The Last Word – Revelation 20
A Thousand Years and the Final Judgment
November 8, 2020
We want a turn by turn GPS experience. Most of Revelation was written in symbolism, imagery and metaphors.
This is one of the most controversial and misunderstood chapters in scripture.
Satan is thrown into the Abyss.
There’s a thousand-year reign with Christ.
Satan is released and his armies are consumed by fire.
There’s judgment in front of a great white throne.
Revelation 20:1-4 NIV
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. 4 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 about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Heaven to Earth
Earth to the Abyss
Abyss to the Lake of Fire
Revelation is a real downer for Satan.
D-Day – June 6, 1944
V-Day – May 8, 1945
The war is over, but there’s still battles to be fought.
Colossians 2:15 NIV
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Revelation 20:11-15 NIV
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens 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 they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
All of us will stand before God.
The great tragedy for unbelievers is not standing in judgment in front of an angry God.
The great tragedy for unbelievers is standing in judgment and realizing God is good and merciful.
Most people believe there’s a God. Many have a hard time believing God is good and beautiful.
Luke 15:17-24 NIV
When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Jesus is returning.
Evil will be destroyed.
Paradise will be restored.
Salvation is God’s determination to rescue his creation.
