In Revelation 22:20, we encounter the Bible’s final recorded statement from Jesus…

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Revelation 22:20-21).

So what did Jesus choose to share as His final message? Well, those last words are, “Surely I am coming quickly.” In fact, this is the third time He has spoken this same message in the concluding chapter of this book (the other two instances appear in verses seven and twelve). This is something that should command our attention, for a repetitive statement usually indicates that someone is seeking to emphasize a point.

For instance, we might respond to a suggested course of action with a simple “no.” Or, we might express our strong aversion to that idea by replying, “no, no, no.” That latter response employs a repetitive statement to make a point, and it’s possible that Jesus has taken a similar approach here in the last chapter of Revelation. But if that is the case, then why would He do so?

One answer relates to how easily we can become absorbed by the seemingly endless array of obligations, responsibilities, and “to-do” lists that accompany the grind of daily life. The stresses of everyday living may obscure the fact that this life only represents a small portion of our existence. For instance, how would our lives differ if we acted on these messages from Revelation 22:7, 22:12, and 22:20? How might things change if we pursued a mindset that aligned with Revelation 22:12: “‘Listen!’ says Jesus. ‘I am coming soon! I will bring my rewards with me, to give to each one according to what he has done'” (GNT).

These verses also remind us that Jesus is certain to show up unexpectedly in the lives of those who fail to look for Him. Therefore, we should seek to cultivate an attitude and lifestyle that honors God and awaits Christ’s return whenever it may occur. In the meantime, Jesus presents us with an opportunity to make a difference in a world that desperately needs it. Thus, we should endeavor to take advantage of those opportunities in light of this cautionary message from Revelation 22:20.

Since we don’t know what the future holds, we should live with the expectation of Christ’s return, and plan as if God will grant us the blessing of a long, good life. And with that, we will close our time in the book of Revelation with the benediction of the final verse…

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all” (Mounce).

Image Attribution: Make a difference by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19 ESV).

There’s an interesting nuance in these verses that may be easy to miss. Notice that Revelation 22:18 references “…the prophecy of this book” while the following verse speaks of “…the book of this prophecy.” Although theses references are similar, they are not identical. That should prompt us to dig a little deeper into these verses to see if there is any significance to those differences.

For instance, it seems that verse eighteen references the book of Revelation, while the following verse speaks of the Bible in its entirety. In other words, “the prophecy of this book” directs our attention to the book of Revelation itself. The following reference to “the book of this prophecy” encompasses the sixty-six books of the Biblical Scriptures.

While readers are free to draw their own conclusions, the fundamental message seems clear: do not add or subtract from God’s Word. Unfortunately, there is seemingly no end to those who have sought to augment or “correct” God’s Word throughout the ages. This offers an opportunity to reiterate three Biblical tenets mentioned earlier in our look at Revelation chapter eleven…

“Test everything. Hold on to the good…” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NIV).

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

”Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge In him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke-you and prove you a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV).

With this in mind, it’s important to remember that the Biblical book of Revelation has challenged students and commentators for centuries. Despite the wide variety of theories and opinions surrounding this book, every person who engages with this portion of Scripture shares a common obligation: we must avoid any attempt to negate it, supplement it, or modify it to suit our preferences. The same holds true for the rest of the Biblical Scriptures. Those who attempt to do so are subject to the terrible penalties described here in the closing verses of chapter twenty-two.

Image Attribution: Pepin von Roojen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).

While the book of Revelation contains many challenging passages, it is not a book that is reserved for a select group of readers who possess some form of special knowledge. Instead, it is given to “the churches.” And just as we read earlier in Revelation chapter one, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).

That brings to the last five verses of the book of Revelation…

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Revelation 22:17-21).

Just as the Spirit of God appeared in the opening verses of the first Biblical book, He now appears once again in the closing verses of the last Biblical book. In addition to what we read here in Revelation 22: 17, Jesus spoke of the Spirit’s continuing ministry in the Gospel of John when He said, “…when he has come he will convince the world of its sin, and of the availability of God’s goodness, and of deliverance from judgment” (John 16:8 TLB).

Earlier in Revelation nineteen, we also encountered the imagery of a bride who “…was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8 HCSB). So, these passages portray God’s people as a bride, while the marriage relationship symbolizes the privileged, intimate relationship that Christ seeks to enjoy with His people.

Here, the Holy Spirit joins together with the bride of Christ to present God’s gracious invitation to eternal life: “…Let those who are thirsty come! Let those who want the water of life take it as a gift” (GW).

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Revelation 22:13).

Jesus makes use of a familiar, self-descriptive term here in Revelation 22:13: “Alpha and the Omega…” An identical self-description appears in Revelation chapter one in advance of Jesus’ letters to the seven churches of chapters two and three. So, this passage reminds us that Jesus is the A to Z, the beginning and end, and the First and Last of everything that encompasses our lives. As such, it is fitting that this self-identification appears in the first and last chapters of this book.

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie” (Revelation 22:14-15).

Although people in the New Testament era sometimes kept dogs as household pets, society commonly viewed them as scavengers and pests. As such, people did not regard dogs as “man’s best friend” during that period. This led to the use of the word “dog” as a derogatory term to describe an offensive individual. It also recalls the cautionary message regarding the city of God that appeared earlier in Revelation chapter twenty-one: “…nothing that is impure will enter the city, nor anyone who does shameful things or tells lies. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of the living will enter the city” (Revelation 21:27 GNT).

Several other practices that appeared in the previous chapter of Revelation are reiterated here as well…

• Sorcerers. This involves those who engage in occultic practices or the ritualistic use of drugs to induce an altered state of consciousness.
• The sexually immoral. The Biblical model for marital unions involves a monogamous relationship between a genetic male and a genetic female. Relationships that fall outside that standard are broadly associated with the term “sexual immorality.”
• Murderers. Murder refers to the unlawful taking of another person’s life, an act that violates the sixth Commandment.
• Idolaters. We can define an idol as anything that supplants God’s place in our lives.
• Whoever loves and practices a lie. “Lying” involves an attempt to deceive by falsehood. Since “truth” can be defined as “that which corresponds to reality,” lying is incompatible with the God of truth. Those who engage in such practices exclude themselves from an eternal home with Christ, who is “…the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

It is no accident that this list of sinful behaviors appears in each of the last two chapters of the final book of the Bible. With this in mind, we should prayerfully ensure that none of these practices enter our lives.

