Revelation 20 reminds me of comedian Flip Wilson. In the 1960’s he gained fame, appearing on many television shows. One of his characters would inevitably shirk responsibility for her misdeeds with the line: “The Devil made me do it!” It is far easier to blame someone else for our actions then to admit that we lack self-control. Today’s lesson is about overcoming the sin within. John begins by describing a nameless angel coming down from heaven holding a great chain, and a “key to the Abyss”. The word used means “bottomless pit”. John writes: “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” First, notice there was no scuffle, the devil was subdued by a random angel because God commanded it. God is not part of His creation; He is the Creator and has no equal. Next, we read that the angel: “locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations… until the thousand years were ended.” People blame poverty, racism, sexism, or a host of other excuses for their attitudes, actions and reactions. Some blame Satan, and some even blame God. How will mankind behave without the deceiver in their midst? Is corruption caused by all of the “isms”, or do the corrupt use them as tools to divide? We will see in the kingdom age. For now, are you loving your neighbor as yourself?
John describes the millennial period while Satan is locked away: “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.” These rulers are apparently the resurrected believers in Christ. In addition, John sees those who had been executed: “because of their testimony about Jesus” during the tribulation period. This group “had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark.” Both have been resurrected, and “reigned with Christ a thousand years.” There will be no war, no injustice, no tyranny. John calls this the first resurrection, and notes they are blessed and holy. Who are they ruling over? The survivors of the tribulation will apparently live in this perfect environment, and perhaps with lifespans restored to “pre-fall” lengths, repopulate the earth. John says there is also a group that died who will not be resurrected until “until the thousand years were ended.”
John continues: “When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison”, and to no one’s surprise, continues his quest to “deceive the nations”. Are people that easily deceived? Apparently so. Nations will gather, “like the sand on the seashore” and “surrounded the camp of God’s people”. Satan can blind people to the truth. Those that reject Jesus will believe almost anything else to prove themselves right. John writes: “fire came down from heaven and devoured them.” Satan, the deceiver, “was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown.” John says: “They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Finally, John sees: “A great white throne and Him who was seated on it”. The fullness of God sits while all who had not been resurrected stand before Him. Note that they are standing, this is not a trial, it is the sentencing. Books are open, and the book of life is mentioned specifically. “The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” It is important to explain here that anyone that has accepted Christ as Savior has been pardoned. Christ has already paid the penalty for their sin. They are forgiven, and according to 2 Corinthians 5 believers stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive rewards, not sentencing. The chapter concludes with the somber truth: “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” All have sinned and fall short of perfection. Today, each of us can chose to receive forgiveness through the blood of Christ. Please don’t be blinded by blame.