Yesterday we read about the great victories God will win over His enemies. Today we look at the one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. (Rev. 10:4-6) Christ and His church and martyrs who come out of the Great Tribulation will reign over the nations of the earth for 1000 years (one millennium). This millennial reign is a fulfillment of much Bible prophecy and promises to the nation of Israel. This will be a time of great peace and tranquility as the nations will bow in submission to Jesus Christ. The earth will be restored to its original, perfect condition. People will live long lives and will marry and have children. However, some of these people will be only outwardly conforming to Christ's authority and will not be truly born again as we will see beginning in v. 7.
At the close of the millennium, Satan will be released "and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth." He will gather them together for one last great battle against God. This reminds us that the human heart is desperately wicked and can become clean only by God's grace when we place our faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior. If a perfect environment could have made them "good" people or brought about salvation, surely they would have been after 1000 years! God quickly crushes this revolt "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." vv. 7-10
We see a fearful and horrifying scene in vv. 11-15. This is something we don't like to think about, but here it is. John describes a "great white throne" before which resurrected unbelievers must stand for judgment. "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life." One of these books is the Word of God which is truth, and people who have rejected it will be judged by it. Another book contains the record of the person's works on earth to determine the degree of punishment in hell--though anyone who rejects Jesus Christ will not escape hell. The "book of life" contains the record of everyone who has placed his or her faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. They have believed God's Word and have accepted His wonderful offer of salvation. The judgment we are reading about today is for those who have rejected Christ. "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." v. 15
God is totally righteous and holy. He must judge sin. Also, man has a responsibility. God does not "send people to hell" as some have accused. People send themselves there when they reject God's gracious and generous offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. God has provided a way of escape, and He is patient in waiting and wishing for sinners to repent. According to God's Word, faith in Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. In John 14:6, Jesus Himself tells us, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Though this is indeed a sobering scene, it should not scare us for our own eternal safety. Jesus also said in John 5:24, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." These are good words for us as believers to meditate on whenever doubts about our own salvation arise. God cannot lie and He did not make it hard or complicated. Even a little child can come in faith to Jesus.
We don't have to fear eternal judgment for ourselves if we're trusting Jesus, but clearly we should be praying for lost people and doing all we can to turn them to Christ whenever we have the opportunity.
Psalm 61
This is a beautiful picture of going to God in prayer.
- God hears you wherever you are. v. 2
- God hears you when you are feeling low. v. 2
- God hears you when you are in danger. v. 4
- We praise God because He is faithful to keep all His promises! v. 8
Let's meditate today on the first 4 verses:
"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings."
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