Image Attributions: Trlkly, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons  /  Sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“And he said to me, ‘Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand'” (Revelation 22:10).

The Book of Revelation is a literary work that speaks to every human generation. Whether the events of this book are relatively close to fulfillment or reserved for the distant future, we can say that “…the time is at hand ” for everyone in some respect.

You see, human mortality is a subject we’d often prefer to avoid. But even though we hope to enjoy long and fulfilling lives, there is no guarantee that we will be blessed with the opportunity to welcome another sunrise tomorrow. Once we have passed into eternity, there is no further hope of returning to our mortal lives to rectify past mistakes or finish those tasks we neglected during our earthly sojourn. Therefore, our window of opportunity is limited to the present, and we would do well to remember the words of Revelation 22:10: “…the time is near” (GW).

“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:11).

So what are we to make of this rather enigmatic passage? Well, the way we respond to the book of Revelation tells us much about about ourselves. For instance, a person who seeks to follow the God of the Scriptures will surely respond differently to this book than someone who rejects Him. Thus, as one commentator observes, “By this he does not mean that men should remain unmoved by the prophecies of this book, but rather that if the prophecies are rejected, there is no other message that will work. If the warnings of this book are not sufficient, there is no more that God has to say.” ₍₁₎

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

This verse contains some of the last recorded words of Christ, and the message Jesus interjects here in Revelation 22:12 is something that applies to everyone. For example, Jesus makes an important promise to those who follow Him today: “I am returning soon and I am bringing your reward.” However, He makes that same promise to those who are hostile, ambivalent, or disinterested in Him as well.

Those rewards will be very different, for He will “…repay all people according to their deeds” (NLT). Since Romans 6:23 tells us, “…the wages of sin is death,” we would be wise to consider our response to that promise and take Jesus at His word.

(1) Walvoord, J. F. (1966). The Revelation of Jesus Christ: A Commentary, Moody Press. p.334.

“Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God'” (Revelation 22:8-9).

Our text from Revelation 22:8-9 contains several insights that merit careful consideration. We can begin with the actions taken by John, the author of Revelation. If John’s response to this angelic being seems familiar, it might stem from a similar error he made earlier…

“And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.’ Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy'” (Revelation 19:9-10).

John’s experience highlights the value of learning from our mistakes. But simply recognizing a mistake does not guarantee that we will avoid repeating it. Instead, we should seek God’s help in recognizing those patterns that may cause us to repeat unhealthy behaviors. If we fail to do so, we may end up replicating those same mistakes, just as John did here. We can break that cycle if we humbly and prayerfully seek God’s empowerment to guide our decision-making responsibilities each day.

This passage also reminds us that God’s people are not immune to serious judgmental errors. In this instance, John received a divine revelation and failed to respond appropriately. This portion of Scripture thus provides us with a contemporary principle that we can apply today: if God grants us insight into the people and circumstances around us, we have a corresponding obligation to glorify God and act responsibly upon that information.

Finally, we should remember that spiritual leaders (even prominent ones such as John), are fallible human beings who are vulnerable to error. In such instances, the following passage from Galatians 6:1 should guide our response…

“Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too” (NET).

“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5 NIV).

So, what will there be to govern in eternity? To address that question, let’s return to the Garden of Eden and the era that preceded humanity’s fall. Genesis 2:15 details Adam’s responsibility during that period: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

This passage tells us that God entrusted Adam with the responsibility to manage and care for the Garden of Eden before he fell from his state of perfection. Adam thus reigned over the Garden through God’s decree. In like manner, Revelation 22:5 may reference a similar oversight responsibility in respect to the “…new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). In that sense, we can say that we shall reign forever.

“Then he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true.’ And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. ‘Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book'” (Revelation 22:6-7).

These promises come from the most trustworthy source possible: “…the Lord God of the holy prophets.” Revelation 22:7 then continues with the words of Christ: “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (CSB). Yet, given the period of time that has elapsed since Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, some may object to the statement, “I am coming soon!”

This recalls a similar question addressed earlier in Revelation chapter three, where Jesus gave the following message to the Biblical church of Philadelphia: “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Revelation 3:11). As mentioned previously, the word translated “soon” can mean “without delay.” However, the definition of this work also includes “by surprise” or “suddenly” as well. ₍₁₎

So when Jesus says, “I am coming soon,” we might understand this to mean that He will return unexpectedly. So whether Jesus returns to inaugurate a new historical era for humanity or simply returns for us at the end of our mortal lives, blessed is the one “…who pays heed to the words of the prophecy in this book” (Phillips).

Image Attribution: The SVG Effect, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

(1) G5035 – tachy – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5035/kjv/tr/0-1/

“through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2 ESV).

While there was a punitive aspect to God’s decision to banish Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, we should not overlook another facet of that judgment. By prohibiting access to the Tree of Life within the Garden, God eliminated the possibility that humanity might partake of that tree and remain perpetually estranged from Him. So, that decision contained an element of mercy as well.

However, the chain of events that started with that first act of disobedience will finally reach its end, for Revelation 22:3 declares, “…there shall be no more curse.” Genesis 3:16-19 defined several characteristics of that curse, including sorrow, pain, strenuous labor with minimal return, and death. But once God lifts that curse, His people will enjoy life as it was meant to be.

Revelation 22:3 also says, “the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” Unlike the caricature of heaven where the people of God float among the clouds while strumming harps, the word “servant” implies “service.” The implication is that there will be things to do in eternity. While we can only speculate on what form that service will take, we will undoubtedly find many ways to serve God, along with the satisfaction and enjoyment of doing so.

