Transcript
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Fall of Babylon

The Fall of Babylon

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Chapters 17 and 18 are a literary triumph of imaginative power.

Chapter 17 portrays the overthrow of Babylon in terms of the destruction of the “great prostitute” sitting astride a scarlet beast flaunting her vile profession.

The Fall of Babylon (Rome)

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Revelation 17:1-6 - One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries." 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision

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Revelation 17:1 - One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.

OT testament prophecy frequently depicts religious apostasy as prostitution (see Isa. 1:21, Jer. 13:27, Eze. 16:15ff and Hos 2:5).

In this context however, the harlot is a city drunk on the wine of power and luxury (see Nah. 3:4 and Isa. 23:16, 17).

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision

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Revelation 17:5 - This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Marking of the forehead is a common theme in Revelation. Thrice we find those who worship the beast having been marked (13:16, 14:9 and 20:4) and four times we find the children of God having been similarly identified (7:3, 9:4, 14:1, and 22:4).

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision

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Revelation 17:5 - This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Many have suggested that John is writing in code. As a prisoner on Patmos, it is possible that his correspondence would have been censored by his captors.

If this is indeed a code, then it is a very thinly disguised cipher.

Remember the two central events in the history of God’s people up to this time were the Exodus and the Babylonian Captivity.

Equating Rome with Babylon enhances the understanding of Rome’s evil.

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision

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Revelation 17:7-18 - Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come. 9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. 12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." 15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision Explained

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Revelation 17:7-8 - Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.

John is speaking about persecution.

Particularly persecution by the institutional powers of Rome. Official persecution began under Nero.

At the time of John’s writing it had yet to resurface.

But shortly, the persecution will return in full force.

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision Explained

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Revelation 17:9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.

In case you missed it the first time, the beast is identified more overtly with Rome.

Rome was originally seven settlements built upon seven hills on the east bank of the Tiber River.

However, one chooses to interpret this, the immediate reference is to the city of Rome.

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision Explained

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Revelation 17:10-14 - They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. 12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.“

Historically this section has lead to a number of different interpretations:Counting Roman emperorsCounting secular empires

Probably the best answer is to see the seven kings, et al as symbolically representing the power of the Roman empire as a historic whole and understanding that the end is drawing near.

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision Explained

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Revelation 17:15-18 - Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.“

The various parts of the Roman Empire will turn upon their master.

To leave one exposed was the ultimate insult in that day and time.

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision Explained

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Revelation 17:15-18 - Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.“

The various parts of the Roman Empire will turn upon their master.

Portrays the fierceness with which the city of Rome is to be attacked by her assailants.

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision Explained

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Revelation 17:15-18 - Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.“

The various parts of the Roman Empire will turn upon their master.

Once again we see fire as the instrument of judgment.

God is in control.

The Fall of Babylon – The Vision Explained

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Essentially chapter eighteen is a funeral dirge written in three parts. It describes the fall of Babylon as seen through the eyes of those who profited most from her power and wealth.

This entire section is poetic. When we try to interpret it as prose we run into difficulty.

It is written in three parts:

1) Babylon (Rome) is desolate (18:1-8)

2) The three laments (18:9-20)a) Kings and those who wielded political powerb) Merchants and those who profited through commercec) Seafarers whose lives depended upon trading with Babylon

3) Babylon destroyed (18:21-24)

Chapter 18 – The Great Lament

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Revelation 19:1-5 - After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." 3 And again they shouted: "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever." 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!" 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"

The action moves from earth back into heaven.

This forms a fitting climax for the fall of Babylon/Rome.

Chapter 19 – A Hymn of Vindication

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Revelation 19:1-5 - After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." 3 And again they shouted: "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever." 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!" 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"

This forms a fitting climax for the fall of Babylon/Rome

Remember Chapter 7?

Chapter 19 – A Hymn of Vindication

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Revelation 19:1-5 - After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." 3 And again they shouted: "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever." 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!" 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"

This forms a fitting climax for the fall of Babylon/Rome

Once again, John connects us back to the throne scene in chapter four which got the whole ball rolling.

Chapter 19 – A Hymn of Vindication

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Revelation 19:6-10 - Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God." 10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Chapter 19 – The Wedding of the Lamb

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Revelation 19:6-8 - Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

The idea of the relationship between God and his people as a marriage goes back to the OT.

Isaiah 54:5 - For your Maker is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. (see also Hosea 2:19)

In the NT the church is often represented as the bride of Christ

Chapter 19 – The Wedding of the Lamb

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Revelation 19:9 - Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God.“

This is the fourth in the series of seven beatitudes that appear in Revelation(1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14).

The invitation to the wedding feast of Christ and his bride, the church, is the signal that the climax of events is close at hand.

Chapter 19 – The Wedding of the Lamb

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Revelation 19:11-16 - I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Chapter 19 – The Warrior Messiah

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Revelation 19:11-12 - I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.

White horses were symbolic of victory.

Chapter 19 – The Warrior Messiah

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Revelation 19:11-12 - I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.

