A BEAST COMES OUT OF THE SEA & THE EARTH

It is with a bit of inspiration from Prophecy Update.com, and an article, "Down with the Devil! By J. R. Church, that I felt the overwhelming desire to see how the book ends. Therefore we jump ahead to Chapter 20 of the Revelation.

Will We See Christ's Return? - The Last Generation - by J. Michael Hile

We know from the Scriptures that the first generation began with Adam and Eve. Noah was the tenth generation. Which generation do we represent? And, which generation of people was Christ talking about that would see His return when He said: "…This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled" (Mt 24:34)? The answer to this elusive, 2000-year-old question may be closer than we think, if the many prophecies we see converging on the horizon continue their march towards fulfillment in the 21st century.

The Generation of His Coming

Perhaps the most intriguing and controversial prophetic Scripture passage found in the Bible is contained in the Olivet Discourse. This dynamic "end times" message by Jesus, contained in Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13, and Luke 21, describes major events that will impact the Jewish people just before the Lord returns to set up His Kingdom.

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory…Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. -Matthew 24:30-36

This remarkable prophecy of future events, given by Jesus on Mount Olivet after leaving the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, was in response to three questions from His disciples: "When shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world" (Mt 24:3)? The generation that will be living on the earth when Christ returns is alluded to in this discourse. The belief that the generation Jesus was talking about was the generation that passed away in 70 A.D. does not fit within the context of a literal return of Christ back to earth, as described in the Scriptures preceding and following the parable of the fig tree. Two questions one might raise about this unique generation and other generations described in the Bible are: 1) How long is a generation? and 2) Which generation was Christ talking about?

The Generation Question

One of the most perplexing and sought-after answers among students of Bible prophecy is the length of a generation. There is much disagreement among both secular and religious writers concerning the length of a generation. Is the length of a generation 40 years? When Israel became a nation in 1948, some believed that Israel's birth date marked the beginning of the generation that would see all the events leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. This theory was based upon the generation alluded to in the parable of the fig tree, in which the fig tree was symbolic of the nation Israel.

(For a more detailed study of the fig tree in Biblical history, see Judg 9 :8-15; Jer 24:1-10; Lk 13:6-9; Mt 21:17-21; Mk 11:11-14, 20-21; Lk 19:41- 44; Rom 11:1,2,25-27; Isa 66:8; Mt 24:32-51; Mk 13:28-37; Lk 21:29-36; and Rev 6:13.)

When 40 years passed in 1988 without fulfillment of any of the events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ, the 40-year generation theory fell into disrepute. Either 1948 was not the starting date for the generation described in the fig tree parable, or a generation must be longer than 40 years, according to the theory. Additional arguments put forth claimed that 1967, the year Jerusalem was captured, or some other future date could be the birth of the generation that would see the return of Christ.

Some proponents of the "end times" generation theory questioned whether 40 years was actually the length of a generation today. Is there any evidence to suggest that the length of a generation is longer than 40 years? A few sources hold that a generation is now 20 to 30 years in length (but this better represents a generation "gap"). Other opinions range from 40 to 100 years. Just how long is a generation today? Is there an answer to the generation question?

The Longevity of Mankind

A generation, as described in the Bible, begins at conception and ends at death (Gen 17:6-9; Ps 22:30; Jer 1:4,5; Act 13:36; Josh 24:29-31). The length of a generation is not an arbitrary period of time that occurs within the life span of an individual or group of people. Joshua's age at the time of death, 110 years (including 9 months gestation), was the length of the generation he represented. Some of his generation died before him and some after him. Consequently, the average life span of a group of people living at about the same time constitutes the length of that generation.

The length of a generation has not always been constant since the days of Adam and Eve. Before the Biblical flood, the average life span of man was over 900 years. Today, if a person lives to be a hundred years old, it is a special occasion in which the person is accorded celebrity status. In order to understand how long a generation is today, it will be helpful to know what the length of a generation was before the Flood and what happened to the life span of man immediately following the Flood. Has man's life span increased, decreased or stayed the same down through the centuries?

The average length of a generation was about 930 years for those living before the Flood but decreased to around 120 years by the time Moses crossed the Red Sea and ended his 40-year sojourn in the wilderness of Sinai. Since there are not very many 120-year-old individuals walking around today, it is apparent that the average life span is no longer 120 years. Eli, a High Priest and Judge of Israel whose life bridged the 13th and 12th centuries B.C., died at the age of 98 years (1 Sam 4:15). According to the Scriptures, he was considered to be a "very old" person at the time of his death (1 Sam 2:22).