Verse four then continues by saying, “They will see his face…” While there is much we can learn about people we’ve never met, there is no substitute for an in-person encounter with those we seek to know better. The Living Bible paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:12 offers the following insight with respect to this idea…

“…we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face to face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly…”

Next comes a rather cryptic reference: “…his name will be on their foreheads.” Just as a furrowed brow often serves to express our inner thought process, this reference to one’s forehead may be symbolic of our internal mindset. Thus, we can say that our thoughts, our character, and our individual personalities will find their identity in the God who created us.

Revelation 22:5 then concludes by saying, “And they will reign for ever and ever.” So what opportunities to reign await in the boundless expanse of eternity? We’ll consider the answer to that question next.

Image Attribution: Adam and Eve Leave the Garden, CC BY-NC 2.0, pcstratman, via flickr.com disclaimer notice

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:1-5).

The final chapter of the Book of Revelation presents us with the crystal-clear water of life that flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This recalls Jesus’ message from John 6:35 when He said, “…he who believes in me will never be thirst.” Taken together, these passages convey the joyous future that awaits God’s people.

The next verse follows with a familiar image: the tree of life. This tree initially appeared in the first book of the Bible and now makes a fitting reappearance in the last book of the Bible. Consider the first appearance of this tree from Genesis chapter two…

“The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…

Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'” (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17).

After the first human couple disobeyed that directive, here was the result…

“Then the LORD God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever’ –therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:22-24).

We’ll make an important application from these passages next.

The final verses of Revelation chapter twenty-one close with some interesting commentary regarding the new Jerusalem…

“The nations will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their grandeur into it” (Revelation 21:24 NET).

Who are these nations and who are the “kings of the earth” mentioned here? In addressing those questions, it seems that various national and cultural boundaries will continue to exist in the future. It also appears that national leaders will possess the freedom to enter this city with cultural treasures that honor God.

The last verse of Revelation twenty-one then brings forth an important promise…

“But nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it, nor anyone who commits abominations (unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27 AMPC).

It’ s often easy to become discouraged when we are confronted with modern-day examples of “man’s inhumanity to man.” When such feelings begin to overwhelm us, it helps to remember that God will establish a place where such things will no longer exist. That place is here in Revelation chapter twenty-one. We should also remember the following quote from Jesus as we go about the business of our daily lives…

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me'” (Matthew 25:31-40).

“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21 ESV).

The symbolic imagery of a pearly gate is often associated with the point of entry into heaven. That depiction finds its origin in our text from Revelation 21:21. However, that image better reflects the gateway to the city described here, rather than heaven itself. And while a lustrous string of beautiful pearls is elegant and glamorous, a gate crafted from a single pearl would be truly magnificent. Yet, that is only one characteristic of the overwhelming splendor of the new Jerusalem…

“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.

Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:22-27).

Today, we commonly use the term “house of God” to signify a place of religious worship. While that may be true in our present day, things will be far different in eternity. In this glorious city to come, we will no longer associate a building with God’s presence, for He will be present among His people. This is why Revelation 21:22 tells us, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (NIV).

Verse twenty-three then continues by saying, “…the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light” (NLT). Thus, we are told that God will personally illuminate this vast city resplendent with gold, jewels, and precious stones. That scene will be so glorious that no graphic image could ever do justice to such unimaginable splendor.

Nevertheless, we should take care to ensure that we do not mischaracterize the actual reading of this passage. For instance, our text from Revelation 21:22-27 does not tell us that the sun and the moon will cease to exist. Instead, we’re simply informed that their light will no longer be required, for God will illuminate this future city.

Image Attribution: Avgustaleo, via GoodFon

“The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel)” (Revelation 21:15-17 NLT).

The 1400 mile distance provided by the New Living Translation of this passage equates to approximate length of 427 meters. The reference to “216 feet” yields an approximate width of 66 meters. The cubic height of such a city would easily extend into orbit around the earth and possess a total capacity of 2,744,000,000 cubic miles (11,452,744,000,000 cubic kilometers). A city of that volume might easily accommodate tens of billions of human beings.

The following verses continue with a further description of this city…

“The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass” (Revelation 21:18-21).

So, these verses present a magnificent city of unsurpassed value, beauty, and inestimable worth. While modern roadways are typically constructed from common materials like stone or asphalt, “The broad street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass” (HCSB). Although we consider gold to be a costly and valuable commodity today, it will equate to little more than a common building material in this city of the future.

While some of the precious stones mentioned in this ancient text are familiar (like sapphires and emeralds), others are more difficult to identify. Nevertheless, we can make a rough approximation with the information we have…

• Jasper: a translucent stone, perhaps like a diamond.
• Sapphire: clear and dark blue.
• Chalcedony: white and opaque.
• Emerald: clear and brilliant green.
• Sardonyx: a red and white stone; the NIV equates this stone with an onyx.
• Carnelian: a deep red stone, perhaps like a ruby.
• Chrysolite: a clear yellow stone.
• Beryl: pale green, or possibly yellow.
• Topaz: a clear pink stone.
• Chrysoprase: turquoise-colored and opaque.
• Jacinth: a navy blue stone, possibly black.
• Amethyst: a clear purple stone.

So, while it may be challenging to identify some of these precious stones, they clearly illustrate the breathtaking magnificence of this city.

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:9-14).

We can contrast the city that descends from God in Revelation 21:9-14 with the city of “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations” (ESV) mentioned earlier in Revelation 17:5…

• One is a prostitute, and the other is likened to a beautiful bride.
• One is blasphemous, and the other is holy.
• One descends from heaven, and the finds its origin among those who ascend from the Abyss.
• One is lustrous and brilliant while the other is drunk and corrupt.

These contrasting elements may offer insight into the feminine depiction of Babylon from earlier the Book of Revelation. While Revelation chapter twenty-one presents God’s people as a virtuous bride, the unholy city of Babylon was nothing more than a “great harlot” (Revelation 17:1).