White horses were symbolic of victory.

This connects us back to the description of Christ in1:14 (His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.)

Chapter 19 – The Warrior Messiah

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Revelation 19:11-12 - I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.

White horses were symbolic of victory.

This connects us back to the description of Christ in1:14 (His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire).

It was not uncommon in John’s day for rulers to be king over several “countries” at once. Here, I think John is pointing to Christ’s overwhelming power.

Chapter 19 – The Warrior Messiah

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Revelation 19:13-16 - He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

An obvious allusion to Isaiah 63:1-3, but John changes the focus to Christ’s victory by the shedding of his own blood.

Chapter 19 – The Warrior Messiah

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Revelation 19:13-16 - He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Christ’s only weapon, and the only weapon of his army (the church), is the Word of God.

Evil is defeated, not by military force, rather through the word of testimony.

Chapter 19 – The Warrior Messiah

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Revelation 19:13-16 - He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

This image here is set in the tradition of the Jewish warrior Messiah more than the NT understanding of the second coming of Christ. Even so, the idea is not in conflict with NT teaching (see 2 Thess. 1:7-8 and Mt. 25:41), it is more a matter of emphasis. There are two complementary themes:

1) Messianic judgment on the wicked

2) Fulfillment and vindication of Christian hope.

Chapter 19 – The Warrior Messiah

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Revelation 19:17-21 - And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great." 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Chapter 19 – The Defeat of the Anti-Christ

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Revelation 19:17-21 - And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great." 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Before we begin to unpack this, we need to remember that we are dealing with symbolism at its highest point.

Chapter 19 – The Defeat of the Anti-Christ

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Revelation 19:17-21 - And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great." 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

John has borrowed heavily form Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 (esp. 39:17-20) for this vision of the revolting feast.

This carrion meal is a solemn travesty on the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Chapter 19 – The Defeat of the Anti-Christ

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Revelation 19:19-20 - Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

This is the critical moment for which John has been preparing us since the beginning.

Note that John does not speak at all of the battle, only the outcome.

The beast (current manifestation of evil) and his prophet (that which promotes the beast)

are captured and destroyed.

Chapter 19 – The Defeat of the Anti-Christ

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Based on the amount of literature that has been written concerning the first ten verses of chapter 20, you would think it is the most important part of John’s letter.

The tendency of most authors is to defend their particular understanding of the “millennium” – verse 4.

Let’s look at it together and hopefully we can draw some conclusions.

Chapter 20

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Revelation 20:1-3 - 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.

Chapter 20 – Satan Bound

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Revelation 20:1-3 - 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.

This four-fold identification is John’s way of making sure we all know of whom he is referring.

Chapter 20 – Satan Bound

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Revelation 20:1-3 - 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.

How one chooses to understand this verse is dependent upon how one views the millennium as a whole. Two popular opinions:

1) In the period between Christ’s two advents, the devil’s influence is curtailed (not eliminated) in a manner that allows the church to grow through evangelism.

2) Satan is not merely restricted rather rendered entirely inactive during the 1,000 years after Christ’s second advent.

Chapter 20 – Satan Bound

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Revelation 20:4-6 - 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 for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 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.

Again how one chooses to understand these three verses is determined by how one approaches the entire book of Revelation. More later.

Chapter 20 – The Millennial Reign

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Revelation 20:7-10 - When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-- Gog and Magog-- to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Chapter 20 – Satan Destroyed

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Revelation 20:7-10 - When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-- Gog and Magog-- to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

It’s probably not wise to press the chronology here. Perhaps the message is that even with the passing of a huge amount of time, the designs of Satan and the leanings of the human heart remain unchanged.

Chapter 20 – Satan Destroyed

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Revelation 20:7-10 - When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-- Gog and Magog-- to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Definitely taken from Ezekiel 38:2. Here God and Magog are expended to include all the world’s powers opposed to God.

Chapter 20 – Satan Destroyed

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Revelation 20:7-10 - When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-- Gog and Magog-- to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Once more the devil looses - AGAIN

Chapter 20 – Satan Destroyed

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Revelation 20:11-15 - Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky 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 he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Chapter 20 – Final Judgment

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Revelation 20:11-15 - Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky 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 he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The last enemies of mankind – death and hell are destroyed after they have given up those trapped in them. The vociferous monsters that devour humanity are no longer a threat.

Chapter 20 – Final Judgment

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There are three things we can say for sure about the last judgment:

1) Everyone will be there

2) Everyone will be on time

3) Everyone will stay until it’s over

Chapter 20 – Final Judgment

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So, What does all of this mean?

- Continues the image of the wedding feast. We saw it in Isaiah (25:6-9). Jesus spoke about it (Lk. 14:16-24; Mt. 22:2-14). John will bring it to

conclusion (Rev. 21:9ff).

- Satan’s defeat is sure. Good will triumph over evil. Evil will have its day (today) but good will prevail.

- The end of time is a person (Jesus Christ) and he can be trusted.

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Next Week

The New Jerusalem

Chapters 21 and 22

Final Session

Hallelujah


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