We learned in Revelation, chapter 19, that Jesus had returned to the earth in all His glory, in the Second Coming. However, there was still some loose ends to work out. After the false prophet and the beast were cast into the lake of fire, the devil was still roaming free on the earth, doing as he pleases. However, this was soon to be taken care of by a mighty angel who saw exactly where Satan was and bound him in chains. He was then cast into the bottomless pit. His time was numbered upon the earth, well for a thousand years that is. During this time, Jesus will be ruling and reigning with the saints of God on earth. I say this as a summary of what John saw in his vision below…
1“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:1-3)
In John’s vision, he also saw people be given thrones in heaven and even the ability to judge. He also saw the people that were beheaded, because of their faith in Christ. These were those that were not willing to step aside from their beliefs, but gladly died for Jesus. He also saw those that did not worship the beast or his image, nor got his mark upon their hands or foreheads. So we have these two groups of people that loved Christ and followed Him, that would then spend the next thousand years with Him upon the earth. In this times would they experience the first resurrection, which is to life eternal, of which there is no second death involved. They are blessed to be among those to rise in this resurrection. These are the true overcomers in Christ Jesus and will be blessed accordingly. Even as to become a priest to the most high God. However, everyone else that doesn’t take place in this resurrection, would find themselves experiencing a second death, which is the resurrection of damnation. Now in John’s own words, he said the following about these events…
1“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4-6)
What a wonderful time this will be for everyone that has the chance to be on earth with Jesus. However, in even such a time as this, Jesus still had to test the people who were living in the millennium one last time. So as the thousand years will come to close, this is when Satan will be loosed out of prison and have the ability to try and test the people on earth, once again. This is when he will go to all people, of all nations, and stir up them up against God, like he has always done from the beginning of time. I know this sounds farfetched that people that live with Christ on earth would go against Him in the end, however, this unfortunate event will take place, which is called the war of Gog and Magog. The most unfortunate thing about this is that the number of people that will fight against Christ and His people in those days will be like the sands of the sea. They will even go to the headquarters, which is Jerusalem and attempt to take down Christ there. However, Satan and these people will have something coming to them, as fire and brimstone will reign down upon them and kill every person that is part of this army. This is when the devil will be put in chains once again, but this time thrown into the lake of fire, of which he will forever be tormented. John also saw this and put it this way…
1“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:7-10)
Lastly, judgement was handed down from God upon the wicked, after this war ended. Surely, those people that fought against Christ would be there, ready to receive their just punishments. Among them would be those that got the mark of the beast and worshipped the beast also. Along with these people would be unbelievers and even false Christians. Every person that did not already experience the first resurrection would now be involved with the great white throne judgement, of which Christ will be the judge. This place of judgement will be like nothing people have ever experienced, even so much as heaven flee will flee from the site of it. This is the place where the deepest fears will set into every wicked person’s heart, as they see the Lord God in all His glory and might. Imagine how people will feel in their hearts as they are on their knees pleading for mercy. Then, as they see people go down the line, one by one, trying to convince God to give them another chance, when there are no more chances to give. Then, with horror, they see angels chaining people up and then throwing them into the lake of fire. People will be screaming in agony and pain forever, of which they will experience the second death, which is the resurrection of damnation. This is because their names were not in the book of life and Jesus never knew them. John saw all of this and his vision is below…
1“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)
Let us pray:
Lord God, I pray that I and every other believer will keep the faith and stand strong in it till the very end. May every person that follows You now also abide with You always. I know that there are many people that have once knew You, but have since found their pleasures in this world and even died in their unbelief. Instead of seeking Your hand, while they had time, they instead gave it all up for the lusts of the flesh. I know that this is the devil’s mission on earth and we must fight the good fight every day of our lives, or else we will also be among those that fall away. I am so grateful God for the Bible and for prayer. If It wasn’t for Your words that are in my heart daily I’d be back committing the same old sins once again. It is because the Holy Spirit has come upon me is why my heart is made strong to resist temptation and sin. I know its effects on me and I don’t want the shame and guilt that comes with it any longer. Instead, I desire to be built up in Your love, peace and joy. It is not worth having temporary pleasure in sexual sin, for it only destroys the soul. This is a killer of many people now a-days. Because so many people that even call themselves Christians live a secret life of pornography, I know that they will be judged harshly by Your hands. They will not be among the first resurrection, to life eternal, but instead be involved in the second, which is the second death and damnation in the lake of fire. So I pray that people’s eyes will be opened to their sins and that they repent, starting today. These things I pray, in thy holy Name, Jesus. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Revelation 20 (KJV)
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.