At Armageddon, the beast and the false prophet had been thrown into the lake of fire. Then Satan was locked away for a thousand years. Upon his release, he immediately goes on the offensive against Christ and his people. But his end will be like his followers—he too will be cast into the lake of fire.
Satan had been locked up for a thousand years so that he could no longer deceive the nations. But at the end of that thousand years, Satan will be let out of his prison (this is planned by God). Immediately, Satan will deceive the nations from every corner of the earth. The unbelievers still on the earth after the battle of Armageddon will have lived through the thousand-year reign of Christ, but as soon as Satan is set free, they will be deceived and ready for battle. This reaction demonstrates that Satan will not repent. It also shows that people rebel against God no matter how long or how many chances they are given to repent. The source of rebellion against God comes not from the environment or even from Satan himself but from within the human heart.
The names Gog and Magog symbolize all the nations of the earth that join together to battle God. Noah’s son, Japheth, had a son named Magog (Genesis 10:2). Ezekiel presented Gog, of the land of Magog, as a leader of forces against Israel (Ezekiel 38–39). This comparison is used in Revelation, as is so much other Old Testament prophecy, because of the similarity of evil forces battling against God’s people and God’s cataclysmic victory. Gog represents the aggregate military might of all the forces opposed to God. Many say that the battle Ezekiel described will occur at the end of human history, but there are many differences between the events described in Ezekiel and the final battle of Revelation 20. Regardless of when this battle will occur, the message is clear: God will deliver his people. No enemy will be able to stand against his mighty power.
This vast army of people, led by Satan himself, went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. The unbelievers attacked the believers. Before a battle can even ensue, however, fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them (Ezekiel 38:22; 39:6). God totally destroyed this entire army. All of Satan’s followers were destroyed in an instant.
The Devil, Satan, the one who had been let free and had betrayed all the nations, received his just punishment. He was thrown into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. The evil trinity was gone forever. Satan’s power is not eternal—he will meet his doom. He began his evil work in mankind at the beginning and continues it today, but he will be destroyed and never a threat to anyone again.
At the judgment, the books will be opened. These books contain the recorded deeds of everyone, good or evil. Everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated. No one is saved by deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God. Jesus will look at how we have handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience and service. Each of us must serve Christ in the best way we know and live each day knowing the books will be opened.
Next, John saw a great white throne with someone sitting on it. He did not identify the one on the throne. Throughout Revelation, it is God who is pictured as sitting on a throne (for example, Revelation 4:2; 7:10; 19:4). Daniel had a similar vision (Daniel 7:9-10).
With the appearance of this one on the throne, the earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. This is the great and final judgment, the place where the books will be opened, including the Book of Life. As seen in Revelation 3:5, this is the heavenly registry of those who have accepted Christ’s gift of salvation. All people will be judged according to the things written in the books, according to what they had done. No one will be forgotten at this final gathering.
Believers will be judged—not to see if they merit eternal life, for their names will already be in the Book of Life. This will be a judgment for rewards. Believers’ works cannot save them, but their deeds are important to God. The deeds with which believers build their lives do matter (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Unbelievers also will be judged according to their works, but, of course, no works, no matter how good, will be able to save them.
And death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. God’s judgment is complete. As Paul said, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). Isaiah had foreseen this day: “He will swallow up death forever” Isaiah 25:8). The lake of fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked—Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the demons, death, Hades, and anyone whose name was not written in the book of life. This is the second death. They died the first time physically; this time their death was spiritual. The lake of fire was prepared by God for the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Those who refuse to believe in Christ will share the Devil’s judgment.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
Let me make very clear this truth - you must get this; The Bible says, “The dead are judged according to their deeds.” You, as a believer in Christ, you’re not going to be there for this judgment. You know why? You’re not the dead. You’re the alive! God has made you alive in Jesus Christ. When the Bible talks about the dead it’s talking about those who don’t know Him.
Jesus talked about this in John 5:24 “I assure you, those who listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me, have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins. They have already passed from death into life.”
If there are any doubts for you regarding your salvation, You can settle this issue that’s going to be talked about at the Great White Thrown Judgement now or later. Right now you can settle the issue of passing from death into life by saying “Jesus Christ, I want to enjoy Your life for the rest of eternity.”
So believers are not going to be standing in the great long line going up to the Great White Thrown worrying, wondering “Did I really trust Christ? Did I really mean it? Or did I do some bad things in my life,” and you take another step forward and worry some more. You take another step. Billions people in that long line.
You’re not going to be in that line because you’re the alive. You’ve already passed from death into life. And the truth is that’s not only true of us who are believers, it’s true for anyone in our lives that we can help to find Christ. That is the power for me behind sharing the gospel, the good news of Christ. I don’t want anybody I know to be in that line. I don’t want anybody I know to worry about their salvation. I want them to know that their name is already in the book of life, they don’t have to face this judgment at the end of time.
If I depend on what I have done, my works, I'm truly and eternally dead. I’ll be there for this Great White Throne of Judgment. It doesn’t matter how many good works we’ve done, they’re not good enough. They can’t be good enough. Not to be allowed into a perfect heaven with a perfect God. The slate could be clean except for one sin in your whole life and it would be enough to judge you at this Great White Thrown.
But if I depend instead on what He has done, I'm truly and eternally alive and my name is in the book of life because of God’s grace. It’s not something to be proud of, glory in, in myself. It’s something to praise Him for, it’s something to invite other people to. We have passed from death into life.
We don't live our Christian lives afraid of what might happen someday. We live it appreciative of what He’s already done for us. He’s already given you eternal life. The quality does change when you get a new body. No doubt about that! But as a believer we’re already living the eternal life that He’s given us. What great news!
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