The Wilderness Generation

Perhaps the most widely held belief for the length of a generation is forty years. A 40-year period was required for the disobedient generation of Moses' day to die off in the wilderness. Those who hold to the forty-year generation concept do not take into account the total age of those who had sinned against the Lord. The curse was to be against the men who had reached twenty years of age (Num 32:11-13, Ps 95:8-11, Heb 3:7-11). After the 40-year judgment period was completed, there were no men left older than 60 years of age except Joshua and Caleb. Although Joshua was not a descendant of Moses or Aaron, he represented the succeeding generation that was to enter the "Promised Land." Joshua and Caleb were the only two males permitted to live after the Lord cursed the rebellious generation that would not return and retake their land in Canaan. So forty years could not have been the length of that generation, but it was the time God allotted for that generation to die off. Most of the recorded life spans during this time were well over 40 years. Aaron was 123, Moses 120, Joshua 110, and Caleb was over 85 when their generations died off.

A View from the Psalmist

Disregarding untimely or unnatural deaths due to epidemics, famine, and war, there is evidence in the Scriptures and in recent history to support a 70 to 80 year life span for the past 3000 years. The evidence for a 70 to 80 year life span was present during the 10th century B.C., during the reign of King David ©.1010-970). As David approached the end of his life, he was considered to be an old man by those living at that time. The Scriptures reveal that David served his generation and was seventy years old when he died (1 Chr 23:1; 2 Sam 5:4; 1 Kgs 2:10; Act 13:36). Perhaps the most significant declaration in the Bible for the life span of man is given in Psalm 90. The Psalmist states that the life span of man is seventy years, with eighty years being the upper range of normal life expectancy.

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: We spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away. -Psalm 90:9,10 If 70 to 80 years still represents the length of a generation, as described in Psalm 90:9,10, one would expect the life span of those living today to be close to that figure. The life expectancy of those living in the United States in 1850 was less than 40 years but increased to 47 years by 1900 and then mushroomed to 77 years (1999) by the end of the 20th century. 2

According to the 2002 World Almanac and Book of Facts, the average life expectancy in the United States is 77 years (74 years for males and 80 years for females). For Israel it is 79 years (77 years for males and 81 years for females). The average life expectancy at birth for Israel is projected to be 82 in the year 2025.3

Which Generation was Christ Talking About?

With Israel back in their land after almost 2000 years of dispersion (the Diaspora) and other end time prophecies coming into focus, the Jewish people now living in Israel could very well be the generation Christ was talking about. Luke's version of the fig tree parable, which mentions the fig tree (Israel) and all the trees (nations of the world-see Judg 9:8-20; Dan 4:26; Ps 2:1-12; Mt 25:31,32), states:

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you. This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. -Luke 21:29-33 If the length of David's generation, Christ's generation, and the average life span of those living today in Israel is between 70 and 80 years (a 3000-year span), it would be reasonable to conclude that the generation Christ was talking about in the parable of the fig tree will also be 70 to 80 years in length. If the fig tree in this parable represents the nation of Israel, as many prophetic scholars believe, and the generation that is described has a life span of 70 to 80 years, then recent events such as the rebirth of Israel as a nation (Isa 66:8), the Jerusalem controversy in the "end times" (Zech 12:1-3), preparations for rebuilding the Jewish Temple ( Rev 11:1,2), and the ongoing negotiations for a peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians (Dan 9:27) are strong indicators that the generation Christ was talking about has already been born, and the return of Jesus Christ to establish His reign for a thousand years is close at hand.

The Most Significant End Time Prophecy

The "end time" events described in the Olivet Discourse and the book of Revelation could not take place without Israel back in their land. Israel's return to the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the 20th century is the most important event that signals the soon return of Jesus Christ. ...I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime...And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. -II Samuel 7:10-16 Israel's rebirth as a nation has also served as a catalyst for other "end time" prophecies that are beginning to converge on the world scene (Dan 2: 42-22; Ezek 38-39). The Apostle Paul told us "...that in the last days perilous times shall come" (2 Tim 3:1-7). Jesus said there would be a time of worldwide conflict and wars that would be "the beginning of sorrows" (Mt 24:8). Christ said, "except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved…" (Mk 13:20).

The ability of man to destroy all flesh on the earth became a real possibility for the first time in the history of the world during the second half of the 20th century with the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. The 21st century will witness an unprecedented increase in surveillance and eavesdropping as the global government "big brother" system wraps its tentacles around every aspect of human life, while promising "peace and security" to those who relinquish their freedoms (Rev 13:16-18; 1Thess 5: 3).

