Satan Shall Be Loosed!

If you have ever heard the saying, "Out of the frying pan and into the fire," then you know exactly how this article unfolds. God gives Satan a get out of jail free card and Satan rounds up his crew to lead a worldwide rebellion. As they situated themselves to attach The Lord Jesus' headquarters in Jerusalem, God rains down fire and brimstone and destroys them all. As a result the unsaved dead and Satan end up in the Lake of Fire! Incredible right! Oops...maybe I am getting a little ahead of myself!
This is a continuation of two other posts, "Christ's Kingdom Will Come," and "Reigning With King Jesus Christ." This is part three in the continuing exposition of Revelation chapter twenty.

III. Satan Leads a Rebellion After the Millennial Age (Rev. 20:7-10).

Satan will revolt after his release from the bottomless pit.

A.  THE MASTER OF THE REBELLION (REV. 20:7).  “Satan shall be loosed”

     1.  At the Close of the Millennium, Satan Will Be Released from the Pit.

But, why Satan specifically?

         A.  He will be permitted to lead one last revolt against the Lord. 

         B.  He is loosed to bring cohesive leadership to the world of rebels born to the believers who entered the kingdom at the beginning.

         C.  He is loosed to reveal the character of Christ-rejecting sinners who are brought into judgment for the last time ever.

     2.  This Action Demonstrates That Satan Will Not Repent.

After the Millennium, Satan will be released from the bottomless pit and will make one final desperate attempt to dethrone God but will be utterly defeated and thrown forever into the lake of fire.

B.  THE MANIPULATION OF THE REBELS (REV. 20:8).  “Shall go out to deceive the nations”

     1.  Immediately, Satan Will Deceive the Nations at the Four Corners of the Earth. (Rev. 20:8)

The children born during the kingdom age and after the battle of Armageddon lived throughout the thousand-year reign of Christ, but as soon as Satan is set free, they will be deceived and ready to gather for battle.

         A.  He Will Use Deception to Manipulate Them.

                1.  Deception is Satan’s primary mission and method (Rev. 12 to 18, in particular Rev. 12:9; 13:14; 19:20; 20:3, 10).  No sooner is Satan let loose, than he again begins deceiving the nations, and stirring them up to make war with the saints and servants of God.

John 8:44, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

               2.  It would be good if the servants and ministers of Christ were as active and persevering in doing good, as his enemies in doing mischief.

         B.  He Will Use Temptations to Manipulate Them. (Rev. 20:8)

The popular phrase, “The devil made me do it” is not actually true.  Actually this excuse has been around since Eve.

              1.  The truth of God's Word is that the devil has never made any person do anything contrary to his or her will.

              2.  The devil is a deceiver and the father of lies. But the devil's only power over people is through manipulation and deceit.

              3.  If he could actually make us do things, he wouldn't need to go to the trouble of deceiving us!

              4.  If Satan could make us sin, the temptation process would be unnecessary.  Let it suffice that we conclude that the devil cannot make us do anything.

2 Cor. 11:3,  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

     2.  This Shows That People Will Rebel Against God If Given Opportunity.  (Rev. 20:8)

No matter how long or how many chances they are given to repent, it makes no difference at all.

          A.  QUOTE: “Imagine the tragedy of this revolt: people who have been living in a perfect environment, under the perfect government of God's Son, will finally admit the truth and rebel against the King!”   — W. W. Wiersbe

          B.  QUOTE: “A thousand years of confinement does not alter Satan's plans, nor does a thousand years of freedom from the influence of wickedness change man's basic tendency to rebel against his Creator. . . . Neither the designs of Satan nor the waywardness of the human heart will be altered by the mere passing of time.” — Robert Mounce 

     3.  Why? As Final Proof That the Heart of Man Is Desperately Wicked. (Rev. 20:8)

Mankind can only be changed by God's grace.

           — QUOTE: “The phrase total depravity . . . declares that no part of us is untouched by sin, and therefore no action of ours is as good as it should be, and consequently nothing in us or about us ever appears meritorious in God’s eyes. We cannot earn God’s favor, no matter what we do; unless grace saves us, we are lost.

Total depravity entails total inability, that is, the state of not having it in oneself to respond to God and his Word in a sincere and wholehearted way (John 6:44; Rom. 8:7-8). Paul calls this unresponsiveness of the fallen heart a state of death (Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13)”.  ^— Packer, J. I.

                — QUOTE:   “The understanding is darkened (Eph. 4:18; 1 Cor. 2:14); the heart is deceitful and wicked (Jer. 17:9, 10); the mind and conscience are defiled (Gen. 6:5; Titus 1:15); the flesh and spirit are defiled (2 Cor. 7:5); the will is enfeebled (Rom. 7:18); and we are utterly destitute of any Godlike qualities which meet the requirements of God’s holiness (Rom. 7:18).”   —William Evans

     4.  Rules, Regulation, Religion, Nor Environment Can Change the Human Heart. (Rev. 20:8)

This rebellion proves that a rule of perfect law cannot change the human heart; sinners would rather follow Satan.  The source of rebellion against God comes not from the environment or even from Satan himself but from within the human heart.

