Revelation Part 12: Revelation 19—20: The King and His Kingdom!
Here in Revelation 19—20, John has recorded five key events that will take place before God “wraps
up” human history and ushers in His new heavens and earth.
There is a word not used elsewhere in the NT and reserved for this moment. It is as though the power of this world, the victory it declares, the universal power of God on display is so incredible, so over whelming that there is no other word that can encapsulate the praise song of victory.
Want to know the word?
Hallelujah!
We throw it around, and that’s okay in one way. But why is heaven not singing it now? Because it is a powerful word.
It means, “Praise the Lord”. Which we again say so often (or we used to) that we forget its power.
Now, it appears in the twenty four times in Psalms (normally translated as Alleluia, praise the Lord) - Psalms 104–106, 111–117, 135, 145–150. Psalms 146, 147, 148, 149, and 150 begins and ends in Hebrew with the word Hallelujah. Psalm 146-150 have been called the Hallelujah Psalms, because they begin and end with the command to Hallelujah! At the end of the great book of praise, we are told to keep praising!
“Hallelujah” is not a term that gives God praise
When you praise God, you should honour, worship, and express admiration for Him. When you say “hallelujah”, you are giving a command to ‘praise the Lord’ or saying “praise the Lord”.
What is the power in the word hallelujah. Well, it is not a highest from of praise. It is a command!
When it is said, it is not a passive thing, a weak thing or a broken thing. It cna never be those things!!
We may be weak, we may be broke, we may be struggling, but that is not what the word hallelujah points to!
Psalm 42:5: Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.
You might praise God in spite of your feelings, circumstances or health.
Hallelujah is a command to give your full attention to God!
It. Is. A. Command! To praise the Lord. When it appears in the Psalms as “Praise the Lord”, it is still not giving praise because it is said. It is still a command.
The reasons it does not appear until Revelation 19 is because it is a command that is waiting to be issued to all of heaven and earth! Praise. The. Lord!
It’s the BOOM moment of the book of Revelation!
Hallelujah is commanded four times and for three reasons:
- God has saved his people and judged his enemies (19:1-4)
- God reigns (19:5-6)
- The Groom and Bride are ready (19:7-10)
2. Christ Will Return (19:11-20:3)
John described the Conqueror (Rev. 19:11–16) and then His conquests (Rev. 19:17—20:3)
He is not coming in the air to take His people home (1 Thess. 4:13–18, Rapture happens between ch 3 and 4), but to the earth with His people, to conquer His enemies and establish His kingdom.
Note the emphasis on Jesus’ names (Rev. 19:11–13, 16). He is “Faithful and True” (see Rev. 3:14)
Christ’s most important name is “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16).
This is His victorious name (Rev. 17:14)(see also Daniel 2:47 and Deuteronomy 10:17).
Paul used this same title for our Lord Jesus Christ in 1
Timothy 6:15.
The title speaks of Christ’s sovereignty, for all kings and lords must submit to Him. No matter who was on the any earthly throne or in political power, Jesus Christ was his King and Lord!
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords title is written on his thigh because that is a symbol of strength and authority. As he is riding a horse, it is also at the eye-level of every foot soldier and enemy as a declaration! [See blog bonus for the symbols relating to his appearance.]
- He will defeat the armies of the kings of the earth (19:17-19,21).
Matthew 24:27 indicates that the return of Jesus to
the earth will be sudden, like a bolt of lightning.
The event that precedes His return is the gathering of the Gentile
nations at Armageddon (Rev. 16:13 16; 19:11ff.). The birds flying around the carcass show the awful carnage that will result from this
great battle (Rev. 19:17–19). The cosmic changes mentioned in
Matthew 24:29 precede the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.
- He will defeat the beast and the false prophet (19:20).
- He will defeat Satan (20:1-3)
The “Abyss” spoken of in Revelation 20:1 is not the same as hell (Rev. 9:1–2, 11; 11:7; 17:8).
Satan is not cast into hell immediately, because God still has one more task for him to perform. Rather, Satan is confined in the Abyss, a bottomless pit, for 1,000 years. Satan was cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:9), and now he is cast out of earth!
Jesus won His decisive victory over Satan at the cross, the sentence against the devil has not yet been effected. He is a defeated foe, but he is still free to attack God’s people and oppose God’s work (1 Peter 5:8). Paul was sure that Satan was loose (Eph. 6:10ff.), and John agreed with him (Rev. 2:13; 3:9).
3. Saints Will Reign (20:4–6)
The phrase “thousand years” occurs six times in Revelation 20:1–7.
This period in history is known as “the millennium,” from two Latin words, mille (“thousand”) and annum (“year”)—the 1,000-year kingdom of Christ on earth.
His Bride (those who were raptured and those who came to Jesus in the Tribulation) will reign over the nations of the earth, and Israel will enjoy the blessings promised by the prophets (see Isa. 2:1–5; 4:1–6; 11:1–9; 12:1–6; 30:18–26; 35:1–10).