Christians who take the Bible seriously should be actively watching the prophetic shadows that are appearing in today's headlines. And as we entertain the possibility that we may be the generation Jesus was talking about in the fig tree parable nearly 2000 years ago, we are admonished by the Scriptures to watch and be prepared (Mt 24: 37-51).

As stated clearly by Jesus in Matthew and Mark, no man knows the day or the hour of his coming, but the Father only. The same Jesus, however, was very angry with the Pharisees and Scribes for not discerning "the signs of the times" (Mt 16:3) and not knowing the "time of their visitation" (Lk 19:44).

One day there will be a generation of Christians that will escape the grip of death and be ushered into Heaven, the "final frontier" for believers (1 Thess 4:13-5:11). The generation that is "left behind" will face the ruthless tyranny of a global dictatorship (Rev 13:11-18). The world stage is now being set for the closing act of this dispensation, and the climax of world history (Christ's return) is drawing near. As God's children, we may very well be the generation that is chosen to "escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Lk 21:34-36).

That possibility is certainly worth pondering!

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Revelation 20: Down with the Devil! - by J. R. Church

The Doctrine of Hell

This "bottomless pit" is written in the Greek text as abusson, meaning "abyss." It is the same term used in Revelation 9 for the ascent of the locust-like creatures. It is the same term used in Revelation 9:11; 11:7 and 17:8 to describe the ascent of the Antichrist. Apollyon is his name. He is the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit and goes into " perdition" (apwleian).

This "bottomless pit" is a different place from the "lake of fire," into which the beast and false prophet are cast. A thousand years later, the devil will join them there, but at the onset of Christ's kingdom, he is chained in the bottomless pit, a region separate from both hades and the " lake of fire."

There are several compartments in the nether world that we should explore here. The term "hell" is of Hebrew origin, being the name kkhv given to the devil in Isaiah 14:12, and translated into Latin as "Lucifer." "Hell" is a term loosely used by the KJV translators when referring to the underworld. It became the English word for the Old Testament kuta sheol and the New Testament adh hades (Luke 16:23).

The translators of the KJV also used the term "hell" to describe the Greek term geennan Gehenna. (Matt. 5:22,29). However, the Hebrew term for Gehenna is Tophat:

"For Tophat is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it" (Isaiah 30:33).

"And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.

"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place" (Jer. 7: 31,32).

The Greek term Gehenna, derived from the term "valley of the sons of Hinnom," is used 12 times in the New Testament and refers to the "lake of fire" — the place of final punishment. It is said to be a separate region of the nether world, far below hades.

Another region separate from hades is a place called tartarus. Peter refers to it in his second epistle:

"God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell (tartarus), and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (II Peter 2:4).

Athough the KJV translators called this place "hell," Peter used the Greek term tartarwsaV — tartarus. It is a separate place from other regions in the underworld.

The Old Testament sheol and New Testament hades are the same place. Jewish sages taught that there are two compartments to sheol, a region of darkness and a region of light, with a great gulf fixed between them. However, those in torment can see the saints in the region of light. The region of light is called "paradise" or the "bosom of Abraham." Jesus lends authenticity to this teaching as He tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Both died and went to sheol. The rich man was tormented in "hell," while Lazarus resided in comfort in "the bosom of Abraham."

Josephus explains this Jewish concept in his Dissertation on Hades: "Hades is a place … not regularly finished; a subterraneous region, wherein the light of this world does not shine … but there must be in it perpetual darkness. This region is allotted as a place of custody for souls, in which angels are appointed as guardians to them….

"In this region there is a certain place set apart, as a lake of unquenchable fire, where into we suppose no one hath hitherto been cast; but it is prepared for a day afore-determined by God, in which one righteous sentence shall deservedly be passed upon all men; when the unjust … shall be adjudged to this everlasting punishment … while the just shall obtain an incorruptible and never-fading kingdom. These are now indeed confined in Hades, but not in the same place wherein the unjust are confined.

"For there is one descent into this region, at whose gate we believe there stands an archangel … but are just and guided to the right hand, and are led with hymns, sung by the angels appointed over that place, into a region of light, in which the just have dwelt from the beginning of the world; not constrained by necessity, but by ever enjoying the prospect of the good things they see, and rejoice in the expectation of those new enjoyments, which will be peculiar to every one of them and esteeming those things beyond what we have here; with whom there is no place of toil, no burning heat, no piercing cold, nor are any briers there; but the countenance of the fathers and of the just, which they see always smiles upon them, while they wait for that rest and eternal new life in heaven, which is to succeed this region. This place we call ‘The Bosom of Abraham.'