         A.  Sin Against God Is Going Beyond the Boundaries Established by God.

               — It is not only a behavioral problem, however—one rooted in attitudes, motives, actions, and patterns of conduct. It is a “nature” problem, an identity or “state of being” problem.

                — Man's sin nature is one of pride, greed, and total self-centeredness and self-will. Every person is born with this sin nature. Behavior is learned; our natural tendency to sin is not.

                — A sin nature is inherent, and it is inherent regardless of the spiritual condition of our parents. It is part of our inheritance as fallen human beings, the descendants of Adam and Eve.

         B.  Now, a Person Might Change His or Her Behavior as an Act of the Will.

But a person cannot change his or her basic sin nature, regardless of how much “willpower” is exerted. We are incapable of transforming our spirits or of altering the core of our spiritual being. We are born with a “sin condition” that only God can correct.

         C.  The Good News Is That While We Were in this Helpless, Ungodly State, God Sent His Son, Jesus!  He came to die for us so that we do not have to experience the consequence of our sin nature—which is separation and alienation from God. We can be transformed and made new in spirit.  (See Eph. 2:1–3; Rom. 5:6, 8, 10).

     5.  The Work of Satan and the Reaction of the Rebellious Nations Prove That Eternal Judgment is Necessary.  (See Rev. 20:11-15).

         A.  It Is No Coincidence That Satan and Fallen Unrepentant Mankind Around the World Rebel Before There Is a Final Judgment of Humanity.  Before mankind appears at the Great White Throne Judgment and is cast into an eternal Lake of Fire, God shows why it is necessary. 

         B.  Satan and Sinners Alike Prove That They Are Rebels to the Core and must Be Rejected from God’s Eternal Kingdom and Reign. (Rev. 20:8)

                    

C.  THE MULTITUDES OF THE REBELLION (REV. 20:8) “four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog . . . the number of whom is as the sands of the sea.”

   1.  The People.  (Rev. 20:8)  “The Nations”

Who are these who will follow Satan?

    

      A.  Those Believers’ Children Who Survive the Tribulation.

These believers will enter the Millennium in their natural bodies, and they will bear children and repopulate the earth (Isa. 65:18-25).

      B.  They Will Live in Ideal Circumstances in Which All Know about Jesus Christ (Jer. 31:33-34). 

Though many will outwardly profess faith in Christ without actually placing faith in Him for salvation.

      C.  Their Shallow Professions Will Become Apparent When Satan Is Released.

The multitudes who follow Satan are evidently those who have never been born again during the millennial kingdom.  

      D.  Rebellion is a matter of choice. The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, believe in Christ and be saved, or obey the devil, with his fail coup attempt. 

            — Truthfully the times will come for each of us to choose who or what will control us.

            — The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or Satan?

            — Once you have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day.

   2.  The Populations.   (Rev. 20:8) “in the four quarters of the earth . . . the number of whom is as the sand of the sea”

Satan’s release will produce a worldwide rebellion against the millennial reign of Christ. The armies will be so vast in numbers that they are said to be like the sand on the seashore.  Clearly we are referring to billions and billions of people.

   3. The Portrayal.    (Rev. 20:8) “Gog and Magog, to gather then together to battle”

Who are they?  The question has been raised as to whether this war is the same one discussed in Ezekiel 38-39, where Gog and Magog are also mentioned (Ezek. 38:2).

      

       A.  Whom They Are Not.

            1.  QUOTE: “This is not the battle of Gog and Magog, for that battle takes place about the end of the first half of the Tribulation (Ezek 38-39) and results in the Beast defeating both Russia and Egypt. Rather, this battle involves perhaps Russia (Gog and Magog) as the leading force . . . These armies will attack the millennial Jerusalem, but fire from heaven will devour them.”  —W. W. Wiersbe

            2.  QUOTE: “The naming of "Gog and Magog" (Rev 20:8) does not equate this battle with the one described in Ezek 38-39; for that army invades from the north, while this one comes from the four comers of the earth. This is only the name given to the army of rebels and its leader at the end of the Millennium.”  — John MacArthur

            3.  QUOTE: “These are two different battles, for in the war of Ezekiel 38-39 the armies come primarily from the north and involve only a few nations of the earth. But the battle in Revelation 20:7-9 will involve all nations, so armies will come from all directions.

Furthermore nothing in the context of Ezekiel 38-39 is similar to the battle in Revelation, as there is no mention of Satan or of millennial conditions. In Revelation 20:7 the context clearly places the battle at the end of the Millennium, whereas the Ezekiel battle takes place in connection with end-time events.” — Walvoord

       B.  Whom Are They.

            1.  QUOTE: “They were names of ancient enemies of the Lord. Magog was the grandson of Noah (Gen. 10:2) and founder of a kingdom located N of the Black and Caspian Seas. Gog is apparently the leader of a rebel army known collectively as Magog.”  — John MacArthur

            2.  QUOTE: “Why then is the expression “Gog and Magog” used by John? ... In Ezekiel 38 Gog was the ruler and Magog was the people, and both were in rebellion against God and were enemies of Israel. It may be that the terms have taken on a symbolic meaning much as one speaks of a person’s “Waterloo,” which historically refers to the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, Belgium, but has come to represent any great disaster. Certainly the armies here come in the same spirit of antagonism against God that is found in Ezekiel 38. ” — Walvoord

   4.  The Place.  (Rev. 20:9).  These two events are related, however, inasmuch as in both battles, Israel is the focal point.