A great, high wall defined this city’s perimeter, and its gates bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Those inscriptions testify of God’s work within the nation of Israel and underscore the importance of the Old Covenant. In a similar manner, the city wall featured twelve foundations that bore the names of the “…twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Therefore, those who enter will stand on the foundation established by God through His New Covenant representatives.

“And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel” (Revelation 21:15-17).

Our text from this passage employs some antiquated units of measurement to calculate the scale of this city. We’ll translate those calculations into their contemporary equivalents next.

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8 ESV).

Our brief review of Revelation 21:8 continues with a reference to “those who practice magic arts“ (NIV). This would encompass those who engage in fortune telling, astrology, divination, tarot card readings, Ouija board use, necromancy, “psychic communications,” or similar occultic practices. It also offers an important lesson for today, for those who are searching for knowledge and enlightenment through such means would do well to abandon those pursuits and turn instead to God for guidance and direction.

We should also note that this reference to “sorcery” is derived from the word pharmakeus in the original language of this passage. Pharmakeus refers to the administration or use of drugs, and serves as the precursor of contemporary terms such as “pharmacy” or “pharmaceutical.” In the context of Revelation 21:8, this involves the ritualistic drug use, or an effort to chemically alter one’s state of consciousness. Thus, any religion, philosophy, or spiritual teaching that endorses those practices cannot be of God.

Next comes a reference to “idolaters, ” a term that has reappeared several times in our study of the book of Revelation. An idol may be defined as anything that supplants God’s place within our lives. Those who travel the path of idolatry now should know that it ultimately leads to the eternal destination outlined here in Revelation 21:8.

Finally, “all liars” will be denied access to this eternal realm. “Lying” involves a deliberate attempt to deceive by falsehood. While there may be many who are highly skilled at masking their falsifications, no lie (however sophisticated), can deceive God. Therefore, those who engage in such behaviors are sure to follow the originator of that practice to his eternal destiny.

The New Testament Scriptures address lying and its related behaviors in several passages that will conclude our survey of this verse…

“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9).

“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).

“But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).

“…They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:10 CSB).

Although life’s obstacles may present a formidable challenge, the promise of our eternal inheritance from Revelation 21:3-7 offers a positive incentive to overcome them. But along with that positive incentive, Revelation 21:8 presents us with another kind of motivation that is decidedly negative…

“But as for the cowards, the faithless and the corrupt, the murderers, the traffickers in sex and sorcery, the worshippers of idols and all liars—their inheritance is in the lake which burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8 Phillips).

To refer to someone as a coward is a great affront to that person’s dignity. Yet, Revelation chapter twenty-one does not hesitate to adopt that language. This word signifies “timidity” and always carries a negative connotation. ₍₁₎ Therefore, those who are too cowardly to commit to Christ now will face serious repercussions later.

This passage follows with another negative attribute in referencing the unbelieving (KJV). This encompasses those who refuse to place their faith in Christ. One source associates this idea with false or treacherous individuals. ₍₂₎ Next comes those who are vile (HCSB), abominable (ASV), or detestable (ESV). In the original language of this passage, these traits likely derive from a root word meaning “to stink.” ₍₃₎ The New Testament book of Titus employs this word in a similar manner…

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good” (Titus 1:15-16 NIV).

This reference to those detestable individuals who “…claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him” is closely related to the word that is translated “vile” or “abominable” here in Revelation chapter twenty-one. ₍₄₎ It also illustrates God’s disdain for hypocrisy, a characteristic that will find no place of acceptance within His eternal kingdom.

Revelation 21:8 then follows with a reference to “murderers.” Murder refers to the unlawful taking of another person’s life. Since that action violates the sixth Commandment, an unrepentant murderer should not expect to spend eternity with the Author of life.

Finally, our text from Revelation 21: 8 speaks of the “sexually immoral.” The creation account from the book of Genesis establishes a “one man-one woman” model as God’s standard for marital relationships. That model defines marriage as a monogamous relationship between a genetic male and a genetic female as God’s intended norm. Other physical relationships that fall outside that standard are broadly associated with the term “sexual immorality.” ₍₅₎

Image Attribution: A black and white poster with the words negative positive Public Domain, via pixabay

(1) G1169 – deilos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1169/kjv/lxx/0-1/. See related reference to G1167 Fear, fearful, fearfulness – Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=VT0001014

(2) G571 apistos (n.d.). billmounce.com. https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/apistos

(3) G948 – bdelysso – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g948/kjv/mgnt/0-1/

(4) G947 – bdelyktos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g947/kjv/tr/0-1/

(5) See beginning here for a detailed discussion concerning this topic.

When it comes to purchasing gifts for others, there are some who must confront an age-old question: “What do you give to a person who has everything?” Since God is the ultimate personification of “someone who has everything,” what could we possibly give Him? The answer is we can offer Him the gift of ourselves. The New Testament book of Romans echoes this idea in a familiar portion of Scripture…

“So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer” (Romans 12:2 GNT).

Revelation 21:3 also touches upon this idea when it says, “…God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (NIV). Thus, God will restore His relationship with humanity to a state of unbroken fellowship, just as it was in the beginning.

In addition to God’s direct presence, the opening verses of Revelation chapter twenty-one tell us that there will be no further instances of death, mourning, crying, or pain. Those who may find such promises to be too good to be true can find assurance in God’s personal guarantee: “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5 NLT).

Revelation 21:7 continues by saying, “Those who emerge victorious will inherit these things. I will be their God, and they will be my sons and daughters” (CEB). This reference to “Those who are victorious…” (NIV), captures the idea of someone who subdues, conquers, or prevails over something. It also relates to an observation from earlier in our study of Revelation chapter two, one that involves three obstacles that every God-honoring person must overcome.

The first obstacle involves daily life in a world that functions as if God did not exist. The second obstacle stems from our natural inclination to prioritize our personal desires over God’s plan and purpose for our lives. The final obstacle is embodied by Satan, a formidable, unseen spiritual adversary. These obstacles are collectively known as the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Those who prayerfully overcome these obstacles can look forward to the eternal inheritance promised here in Revelation chapter twenty-one. As the Biblical book of Hebrews concludes…

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:2).

