5-8) 

It’s sad and hard to believe that there are believers still living in Babylon.  God want His people to physically leave the city and to separate themselves from the evil worldly practices.  God will not destroy the righteous with the wicked.  It’s like Lot living in Sodom.  God called him out of the city before He destroyed it.

Are you living in a commercial Babylon? 

Is God instructing you to come out of your materialism, commercialism, or immorality?

Are you pursuing righteousness and godliness?

How are you pursuing a higher standard than that of the world?

God is going to pay Babylon back double her deeds.  Babylon boasts that she is a queen not a widow and will never mourn.  She would not repent of her sins.  Her heart was hard.  God will destroy her.  He will bring plagues, pestilence, mourning, famine and fire upon her.  (Rev. 18:7-8)

The kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury and sin will be sorrowful over the fall of Babylon.  Why?  It won’t be for the city, but for themselves.  They will be bankrupt.  Their so called good life will come to an end.  They will have lost their trade and profit.  No one will buy or sell any more.  The merchants, sea captains and sailors will mourn.  No more cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones, fine linens, spices, wines, and oil.  They would suffer as Babylon suffered.  She will all be destroyed in 1 hour.   They will all weep and mourn over her. (Rev. 18:9-19)

Heaven rejoices over the fall of Babylon.  They rejoice because finally God judged them and put an end to sin once and for all time.  Evil will be gone forever!  “Rejoice over her, O heaven!  Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets!  God has judged her for the way she treated you.” – Rev. 18:20

Are you a believer in Jesus?  If so, rejoice!  He has chosen you out of the world.

Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder and threw it into the sea.  The stone sank with a great splash and with such force that destroyed Babylon.  No one will ever see that city again.  Babylon fought against God and God punished her severely.  (Rev. 18:21-24)

Babylon’s evil empire is now dead.  God’s people will live forever, because God promised if they believe in Jesus they will have eternal life.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

Does God’s mercy and justice give you peace or worry?

What will you do about it, rejoice or repent?

 Next week we will study Revelation 19.  Hope to see you here.

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