        A.  Jerusalem the Capital City. 

In this case, Jerusalem will be the target ("beloved city," Ps 78:68; 87:2). Jerusalem  will be the capital city during Christ’s millennial reign.

Jeremiah 3:17, At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

        B.  This is not the New Jerusalem. 

Which is commonly called “the city of My God” (Rev. 3:12) and “the holy city” (Rev. 21:2). This city is clearly the renewed earthly Jerusalem.

        C. Jerusalem is the Home of the Saints. 

“The beloved city” symbolically refer to the home of God’s people. The saints will be living around the city where Christ reigns.

Isaiah 24:23, Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

Zech. 14:9-11, And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. [10] All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses. [11] And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

D.  THE MAULING OF THE REBELLION (REV. 20:9).  “Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”

God will fight this last and decisive battle for his people, that the victory may be complete, and the glory be to himself.

    1.  God Will Deal with this Revolt Very Quickly and Efficiently! 

The result is immediate judgment. “Fire” will come down from heaven and devour them.

    2.  In Contrast with Ezekiel 38, There Is No Mention of Earthquake, Hail, or Other Disasters.

The only similarity is that in both cases there is fire from heaven, a frequent method of divine judgment on the earth (Gen. 19:24; Ex. 9:23-24; Lev. 9:24; 10:2; Num. 11:1; 16:35; 26:10; 1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10, 12, 14; 1 Chron. 21:26).

    3.  Rebellion Will Ultimately Lead to Judgment.

Jude 1:5-8, I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. [6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. [7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. [8] Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

        A.  Jude Gave Three Examples of Rebellion:

             (1) The children of Israel -- who, although they were delivered from Egypt, refused to trust God and enter the Promised Land (Num 14:26-39);

             (2) The angels -- although they were once pure, holy, and living in God's presence, some gave in to pride and joined Satan to rebel against God (2 Peter 2:4); and

             (3) The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah -- the inhabitants were so full of sin that God wiped them off the face of the earth (Gen 19:1-29).

        B.  If the chosen people, angels, and sinful cities were punished, how much more would these rebels be severely judged?

E.  THE MISERY OF THE REBEL (REV. 20:10).  “The devil that deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire”

   1.  Satan Will Be Cast into “The Lake of Fire.”  (Rev. 20:10)

 After Satan’s followers will be destroyed, he will be thrown into the lake burning with sulfuric fires. Being cast into the lake that was prepared for him and his angels is the final judgment on Satan.  The Lake of Fire is the place of punishment God has prepared for rebellious angels and unsaved men (Mt. 25:41; Re. 20:10,15).

   2.  Note That "The Beast" and “False Prophet” Will Still Be Suffering in the Lake of Fire.  (Rev. 20:10) This is after 1,000 years!

      A.  This Is a Significant Support of the Doctrine of Eternal Punishment!

This concluding statement is key, “shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.” This includes the devil, the beast, and the false prophet.

Matthew 25:41, Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:46, And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

2 Thes. 1:9,  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

      B.  The Lake of Fire Is Not Annihilation!  (Rev. 20:10)

Are the wicked annihilated in hell? No, because the beast and false prophet “are” still there a thousand years after they experienced their final judgment (Rev. 19:20).  

            1.  This proves the punishment is not annihilation, but is eternal torment. the Lord Jesus actually said it would have been better if Judas had never been born (Mt. 26:24).

            2.  Jesus' words make no sense if Judas was only going to be annihilated.

QUOTE: “In one sense, the millennial kingdom will sum up" all that God has said about the heart of man during the various periods of history. It will be a reign of law, and yet law will not change man's sinful heart. Man will still revolt against God. The Millennium will be a period of peace and perfect environment, a time when disobedience will be judged swiftly and with justice; and yet in the end the subjects of the King will follow Satan and rebel against the Lord. A perfect environment cannot produce a perfect heart.

God is now about to "wrap up" human history One great event remains.”  — W. W. Wiersbe

Be sure to look for the next article in this series based on Revelation chapter twenty!

Reigning With King Jesus Christ!

This article is a continuation of a previous post entitled "Christ Kingdom Will Come!" It begins exactly where the other left off. So this is actually part two of Revelation chapter twenty's exposition.

II. Saints Reign with Christ During the Millennial Age (Rev. 20:4-6).

All Saints Will Reign with Christ (Rev. 20:4-6)          

A.  THE PEOPLE OF THE KINGDOM AGE (REV. 20:4-5).

   1.  Civil Rulers of The Kingdom.

        A.  The Bride of Christ: Believers from the Church Age.

The church age believers will share in this reign, as symbolized by the twenty-four elders (Rev. 5:10).

Rev. 2:26-28, And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: [27] And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. [28] And I will give him the morning star.

