Dec. 18, 2024

“REVELATION”

20:1-15

Satan Bound In The Abyss- Rev. 20:1-3; 19:20

Satan can be understood only through the authoritative Word of God. It is obvious from the Scriptures that Satan is not a figment of the imagination, but a living personality. Thirty-five times he is called “the devil”; fifty-two times he is called “Satan” (which means “enemy” or “adversary”).

Matthew 13:19

Peter believed in a personal devil, for in Acts 5:3 he asked Ananias, “How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?” Peter also wrote later; “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking who he might devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

John believed in a personal devil, for in John 13:2 he wrote, “The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.”

It is obvious from these and many other passages in the Bible that Satan is a living personality. The big question is where did he come from?

The Origin of Satan:

Since Satan is a living being, he must have been created. God created all things, but how could a holy God create a wicked creature like Satan?

Ezekiel 28:1-19

Ezekiel 28 twice speaks of Satans creation: “on the day you were created” (vs.13), and “you were blameless in your ways from the day you were created” (vs.15). The Hebrew word translated “create” means “to bring into existence that which has had no prior form or substance.”

Satan was “anointed as a guardian cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14). This implies leadership of the angelic host in the presence of the Shekinah Glory of God.

The Fall Of Satan- Ezekiel 28:16-17

A more detailed description of his sin can be found in Isaiah 14:12-14

The Problem Of Evil- 

Satan evidently took the forces of God that were created perfect, combined them in an imperfect manner, and “manufactured evil.”

Evil is a matter of the will.

Isaiah 14:14

Antichrist And The False Prophet Doomed:

Rev. 19:20- According to this verse Satan’s two henchmen, Antichrist and his False Prophet, will be thrown bodily into the lake of fire.

Satan Bound A Thousand Years:

Rev. 20:1-3

The binding of Satan will restrict him from doing the things he does best, for Revelation 20:3 says God’s goal in this binding is to “keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.”

Satan’s Final Doom- Rev. 20:7-10

Vs.10-the meaning of this verse is too clear to be questioned. God, by His supernatural hand , will take Satan and cast him forever into the lake of fire.

The First Resurrection: Rev. 20:4-6

Church Age Saints- Phase 1

The saints of the church age will be resurrected in the first phase of the first resurrection, as outlined in  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. This passage describes the Rapture of the Church, when all Christians will be resurrected. 

Old Testament Saints- Phase 2

Daniel 12:1-2

Tribulation Saints- Phase 3

Rev. 6:9-11 presents a picture of the Tribulation saints who have been martyred for the testimony of the Lamb, waiting for the resurrection, “and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brother…was completed.”

The Unbelieving Dead

Who are these who are called “the rest of the dead”? Vs.5, about this there is no question. They are the unbelievers of all ages.

Luke 16:19-31

What Determines Your Resurrection?

The answer to this question signifies clearly your relationship to the One who does the resurrecting. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, verse 14 “we believe that Jesus died and rose again.”

The Coming Kingdom of Christ- Rev. 20:1-10

There can be no doubt as to the Scriptural evidence for the coming Kingdom of Christ. There are literally hundreds of verses in the Bible that predict an earthly Kingdom of God, ruled by the Son of God and superseding all the kingdoms of the world.

The Kingdom According to Daniel- Daniel 2:31-45

From this prophecy and its interpretation we see that God Himself will “set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.”

The Coming King- Psalms 2:5-12

God will in due time establish His King in His holy place- vs. 7-9

It speaks of the kingdom stretching to the uttermost parts of the earth. vs. 10-12

Ezekiel’s Prophecies Of The World Kingdom- Ezekiel 36-39, 40-48

We see the description of the Millennial kingdom, particularly the Temple and conditions for worship during that 1,000 year period.

The Millennial Kingdom According To Zechariah The Prophet

Zechariah 14:8, 16-21

Vs.8 makes it clear that Jerusalem will serve as headquarters for religious life of the people, the source of the waterways of the world.

vs. 20 refers to the holiness of the Kingdom. During those days God’s standards will be the law. Violators of that law will be severely punished.

The Millennium According To The Prophet Isaiah- Isaiah 65:17-25

The Renovation Of The Earth By Fire- Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:1-16

Satans Final Conflict- Rev. 20:7-10

We have already seen that at the beginning of the millennial Kingdom Satan was bound by a great angel in the Abyss (Rev. 20:1-3).

Satan will be released at the end of the Kingdom age “to deceive nations” vs. 8

The Devil is cast into the lake of fire forever and ever- vs.10

The Great White Throne- Rev. 20:11-15

One truth must be emphasized at the outset. This ultimate judgment of the Great White Throne is for unbelievers only. Who are these “dead, great and small”?

vs. 13-14- adds further information. The sea will give up all those who were drowned or buried at sea, never having accepted Jesus Christ. “Death” represents the grave, “Hades” the place of torment where their spirits have gone. 

The Book Of One’s Deed Opened- Rev. 20:12

The “another book” by which the human race will be judged.

Galatians 3:10 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse, for it is written, cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

vs. 12- indicates that some of the books at this Great White Throne Judgment will be the books of a person’s works.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

We have to realize there are degrees of punishment in hell.

Matthew 11:20-24- each lost sinner will receive just what is due him, and none will e able to argue with the Lord or question His decision.

The Book Of Life Opened- Rev. 20:12

Rev. 21:27- tells us only those “who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Will enter into the Holy City.

Rev. 20:15- establishes the importance of the Book of Life, “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”