5/14/11. Revelation 20:1-15. The Final Judgment – message and questions

Revelation 20:1-15                                                                                                                           Kevin E. Jesmer  5/14/11

Key verse 20:6

“Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” (NIV)

      Today we want to examine the final judgment of God. There seem to be three stages of the final judgment. First, Satan is locked in the Abyss for a thousand years. Those who do not have the mark of the beast will reign with Christ. After a thousand years, Satan will be released for a short time to deceive many people, then he will be cast into the lake of burning sulfur to dwell forever. On the final day of judgment the living and the dead will stand before the throne of God. The books will be opened and every person will be judged according to what they have done. Those whose names are not written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. This all sounds very ominous and foreboding. But those who are in Christ have nothing to fear. In fact, the blood of Jesus will enable them to pass through the judgment all the way to the kingdom of heaven. Through a study of this passage, may you not just be scared, but may you thank God for his grace given us through the blood of Jesus that put our names in the book of life. Also may we stand firm in faith, to the end, holding onto the grace of Jesus and knowing that our final victory is assured. We are true victors when we hold onto the Gospel. Let’s see.

Part l: The Thousand Years (20:1-6)

It has always been a controversy about the 1000 years, also known as the millennium. By the controversy is not an issue. It does not demand an absolute view.  What is important is that we Christians believe exactly what the Bible tells us to believe. About the 1,000 years, we believe that Jesus will return according to his promise. He will also bind the devil for 1,000 and Jesus Christ will rule. After the 1,000 year, Christ will release the devil from his prison and he will do so for a short time. The devil will make his final stand against Christ and his people. It is really an amazing story. There are things that we don’t understand. For example, why would God bind the devil and then set him loose for a short time and then send him to his final judgment which is the lake of burning sulfur. There are things that we don’t understand, but we will try to understand.

Just how and when this 1,000 years takes place is understood differently among Christian scholars. The three major positions on this issue are referred to as postmillennialism, pre-millennialism and amillennialism. I began to ponder these different views after a rousing discussion at Maggie Burke’s house a few weeks ago. Briefly, postmillennialism looks for a literal 1,000 year period of peace on earth ushered in by the church. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be unleashed once more, but then Christ will return to defeat him and reign forever. Christ’s coming will not occur until after the 1,000 year period.  Pre-millennialism, also views the 1,000 years as a literal time period, but holds that Christ’s second coming initiates his 1,000 year reign and that his reign occurs before the final removal of Satan. Finally, amillennialism understands the 1,000 year period to be symbolic of the time between Christ’s accession and his return. Thus millennium is the reign of Christ in the hearts of believers and in his church now. This it is another way of referring to the church age. This period will end with the second coming of Christ. What viewpoint do you hold? Do you know? If you don’t that’s O.K. It took me 25 years to even begin to start asking the question.

These different views about the millennium need not cause divisions and controversy among believers, because each view acknowledges what is crucial to Christianity. Do you know what it is? Yes! That Jesus Christ shall return one day. Christ will return, defeat Satan, and reign forever! Whatever and whenever the Millennium is, Jesus Christ will unite all believers. Therefore we shall not let this issue divide us. And since we are not divided then let’s continue to look closely at the text…

God and his powerful angels are much more powerful than the devil. Let’s read verses 20:1-3, “ And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. ³ He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.”  Look how a powerful angel of God dealt with the devil in verses 1 & 2, ““ And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” He seized the devil decisively. There doesn’t seem to be much of a struggle.  The devil is bound in chains. When one is bound in chains, they cannot get free. He will surely be held securely until the final day of judgment.

Now, in this age, the power of the devil over the lives of believers is dramatically weakened. The Bible says that at the beginning, “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Rev 12:9) Satan roams throughout the earth and leads the whole world astray. One look at the news shows that he is very busy. Before meeting Jesus personally, we were all prey to the devil and his whiles. We spent our entire days being deceived and led astray into the paths of sin. There was nothing stopping us from sinning. In fact there seemed to be some mysterious force at work in our hearts making us sin more.  When I was not a Christian, I really felt that giving into my sinful desires  and gratifying them was actually healthy for me. How blind I was! I was becoming more and more estranged from God and bearing the bad fruit in my life. I was being driven into the depths of depression and despair, when I was being led astray my the devil. But then Jesus came to this world to save sinners like me. Hebrews 2:14 reads, “ ¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—“ Through Jesus’ suffering death and resurrection, the head of Satan has been crushed. (Gen 3:15) We are set free from his deceptive clutches. But still we seem to he harassed from time to time by our sinful nature. We do what we do not want to do. We fall into the trap of sin and bear the fruit of the sinful nature, even if we are Christians. What is happening to us? !!

