Lesson 62
Revelation - Study of Things to Come
The
Return of Christ - Chapter 19
Ch 1
Rapture
Return of
7 Churches Ch 2-3 4:1 Christ ch
19 New
Heaven
Trib ch 6-19 Millenium ch 20 &
New Earth
Vision
of
Reign of Christ ch-21-22
Throne ch 4-5 1000 years
Looking at an Overview of the wider context:
1. Termination; 19:17-21 of the rule of GWD, F/P; Kings of the
earth; passing of the rule from man to
God
2. Incarceration; of Satan 20:1-3
3. What about Satan's
release at the end of the 1000 years, the millennium? That's 20:7 - 9
What is the first thing that he does upon his
release?? vs:8
** Even in perfect
environment, w/o Satan on the scene, man chooses to set his mind in opposition
to God and is ripe for the picking when Satan is released at the end.
4. The Last Event is the GWTJ; the final judgment;
of all UB's-
But God says, not now, in due time; well 20:11-15
is the time.
God has demonstrated that man has no basis for
argument against Him.
One note: The extent of the rebellion at the end of
the Millennium might surprise you! Look at 20:8 "like the sands of the
seashore"
1.
20:1-3 Details: The Incarceration of Satan, the deceiver!
Having just disposed of GWD and the F/P and the
armies of the world it is only logical that the context now turns to dealing
with Satan!
This angel, messenger, performs 6 functions;
1. To seize the dragon.
Descriptions
that are given: defines clearly his character and how he operates!
1. The Great Dragon;
great = scope of pwr/dragon = intense cruelty and
just how vicious the power is.
2. The serpent of old;
the tie is to the garden of Eden and the fall;
underscores his methodology; has
been deceiving, conning man since the
beginning of human history and it hasn't changed.
Our only defense is to know DVPT, we must be
saturated with it and be willing to live on the basis of it.
Digression:
There is a pipeline of truth!!
Illustration of the swimming pool!
He gave us His word so that we won't have to choke
on Satan's deceptions. It's the only fresh air that we can get.
Our commitment to the consistent study of the word
of God, God's
way, that is in a local assembly faithfully holding forth the word of truth is
essential for our spiritual health.
We absorb the thinking, the vpt of the culture by
default so very easily unless we do something to counter it, namely get this
book, God's vpt into our thinking, making it our F/O/R and the standards of our
conscience!
3. devil
= Dia,boloj = identifies him as slanderer and accuser;
4. Satan = Satana/j; adversary, opponent;
not only of God but also of anyone who lives the truth, the WOG; therefore of
the will of God.
If you want to incur the wrath of Satan all you
need to do is to embrace the
will of God, to live the Truth of God's word.
2.
To bind Satan for 1000 years.
- this is the purpose of
the "great chain";
- How do you chain a real but immaterial being,
like Satan?
3.
To cast him into the abyss. (20:3)
- This is the place where Satan will be imprisoned during the 1000
years of Christ's rule in the Millennium.
Observations on the Abyss:
1. The abyss as used here
and everywhere else (but the one) is the abode of demons.
2. Many of the demons
that Jesus expelled during His ministry, expressed their dread, fear of going
there before the appointed time. Lk
3. This is only a
temporal abode since their final, eternal abode is in the LOF. Mt 25:41
4. This place must be
distinguished from sheol/hades or hell; abode of the
immaterial part of the dead; the soul/spirit of UB's;
- that
is between death, and the 2nd resurrection, the GWTJ, and their eternal abode in the LOF. Rev 20:11-15.
4.
To shut the abyss, using the key, his authority, & access, to lock the
abyss.
5. To set a seal over
Satan which renders inoperative his work of deception in the
world.
6.
To release him after the 1000 years are complete. Result in vs:7-9