ECHO Student Ministries

Revelation 21:1-22:21

Although we have just examined one of the saddest passages in Scripture, the sentencing of unbelievers to the lake of fire, our spirits turn as John begins to describe the things which await those who have believed in Jesus Christ. John writes, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away [2 Peter 3:10-13]. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God..." (21:1-2). Jesus had promised His disciples thousands of years before that He would return for them and that He was going to prepare a place for them to dwell with him forever (John 14:1-3). This place, the New Jerusalem (heaven), is the fulfillment of that promise and it will not only be a place for the disciples, but also for the redeemed of all ages.

By this time in future history, the entire earth as we know it will have been destroyed and no evil will remain. Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet, and all evil men will have been cast into the lake of fire (20:7-15) in eternal punishment for their sin. In contrast to this sad reality, the New Jerusalem descends out of heaven becoming the dwelling place of all believers where God will eternally live with them. John describes this by writing, "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them and be their God'" (21:3). The next thing John writes is probably one of the most incomprehensible things surrounding this abode of the saints, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things [sin and the curse] have passed away" (21:4). It is very hard for the human mind to imagine a world without disappointment and pain, but God has promised us an eternity without concern for sin and its effects. John describes it as God making "all things new" (21:5). "The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars" will not be a part of this new kingdom because they will "have their part in the lake of fire which burns with fire and brimstone..." (21:8).

What will this city look like? John is given a personal tour and in turn he provides a brief description of some of its characteristics. Here is an overview: - God's glory will give light to the city (21:11,23; 22:5) - A great wall with twelve gates will surround it (21:12-14,17-18a,19-21a)
- A cube shape city with 1,400 miles on each side - 2 million square miles (21:15-16)
- City is made of pure gold, like clear glass (21:18b)
- Streets are pure gold (21:21b)
- No temple because God is the temple (21:22)
- People of all types will roam freely in the city (21:24-26)
- Nothing can enter which would defile it (21:27; 22:3)
- A river of eternal life will flow from the throne of God (22:1)
- A tree of life will provide twelve fruits of eternal life (22:2-3)
- There will be no night (22:5)
- John also reveals that the people who inhabit the city will serve God (22:3b) and His name will be written on their foreheads (22:4) and they will "reign forever and ever" (22:5).

The angel speaks to John and informs him that the words he has heard are "faithful and true" (22:6). Then the angel tells John that he has been chosen to write these true things in order "to show His servants [seven churches and all believers] the things which must shortly take place" (22:6). John is also reminded that Jesus is coming quickly and those who read and "keep the words of the prophecy of this book" will be blessed (22:7, 12-14).

The reading of the book of Revelation should lead to a life of obedience and worship of God (22:9-11, 14). As we closely consider the things which will soon take place on this earth, may we be surrendered to obey God's will in our daily lives and warn others of the future judgment upon all those who hate God. May God help our study of Revelation to be written in our hearts so that we would often be reminded of its truth.

Dear God, thank You for this book of future things and may it result in an obedient life

Revelation 20:11-15

As we begin to see what John writes in this passage, we must remember that Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet have been cast into the lake of fire (hell) forever and ever. Satan has been deceiving people since the beginning of the human race causing many to develop a false sense of what is good. His one purpose in all he does is to oppose the work of God and draw many into his web of deception. Instead of trusting Jesus Christ for salvation, Satan has tempted mankind into believing that they do not need the forgiveness of God or to trust Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. The Bible very clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is the only way to a relationship with God and eternal life in heaven (John 14:7). Without Jesus' shedding of His blood on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection from the dead for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), there is no forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22).