Sure we are harassed by the devil from time to time. But picture this. The devil’s head is crushed but the devil’s tail is flailing back and forth causing some mischief. But the good news is that we are no longer enslaved by the devil. Believers can repent and decide by faith to follow the word of God. They can come out of the darkness of sin and walk in the light of God. They can actually grow stronger, spiritually, through their struggle with evil. But in the final judgment the devil will be bound in chains for a time. His tail will not be flailing around to torment anyone anymore. In the Millennium believers will not be harassed by him and his angels even one iota. The time of oppression and misrule ends. The time of toil ends in rest and reward. The time of suffering ends in glory. The time of Israel’s blindness ends in restoration and conversion. The time of creation’s bondage ends in the deliverance at the manifestation of the sons of God.

This is something that we can look forward to. Can you imagine a time when you don’t have to struggle with the sinful desires that creep up in our hearts, or the sinful thoughts that flood our minds, robbing us of the peace of God and that keep us separated from God and one another? What a great time that will be! That time is coming.

Next we learn about the first resurrection. Look at revelation 20:4-6, “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”  Who is involved in the first resurrection?  Look at verses 4-5a again, ““I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands….” These are sincere believers who have given their hearts and lives over to Jesus. Peter once asked Jesus,  “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”²⁸ Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother^[a] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matt 19:27-29) Jesus also said to his disciples in Luke 22:27-31, “²⁸ You are those who have stood by me in my trials. ²⁹ And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ³¹ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you^[a] as wheat.”

We not despair, thinking that we can never be holy enough to be part of the first ressurrection. We can not be holy enough on our own. We also do not have any authority in ourselves to reign over our own households. But because Jesus died for us and is pleased to give us his spirit, we are made holy by grace. We are made his sons and daughters with authority to reign. Believe and accept these basic facts of the Gospel.

Will there will be people to reign over and govern. Yes! There will be millions of people living at the time of the Millennium. There was not complete destruction of the earth during the time of tribulation. The majority of the populace perished because of their unrepentant hearts. But millions survived in the rubble and the wastelands. They are the ones who will come to Jesus and live under his kingship. During the 1,000 year they will have a chance to hear the word of God. They will not have eternal life, but each will have their own lifetime. They will be discipled. They will have a chance to submit to Jesus and live under his lordship. They will also multiply until their numbers become vast.

Part ll: Satan’s Doom (20:7-10)

At the end of the thousand year reign, the devil will be released. Look at Rev 20:7-8a. It  reads,” When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle….” John doesn’t say why God once again sets Satan free, but it is God’s plan for judging the world. Those living in the millennium will have been given ample opportunity to accept Jesus and his lordship. No one, not even the devil himself, could accuse Jesus as being unfair and not giving people enough time. The devil’s release would sift people, exposing those who are prone to rebel against God in their hearts and confirm those who are faithful to God. Ultimately, Satan’s release results in the final destruction of all evil and the revelation of those who will spend eternity with Christ.

In this life there are circumstances that God allows that serve to sift us. Their origins may be from the devil. How we react to different events shows what is in our hearts. In some ways these are tests. I pray that we may have the strength and the grace to stand up under any test the devil may throw at us. The best way to pass the test is to always respond in humility, repentance and faith. The you will pass.

Apparently there were lots of people, at the end of the Millenium, who were not given over completely to Jesus. Look at verses 8-9a, “and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. ⁹ They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.” How could this be, even after 1,000 years of Jesus’ reign and careful shepherding? This shows us that our hearts have to be made right by the gospel before we can enter into heaven. If our hearts are not right there will battle lines drawn in heaven, against God over and over again. Only those who repent and accept Jesus and believe now will be able to dwell with Jesus forever with no chance of rebellion, ever, just pure joy and gratitude and love in their hearts for the savior who loves them.

This really amazes me how people just don’t get it! Maybe having Jesus reigning and teaching in Jerusalem for 1,000 years made them “home blind” to God. They could have said, “Oh I know Jesus is God, but I don’t care about his presence and I think we have chance to over throw him if we just unite together.” How soon people forget! How indifferent we become to God! How desensitized! How we are ready to commit past mistakes over and over again! May God help each of us to return to our first love!

We know the outcome of this battle. Look at verses 9b-10, “But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. ¹⁰ And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”  – the beast and his forces are captured and thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. (19:20-21), and fire from heaven devours Satan and his attacking armies. (20:9-10) For God is as easy as that. There should be no doubt, no worry, no second thoughts for believers about whether they have chosen the right side or not. When we are on Jesus side, we are on the winning side!

