A Thousand Years To Sin’s Final Defeat Series

Alpha and Omega, Part 48, Revelation Part 25

A Thousand Years to Sin’s Final Defeat

Revelation 20:1-15

Introduction

- Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation

-- REM: Redemption of sin is granted through Jesus; and yes, we have a choice

-- After today, there is only one or two more messages in this series

- Last week, we unpacked the Battle of Armageddon

-- Discussed that it will be the end of human history (as we know it)

- We saw the defeat of Satan’s armies (these are the nations that followed him)

-- We also saw the punishment of the Antichrist and False Prophet

- This is an eternal punishment, planned (created) for all who refused Christ

-- The Antichrist and the False Prophet are the first two eternal residents

- Background:

-- Hades (“hell” in the KJV) is described as a “place of torment”

-- Scripture’s teaching is that all who die in their sins will go to Hades

-- This is where they remain, until summoned to the Great White Throne Judgment

-- Key item to remember: sep. from God they are conscious of their despair

- The lake of fire, the place of eternal punishment, was never intended for us

-- God created the lake of fire for Satan and his fallen angels as punishment

-- Yet for those who refuse Christ it is there: Matthew 25:41, “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.”

- Today, we will see God’s final plan for rebellion and prayerfully be encouraged

-- How? If you know Jesus today – then this is what we must tell people about

-- The time to mince words and “hope for the best” has passed (or is passing)

- As we read this, you must see the plea of God in these words …

-- Remember (Gen 1 and 2) He called His creation “very good”

-- This is not the eternity meant for those who mean everything to God

-- YET, if Jesus is not your Lord, this is what eternity looks like for you

-- Christmas message? Absolutely! Why? Because He was born to die for us!

- Read Revelation 20:1-15 / Pray

Point 1 – The imprisonment of Satan

- Let’s first address the adversary of humanity and his eventual defeat

-- What God has continually promised is that Satan will be defeated

-- RE: His lie to humanity is that somehow he can win, and we can/should follow

- FACT: His lies are quite legendary in this aspect:

-- From the Garden: “Did God really say you’d die?”

-- To today: “You don’t need to repent, God won’t send you to hell.”

- He is referred to by John as the old serpent, Satan, the enemy of mankind

-- He is the spiritual & physical power that lies, murders, and leads people to sin

-- Saw this last year: 1 Peter 5:8, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

- He is imprisoned by one of God’s angels (prob Michael):

1. He is physically removed (think manhandled) with a chain

2. He is confined for 1,000 years but will be allowed to return again

- One would think that God would just defeat Him, right? But there is a plan!

-- We will now see 1,000 years of Jesus Christ reigning on this Earth

-- It will be a time of peace, of calm, without the burdens of sin or evil

- Satan is placed in the bottomless pit for this time to wait

-- RE: We saw this same pit in Revelation 9 … it is where he ascended from

-- However, in this instance he no longer has freedom – he is literally bound

- Why? So that he will no longer have opportunity to deceive the world!

-- Prophecy of this to come: Isaiah 24:21-22, “In that day the Lord will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth. They will be rounded up and put in prison. They will be shut up in prison and will finally be punished.”

- TR: Once Satan is imprisoned, what do we have to look forward to?

Point 2 – The millennial reign of Jesus Christ

- During this time, there are THREE important items that we must acknowledge:

1. The resurrection & rule of all believers (v4)

- John sees thrones and people sitting on them with authority to judge

-- He also sees the millions of believers who were martyred for their testimony

-- They have been given a place of honor, authority in heavenly realm to serve