In these verses we realize the fruit of all Satan's labor as millions of people will stand before God in final judgment for the sins they have committed. Instead of believing that Jesus paid for their sins on the cross, they tried to make their own way in life ignoring the free gift of salvation through Jesus (Romans 6:23). The writer of Hebrews reminds us, "And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many" (Hebrews 9:27-28). The judgment spoken of here is referred to as the Great White Throne judgment. John writes, "I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them" (20:11). Peter tells us that at this time in future history, the entire universe as we know it will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10-13). John then sees the "dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books" (20:12). These books document every sin committed by every person who appear at this judgment while the Book of Life is a record of all who have been forgiven through their faith in Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. All who stand before God at this judgment have rejected Jesus' payment for their sin and therefore the penalty must be paid by them. John reveals their punishment and writes, "The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. The Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (20:13-15). Lest we just flippantly read over these verses, all these people without the forgiveness of Jesus are cast into eternal punishment. There is no return. There is no escape. There is no end to their suffering. So what is this lake of fire? I believe the Bible teaches that it is a literal place of torment and Jesus often calls it a place where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 22:13; 24:15).

Many think God is unfair to punish sinners for all eternity in hell; however, we must remember that hell was only created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41) and God did not desire for any person to go there. God loved mankind so much that He made a way for every one to be forgiven through the death of His only Son, Jesus (John 3:16). Peter also reminds us that God "is longsuffering [patient] toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Even Jesus' intention in coming to earth was not "to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17). God does not want anyone to spend eternity in hell, but since sin cannot go unpunished because that would make God unjust. So that we did not have to be punished for sin, God "made Him [Jesus Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). The unwillingness to recognize our sin and ask for God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ will ultimately lead to eternal separation from God in hell. John gives it to us straight, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).

Dear God, may many see the reality of coming judgment and turn to You in faith and repentance through Jesus Christ.

Revelation 20:1-10

Because I approach the book of Revelation with a premillennial view, I believe that Jesus Christ will return to earth immediately following the seven year tribulation period and prior to His literal 1,000 year reign on earth. God has completed His judgments (for now) upon the evil inhabitants of the earth who have rejected salvation through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. There were three series of judgments (seal, trumpet, and bowl) which contained seven judgments each. The final bowl judgment was the destruction of Babylon, the Antichrist's headquarters on earth (16:17-21) where God sent brought swift judgment upon evildoers (19:17-21). Since at this time the Antichrist, false prophet, and all unbelievers will be eliminated from the face of the earth Jesus will begin to set up His earthly kingdom. His first order of business is to get rid of Satan, who is known as the "dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil..." (20:2).

An angel descends from heaven and bounds Satan in what is called the "bottomless pit" for 1,000 years "so that he cannot deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished" (20:3-4). The removal of Satan as well as his demons will drastically affect the happenings on earth during this time. Without their tempting forces, people will only be left to deal with temptations through the world and the flesh.
Although the book of Revelation does not give us a ton of details about the 1,000 year millennial reign of Christ, John does provide a little taste of the things which will govern this kingdom. He writes, "I saw thrones, and they sat on them and judgment was committed to them...and they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years...they shall be priests of God and of Christ" (20:4-6). These few words may seem too few, but notice what believers will not experience as opposed to the destiny of those who hate God, "But the rest of the dead [unbelievers] did not live again until the thousand years were finished" (20:5). The first resurrection, which happened at the time of the rapture, is known as the resurrection of the just; however, the second resurrection at the conclusion of the millennial period will result in the judgment of all unbelievers and ultimately lead to eternity in hell (20:11-15).

Following this 1,000 year reign of Christ, Satan will be released from the bottomless pit for one last time in order to deceive the nations (20:7-8). Who will he deceive since all those who entered the millennial period are believers? Satan will seek to blind those children who have been born to believers during the 1,000 years. It appears that Satan will gather many people and these rebellious will be referred to as "Gog and Magog." Satan and his new followers will develop an army thinking they can bring down Jesus' kingdom, but their rebellion will be short lived. John writes that they surround "the camp of the saints and the beloved city [Jerusalem]" but "fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them" (20:9).