Part lll: The Great White Throne (11-15)

John then gives us a vision of the final judgment. Look at verse 11-15, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” This is the resurrection of all people, billions of them. Some of them have not accepted Jesus as their own personal Lord and Savior. Some them have, but they were not the ones involved in the first resurrection.

At this judgment, the Book of Life was opened. These books represented God’s judgment, and in them are recorded the deeds of everyone, good or evil. People want to live as if there is on God. They think that they will get away with all the sins they have committed. But that is not true. 2 Corinthians 5:10 reads, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” No body will get away with anything. They will all answer to God one day. Therefore we should live with a fear of God in our hearts.

Does this mean that some of our deeds will save us? For instance, if you volunteer at “Feed ‘Em Soup” 100 times then you can go to heaven? Does it mean that if you are always nice to people and never say anything that is prejudice or judgmental and never “rock the boat”, and never hurt anyone, then you are going to heaven? No. It means, that while you are in the body, now…in this life…, if you have done things that invite Christ’s salvation in your life, then you will pass through the judgment, all the way to the kingdom of heaven. Doing things like confessing and repenting of your sins. Doing things like listening to what Jesus has to say through his word and deciding to believe it from the heart. It means placing all of your hope and trust in Jesus and deciding to live for his glory and serving his purposes. These are things that will be in your credit at the final judgment. We are not saved by our deeds. We are saved by our personal relationship with Jesus, through faith in his Gospel. But deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God.

The sad reality is that most people will not make it through this judgment. The lake of fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked – Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the demons, death, Hades, and all those whose names are not recorded in the book of life because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ. They will have to face an eternity, separated from their Creator and their Savior. Their eternal reality is nothing to be desired. In fact it should be dreaded, for it is hell where their inner torment never dies. John’s vision does not permit any gray areas in God’s judgment. If, by faith we are not identified with Jesus, confessing him as Lord, there will be no hope, no second chance, no other appeal.

But this reality is not for those who take head of Jesus’ words and repent and accept the life giving Gospel. This is how our names get written in the Lamb’s Book of life. Place your reservations today. Right now! Come to Jesus and know that your name will be there. Why put it off?

Unbelieving people are not the last to be thrown into the lake of fire, Death and Hades will also be. Look at verse 14, “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.” Hades is the abode of the dead, where the dead await their final judgment. When Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire, God’s judgment is finished. Paul talks about this great and glorious time, in 1 Corinthians 15:25-28, “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For he “has put everything under his feet.”^[a] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. ²⁸ When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, “⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”^{[b]  56} The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Praise the Lord, that there will be no more death!” Praise God that in Jesus’ kingdom, there is no more death, there is only life, love and peace everylasting! Jesus will bring all of this about in his time and in his way. Since we have this faith, how shall we live? 1 Corinthains 15:58 reads, “ ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

In today’s passage, we learned that through faith in Jesus we can be part of the first resurrection and reign with Jesus in the Millenium. We can be part of Christ’s complete victory over all evil and death. We can also look forward to one day when we will not be harassed by the devil any longer but live in Christ’s peace. We also learned that it is through faith in the blood of Jesus that we can  know with certainty that our names will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Don’t you want your name written there? I sure do. Come to Jesus and renew your relationship with him. And in then give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. It is not in vain.

Part l: The Thousand Years (20:1-6)

1.  Read verses 20:1-3. How did an angel seize the devil and throw him into the Abyss? (2) Why was Satan bound in chains? (3) What does it symbolize? (12:9, Mk3:27, Heb2:14, Lk10:18)  What is the purpose of rendering the devil powerless?  What happens after the Millennium? What is God’s plan about his future release? (3, 17:8;13:1,7,13;16:13)

2. What happens in the first resurrection? (5-6) How are the believers given authority to reign with Christ a thousand years? (6b,1:6)

Part ll: Satan’s Doom (20:7-10)

3. What happens when the thousand years has ended? (7) How has the devil work against the Lord after his release from the Abyss? (7,13:2,7;16:14)

4. Describe the last battle with evil in verses 8-10. What is the sphere of his battle campaign? (8,9)  What will finally happen to all the forces of evil? (10) How does the Lord destroy him and throw him into the lake of burning sulfur? (9,10) Think about how the Lord has destroyed all his enemies.

Part lll: The Great White Throne (11-15)

5. What happens at the final judgment when the books are opened? (11-15) How does the

Lord judge after having defeated the devil and his agents? (11)  How will people be

judged? (11-14) Who stands before the judgment seat of Christ? (12,13, 2Cor5:10)  How

are they judged?  What are the books and the book of life, and what are recorded in

them?

6.    Who was thrown into the lake of fire? (14) What is the last enemy to be destroyed?

(14,1Cor15:26)  Why do we need Jesus?