Revelation 20
by Philip Layton
The millennial Kingdom is followed by the great white throne judgement
Click here to read Revelation 20
Discussion Question
- Some people suggest that there will not be a future 1,000-year reign of Jesus, that there is no devil and no God and, therefore, no personal judgement (vv 1-6, 10, 11). What do you think?
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Going Deeper From 'Words of Life'
It is now right and good to rejoice over the fall of the enemy! Because the enemy is ‘Babylon’. The civilization – including all that is political, religious, social, economic – supporting the beast, the Antichrist, will be gone. Forever destroyed. Cause for rejoicing!
John, his vision continuing, sees a portrait of Christ, riding on a white horse. Having absolute integrity, he has come to fight the final battle against all evil. On his robe and thigh is written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (19:16).
The dragon, Satan, is thrown into the Abyss for a thousand years – unable to deceive the nations any longer. A time of peace; the restoration of Israel. At the conclusion of this time, he will be released for a short time. He will then go to the four corners of the earth – Gog and Magog – to prepare for the final battle. But the outcome will be complete defeat. Satan will be thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulphur to join the beast and the false prophet. Victory! Hallelujah! Christ reigns. The battle won.
John next sees a great white throne, with ‘him’ seated on it – God, the Judge. Those who have died are before the throne. Then:
Another book was opened, which is the book of life (20:12).
Judgement is to come. Those who have done evil will be punished. But those who have remained faithful to God will hear their names being read from the book of life. They will be granted God’s eternal favour. Believers, those who humbly seek his grace, will live with him for ever! Hallelujah!
Prayer
Lord, I want my name to be written in the book of life! No matter what I face in the days that lie ahead, keep me true to you – always – I pray.
Beverly Ivany
The January 2016 edition of Words of Life is available now.