"But as to the unjust, they are dragged by force to the left hand by the angels allotted for punishment, no longer going with a good-will, but as prisoners driven by violence…. Now those angels that are set over these souls, drag them into the neighborhood of hell itself; who, when they are hard by it, continually hear the noise of it, and do not stand clear of the hot vapor itself; but when they have a nearer view of this spectacle, as of a terrible and exceeding great prospect of fire, they are struck with a fearful expectation of a future judgment, and in effect punished thereby; and not only so, but where they see the place of the fathers and of the just, even hereby are they punished; for a chaos deep and large is fixed between them; insomuch that a just man that hath compassion upon them cannot be admitted, nor can one that is unjust if he were bold enough to attempt it, pass over it." (Flavius Josephus, Discourse Concerning Hades, paragraphs 1-4).

The Hebrew term sheol is used 65 times in the Old Testament, but is translated "hell" 31 times, "grave" 31 times, and "the pit" 3 times. The Greek term hades is used 11 times in the New Testament and is meant to refer to sheol. Nowhere is it meant to be the final destiny of souls. Josephus notes that the two compartments of sheol are temporary until the wicked are cast into the "lake of fire" and the righteous are awarded an eternal kingdom.

God Is Not Done with Satan

For some reason, not entirely understood, God is not yet ready to dispose of Satan. We are told that the angel "… cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season" (Rev. 20:3).

The devil is not finished with his ungodly work. He will return to Earth at the conclusion of the seventh millennium. He will foment rebellion among the unsaved and mount a vast army against Utopia for a final time. Every Christ-rejecting person will be a part of his devilish scheme, which we shall observe later in this chapter.

SATAN'S FINAL DESTINY REALIZED AT LAST

The message of this chapter may seem a bit harsh to the modern man (ancient habits) of our day. Upon being caught in wrong today's evil immediately begin to drag out the defense lawyers and start laying out reasons why personal responsibility should not be held to. We see every day where evil doers shrug off responsibility and look for excuses for their conduct. It is no longer surprising to see an individual released from prison only to go and repeat the same or more hideous crime than what it was that got them locked up in the first place. The reason they committed a crime was because of economics, life-style or social surroundings in their background. Why, it may be that a parent disciplined them at one time by spanking and that led them to their harsh behavior. Then, even though a jury finds them guilty a judge will over-ride that decision and reduce the penalty. In our time the victim is likely to be punished more so than the one that committed the crime.

In this chapter 20 of Revelation we see the final consummation of God's judgement upon all evil as well as origins of Evil – at last! How our Father, the Lord God, has been able to put up with evil so long speaks to His overwhelming patience. It is not, as some church-goers think, that their god (small g) would not be so full of vengeance as this chapter would imply. Chapter 20 of Revelation for the most part is ignored. One is likely never to hear a sermon preached on the text. If these so-called-christians were able to see God as His Son was hung on the cross of Calvary, and understand what placed Him there, they would have a better understanding of what is happening in this chapter. They would weep that so many have been murdered over the centuries because of the influence of the Evil One, Satan. Therefore it is most understandable that nearly the entire chapter 20 is taken up with God's final judgment of evil and the locking up of the devil in the bottomless pit.

"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

"And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season" (Rev. 20:1-3).

ITS ALL ABOUT TIME

This is when the great deceiver is judged. The Tribulation Period is now over. In this seven year period of time the dragon, the beast, Satan and all those that follow him have succeeded in murdering as many as one half of the population. These billions of people will be slain for many reasons. It is still my contention that millions of people, those who may have heard the Gospel preached and didn't respond prior to the church being taken out, will have remembered that Word they had received, repented and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The seed of the Gospel will reach many during these seven years and they will be saved for eternity but still have to suffer through the Tribulation. How else will there be such a Cloud of Saints? Who are these people that will accept death so easily by denying the Mark of the Beast? It is my understanding that the Holy Spirit will not leave the earth during the time of the Tribulation but will remain (step aside) and indwell these believers that will be martyred by the millions, if not billions. Where else can the "Martyr's" come from? If they had been saved prior to the beginning of the Tribulation they would have already been "taken out." It is either that, or it is that they were not "ready, working and watching" for His return at the time of the ‘Translation" (Rapture) of His bride, the Church. SEE OUR STUDY IN CHAPTER~~~~~

It is now time to deal with the great deceiver. During the just-concluded Tribulation Period, Others of the one half of the earth's population (more than 3 billion people at present estimates) will be murdered simply because they are in the way. Now look closely at this! These will not be killed by God's judgment but by politicians and the Eco-Nazis..These killers will be bent on enslaving mankind and killing off those who would use up the planet's natural resources. They had set out to solve the problem of an ever-expanding growth in population. Starvation must also be viewed as a possible reason for murdering others. Food sources being increasingly scarce will lead people to murder less desirable (the politically un-correct) as a source of food.