These details from Revelation 21:2 offers some insight into the “new Jerusalem” mentioned here. First, the city will be “holy.” In other words, it will be a place that is morally perfect and completely removed from impurities of any kind. In contrast to a rural community or outlying area, the new Jerusalem will also be a city,  a place of action and activity where residents live in relative proximity to one another. The name “Jerusalem” is also significant, for that name references a city of peace. ₍₁₎ Finally, this city will descend directly from God.

Thus, we can make several important observations based on our text from Revelation 21:1-2. We can also say with certainty that the realm of heaven will remain, for the new Jerusalem descends from there. Even so, the following verse alerts us to a change of address for heaven’s most significant resident…

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’

Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death'” (Revelation 21:3-8).

While it’s easy to see the benefits that accrue to someone who enters a relationship with God through faith in Christ, one question remains: what’s in it for God? The person who places his or her faith in Christ can look forward to all the good things mentioned here in the first seven verses of Revelation chapter twenty-one. But what does God receive? In fact, what could mere human beings ever give the One who possesses everything? We’ll explore the answer to that question next.

(1) G2419 – ierousalem – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2419/kjv/tr/0-1/

In today’s world of advance technology, system failures are an unavoidable reality for nearly everyone. From desktop workstations, to laptop computers, to mobile phones, to gaming consoles and other types of electronic devices, virtually everyone knows what it’s like to experience a system crash. In some instances, a system application will malfunction so badly that a user has no choice but to restart everything and begin anew.

To a small degree, those experiences offer a glimpse into what we will see over the course of Revelation chapter twenty-one. In it, God will create an entirely new “universal operating system” and restart His creation, so to speak…

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:1-2).

This reference to the heavens and earth “passing away” may represent something of an understatement based on the following passage from the Biblical book of 2 Peter: “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10). That points to a cataclysmic end for this current order prior to its replacement with a new heaven and a new earth. And while “new” may simply refer to something different, this word conveys the idea of something fresh and unprecedented. ₍₁₎

This reference to “heaven” also has several meanings, depending on its context. For instance, this word may refer to the region within earth’s atmosphere, the area where birds fly and aircraft traverse the skies. It may also refer to outer reaches of space, the universal expanse where the sun, the moon, and the stars reside (Psalm 19:1). Finally, “heaven” is also used to identify the place where God dwells (Matthew 6:9) along with the angels (Mark 13:32).

These first two definitions appear to relate to the opening verses of Revelation chapter twenty-one. This passage thus looks forward to an entirely new planet and an entirely new universe. This new universe will presumably include new galaxies, stars, planets, and other celestial mysteries that are waiting to be discovered. However, one notable exception to this new landscape will be the complete absence of any seas. This does not mean that lakes, streams, and similar bodies of water will cease to exist; only that this new earth will be devoid of any oceans.

Image Attribution :Pablo Gómez from Puerto Montt, Chile, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

(1) G2537 – kainos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2537/kjv/tr/0-1/

The final verses of Revelation chapter twenty speak of a judicial inquiry where “…Several books were opened, and then the book of life was opened. The dead were judged by what those books said they had done” (Revelation 20:12 CEV). In contrast to a human legal proceeding, this judicial process will not seek to ascertain the facts of our lives. Those facts are already known, for they are recorded within these books. So unlike a legal hearing that seeks to adjudicate the facts of a case, this portion of Scripture depicts the rendering of a sentence.

To underscore the universal nature of that proceeding, Revelation 20:13 tells us that “…important and unimportant people” (GW) were recalled from the sea,  the burial grave, and from Hades (the abode of the dead) to stand before this throne. Revelation 20:14-15 then closes this chapter by saying, “…death and the world of the dead were thrown into the lake of fire. (This lake of fire is the second death). Those who did not have their name written in the book of the living were thrown into the lake of fire” (GNT).

This horrific imagery has led one commentator to confront some difficult truths…

“There is no biblical concept more grim or terror-invoking than the idea of hell. It is so unpopular with us that few would give credence to it at all except that it comes to us from the teaching of Christ Himself. Almost all the biblical teaching about hell comes from the lips of Jesus. It is this doctrine, perhaps more than any other, that strains even the Christian’s loyalty to the teaching of Christ.

Modern Christians have pushed the limits of minimizing hell in an effort to sidestep or soften Jesus’ own teaching. The Bible describes hell as a place of outer darkness, a lake of fire, a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, a place of eternal separation from the blessings of God, a prison, a place of torment where the worm doesn’t turn or die.

These graphic images of eternal punishment provoke the question, should we take these descriptions literally or are they merely symbols? I suspect they are symbols, but I find no relief in that. We must not think of them as being merely symbols. It is probable that the sinner in hell would prefer a literal lake of fire as his eternal abode to the reality of hell represented in the lake of fire image.

If these images are indeed symbols, then we must conclude that the reality is worse than the symbol suggests. The function of symbols is to point beyond themselves to a higher or more intense state of actuality than the symbol itself can contain. That Jesus used the most awful symbols imaginable to describe hell is no comfort to those who see them simply as symbols.” ₍₁₎

(1) Sproul, R. C. (1992). Essential truths of the Christian faith. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House. Page 21.

“Then 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. And I saw 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.

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. Then 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” (Revelation 20:11-15).

This passage has been come to be known as “The Great White Throne Judgment” based on the description we find here in Revelation 20:11. “Great” signifies authority, “white” symbolizes purity, and the throne denotes the sovereign power of a king. In a poetic testament to those majestic qualities, God’s imposing presence caused even the earth and sky to flee away.

