Revelation - Week 36

Day 1

READ 

Revelation 20:7-9 

7 When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. 9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them. 

Although Satan had been bound for a thousand years so he could not deceive the nations, he is now loosed for a short time. Once again he is able to deceive the nations—all referred to as “Gog and Magog.” Apparently many born during the thousand year reign of Christ had not trusted in Him as Savior, and it is from this group that Satan makes up an army. All come against “the beloved city,” Jerusalem, but here they meet their defeat.  

REFLECT 

Think about nearly perfect peace for a thousand years and yet when Satan is loosed he makes up an army of unbelievers to fight against God. A better environment does not change hearts; only the gospel does. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a Christian friend about the importance of realizing believers serve a holy and just God and no one or no army will ever be greater than he is. To be “almighty” means there is no one greater. Read Genesis 17:1-6 where God calls Himself by this name as He talked with Abram and changed his name to Abraham.  

Day 2

READ 

Revelation 20:10 

10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 

The beast and false prophet had been cast into the lake of fire 1000 years earlier (see Revelation 19:20). After the thousand years the devil is thrown in there with them. Some say the effect of the punishment is not eternal, that those in the lake of fire will not be tormented forever and ever. Their view is not supported by this verse that says they “will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” 

REFLECT 

It is sad to think about anyone suffering “forever and ever.” The only way to avoid this is to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. 

RESPOND 

God did so much by sending His Son to die for the sins of the world. On the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Read Matthew 27:45-46 to learn about the darkness on earth for the last three hours Jesus was on the cross and at the end of this time the Son cried this out to His heavenly Father. After all the Father and Son went through to provide salvation for those who believe, why would they disregard those who refuse to believe in Jesus for salvation?  

Day 3

READ 

Revelation 20:11-12 

11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 

Revelation 20:11-15 tells about the Great White Throne judgment that all unbelievers will stand before and what the results will be. The Book of Life will be opened and unbelievers will be judged “according to what they had done.” This indicates degrees of punishment for unbelievers. Not all have been as bad as others, but none has believed in Jesus for salvation and so must pay the consequences for their sins, as Romans 6:23 says.  

REFLECT 

Think how privileged you are to have heard the message of salvation. But hearing is not enough; a person must believe the message and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. 

RESPOND 

With a friend, read Romans 10:14-15 that tells of the need to get the message out to others so they can believe in Jesus. 

Day 4

READ 

Revelation 20:13-14 

13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 

Wherever an unbeliever’s remains have gone at death, they will be brought together with the soul to stand before this judgment. The Greek term for “grave” is “hades” where the rich man was in Luke 16. That is a temporary place of torment for unbelievers until it gives up the dead in it to stand before the Great White Throne judgment. This is called “the second death” that is in contrast to the “first resurrection” also seen contrasted in Revelation 20:5-6. 

REFLECT 

Be thankful that if you have trusted in Jesus for salvation you will have part in the first resurrection and not in the second death. 

RESPOND 

Consider with a friend that “the lake of fire” is what is commonly referred to as “hell.” Hades is only a temporary place waiting for the final time of judgment. It is not purgatory, as the Bible does not teach anything about purgatory.  

Day 5

READ 

Revelation 20:15 

15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. 

What a sad ending to Revelation 20. Those who have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior do not have their names in the Book of Life. They have chosen to die in their sins instead of trusting in Jesus who paid the penalty of sin for them. Jesus offers a pardon, but the pardon must be accepted to be effective.  

REFLECT 

Think how sad it will be if any of your loved ones do not have their names in the Book of Life.  

RESPOND 

A believer cannot convert anyone, that is something only the Holy Spirit can do. The believer’s responsibility is to share about Jesus so others might know of the need to trust in Him as Savior. Read 1 Peter 3:15-16 that tells how to do this.