We are also aware of the hosts of people today that are so Eco-conscious that they already worry more about survival of previously unknown species then they do about mankind. Here in Norfolk, VA, we have the offices of P.E.T.A. [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]. (http://www.peta.org/) This group would be quite willing today to trade the life of a human for that of any animal. We see them preaching that it is wrong for man to harvest those things that God has provided humanity as food. We should eliminate all animal flesh from our diets and become vegetarians.

Vast armies will be duped into thinking they were only ridding the populations of inferior and combative people. Like the deluded Adolph Hitler of a generation past, these world rulers were demonically possessed with the notion that they could create their own self-styled utopia and repopulate the nations with a superior and more loyal race.

History is strewn with the countless bodies of the victims of misguided armies. Their goals were couched in measured words, framed with lofty phrases to engender loyalty and patriotic pride, while the real motives were classified top secret. The public has never been told some of the real reasons for history's wars. There is one mind behind history's outbursts of inhumanity — the devil. It is now time to deal with him. At the conclusion of Armageddon, we are told that he is incarcerated in the nether world, restrained from invading Earth for the next thousand years.

FOUR DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EVIL ONE (Down with the Devil! - by J. R. Church, Commentary on Revelation Chapter 20, December 12, 2003)

Just as four names were used to describe the glorious appearing of the Savior, four names are used here to describe heaven's infamous foe: "the Dragon, the Old Serpent, the devil and Satan."

1) DRAGON

The term "dragon" represents his political aspirations to control the governments of this world. He is the power behind the thrones of all despots. He delights in cloak and dagger intrigue, pitting one politician against another, one king against another, one race against another, one religion against another, etc., until he is in complete control. His goal is to put himself upon Earth's throne in the form of the Anti-christ.

His political prowess is designated as "dragon power." But when Armageddon is over, and Earth's armies are defeated, dragon power ceases to exist. When this evil entity returns at the close of the seventh millennium, the term "dragon" is not used. He can no longer influence kings. They are appointed by Christ, Himself. The dragon is no longer welcome in the halls of government. He can only return as Satan and the devil, as we shall see.

2) THE OLD SERPENT

The second name for this evil entity is "the old serpent." The term "old" reminds us that he was in Eden. He was the one who deceived Eve into partaking of the forbidden fruit. He is responsible for the fall of the entire human race. The term "serpent" is used to refer to his subtle and deceitful abilities. His influence upon the minds of men is notorious. Not only was he able to beguile the first couple in Paradise, he continues to stir rebellion among all groups, be they political or religious. Divide and conquer is his method of operation.

Joseph Seiss writes: "It is as the serpent that he deceives souls, insinuates false doctrine, unbelief, and presumption into the human heart, corrupts the purity of the Church, and deludes men with a false and perverted wisdom" (Apocalypse, p. 444).

With his incarceration in the bottomless pit for the next thousand years, his ability to use his "serpent" power to deceive good men is ended. The saints are now beyond his ability to trick and tempt. The power of deception used to foment the final battle of Gog and Magog, cannot infect those who have been saved. Only the unsaved will join this malignant wickedness after a thousand years of peace on Earth. When he returns to this planet, he is only seen as the "devil" and "Satan."

3) DEVIL

The term "devil" refers to a slanderer and liar. With this aspect of his character, he told Eve that God didn't really mean what He said. He suggested that Eve would not really die, but that she would become god-like, knowing good and evil. He lied to her and slandered God, implying that her Creator was somehow less than pure.

Jesus reminds us of his character, saying: "He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44).

It is with this characteristic that he returns to Earth at the close of the Kingdom Age and stirs up the wicked against the King of kings. He is the "devil."

4) SATAN

Finally, there is "Satan" (I Chron. 21:1), a term that refers to "an adversary and accuser." It is a Hebrew word, transliterated into English. It is used 40 times throughout Scripture, suggesting one who opposes, lies in wait, snares, and brings down. Before Adam and Eve, he accused God. Before God, he accused Job. In Revelation 12:10, he is called, "the accuser of our brethren."

It is in this capacity that he reappears at the close of the Kingdom Age to stir up all those who harbored rebellion against the Savior. For a thousand years, Christ reigns upon Earth, offering eternal life, but forcing no one to receive it against their will. The invitation will be extended, but not all will accept. Those will be easy prey for Satan when he returns.