Rev. 3:21,  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev. 5:10,  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

(See also 1Cor. 6:2-3;1 Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Tim. 2:12).

        B.  Tribulation Saints: Primarily Martyrs, but includes all believers from the Tribulation Period.

              1.  The Tribulation Martyrs Will Be Raised from the Dead and Given Glorious Thrones and Rewards

(Rev. 6:9; 18:24; 19:2).

                    A.  These who were executed because they rejected the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:16) will reign with King Christ.

                    B.  Tribulation believers who survived the Tribulation age will reign with Christ also during the 1,000 year kingdom. 2 Tim. 2:12, If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: . . . .

              2.  The 144,000 Jewish Servants will Also share in the glorious reign of Christ.

This could possibly be what is depicted in Rev. 14:1-5.

        C.  The First Resurrection Saints: Jewish Old Testament Believers.

              1.  The Old Testament saints will also be a part of this "first resurrection".

                   A.  Resurrected Jewish Believers will be a part of Christ’s Kingdom age.

Daniel 12:1-4,  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. [2] And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. [3] And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. [4] But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

        

                   B.  The Nation of Israel will be Saved and Restored to her Privileged Place.

Matthew 19:28,  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.   (See “Restitution” Acts 3:21; Rom 8:19-23)

                  C.  The Kingdom of God on Earth Will Include All Believers from All Ages.

Luke 13:28-29,  There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. [29] And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

                          1.  QUOTE: “Unbelieving Israelites will see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God.  They themselves expected to be there, simply because they were related t Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but they will be thrust out.  Gentiles will travel to the brightness of Christ’s kingdom from all corners of the earth and enjoy its wonderful blessings.  Thus many Jews who were first in God’s plan for blessing will be rejected, while the Gentiles who were looked down upon as dogs will enjoy the blessings of Christ’s Millennial Reign.”   —William MacDonald

                           2.  QUOTE: “Jesus pictured them looking in the windows at the ancestors on whom they had depended for their salvation -- the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They will also see all the prophets, many of whom had been slain for speaking God's messages. Such people will be feasting in the Kingdom of God because they had loved and obeyed him. These men had not had the opportunity to see the Messiah, but

class=WordSection2>

they had loved God, believed his promises, and trusted that he would accomplish what he said. Thus, they received places in the kingdom. By contrast, many of these Jewish people, who did have the opportunity to eat and drink with and then listen to the teachings of the Messiah himself (13:26), subsequently rejected him. For such rejection they would be thrown out of the kingdom.    (See Luke 13:28-30).

God's kingdom will include people from every part of the world. Israel's rejection of Jesus as Messiah would not stop God's plan. . . .  Jesus promised that people will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast (see Isa 49:12).”  (See also Rom 4:16-25; Gal 3:6-9).  — The Life Application Commentary

                  D.  There Will Also Be Many Surprises in God's Kingdom.

                        1.  Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; some influential people here will be left outside the gates.

                        2.  Many "great" people on this earth (in God's eyes) are virtually ignored by the rest of the world.

                        3.  What matters to God is not a person's earthly popularity, status, wealth, heritage, or power, but his or her commitment to Christ.

                        4.  How do your values match what the Bible tells you to value?

                        5.  Put God in first place, and you will join people from all over the world who will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.

                        6.  Be a First-Place Finishers

QUOTE: “If nations grow by war and conquest, God's kingdom grows slowly and quietly. If successful people fight to the top, successful Christians enjoy the bottom. Someday, all the strategies for greatness the world has devised will be dismantled as God's kingdom fully emerges. The poor, ordinary, faithful believer will be honored as first; the powerful pagan will be relegated to last. Don't be troubled by your ordinary life today. Faithfully follow Jesus. At history's finish line, you will be a champion.”  — (The Life Application Commentary)

              2.  The Phrase "General Resurrection" Is Not Found in the Bible.

On the contrary, the Bible teaches two resurrections:

                    A.  The first is of the saved and leads to blessing, the second is of all the lost and leads to judgment.  John 5:28-29,  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, [29] And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Daniel 12:2,  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

                    B.  These two resurrections will be separated by 1,000 years (Rev. 20:5,12-14).

               3.  The “First Resurrection” is Not an Event but a Series of Resurrections of the Redeemed (Rev. 20:5).

                    A.  The Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 15:23,  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

                    B.  The Church Ages Believers.

1 Thes. 4:16-17,  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

                    C.  The Resurrection of Tribulation Saints (Rev. 20:4).

                    D.  The Resurrection of Old Testament Saints (Dan. 12:2).

To these may be added the resurrection of Old Testament saints which apparently will also occur at this time, though it is not mentioned in this text (Ezek. 37:12-14; Dan. 12:2-3).

Isaiah 26:19-21,  Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. [20] Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. [21] For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

   2.  Citizens Residing in the Nations.

During the Millennium, the inhabitants of the earth will include not only glorified saints, but also citizens of the nations who bow in submission to Jesus Christ.

Matthew 8:11,  And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 25:31-34,  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: [32] And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: [33] And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. [34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

         A.  Because of the earth's perfect conditions, people will live long lives (Isa 65:17-25, especially v. 20).

         B.  They will marry and have children who will outwardly conform to our Lord's righteous rule. But not all of them will be truly born again as the Millennium progresses. 