[The tribulation martyrs will be raised from the dead and given glorious thrones and rewards. The church will share in this reign, as symbolised by the twenty-four elders (Rev. 5:10; see also 2:26–28; 3:12, 21; 1 Thess. 4:13–18; 2 Tim. 2:12).]
There is a literal resurrection and a literal kingdom (20:4). Things a right on earth, like Eden once more.
What is the purpose of the millennial kingdom? It will be the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel and to Christ (Ps. 2; Luke 1:30–33). Our Lord reaffirmed them to His own apostles (Luke 22:29–30).
This kingdom will be a worldwide display of Christ’s
glory, when all nature will be set free from the power of sin (Rom. 8:19–22). It will be the answer to the prayers of the saints, “Thy kingdom come!”
The first resurrection is the believers. The second resurrection after the millennium is the unsaved, for judgement (note especially John 5:28–29; Dan. 12:2).
Revelation 20:6: Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
The special blessings of those who share in the first resurrection. They did not earn these blessings; they are part of the believer’s inheritance in Jesus Christ.
These resurrected believers will share Christ’s glorious life, reigning as kings and priests with Him, and never experience the “second death,” the lake of fire (hell, Rev. 20:14).
During the millennium, the inhabitants of the earth will include not only glorified saints, but also citizens of the nations who bow in submission to Jesus Christ (see Matt. 25:31–40; also 8:11). Because of the earth’s perfect conditions, people will live long lives (Isa. 65:17–25, especially v. 20). They will marry and have children who will outwardly conform to Jesus’ righteous rule. But not all of them will be true believers as the millennium progresses, and this explains why Satan will be able to gather a great army of rebels at the close of the kingdom age (Rev. 20:8)
4. Satan Will Rebel (20:7–10)
At the close of the millennium, Satan will be released from the pit and permitted to lead one last revolt against the Lord. Why? As final proof that the heart of humanity is desperately wicked and can be changed only by God’s grace.
People who have been living in a perfect environment, under the perfect government of God’s Son, will finally admit the truth and rebel against the King! Their obedience will be seen as mere feigned submission, and not true faith in Christ at all.
In Revelation the names Gog and Magog are describing evil forces to the evil forces that will join with Satan in the great struggle at the end of time. Satan will go forth and deceive the nations of the world— symbolically described as Gog and Magog—gathering them together in great numbers to attack the saints and Jerusalem, the city God loves. See blog bonus for a little more on Gog and Magog; whilst it is not the same battle outlined in Ez 38-39, again we are seeing the same sprit rise up against God’s people).
Gog and Magog is distinct from the battle of Armageddon. While the battle of Armageddon is a literal battle marking the end of the tribulation, the Gog and Magog battle in Revelation 20 occurs after the millennial reign of Christ, just before the final judgment.
God will send fire from heaven to destroy them and will then preside over the Last Judgment; Satan will be cast into hell. (Note that “the beast” and false prophet will still be suffering in the lake of fire after 1,000 years (see Matt. 25:41))!
God is now ready to wrap up human history but one great event remains!
5. Great White Throne Judgement (20:11–15)
There shall be a second resurrection, and the unsaved will be raised and will stand before God’s judgment. Do not confuse this judgment at the White Throne with the Bema seat of Christ, where believers will have their works judged and rewarded.
2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
The warning is to Christians, not unbelievers. As Jesus taught in His parable, the King is going to return, at which time he will require an account from his servants (Luke 19:11–26).
The Great White throne judgment will be the final judgment of the wicked prior to their being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11–15). Appearing before the Great White Throne will be unbelievers. Believers will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (or Bema seat).
In the Greek, a single word is used for “judgment seat” in Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10—the word is Bema. A Bema was a raised platform on which judges sat to view athletic games. Their job was to make sure contestants followed the rules and to present awards to the victors (see 1 Corinthians 9:24–27).
The Bema Seat of Christ does not determine our salvation; that matter was settled by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 John 2:2) and our faith in Him (John 3:16). All our sins are forgiven, and there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
John 5: 24: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
Believers are secure in Christ, but they still must appear before the Bema Seat of Christ. It will be a time of examination and a time of reward. Jesus will inspect our works. What did we do with the resources God gave us? How faithful were we? Were we yielded to the Spirit, seeking to honour Christ and further His work in the world? If so, we will have reward (see Matthew 10:41–42). Did we neglect our opportunities to serve the Lord?
If so, we will suffer loss of reward. Paul likens our Christian service to erecting a building:
1 Corinthians 3:10b–15: But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
Note, in the above passage, that our works subsequent to Christ’s salvation are of two different types—good and bad. The “fire” of God’s scrutiny will reveal the quality of our works. Rewards are distributed to those whose works withstand the test. Those whose works have a natural source will “suffer loss.” Their works will be burned up, but they themselves “will be saved.” The judgment seat of Christ, then, does not confer or rescind salvation.