THE UN-NAMED WARDEN APPEARS WITH THE KEYS

Having read about the horrific slaughter on the battlefields of Armageddon; the consignment of the beast and false prophet to the Lake of Fire; and the feast of Earth's fowls, we come now to the angel with the key to the bottomless pit.

Once again, we are not given the name of this angel, but many scholars assume that He is none other than Christ, Himself. It is possible that certain other angels, who provide specific tasks in the book of Revelation, are simply manifestations of Christ. Jesus wants to be known as the "Lamb." But, when it comes to the work of bringing judgment upon others, He assumes another identity. The Savior does not want to be identified with negative, though necessary, work. He would rather have us think of Him in more positive terms.

The Lamb opens the seven-sealed scroll and gives us an overview of the Tribulation Period. But the first order of judgment from heaven comes when "another angel" takes live coals from the altar and casts them to the Earth. This angel performs the task of the heavenly priesthood. Yet, we are shown a view of Christ standing at the Temple Menorah in chapter 1, dressed in the garments of the heavenly priesthood. Therefore, that "another angel" is likely an altered view of Christ.

In chapter 10, "another mighty angel" descends with an opened scroll in his hand. He stands as a conqueror claiming both land and sea. Earlier, this scroll was opened by the Lamb. Therefore, this "another mighty angel" is likely an altered view of Christ.

In chapter 18, "another angel" descends to oversee the destruction of Mystery Babylon. We are told, "the earth was lightened with his glory." All previous biblical descriptions of glory lighting up the Earth are ascribed to Deity, it is likely that this "another angel" is an altered view of Christ.

In the passage before us, the "angel" has "the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand." Since Jesus tells John that He holds "the keys of hell and of death" (Rev. 1:18) we may assume that He has a key to the bottomless pit as well. In chapter 9, we are told that the key was given to Apollyon. However, after Apollyon's defeat, it is possible that Christ retrieved the key for the purpose of incarcerating the devil with a thousand-year sentence in that same bottomless pit.

When Christ is first announced, He is called "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David." However, when He appears, He is described as "a Lamb as it had been slain." When He appears in Revelation 19, He is a great Warrior upon a white horse doing battle with the armies of the world. But when He appears to incarcerate this fallen angel, He appears as an "angel." His appearances seem to change to fit the occasion of His work.

Though Michael fought against the dragon in chapter 12, he was only able to drive him out of heaven. Here, however, the dragon is chained in the abyss, a deed that calls for a far more powerful judgment than Michael is capable of carrying out.

We are told that the angel uses a great chain to bind the dragon and somehow confine him from this realm for the duration of the seventh millennium. It is no mere chain of iron or steel, but a special heavenly chain capable of binding the devil, himself.

Only fifteen verses are given over to a description of the seventh millennium. But the thoughts of such a time stagger the imagination. The Apostle Paul wrote: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (I Corinthians 2:9).

Revelation 20: Down with the Devil! (Part 3) - by J. R. Church

Utopia!

Christ will usher in Heaven's kingdom:

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:4-6).

Who are these resurrected saints? And why is this called the "first resurrection?" To learn the answers, let us return to our discussion of sheol or hades. Though the wicked were imprisoned in a region of darkness, the righteous, from Adam to Christ, were allowed to live in a region of Light, just across the vast chasm that separated these two areas of sheol.

This region of Light was called, "Paradise" or "the bosom of Abraham." It was the place for saints until the resurrection of Christ. All were there on the promise of the Abrahamic covenant — a covenant of grace that promised eternal life in a city, "which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10). This covenant was contingent upon the death of the Testator, namely Jehovah, Himself, who was to become the Messiah. It was He who drew up the covenant and promised it through Abraham and his "seed" – the Messiah. In other words, the progeny of Abraham would produce the Messiah. This covenant was extended to Isaac, who gave it to Jacob. Jacob left it to Judah, from whom came David, and finally, Jesus.

Upon the death of Jesus, the eternal inheritance of the Abrahamic covenant became effective. The stain of sin upon the Old Testament saints was finally removed. Only then could they be transferred into heaven to live in the presence of God. Therefore, when Jesus died, he was "quickened by the spirit … he went and preached unto the spirits in prison" (I Peter 3:18,19). The Apostle Paul explains that when Christ "ascended up on high, he led captivity captive" (Eph. 4:8). Therefore, today, having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we go directly to heaven when we die. Paul writes: "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (I Cor. 5:8).

We know that the Savior went to the "bosom of Abraham" upon His death, because He told the repentant thief, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). The "bosom of Abraham" was commonly known as "paradise." Christ went there to vacate the place and take all of the Old Testament saints to heaven.

