Posts Tagged ‘lake of fire’
Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 20:1-15
Not all are part of the heavenly army of the King of Kings. The first to be dealt with was the dragon, Satan. He was bound by a great chain and thrown into the Abyss to keep him from deceiving the nations. The set time was a thousand years or what we would call a millennium. (Revelation 20:1-3)
Next John witnessed a resurrection of the souls who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus. These souls came to life and were given authority to judge on the earth and reign with Christ for a thousand years. ” (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:5-6) This is the fifth ‘blessed’ statement of Revelation. These martyrs are now rewarded with rulership with Christ on the earth for his thousand-year reign.
The ’second death’ is a term defined in this chapter for John. At the end of the thousand years, the devil is released for a short time. He goes out and deceives the nations again and the gathers them for battle. Fire comes from heaven and devours those who are deceived and the devil is thrown into the lake of fire along with the beast (anti-Christ) and false prophet. This lake of fire and burning sulfur is the ’second death’. (Revelation 20:14) This lake of fire has been long prepared for the devil and his angels who rebelled against God.
However, there will be multitudes of people who will also go to this horrible place of burning sulfur. John saw a great white throne and God as judge. Death and Hades were opened and a second resurrection company of those who had died in their sins were brought before the judge. Books were opened that held the record of their evil deeds and sins. Another book, the Book of Life, was examined to find their names. “If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15) Each person answered personally to God! Is your name in His Book of Life?
Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 20-22
The end of the Bible tells of a new beginning! All who were faithful to Christ get to live in a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells. All who enjoy this new beginning have been faithful and trusted Christ. He has faithfully done what He promised.
John sees a Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. This city is prepared like a bride for her husband. (Revelation 21:2) A voice from heaven announces that the dwelling place of God is among men and He will live with them. He will comfort them and change the order of their existence. There will be no more tears, crying or pain. God is making everything new and His word is sure!
There will be some who won’t enjoy these new eternal accommodations. These are the cowardly and unbelieving, those who put off deciding to follow the Lord. Those who are murderers and are sexually immoral will not be invited in. Those practicing the occult and living lies will also be excluded and sent to the lake of burning sulfur. This lake is the second death spoken of at the Great White Throne judgment. (Revelation 20:14-15)
However, the new Jerusalem contains the most precious and beautiful treasures for the redeemed. There is the river of life that flows from the throne of God. It’s waters are crystal clear and flowing abundantly. The banks of the river are lined with the tree of life, bearing fruit each month of the year. It’s leaves bring healing to the nations. The best treasure of all is that those who dwell in this city will have God and the Lamb dwelling in their midst and they will see His face! What blessed peace and joy will be ours when we see Him and behold Him in all His glory!
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:12-14)
Three times in this final chapter the Lord speaks of His soon return, and the final “blessed” concerns those who have their wedding clothes ready for His coming! The Spirit and Bride conclude with an invitation to all to come and join the Bridal party of those waiting for the soon return! Just reading the invitation to this party makes me want to be ready! May you be ready too!
As we come to the last day of this year, I am so blessed to have been able to write through the entire Bible. It is something that I haven’t done before but hope to do again next year! I know that I have experienced Jesus Christ in every book. I also know the Lord’s heart better and feel that I have grown spiritually in ways that I would not have without writing. Thank you for sharing this journey with me and please join me again next year! In His Love, Pastor John Morse