We should note that this judicial process will assess “…the dead, both small and great.” This tells us that the recognition, power, wealth, status, or influence we enjoy now will have no influence then. Who you are now will not matter in that eternal court. Instead, what you are now will serve as the deciding factor then. One commentator makes a critical observation in this regard…

“It is sobering to realize that Scripture represents the state of unbelievers after death as a fixed state. There is no second chance (Ecclesiastes 11:3; Luke 16:19-31; John 8:21,24; 2 Peter 2:4,9; Jude 7,13). The Scriptures also reveal that the condemnation of unbelievers is determined by actions done during mortal life (especially the action of rejecting Christ)…” ₍₁₎

Another source adds a comment that is worthy of our attention…

“Judgment is not a popular theme today, but the Bible teaches that judgment is coming. Do you look forward to Christ’s return, or do you see it as a threat? As sure as death itself, judgment awaits. At God’s judgment there will be no higher court of appeal should the verdict not be to your liking. If you hope for a favorable verdict in this court, put your hope entirely on Jesus. Pray today-now if you haven’t before-for the freedom and pardon Jesus has won for you.” ₍₂₎

Portions of this study originally appeared here

(1) Ron Rhodes, Heaven: The Undiscovered Country: Exploring the Wonder of the Afterlife pg.47

(2) Life Application Study Bible [Hebrews 9:27] Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved.

Revelation 20:8 references “Gog and Magog,” two regional entities that rose to prominence in the Old Testament book of the prophet Ezekiel. In Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, “Gog and Magog” are enemies from the north that attack the nation of Israel. This area is traditionally associated with the lands presently inhabited by the Russian Federation and its surrounding regions. Since this portion of Scripture also references nations that hail from “the four corners of the earth,” this may simply represent all those who are intent on rebelling against God.

So, even in the pristine environment that Jesus will establish during this millennial period, the devil will still manage to instigate a vast rebellion against Him. Revelation 20:9 then continues by saying, “They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves” (NIV). This seems to indicate that a relatively small number of God-honoring individuals will retreat to their last stronghold, likely Jerusalem (or, the “beloved city” [ESV]).

But shortly thereafter, “…fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them” (NLT). Thus, we can say that God will personally end this confrontation before it begins. But what of the ringleader behind that insurrection? Well, he will be sentenced in the following verse…

“and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10 ESV).

The following commentator addresses the “forever” aspect of that sentence…

“The torment experienced in Hell is eternal, and for some, this still seems inequitable compared to the finite and limited sins that we might commit here on earth. So let’s address the issue of the duration of the punishment. First, it’s important for us to remember the severity of a crime does not always have anything to do with the amount of time it takes to commit it.

If I embezzle five dollars a day from my boss over the course of five years, I might eventually get caught and pay the penalty… But if I become enraged at a coworker and in the blink of an eye I lose my temper and kill him, the crime is now murder… This crime took much less than five years to commit. It only took five seconds. Yet the penalty for this crime is far greater…

The penalties for these two crimes are very different, and they have nothing to do with the duration of the actual criminal act. Instead, the severity of the crime is the key to determining its punishment. It’s the same way with God. The duration of the crime has little to do with the duration of the penalty. It’s all about the severity of the crime.” ₍₁₎

(1) Excerpted from J. Warner Wallace, Can The Existence and Nature of Hell Be Defended? (Free Bible Insert), Retrieved 5 June 2020 from https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/can-the-existence-and-nature-of-hell-be-defended-free-bible-insert/

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.

And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:7-10 ESV).

In the opening verses of Revelation chapter twenty, we read how our author saw “…an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key to the bottomless pit and a large chain in his hand. He overpowered the serpent, that ancient snake, named Devil and Satan. The angel chained up the serpent for 1,000 years” (Revelation 20:1-2 GW).

Given what we know about the devil, we might ask why he was incarcerated for this relatively brief thousand year period. For instance, why was he not imprisoned for ten thousand years? Or a million years? Why was he released at all? To answer those questions, it’s helpful to examine the relationships that will exist among the various governments and national populations in the millennial era.

We can begin by establishing several parameters based on our text from this chapter:

• Jesus will reign for a thousand years (verse four).
• Those who were previously beheaded “…for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God” under the administration of the beast will reign with Christ (verse four).
• Judgment will be committed to others during that period, likely those who have served God through the ages (verse four).
• National people groups will exist during that era (verses three and eight).

With these things in mind, we can say that the citizens of these nations will live under the direct oversight of Christ and His designated representatives. Those individuals (and their children) will live in societies that are just (because Jesus is in charge) and free of sinful temptations (because the devil has been imprisoned). Everyone’s conduct will honor God during that period because there will be no other options. That is, until the devil is released from captivity.

Much like the events that unfolded in the Garden of Eden’s perfect environment, humanity will face a choice once again during this period. Will these members of the human family serve God willingly with an attitude of love and respect, or will they serve His adversary? Revelation 20:8-9 tells us that a human population who “…will be as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore” (GW) will choose that latter path with disastrous results.

“This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:5-6 NLT).

During His earthly ministry, Jesus’ disciples once approached Him with a request: “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). The following verses provide us with Jesus’ response to that question…

“So He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one” (Luke 11:2-4).

The global conditions that accompany the millennial reign of Christ will reflect an answer to that prayer. God’s will shall be done during that period and the national people groups that continue into that era will experience what it means to live in a world that functions under His benevolent oversight. In short, this will be the world as it should have been.

While it may seem difficult to contemplate today, let’s consider a world where truthfulness, righteousness, and godliness are the normal state of affairs. Imagine a realm where every form of entertainment honored God. Think of how it would be to live in a world where governments, businesses, and individuals truly worked for everyone’s mutual benefit.

How would it feel to live in an environment where no one had to lock their belongings? How would life be if our occupations were a pleasure, and our work efforts brought genuine satisfaction? Picture a social media environment where every interaction is truthful, supportive, and affirming, while newscasts had no robberies, wars, or natural disasters to report. These “what if” scenarios offer a glimpse into the characteristics that will define the millennial reign of Christ.

Unfortunately, we’ll soon discover that the devil’s corresponding prison sentence did little to rehabilitate him…

“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea” (Revelation 20:7-8).

We’ll consider the ramifications of those actions next.

“Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4 ESV).

If “…to be absent from the body [is] to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8), then how can it be said that these individuals “came to life“? The answer may involve the glorified bodies that God has promised to His people in eternity.