         C.  This explains why Satan will be able to gather a great army of rebels at the close of the Kingdom Age (Rev 20:8).

B.  THE PERIOD OF THE KINGDOM AGE (REV. 20:4B-5).

   1.  The Phrase "Thousand Years" Occurs Six Times in Rev 20:1-7.

        A.  This period in history is known as "the Millennium," from two Latin words, mille ("thousand") and annum ("year") - the 1,000-year kingdom of Christ on earth.

        B.  At last Christ and His church will reign over the nations of the earth, and Israel will enjoy the blessings promised by the prophets (see Isa 2:1-5; 4; 11:1-9; 12; 30:18-26; 35).

   2.  Is this a Literal Kingdom on Earth, or Should These Verses Be "Spiritualized" and Applied to the Church Age Today?

        A.  Some interpreters say that the term “a thousand years” is simply a number meaning “ultimate perfection” (10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000). They assert that it is a symbol of Christ’s victory and the church’s wonderful blessings now that Satan has been defeated and bound.

        B.  This view is known as amillennialism, which means “no millennium” - that is, no literal kingdom.

   3.  The Problem with this View Is That it Does Not Explain Why John Introduced the Period with a Resurrection of the Dead. (Rev. 20:5).

         A.  He was certainly not writing about a “spiritual” resurrection, because he even told how these people died!

         B.  And in Rev 20:5, John wrote of another literal resurrection.

         C.  If we are now in the 1,000-year kingdom of victory, when did this resurrection take place? It seems reasonable to assume that John wrote about a literal physical resurrection of the dead, and a literal kingdom on earth .

         D.  QUOTE: “Since other time designations in Revelation are literal (e.g., “42 months,” 11:2; 13:5; “1,260 days,” 11:3; 12:6) it is natural to take “a thousand years” literally also. If the term “a thousand years” designates a nonspecific but long period of time, the present Age between Christ’s two advents, as amillenarians hold, then one would expect John to say simply that Christ would reign “a long time,” in contrast to the “short time” of Satan’s release (20:3).

Events which precede the thousand years are (a) the second coming of Christ, (b) the beast and the false prophet thrown into the fiery lake, (c) the armies destroyed, (d) Satan bound and locked in the Abyss, (e) thrones of judgment introduced, and (f) the martyred dead of the Tribulation resurrected. These events revealed in their proper sequence make it clear that the thousand-year period follows all these events, including the second coming of Christ. The conclusion that the Second Coming is premillennial is clearly supported by a normal, literal interpretation of this text.”   — Walvoord, J. F.

C.  THE PROMISE OF THE KINGDOM AGE (REV. 20:6A).

Rev 20:6 describes the special blessings of those who share in the first resurrection.

      1.  They Will Be Blessed With the Privilege to Enter the Kingdom.

          A.  Blessed. Those who die in the Lord (Rev. 14:13) are blessed with the privilege of entering His kingdom (Rev. 1:3).  “Blessed” begins the fifth of seven beatitudes in Revelation. The other six (Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 22:7, 14) all look forward to life with Christ beyond the first resurrection (Rev. 20:5).

          B.  Holy.  They did not earn these blessings; they are part of the believer's inheritance in Jesus Christ.  

      2.  They Will Live Free of Any Fear of the Second Death in the Lake of Fire.

          A.  These Resurrected Believers Will Share Christ's Glorious Life, reigning as kings and priests with Him, and never experience the "second death," the lake of fire (hell , Rev 20:14).

           B.  Second Death–The First Death Is Spiritual and Physical, the Second Is Eternal in the lake of fire, the final, eternal hell (Rev. 20:14). It could exist outside the created universe as we know it, outside of space and time, and be presently unoccupied (Rev. 19:20).

      3.  The Lord Will Assure the Hearts of These Believers of Eternal Security and Salvation.

           A.  We Need the Security of Being under Christ's Protection.

John 6:39,  And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

                 1.  Jesus said he would not lose even one person whom the Father had given him. Thus anyone who makes a sincere commitment to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior is secure in God's promise of eternal life. 

                 2.  Christ will not let his people be overcome by sin and lose their salvation (see also Phil 1:6).

John 17:12, While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

           B.  We Need the Security That Comes from Knowing We Have Eternal Life.

1 John 5:11-13,  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. [13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

                 1.  Whoever believes in God's Son has eternal life. He is all you need. You don't need to wait for eternal life, because it begins the moment you believe. You don't need to work for it, because it is already yours. You don't need to worry about it, because you have been given eternal life by God himself -- and it is guaranteed.

                 2.  Some people hope that they will receive eternal life. John says we can know we have it. Our certainty is based on God's promise that he has given us eternal life through his Son. This is true whether you feel close to God or far away from him. Eternal life is not based on feelings, but on facts. You can know that you have eternal life if you believe God's truth. If you aren't sure that you are a Christian, ask yourself, Have I honestly committed my life to Christ as my Savior and Lord by faith? If so, you know by faith that you are indeed a child of God.

