January 30, Revelation 20
The repeating cycle describing the judgment over and over again in Revelation is a little like those instant replays used by football officials to see the play from different angles. The event is the same, again and again. But each time, the viewpoint or focus of the description changes. In this last view, the end of Satan is described, and the whole population of the world is gathered before God’s great white throne.
The martyrs, faithful saints and all who share in the first resurrection (symbolic for the new spiritual life we have in Christ) live and reign with Christ throughout the final age. Satan is bound, limited through this time. As dominant and destructive as he is, he is limited by the word of God while people are escaping the guilt and condemnation of sin by responding to the
gospel. If there is to be a little while at the very end when he is loosed from his bonds, we tremble to think of the terror and ruin he will bring to the human family during that short time.
At last, there is no real battle. In one stroke, fire from heaven consumes the devil and those aligned with him. They are thrown into the lake of fire. We remember the images are symbolic. But still, what a horrific fate must await Satan and his puppets—the godless persecuting government and the counterfeit religion—for it to be described as the lake of fire!
At judgment, the dead will be judged by what they have done and by the things written in the books. The book of life that has appeared several times in the Bible story line and in this book is among those opened. Whoever is not written in the book of life is thrown into the lake of fire. The place of eternal doom prepared for the devil and his angels will also be populated by rebels who despised God’s offer of love and
grace and were finally condemned by his justice.
The pit and the chain and the thousand years, the thrones and the marks on hands and foreheads are all signs and symbols, pointing to spiritual realities. It seems there are two dangers in the highly symbolic language of the book for us as modern readers. On one hand, we may literalize what was never intended to be literal. On the other, we might miss the significance of the symbols and fail to be warned or encouraged as we should be by the
message. We may avoid the first danger by remembering John’s original intent, audience and style of writing. And as to the danger of missing the point, I am confident you will receive the blessing God intends if you are careful to keep your ears open and your hearts receptive to the powerful words of this book. Remember, Revelation was written to reassure, not terrify, God’s people.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—January 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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