The Order of Resurrections

When Christ arose on the third day, "many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city and appeared unto many" (Matt. 27:52,53). Christ was the "firstfruits" of the resurrection, and with Him, the Old Testament Saints were resurrected. The Apostle Paul explains:

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

"But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

"Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

"For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (I Cor. 15:22-26).

All of these resurrections are part of the "first resurrection" (Rev. 20:5). However, the resurrection that follows the Battle of Armageddon concerns only those who died as martyrs during the Tribulation Period. The saints of the New Testament era are not listed here. Therefore, we must have been resurrected earlier — prior to the onset of the Tribulation.

We are not a part of the souls "under the altar" (Rev. 6:9). They are seen after the four horsemen ride forth with their deadly work. Nor or we a part of the great multitude from all nations as seen in chapter 7. John was told that the "great multitude" came out of the "great tribulation" (Rev. 7:14). These are those who will be resurrected in Revelation 20.

The Old Testament saints, upon death, did not expect to enter into the presence of God. Instead, they were "gathered to their people" — a reunion with relatives in paradise:

"Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people" (Gen 25:8).

"And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him" (Gen 35:29).

"And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people" (Gen. 49:33).

The saints of the Old Testament went to paradise, but could not enter heaven until Christ died and rose again. Nowhere in the Old Testament are we given any hope that those who died prior to the crucifixion of Christ enjoyed the presence of God or stood before His throne.

However, when John sees twenty-four elders seated around heaven's throne, twelve of them representing the Old Testament saints (resurrected with Christ 2,000 years ago) and twelve of them representing New Testament saints (resurrected just prior to the onset of the Tribulation Period), it becomes clear that the New Testament saints joined the Old Testament saints in the glories of heaven — all because of Calvary. Those described after that, as "souls under the altar" (Rev. 6:9), are distinctly noted as being without resurrected bodies, meaning that the rest of us were already enjoying our state of resurrection.

No longer are the Old Testament saints in Paradise. No longer do they reside in "the bosom of Abraham." They are now in heaven, awaiting our arrival! When John arrives in heaven (Revelation 4:1), he sees us there! He sees the Old Testament saints and the New Testament saints represented by the twenty-four elders.

Once the "Lamb" takes the scroll and begins breaking the seals, John turns his attention toward an entirely new and different group of saints — those redeemed during the onset of the Tribulation Period. He sees the first group of "souls under the altar" at the breaking of the fifth seal, and the final group, "a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations" (Rev. 7:9), after the breaking of the sixth seal. He describes them as having refused the mark of the beast, and hears them sing the "song of Moses" (Rev 15:2,3). These are the saints who are resurrected following the Battle of Armageddon. They are raised to join us in the kingdom. They are given positions in the priesthood. Then, all of us will reign with Christ for a thousand years.

Josephus on Resurrection

Flavius Josephus explained the first-century belief that the very molecules of human tissue, though decayed and turned to dust, will be revived:

"This is the discourse concerning Hades, wherein the souls of all men are confined until a proper season, which God hath determined, when he will make a resurrection of all men from the dead, not procuring a transmigration of souls from one body to another, but raising again those very bodies, which you Greeks, seeing to be dissolved, do not believe; but learn not to disbelieve it; for while you believe that the soul is created, and yet is made immortal by God, according to the doctrine of Plato, and this in time, be not incredulous; but believe that God is able, when he hath raised to life that body which was made as a compound of the same elements, to make it immortal; for it must never be said of God, that he is able to do some things, and unable to do others. We have therefore believed that the body will be raised again; for although it be dissolved, it is not perished; for the earth receives its remains, and preserves them; and while they are like seed, and are mixed among the more fruitful soil, they flourish, and what is sown is indeed sown bare grain; but at the mighty sound of God the Creator, it will sprout up, and be raised in a clothed and glorious condition, though not before it has been dissolved, and mixed [with the earth]. So that we have not rashly believed the resurrection of the body; for although it be dissolved for a time on account of the original transgression, it exists still, and is cast into the earth as into a potter's furnace, in order to be formed again, not in order to rise again such as it was before, but in a state of purity, and so as never to be destroyed any more; and to everybody shall its own soul be restored; and when it hath clothed itself with that body, it will not be subject to misery, but, being itself pure, it will continue with its pure body, and rejoice with it, with which it having walked righteously now in this world, and never having had as a snare, it will receive it again with great gladness: but as for the unjust, they will receive their bodies not changed, not freed from diseases or distempers, nor made glorious, but with the same diseases wherein they died, and such as they were in their unbelief, the same shall they be when they shall be faithfully judged.