At this point, God turns His full attention to Satan, who deceived these people, and he is "cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" (20:10). They are deserving of this punishment as they have led so many to hate God and reject salvation through Him.

Dear God, it is a comfort to read about the final resting place of Satan and the evil leaders he has put in place to deceive people. May You be glorified in this!

Revelation 19:6-21

The seventh bowl (vial) judgment has just finished (Revelation 16:17-21) detailing the demise (Revelation 17) and final destruction (Revelation 18) of the evil city of Babylon. For seven years the city of Babylon has been the capital city of the Antichrist and from it all kinds of evil and deception have corrupted the inhabitants of the earth. Heaven has reacted favorably that Babylon has been finally judged for her sins and spiritual apostasy (19:1-5).

Now John hears the voice of many people saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready" (19:6-7). Many have referred to this proclamation as the marriage supper of the Lamb when the church is once and for all united with Christ, never to be separated from Him again. Of course this marriage also includes the redeemed from all ages. This marriage supper follows the seven year tribulation period and is prior to the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. The celebration of believers being united with Jesus Christ will continue throughout the millennial reign.

Next John sees heaven opened and Jesus Christ riding down on a white horse. John describes Him as "Faithful and True [kept His word to return], and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire [He sees all], and on His head were many crowns..." (19:11-12). Jesus Christ will finally return to earth (His second coming) as He had promised in Matthew 24:27-31 and John writes that He will "rule them with a rod of iron [righteous judgment]. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of the Almighty God" (19:15). Distinct from all other rulers the world has ever seen, Jesus' reign will be guided by holiness and justice. As Jesus returns, "the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses" (19:14) which indicates that a battle is getting ready to take place. This is known as the Battle of Armageddon. Jesus is leading believers from all ages to battle against the remaining forces of evil on the earth. An angel calls for the birds to gather so they can feed on the flesh which is about to be killed (19:17-18). The Antichrist will also gather his armies together to fight against Jesus and His people (19:19); however, this does not seem like much of a battle. The Antichrist is immediately captured as well as the false prophet and those who worshipped the image (19:20). The false prophet and those who worshipped the image of the Antichrist are thrown into the lake of fire being the first of millions who will spend eternity there for their rejection of Jesus Christ (19:20b). Revelation 19 ends with John writing, "And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh" (19:21). The only people left surviving will be those who have believed in Jesus Christ. This day will be a victorious day for Jesus because evil has been wiped from the earth at this moment; however, this day will be the last of all those who have hated God and rejected His Son, Jesus, as the only way for salvation.

Dear God, I rejoice in knowing that You will have the victory over sin. I look forward to Your soon return and Your righteous rule over all the earth!

Revelation 18:1-19:5

Revelation 17 detailed the demise of Babylon which will be where the Antichrist sets up his headquarters during the last days. He deceives the world leaders as well as the people into a unified kingdom and ultimately takes control over everything; of course, the Antichrist's ultimate goal will be to bring all people under one religious system in worship of him. He will bring world peace and offer false hope, but at the mid-point of the seven year tribulation period the Antichrist will reveal his true colors and engage in attacks against God's people. When the Antichrist breaks the peace alliance he has made with Israel, according to Daniel 9:27 "he will bring an end to sacrifice and offering." Whatever he does will be an abomination to the Jews and their religion and will strip them of their system of worship.

Revelation 17 also reveals that the Antichrist and his evil system has thrown the entire world into chaos bringing judgment from God (see Revelation 16:1-16); however, we previously learned that God allowed this to happen in order to accomplish His judgment upon the world (Revelation 17:17). The Antichrist has finally succeeded in deceiving many and causing them to reject Jesus Christ as their Savior. So, while Revelation 17 describes the leading up to the destruction and judgment of Babylon, Revelation 18 pictures its final destruction prior to the millennial reign of Christ on the earth. Babylon is destroyed and Jerusalem will become the place where Jesus sets up His earthly kingdom.

