Revelation chapters 19 and 20 - Armageddon, Millenial Reign, Great White Throne Judgment

I. Armageddon

Background: Read Revelation 16:12-16. The Unholy Trinity convinces the rulers of earth to gather their armies at the plain of Megiddo.

Read Revelation 19:11-21

1) In vs. 11-16, how does John describe Jesus? Sitting on a white horse; Called Faithful and True; Judges and makes war – qualified to do so based on the fact that he has committed no wrong; eyes like flames; wearing multiple diadems - The diadem represented absolute power; a name that only he knows; clothed in a robe dipped in blood – whose blood? His enemies. Read Isaiah 63:1-6; called the Word of God, King of kings, Lord of Lords; from his mouth comes a sharp sword to strike down His enemies; rule with a rod of iron. Read Psalm 2

2) How was Armageddon fought? How did it go down? Did anything happen between verses 19 and 20? John didn’t describe a battle. No big movie battle scene like Gladiator or Lord of the Rings movies. The battle of Armageddon was somewhat anti-climatic. The beast and the false prophet were captured and were thrown alive into the lake of fire. How was the army of the beast defeated? Defeated by the word of God. No fighting.

II. Millenial Reign

Read Revelation 20:1-3.

3) What happened to Satan? Imprisoned in a bottomless pit for a thousand years. For what purpose? So that he would not be able to tempt the people of earth for a thousand years.

4) What happens to the followers of God who died during the Great Tribulation? They come to life and reign with Jesus for a thousand years. What about the followers of the AntiChrist who died? They are not resurrected … yet.

5) What do you think life on earth will be like during the thousand years after Armageddon? After Armageddon, God did not create a new heaven and new earth. Still old earth. Because Satan is imprisoned, does that mean no one will sin? No. People will sin. Man still has free will. Man still has sinful nature. People who survived the Tribulation who are non-believers are around.

6) Why is Satan released from the abyss after a thousand years? Satan’s version of the Second Coming. Greg’s speculation - He is released for the same reason he was allowed to tempt Adam and Eve. Test of obedience/faith. How much do you love me (God)? Do you really have faith in me (God)? Who comes first? Me or you? How will Satan go about deceiving the nations? How many will fall prey to his deception? Go back to the garden. What did the old serpent dangle in front of Eve? Why should you be subservient to God? You are like Him. He’s trying to keep you down. Prevent you from being like Him. From being gods. Why will people fall prey to Satan after all that they have witnessed? Why did Adam and Eve? Why did children of Israel? Why did David? Why did Judas?

Gog and Magog - Read Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39. Gog - prince. Magog – nation

7) How were the enemies of the saints defeated? Fire from Heaven. Sodom and Gomorrah part 2. Again, not much of a fight. What will be the final outcome for Satan? Same as the AntiChrist and false prophet. Thrown into the lake of fire.

III. Great White Throne Judgment

Read Revelation 20:11-15

8) Who fled from the presence of Him who sat upon the great white throne? Earth and sky - all creation fled from his presence. Why? Fear. Where did they flee to? Nowhere. Could not hide from God.

Define judgment - Greek krisis - justice, concept of determining the correctness of a matter

9) Who were being judged? The dead. The great (Kings, dictators, CEOs, scientists, philosophers, evangelists, popes,) and small (nobodies of history). Specifcally, non-believers. Focus is on judgment of non-believers. Read Matthew chapter 25:41-46. Where did they come from? Sea, death, and Hades/hell/the grave) Who were not present? Believers - Already given their reward. Read Matthew 25:31-40. The righteous sheep have been separated from unrighteous goats. Read John 5:22-29.

10) What is the difference between “the books” and the “book of life”? What is in each?
The dead were judged by what was found in the books – deeds. Book of life contains the names of those who will receive eternal life.

11) Why are the dead being put on trial? What do you think is the purpose of it? Won’t God already know their guilt? Yes. But God is not only a God of wrath, He is also a God of justice. Justice - the administration of what is just by the administration of merited awards or punishment. Paraphrase – you get what you deserve based on your actions. Justice demands that the guilty know why they are being punished. Example of God’s justice is found in Matthew 25. Purpose of Judgment Day - Prove, not to God, but to man & woman why they are guilty and why they are being punished.

12) How were the dead being judged? According to their deeds. What kind of deeds? Matthew 25. Why are the dead being judged on the basis of deeds?

Person 1: Adolf Hitler

Jesus: Let’s look at the books. Reads: Mass murderer. Looks at the book of life. No name. Depart from me, accursed one, into the eternal fire.

Person 2: He performed a lot of good deeds in his life. He was a philanthropist gave billions of dollars to stamp out world hunger, visited prisoners, provided shelter to homeless, etc., etc., He’s no Hitler. Not a rapist, robber, liar, or thief. He’s up next to be judged. How do you think he’s feeling about his chances of getting into heaven?

Jesus: Let’s look at the books. Reads: liar, covetousness, adulterer, took God’s name in vain, lover of money, etc. Looks at the book of life. No name. Depart from me, accursed one, into the eternal fire.

Accused: Look at the books again!!!! I did many good deeds

Jesus: Depart from me, accursed one

Why was he judged? Why wasn’t his good deeds in the books?

John 5:19-20, 30-36; John 3:16-21; John 10:37-38; James chapters 1 and 2.

His good deeds did not reflect the fact that God was in him and he in God. They did not bear witness/testify that he believed Jesus was the Son of God. The good deeds that he performed were not wrought in God. His good deeds did not testify/give evidence to his relationship with God.

Deeds/Works - Do not grant us salvation/they play no role in our salvation. Purpose of deeds/works is to be 1) a witness to others of God in our life and 2) an extension of our relationship with Him, drawing me closer to Him. Deeds are a reflection of God within us. That Jesus is in me and I in Him. Deeds are a testimony that God is within me. The world sees that and God sees that. That is why I do Matthew chapter 25. That is why what I do is not to reflect on me. To make me look good in the eyes of others or myself. What I do should reflect on God so that others can see God in me. To be a witness to others. And draw me closer to God.

When Judgment Day comes, and all of the dead stands before the Judge, the books are open listing that person’s deeds, they will provide ample evidence to the accused that he is guilty of NOT believing in Jesus.

13) What is the final outcome of death and the grave? What is the final outcome for those whose names were not written in the book of life? Lake of fire.

Application:

1. Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God? God sent Him into the world to die for our sins and raised Him from the dead so that we know eternal life and not experience the judgment?
2. If you believe Jesus is the Son of God, do you KNOW Him? Do you have an intimate relationship with Him?
3. Do you seek His will for you in your life? Do you seek to do His will?
4. Are the answers to these questions manifested in your works/deeds? Do they give testimony to others of your relationship with Jesus? Preach the Gospel to all the world and if necessary, use words - St. Francis of Assisi. Find out the answers today. Don’t wait until Judgment Day.