The Bema Seat of Christ is also not a time to punish sin. Jesus took our punishment once and for all. The judgment seat of Christ is a time when we will be called on to report on what we did for Jesus. It will be a serious and necessary time of reckoning, but, as God’s redeemed, we will never be condemned with the wicked.
“It cannot be too strongly emphasised that the judgment is unrelated to the problem of sin, that it is more for the bestowing of rewards than the rejection of failure” (Chafer, L. S., Systematic Theology, Vol. IV: Ecclesiology-Eschatology, Dallas Seminary Press, 1948, p. 406).
In anticipation of the Bema Seat of Christ, we are careful in what we say and do in this life. James gives this advice: “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom” (James 2:12; cf. Matthew 12:36). We want to give our account with joy on that day, and that is why we strive to serve the Lord faithfully today.
The Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things. The various crowns are described in 2 Timothy 2:5; 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; and Revelation 2:10. We believe the judgment seat of Christ is when the crowns will be awarded, and this will take place in heaven soon after the rapture of the church (as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).
The Great White Throne Judgement is God gving to sinners what they have earned for themselves. There will be different punishments in hell (Matt 11:20-24).
“The Book of Life” will be there, containing the names of God’s redeemed people (Phil. 4:3; Rev. 21:27; note also 13:8; 17:8). No unsaved person will have his or her name in the Lamb’s Book of Life; only true believers are recorded there (Luke 10:20).
When the judgment is finished, all of the lost will be cast into hell, the lake of fire, the second death.
Many people reject the biblical doctrine of hell as being “unchristian,” and yet Jesus clearly taught its reality (Matt. 18:8; 23:15, 33; 25:46; Mark 9:46). A sentimental kind of humanistic religion will not face the reality of judgment, but teaches a God who loves everyone into heaven and sends no one to hell.
In one sense God does not send us to hell, he opens the doors to where we have chosen to go! We choose it over heaven and eternity with Jesus.
When we talk of being ‘saved’ have you ever stopped to ask yourself what you are saved from?
Are we saved to have a blessed life? Nope.
Are we saved To have money? Nope.
Are we saved to have no problems? Nope.
Are we saved for our comfort? Nope.
We are saved from hell and saved for heaven!
Landing This Message:
The command to hallelujah covers these chapters!
Jesus is coming!
The Church will Reign with Jesus!
Satan will finally be defeated!
Jesus will reward His Church!
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Blog bonus:
''Alleluia'' and ''hallelujah'' mean the same thing: ''praise the Lord.'' However, ''hallelujah'' is derived from the Hebrew spelling of the word while ''alleluia'' is the Latin transliteration of the Greek transliteration of ''hallelujah.'' While they are sometimes used interchangeably.
Symbols of Jesus’ authority in Revelation 19: The greatness of Christ is seen not only in His names, but also in John’s description of the conquering King (Rev. 19:12–16).
- The eyes “as a flame of fire” symbolise His searching judgment that sees all (Rev.1:14).
- The many crowns (diadems) indicate His magnificent rule and sovereignty.
- The robe dipped in blood speaks of judgment and probably relates to Isaiah 63:1–6 and Revelation 14:20, the conquest o His enemies. It is not our Lord’s blood that marks His robes, but that of His foes.
- The sharp sword is a symbol of God’s Word (Rev.19:21; see also Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 1:16). This is in keeping with the fact that Christ will consume the enemy “with the spirit of His mouth” (2 Thess. 2:8; note also Isa. 11:4).
- The “iron sceptre” (Rev. 2:27; 12:5), a symbol of His justice as He rules over the earth.
- The image of the winepress must be associated with the judgment at Armageddon (Rev.14:14–20; see also Isa. 63:1–6).
Second Coming: Bible scholars have counted more than 1,480 references to the second coming of Christ. Although the specifics of the rapture and tribulation period depend on the interpreter, no Bible-believing Christian questions the second coming. In His second coming, Christ will return in His glorified human form. This return will be literal and visible, and He will come on clouds of Heaven displaying His full glory. Angels will accompany Him, as well as His bride, the Church.
Gog and Magog: In 1 Chronicles 5:4, a man named Gog is identified as a descendant of the prophet Joel. In Ezekiel 38–39, he is the chief prince of the tribes of Meshech and Tubal in the land of Magog, who is called upon by God to conquer the land of Israel. With a great coalition of forces from throughout the world, Gog and his entire army will invade Israel “like a cloud covering the earth” (Ez 38:16) and will plunder and loot the cities. God, however, will send terrible natural disasters that will destroy Gog and his forces. The defeat of Gog will demonstrate the greatness and holiness of God and restore good relations between God and his people.
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