D.  THE PURPOSE OF THE KINGDOM AGE (REV. 20:6B).  “Shall reign with him”

These believers will be priests of God and of Christ as they reign with him. Their reign, therefore, is their service of God and humanity.

   1.  What Is the Purpose of the Millennial Kingdom?

         A.  For One Thing, it Will Be the Fulfillment of God's Promises to Israel and to Christ (Ps 2).

Luke 1:30-33,  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

The kingdom age will fulfill the Abrahamic, Davidic and New Covenant of Israel.

                1.  God promised to bless Abraham and his nation and the entire world through his Seed (Ge. 12:1-3,7; 13:14-18; 15:1-21). Jesus Christ is Abraham's Son and inherits these blessings and bestows them upon those who believe (Mt. 1:1; Ga. 3:6-29). The national, physical aspects of Abraham's covenant will yet be fulfilled to the nation Israel (Je. 30-33).

                2.  The Davidic covenant is an extension of the covenant God made with Abraham (2 Sa. 7:12-17). In the Davidic covenant God reaffirmed and detailed the kingdom aspect of the Abrahamic covenant.  All of this is fulfilled through Jesus Christ, David's Son, who has inherited the throne of David (Mt. 1:1) and who will establish the Davidic kingdom at His return from Heaven (Is. 9:6-7).

                3.  The New Covenant is God's promise to give free blessing to men through Jesus Christ (Je. 31-33; He. 8:7-13; 10:9-22). It was given to the nation Israel (Je. 31-34), but Christians also share in the spiritual aspects of the New Covenant through Christ (He. 8:7-13). The New covenant with Israel promises that God will restore them to their promised land and give them a new heart to obey Him. This will happen when Jesus returns from Heaven (Ro. 11:25-27; Zec. 13-14).

         B.  Our Lord Reaffirmed These Promises to His Own Apostles.

Luke 22:29-30, And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; [30] That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

         C.  This Kingdom Will Be a Worldwide Display of Christ's Glory. 

Even all of nature will be set free from the bondage of sin and the curse (Rom 8:19-22).

               1.  It will be the answer to the prayers of the saints, “My kingdom come!”

               2.  It will also be God’s final demonstration of the sinfulness of sin and the wickedness of the human heart apart from God's grace, but more on this later.

   2.  To Fulfill Our Longing for A Perfect World.

For many centuries, man has dreamed of a "golden age," a "utopia" in which the human race will be free from war, sickness, pain, and even death. Men have tried to achieve this goal on their own and have failed. It is only when Jesus Christ reigns on David's throne that the kingdom will come and the earth be delivered from the oppression of Satan and sin.

Keep your eyes open for the next installment of this exposition of Revelation chapter twenty. 

The Last Great Event of Human History!

It was W. W. Wiersbe who said,

In one sense, the millennial kingdom will sum up" all that God has said about the heart of man during the various periods of history. It will be a reign of law, and yet law will not change man's sinful heart. Man will still revolt against God. The Millennium will be a period of peace and perfect environment, a time when disobedience will be judged swiftly and with justice; and yet in the end the subjects of the King will follow Satan and rebel against the Lord. A perfect environment cannot produce a perfect heart.God is now about to "wrap up" human history One great event remains.”  

 All Sinners are Condemned After the Millennial Age (Rev. 20:11-15).

The time of grace and patience on the behalf of God is over; the time of eternal reckoning has come. God offered salvation, forgiveness, a relationship with Himself, and Heaven to whoever will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for centuries. Too many people simply rejected God's offer and in the final event of human history God will respect their decisions. Every unsaved individual will be examined by God Himself and all will be thoroughly recompensed for their rejection of Jesus Christ and life-long career of sin. Note the words of Dr. H. Willmington,

A test no one will pass. John saw the Judge of the universe seated behind his great white throne, sentencing all the unsaved to the lake of fire forever. Faith in Christ would have placed their names in the "Book of Life," and they would have been saved.— Harold Willmington 

   — After the millennial age, the unsaved are ushered into a gigantic courtroom. Millions of people are there—waiting to see the judgment sessions. All wait in trepidation. Suddenly, off to the right, a huge movie screen lights up and begins to show the entire life works of the wicked. All of the thoughts, motives, and actions of which they are most ashamed shine forth before the assembled crowd.... and a holy God! This is the idea that many have of the final Great White Throne Judgment. But the main question will not be, "What did you do in life?" Rather they will answer for what they did with Jesus. As we have stated in past studies, believers in Jesus share the conviction and joyous hope that Christ will return to earth not only as King, but as Judge, also. This judgment is the climax of them all for all the sinners of all the ages. (MacDonald, W)

   — The final five verses of Revelation 20 introduce the judgment at the end of human history and the beginning of the eternal state.

A.  THE MAJESTIC JUDGE (REV. 20:11).

The sinner, Christ rejecters will have to face the Lord Jesus Christ as Judge and Prosecutor in the Supreme Court of the Universe!