John writes that an angel comes down from heaven and cries with a loud voice, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons...for all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication..." (18:1-3). Then God speaks from heaven and calls out those who are His to abandon Babylon unless they want to be a part of the judgment (18:4-8). After God speaks, John writes about the sadness of those who loved Babylon and mourned its destruction (18:9-20). The kings of the earth, who made Babylon powerful will mourn her being burned by fire (18:9-10). The merchants of the earth will also express their sadness for Babylon because they are no longer able to buy and sell (18:11- 19). Finally, the angel (18:1) calls the apostles and prophets to rejoice because of Babylon's destruction (18:20) and another angel announces the final judgment upon Babylon (18:21- 24).

Those in heaven react to this capital city of the Antichrist being destroyed by declaring, "true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot [Babylon] who corrupted the earth with her fornication..." (19:2). Again, this destruction of Babylon will usher in the millennial reign of Christ where He will set up His righteous rule for 1,000 years.

Dear God, it is comforting to know that one day You will bring proper judgment upon all those who hate You and Your work. May the future destruction of Babylon serve as a reminder that You hate sin and will bring consequences on all those who follow after evil. Keep Your people from sin that they may be a testimony of Your grace.

Revelation 17:1-18

The final series of judgments have been poured out upon the earth and John had documented what he had been shown in Revelation 15-16. The seventh bowl (or vial) judgment included the destruction of Babylon, which was the capital city of the Antichrist. John is given a little more detail about the demise of Babylon before its destruction in Revelation 18-19. Revelation 17 is best seen outside of the chronological order which has been followed so far. This demise probably took place around the mid-point of the tribulation period while Babylon's destruction would not take place until right before the millennial reign of Christ.

John begins this section by writing, "One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me [John], saying to me, 'Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot [Babylon] who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.'" (17:1-2) The fornication being referred to here is not sexual sin, but spiritual apostasy. Instead of worshiping God, the kings as well as the inhabitants of the earth worshipped false gods. The ultimate plan of the Antichrist was to bring all kings and nations under one religion which meant the exclusive worship of himself.

John is then "carried away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I [John] saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast [Antichrist] which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns...I saw the woman [Babylon], drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus" (17:3,6). We must remember that the Antichrist desires to bring all people into a one world religion causing millions to reject Jesus Christ and worship him. God then allows John to see the extent of the Antichrist's influence upon the entire world and how he leads them into spiritual apostasy. When John sees all this, he says that he "marveled with great amazement" (17:6b). The angel immediately says, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman [Babylon] and of the beast [Antichrist] that carries her..." (17:7). The angel goes on to reveal to John concerning the "seven heads and ten horns" which were used to describe this beast, the Antichrist. Many scholars believe that this description illustrates the alliance of the Antichrist with other kings and rulers. Here is how John describes it based on the words of the angel, "The seven heads are seven mountains [seven kingdoms] on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen [Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece], one is [Rome], and the other has not yet come [Antichrist's kingdom]. And when he comes, he must continue a short time" (17:9-10). John also adds that "the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going into perdition" (17:11). The Antichrist is seventh and eighth because he was the seventh ruler and then after his fake resurrection (13:1-5) he will also be the eighth.

The beast is also described as having ten horns. Again, scholars tell us that the ten horns are representative of ten kings who will be placed under the authority of the Antichrist. These rulers will "give their power and authority to the beast" and they "will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them..." (17:13-14). This war was referenced in Revelation 16:14-16 and their eventual defeat is recorded in Revelation 19:17-21. There is so much symbolism in this chapter so I have decided to summarize it with an overall commentary from the John MacArthur Study Bible (p.2017): "After using the false religious system to unify the world kingdoms and gain control of all, the Antichrist - with the help of ten sub-rulers - will turn against the system, plunder and destroy it, and seize all power and worship for himself."

Dear God, please continue to give me wisdom to see those things which are written about the future.