The New Testament book of 1 Corinthians features an extensive discourse on that subject in chapter fifteen. There, we learn that God will provide His people with physical bodies that are perfectly suited for eternal life with Him. These bodies will never grow old, never become sick, never get weary, and never die. While we all must face the physiological limitations and constraints that are imposed upon us today, these glorified bodies will face no such restrictions.

Thus, God will furnish His people with bodies that will enable them to fulfill His highest purposes in eternity. This is the future that awaits those who are in Christ, for death holds no power over a body that can never perish. Jesus is our forerunner in this regard, and God will similarly equip His people for eternal life with Him.

That future reality may correspond with the “first resurrection” mentioned in the following verse…

“The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection” (Revelation 20:5).

Biblical scholars refer to this thousand-year period as the “millennial reign” of Christ. As mentioned earlier, these verses foreshadow a future period when God will delegate oversight responsibilities to His people. But this inevitably leads to a question: who will be subject to their oversight, and in what capacity? In response, we can return to the reasoning behind the devil’s incarceration as stated earlier in Revelation 20:3: “This was to keep him from continuing to deceive the nations until the thousand years were over” (CEB).

If national entities continue to exist during this millennial period, then we can assume these leadership responsibilities will involve those nations, at least in part. We’ll take a closer look at this millennial reign of Christ in our next study.

“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4-6)

Our text from Revelation 20:4 references “…thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge“ (NET). Two Biblical passages allude to the identities of these authorities. One is found in Jesus’ message to the church at Thyatira from earlier in Revelation chapter two: “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations” (Revelation 2:26). The other comes to us from 2 Timothy 2:12: “If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.” These verses point to future leadership roles for God’s people with authority granted to them by Jesus Himself.

Revelation 20:4 then continues with a rather enigmatic statement: “…I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded” followed by, “They came to life…” (NIV). So, how should we understand these references in the context of eternity? As with many such questions, the first step involves defining our terms.

We can begin with this reference to the “souls” of these individuals. In the original language of this passage, the word translated “soul” is “psuche.” This word serves as the ancestral foundation of modern-day terms such as “psychology” and “psychoanalysis.” In this context, the word “soul” is used to identify the individual personalities that characterize each human being.

This wide-ranging definition covers the spectrum of our emotions, from love and hate to indifference. It also reflects our talents, skills, and abilities, as well as the traits and characteristics we’ve inherited or cultivated. Finally, the soul is comprised of our will, our intellect, and all the attributes that differentiate every human person, past, present, and future. In short, we can associate the soul with the “you” inside your body.

When a man or woman of God passes from this earthly life, he or she enters into God’s presence according to 2 Corinthians 5:8: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” While opinions vary regarding when God’s people will acquire the eternal, glorified bodies He has promised, our fellowship with God in His presence will never comprise less than our souls. Well see how those glorified bodies may relate to this passage next.

“And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while” (Revelation 20:2-3).

So what was the purpose behind the devil’s confinement to the Abyss (or pit)? The answer to that question appears in the midst of Revelation 20:3: “This was to keep him from continuing to deceive the nations until the thousand years were over” (CEB). This brief passage alerts us to the fact that deception is one of the most useful and effective weapons in the enemy’s arsenal.

We can illustrate that unfortunate reality with a look at some deceptive philosophies and their Biblical comparisons. For example…

• You only live once (compare with Revelation 20:11-15).
• The ends justify the means (1 Peter 1:15-16).
• If it feels good, do it, or, If it feels right, it can’t be wrong (Proverbs 14:12).
• Follow your heart (Jeremiah 17:9).
• Do unto others before they do unto you (a falsification of Jesus’ counsel from Luke 6:31).

These philosophies all share a common issue: they each begin with a flawed premise. For instance, some of those philosophies tacitly deny the existence of a righteous Creator or reduce the concepts of “good” and “right” to nothing more than human preference. Others are fueled by a misguided type of “wisdom” that mistakenly presumes that we will never be called to account for the choices we make. Those who hold that belief would do well to skip ahead to the end of Revelation chapter twenty.

Nevertheless, the Scriptures provide us with a standard that can help us identify such false and deceptive philosophies. We find that standard in the Old Testament book of Proverbs: “For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding” (Proverbs 9:10 TLB).

This standard tells us we must approach the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom with an attitude of respect for our Creator. As we’re also reminded in the New Testament book of James, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Any quest for wisdom that begins with these flawed premises (or others like them) is certain to run afoul of the heartfelt admonition given to us in Colossians 2:4: “I am telling you this so that no one will be able to deceive you with persuasive arguments” (NLT).

Image Attribution: Jerry Stratton / http://hoboes.com/Mimsy

Revelation chapter twenty represents one of the greatest, or one of the most terrifying chapters in the Biblical record- and the path to one of those responses will largely depend on the choices we make today.

Our text from Revelation chapter twenty is divided into four distinct sections. The first section details Satan’s capture and subsequent imprisonment for a period of one thousand years. The next section identifies the roles and responsibilities that God will assign to His people during that era. Section three chronicles Satan’s release from prison, with predictable results. That will eventually lead to his permanent incarceration with the beast and the false prophet in the lake of fire and brimstone. The last section addresses the subject of Judgment Day.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while” (Revelation 20:1-3).

This section begins by identifying one of the primary characters in this chapter along with a few of his aliases: “…the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan” (ESV). We should note that the same being who initially appeared as a serpent in the first book of the Bible has now grown to become a dragon in the last book of the Bible.

It is also interesting to note that the task of capturing the devil was not entrusted to a group of angelic beings or a powerful archangel like Michael. Instead, it fell to a single unidentified angel, thus suggesting that the dragon’s power had been curtailed. However, the fact that this unknown angel had to “seize” him (CSB) implies that he didn’t want to go. One potential explanation for his reluctance appears in verse three: “He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him” (NIV).