   1. His Court. "A great white throne"

        A. Not Like Modern Courts.

             1. The White Throne Judgment will be nothing like our modem court cases.

             2. At the White Throne, there will be a Judge but no jury, a prosecution but no defense, a sentence but no appeal.

             3. No one will be able to defend himself or accuse God of unrighteousness. What an awesome scene it will be!

        B. It Is a Great Court.

Great because of the issues involved and the sentences issued.

        C. It Is a White Court.

             1. White because of the perfection and purity of the decisions handed down.

             2. This is a judgment throne, elevated, pure, and holy.

         D. It Is a Throne Court.

            1. Nearly 50 times in Revelation there is the mention of a throne. It is not the sight of the previous thrones in heaven nor in the earth.

            2. This court throne is in space beyond the old heaven and the old earth. Like the Judgment Seat of Christ which took place in heaven before the Millennial age, this judgment will also be in a scene other then the earth.

            3. Tills court convenes in space during an indescribable void between the end of the present universe (Rev 20:11) and the creation of the new heaven and earth (Rev 21:1).

   2. His Christ, “an him that sat on it”

       A. The Judge is Jesus Christ.

The Father has committed all judgment to Him (Matt 19:28; Rom. 2:16).

John 5:22-30, For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: [23] That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. [24] Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life [25] Verily, verily, 1 say unto you. The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. [26] For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; [27] And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. [28] Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, [29] And shall come forth; they that have done good. unto the resurrection of life; and thev that have done evil. unto the resurrection of damnation. [30] I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I Judge and my judgment is just: because 1 seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Acts 10:42, And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

Acts 17:30-31, And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent [31 ] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness bv that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

While Christ is now seated on the throne in heaven and will be seated on the Davidic throne on earth in the Millennium (Matt. 25:31), this white throne judgment is a special situation.

       B. These Lost Sinners Rejected Christ in Life.

Now they must be judged by Him and face eternal death.

Matthew 7:21-23, Not every one that saith unto me. Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but lie that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day. Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name0 and in thy name have cast out devils9 and in thy name done many wonderful works';' [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

   3. His Countenance, "from whose face the earth and heaven fled away"

We all must admire the grandeur of this image; no one can think on it without being awed by the majesty and glory of the Christ, Great Judge.

          A. John Saw the Contaminated Universe Vanish out of Existence.

1.      Peter described this moment when the universe is "uncreated," going into non-existence.

2 Peter 3:10-13. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, [12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

2.      The Lord Jesus Also Stated This Very tiling. Matthew 24:35. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (See also Mk. 13:3 1; Lk21:33).

3.      Like the stars, during the rising of the sun, seem to flee to more remote regions, and vanish from view, so also when the Son of God shall appear in his glory to judge lost humanity, the earth and all other worlds shall indeed vanish. "The earth and the heaven fled away" An un-creation shall ensue as the natural world shrinks back with awe at the presence of God the Son! (Compare Ps 18:7-15; 77:16-19; 114:3-5; Hab. 3:6, 10-11). The image expresses, in the most emphatic manner, the idea that they entirely disappeared, and no language could more sublimely represent the majesty of the Judge.

B. Will the Heavens and Earth be Cleansed or Destroyed? The question has been raised as to whether the earth and the starry heavens as they are today will be destroyed at this point in the future or will be simply restored to a new state of purity.

1.      Many Bible passage suggest that the earth and the heavens, as now known, will be destroyed (Matt 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 16:17; 21:33; 2 Peter 3:10-13).

2.      This is confirmed by the opening statement of Revelation 21, "the first heaven and the first earth were passed away."

3.      QUOTE: "The present universe was created like a gigantic clock which is running down, and if left to itself, would ultimately come to a state of complete inactivity. Inasmuch as God created the universe and set it in motion for the purpose of enacting the drama of sin and redemption, it would seem proper to begin anew with a new heaven and a new earth suitable for His eternal purpose and built on a different principle. The new heaven and new earth described in chapter 21 has no similarity to the present earth and heaven." —John Walvoord

4.      His Cause. "And there was no place found for them"

A. This Is Preparation for the Eternal Kingdom of God. There is no place for a contaminated earth, heaven, nor people.

B. The Physical World Is Thus Judged and Eliminated Because They Are Utterly Unfit for a Perfect Universe.

B. THE MASSIVE MULTITUDES JUDGED (REV. 20:12A-13)

1. The Final Judgment of All “the dead”—Unbelievers of All Ages (Matt 10:15; 11:22,24; 12:36,41,42; Luke 10:14; John 12:48; Acts 17:31; 24:25; Rom. 2:5,l6; Heb. 9:27:2 Pet. 2:9; 3:7; Jude 6).

A. The Purpose of Establishing the Great White Throne Is to Judge the Dead.

1. John tells us that the dead, great and small, stood before the throne. Hebrews 9:27, And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

2. From other Scriptures it seems that all the righteous dead have been raised, including Old Testament saints, the dead of the Great Tribulation, and the church saints, the body of Christ (Rev 20:4-5).