"For all men, the just as well as the unjust shall be brought before God the Word; for to him hath the Father committed all judgment; and he in order to fulfill the will of his Father, shall come as judge, whom we call Christ" (Josephus, Discourse Concerning Hades, paragraphs 5 and 6).

Josephus had evidently read both the Gospel of John, acknowledging Christ as the "Word" (John 1:1), and the book of Revelation, referring to the resurrections and final judgments (Rev. 20).

The Rod of Iron

In setting up His kingdom, we are reminded of the "rod of iron" (Rev. 19:15), with which He shall govern every resource, correct every fault, and lead all nations into paths of righteousness. This is not to be confused with the sword that proceeds out of His mouth. With His sword, Christ destroys the armies of the Antichrist, but with His "rod of iron," He shall judge the nations. In the process of establishing heaven's Utopia, Christ will judge the nations as to how they treated the Jewish people. This concept first appears in the second Psalm:

"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel" (Psalm 2:9).

This is repeated in His letter to Thyatira. Since this letter is the fourth of seven, we should note that this theme, like the fourth lamp of the Menorah, is central to our Lord's plan for establishing Utopia. In fact, He writes, "… and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts" (Rev. 2:23). In other words, all seven churches should understand His "rod of iron." The letter continues:

"And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father" (Rev. 2:27).

Again, in the vision of Virgo's birth to the Son of God, we are told:

"And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne" (Rev. 12:5).

Christ's "rod of iron" seems to replace the historical "golden scepter" that most kings sported as the symbol of their kingly authority. There is no gold in this scepter, only iron, the symbol of an unbending authority. No sin, discretion, or minor inflection of the rules, will be tolerated in heaven's kingdom.

However, nowhere in these verses are we told that Christ wields this "rod of iron" for a thousand years, though He might do just that. We learn, rather, that He uses it as a means of judging the nations. It would seem to me that after the Earth's ecology and economy are restored, and the initial judgment is exacted from all nations, Christ would not need to continually break nations like pottery for the duration of the seventh millennium. At some point, and rather quickly I think, the world will reach true peace and contentment.

Earth's population will settle in to enjoying heaven's kingdom. The "rod of iron" may stand ready for use, but who would want to rebel against heaven's rule? The devil will not be around to entice wickedness or lead men into rebellion — not until the end of the thousand years.

The only word that comes to mind for such a kingdom is "Utopia." For the duration of the seventh millennium, there will be no war, no poverty, no hunger, no sickness, no earthquake, no tornado, no hurricane, no tidal wave, no disaster, no airplane crash, no car wreck, and, as far as we know, no death. Paradise will be restored.

There will be no wild animal and no poisonous reptile or insect. All men will live in perfect harmony because their Creator lives among them. Jesus Christ will personally give Himself to governing the Earth. He will devote His time to the care and advancement of all people.

We are told that the saints will become "priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (v. 6). The key word is "priest." Though we will have the honor and prestige due any level of governmental authority, we will delight in caring for all of the people in our district, and leading them in worship. Jeremiah describes that wonderful time:

"After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jer. 31:33,34).

Two classes of people will live on Earth during this time: the remnant of the human family who survived the Tribulation Period; and the immortal, heavenly class. It is quite possible that angels will join us. We could say that the immortals represent the ruling class, and the survivors are those over whom we shall rule.

Peace will reign at last. There will be no warring factions, no crime, no murders, no thefts — demons will no longer tempt men. Man will not be the only transformed creature on the planet. There will be no wild animals. Isaiah writes:

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

"And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

"And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:6-9).

Earth will continue to produce seedtime and harvest, providing needed nourishment for humanity. Families will be formed. Marriage will be sacred. Procreation will continue and the population will increase. He who could feed five thousand with five loaves and two fish, can feed an expanding population for the next thousand years.

Toward the end of the thousand years, a final war is fomented, in which the combatants are numbered as "the sand of the sea" (Rev. 20:8), meaning that Earth's population will reach exponential proportions. Therefore, it is quite possible that Christ will allow the populating and cultivating of other planets in our Solar system.

Flavius Josephus also addressed this issue: "Heaven will not then be uninhabitable by men; and it will not be impossible to discover the way of ascending thither" (Josephus, Hades, paragraph 6). Perhaps Christ will even allow inter-galactic travel. The entire universe was made for some reason, which we do not now understand.

Technological advancement will be phenomenal. Considering that the human race has advanced from the horse and buggy to automobiles, airplanes, rockets and an international space station in little over a century, imagine what could be possible during heaven's kingdom. Indeed, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (I Cor. 2:9).

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