This reference to “the Abyss” (or “bottomless pit“) appeared earlier in Revelation chapter nine. There, it served as the exit point for a group of demonic locust creatures who emerged to torture those who had rejected God. The Abyss was also the point of origin for the beast who executed God’s two witnesses as mentioned earlier in Revelation chapter eleven.

So the Abyss is clearly a horrific place, and it will serve as the penitentiary where Satan will be held in custody for a period of one thousand years. We’ll explore the purpose behind that sentence over the course of this chapter.

“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, ‘Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.’

And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 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” (Revelation 19:17-21).

While it may seem ludicrous to believe that an armed force might actually prevail against Christ, one possible justification for this attack plan might involve Jesus’ first advent.

You see, Jesus’ death by crucifixion signaled an apparent victory for His enemies, and perhaps their intent is to finish the job they started earlier. This military confrontation thus reflects the enemy’s character, and fulfills one of Jesus’ primary objectives.

However, those who are expecting a titanic battle worthy of an epic movie will undoubtedly be disappointed. While these two great armies will square off against one another, there is something missing from these closing verses of Revelation nineteen. That missing element is an actual war between these forces. Instead, we’re simply told, “Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse” (Revelation 19:21 NLT),

Nevertheless, two specific members of this opposition force were apprehended: “…the beast was captured and so was the false prophet” (Revelation 19:20 CEV). These individuals were taken into custody and immediately sentenced: “Both of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (GW). Sulfur is alternately known as “brimstone” in some Biblical translations and typically emits the pungent odor of rotten eggs.

Much like the lava that flows from an active volcano, a molten lake of brimstone would radiate intense heat. It would smell awful as well. Thus, it represents an eternal destination we should seek to avoid.

Image Attribution: Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:15-16).

Roman soldiers of the New Testament era typically employed two different types of swords. The first was a 9-inch (23 cm) dagger. This was effective for use in hand-to-hand combat, or as a practical tool for various tasks. The second was a 2-foot long (61 cm) sword carried in a sheath. This was a deadly and intimidating weapon, and a soldier who brandished it was someone who was prepared to inflict serious harm.

This second type of sword is in view here in Revelation 19:15. As mentioned earlier, this is one of five separate references from the book of Revelation that links Jesus with a sword that is sharp and/or double-edged (the others are Revelation 1:16, 2:12, 2:16, and 19:21). And just as we saw in Jesus’ earlier message to the church at Pergamum, this sword emerges from His mouth. So what is the link between this formidable sword and its location? Well, this reference might make better sense if we expand our focus to include our interactions with others.

For instance, have you ever been injured by the words that were spoken by someone else? Have you ever been cut by another person’s remarks? Those experiences remind us that the things others say may sometimes produce a harmful effect. With this in mind, we might consider the function of this sword and its impact upon others. Is it possible that Christ will subdue His enemies merely with a spoken word?

Consider the following Biblical references and their potential relationship to this passage…

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Finally, we might also consider the well-known creation account from Genesis chapter one. There, the phrase “God said“ appears eight times in conjunction with God’s creative work. Thus, we should consider the possibility that the same divine power that brought creation into existence may also dismantle portions of it as well.

Image Attribution (1): Michel wal, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Attribution (2): No machine-readable author provided. Rama assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgment and wages war in righteousness (holiness, justice, and uprightness)” (Revelation 19:11 AMPC).

While it may not seem obvious from our text, this passage marks a watershed moment in human history, for this is the point where Jesus steps forward to begin making everything right. Consider the descriptive terms given to us here in Revelation 19:11-14…

Verse eleven:

• “[A] white horse.” This serves as a symbol of victory and purity.
• “He who sat on him was called Faithful and True.” His character is reliable, trustworthy, and genuine.
• “In righteousness He judges and makes war.” All His actions are fair and equitable, even the battles He undertakes.

Verse twelve:

• “His eyes were like a flame of fire.” Fire can be warm and comforting, or painful and destructive. Much the same can be said of our experience with Christ, depending on whether we embrace Him in faith, or dismiss Him in unbelief.
• “On His head were many crowns.” These are the crowns of a king who holds a position of authority. The fact He wears many crowns suggests that He is a person of supreme authority.
• “He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.” Perhaps the best way to interpret this reference is to say that no one comprehends Jesus completely except Himself. We will never run out of things to discover about Jesus, for He the only one who knows all there is to know about Himself.

Verse thirteen:

• “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood.” This might refer to the blood Christ shed at the time of His crucifixion, along with the events that preceded it.
• “His name is called The Word of God.” This offers a direct association with Jesus, as He is described in John 1:1-2: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”

Verse fourteen:

• “And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.” This reference to white, clean linen coincides with verse eight, where God’s people were likened to a bride who was arrayed in the same manner. Their vantage point will enable them to bear witness to the greatest military victory in human history.

We’ll continue with this list of attributes from the following verses next.

“At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus'” (Revelation 19:10 NIV).

This brief exchange offers circumstantial evidence to support the assertion that the Bible is a divinely inspired text. After all, what credible author would fabricate the unflattering self-portrait given to us here in Revelation 19:10?

So why would John, our author, include this embarrassing record of his rebuke? To address that question, we might look at several potential applications from this text. First, we might consider the emotional excitement that characterized the moment when John fell at the feet of this angel to worship him. This angelic response reminds us that a moment of spiritual fervor cannot justify unbiblical conduct. Those who “get caught up in the moment” of a spiritual experience should not use that experience as an excuse to engage in Biblically inappropriate behaviors.

Next, we should remember that nothing can take Jesus’ place as the object of our worship. Whenever we are tempted to worship someone or something else, we would do well to recall the swift rebuke offered by this angelic being.

Finally, those in positions of authority should note the directive issued by this angel: “Worship God!” Just as this angel redirected John’s focus towards God, those who hold leadership positions should follow this good example in their relationships with others who have been entrusted to their care.

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:11-16).

This horseman of Revelation 19:13 is Christ, for His name serves to associate Him with the “Word Of God“ mentioned earlier in the first verse of John chapter one. We’ll examine this portion of Scripture in greater detail next.