B. Thus it May Be Assumed That Verses Rev. 20:11-15 Refer to the Judgment of the Wicked Dead, who according to verse 5 would not be resurrected until after the thousand years and will have no part in what is called "the first resurrection. "

C. Those People Who Are Judged at the Great White Throne Judgment Have Rejected God Throughout History, from Adam's son Cain, who killed his brother, to those who rebelled during the end of the Millennium and are killed at the second coming of Christ. In Revelation 20:12-13 and the previous passages, we see that all who reject God, from the first unbeliever to the last, will stand before Jesus at the Great White Throne.

2. Christ Referred to this Event as the "Resurrection of Damnation" (John 5 29)

A. From Where Do These "Dead" Come? (Rev 20:13)

1. Death will give up the bodies, and

2. Hell-hades (the realm of the spirits of the dead) will give up the spirits.

3. The Seas— There will even be a resurrection of bodies from the sea.

4. No sinner will escape.

B. There Shall Be a Second Resurrection!

1. Do not confuse this judgment at the White Throne with the Judgment Seat of Christ where believers will have their works judged and rewarded.

2. At this judgment, there will be only unbelievers; and there will be no rewards.

3. John described here an awesome scene. Heaven and earth will flee away and no place will be left for sinners to hide! All must face the Judge!

3. They Stand Condemned Before God. “stand before God”

A. The unsaved will be raised and will stand before God's judgment. In a judicial sense as guilty condemned prisoners before the bar of divine justice.                                           

B. There are no living sinners left in the destroyed universe since all sinners were killed and all believers glorified.

C. THE MANNER OF THEIR JUDGMENT (REV. 20:12B-13).

1.      They Will Be Judged By Records. Jesus Christ will judge these unsaved people on the basis of what is written "in the books." What books?

A. The Books of Record. Daniel 7:10, A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened

1. These books record every thought, word, and deed of sinful men—all recorded by divine omniscience (see Dan. 7:10, the verse that is the source of this text).

2. They will provide the evidence for eternal condemnation Rev 18:6,7

3. QUOTE: "The fact that these dead have not been raised before is evidence in itself that they do not have eternal life and that their judgment is a judgment of their works. All final judgments deal with works, whether the works of Christians rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ or the works of the unsaved which are in view here. The question of who is saved is determined not in heaven but in life on earth. What is revealed here is the confirmation of one's destiny by means of God's written records." — John Walvoord

B. "The Book of Life" Will Be There.

1. It will be present containing the names of God's redeemed people (Dan. 12:1; Rev 21:27; note also 13:8; 17:8). Philip. 4:3, And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

2. No unsaved person will have his or her name in the Lamb's Book of Life; only true believers are recorded there. Luke 10:20, Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

3. Perhaps the Lord Jesus will check this record as a last and final act of mercy.

2.      They Will Be Judged By the Word. John 12:48, He that rejecteth me. and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. God's Word will be there. The Word that Christ has spoken, will judge sinners in the last day. Every sinner will be held accountable for the truth he or she has heard h this life.

3.      They Will Be Judge By Their Works, "judged everyman according to their works. "

John 3:17-20, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned^ already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hatetli the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

A.     Their thoughts (Luke 8:17, Rom. 2:16), words (Matt. 12:37), and actions (Matt. 16 27) will be compared to God's perfect, holy standard (Matt 5:48, 1 Pet 1 15, 16) and will be found wanting (Rom 3:23).

B.     This Also Implies That There Are Degrees of Punishment in Hell (Mark 12:38-40; Luke 12:47, 48; Heb. 10:29). Matthew 10:14-15, And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you. It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

C.     Matthew 11:22, But I say unto you. It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

D.  THE MISERY OF JUDGMENT (REV. 20:14-15).                 

When the judgment is finished, all of the lost will be cast into hell, the lake of fire, the second death. Many people reject the biblical doctrine of hell as being "unchristian," and yet Jesus clearly taught its reality (Matt 18:8; 23:15, 33; 25:46; Mark 9:46). A sentimental kind of humanistic religion will not face the reality of judgment, but they teach a God who loves everyone into heaven and sends no one to hell. This is really one of the biggest lies the devil has ever introduced! Sadly, too many people have believed it.

Hell is a witness to the righteous character of God. He must judge sin. Hell is also a witness to man's responsibility, the fact that he is not a robot or a helpless victim, but a creature able to make choices. God does not merely "send people to hell"; they send themselves by rejecting the Savior God provided (Matt 25:41; John 3:16-21). Hell is also a witness to the awfulness of sin. If we once saw sin as God sees it, we would understand why a place such as hell exists.

In light of Calvary, no lost sinner can condemn God for casting him into hell. God has provided a way of escape, and He has patiently waiting for sinners to repent while believing the Gospel. He will not lower His standards or alter His requirements as they are entirely just. He has ordained that faith in His Son is the only way of salvation. Wisdom is demonstrated when we admit our sinfulness and trust the Savior, Jesus Christ

Conclusion:

Before God can usher in His new heavens and earth, He must finally deal with sin; and this He will do at the Great White Throne. Anyone,...you can escape this terrible judgment by trusting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. By so doing, you never will be a part of the second resurrection or experience the terrors of the second death, the lake of fire.

"He that heareth My Word," said Jesus, "and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [judgment], but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

Have you trusted Him in order to pass from death unto life?