REVELATION CHAPTER TWENTY
Revelation 20:1 ¶ And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
There are several statements made by church people as to why they don’t read or study the Book of the Revelation. One is, “I can’t understand it.” Does that mean that they have understanding of the rest of the entire Bible by their own ability of reasoning? Our ‘understanding’ must come from the Holy Spirit! Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
These words of our Lord reveal that the only subject of the Holy Scriptures is the Person of the Lord Jesus. John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
We should only be approaching this book in order to see our Lord. For it is The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, Most refer to this book as “The Revelations!” And that, in itself reveals their error in their approach to this book. For it is not “revelations,” but “THE Revelation” – singular! For it is the revelation and “manifestation” of the God-man, the Mediator, the Eternal Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
And the Holy Spirit, and not the human brain, is to show it unto us. Our Lord instructed us that the spoken word to the outer ear, even spoken by Himself, would need to be supplemented by the inner voice of the Holy Spirit! John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
In fact, He clearly informs us that our natural man could profit us nothing without the inner voice of the Holy Ghost! For Christ speaks spiritual words which only the Spirit can reveal to us. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Another excuse that people set forth in order to justify their refusal to read and study this book is that they say it is only for some future time, which we can’t enter into yet. But the very first verse of the first chapter refutes that. For it was stated over 2000 years ago that these things must shortly come to pass. Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
And in the very last chapter we read; And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. (22:10). And that is the very opposite to the instruction received by the Prophets Daniel and Isaiah concerning the revelations they received. Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
Therefore today’s religionists do not receive the blessedness which is only stated to be given to those who meditate prayerfully upon the writings of this book. Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Again, he states, “for the time is at hand.” And this blessing is not given for any other book. But it is for those who read, and hear, and keep those things which are written therein.
{Kinda sounds like somebody is not asking, or seeking or knocking! For if they were it SHALL be opened! Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:}
Now the way that the Holy Spirit teaches is in the comparing of spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. And realizing that the Revelation concerns itself with the manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as revealed in the other 65 books of the Scriptures, one would best benefit themselves by cross referencing that which was written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
One would best serve his soul by obtaining a good bible with a center reference column and by carefully and prayerfully looking up all the scripture references as you read the verses of this book. (A Cambridge bible is recommended.) For instance, its center column lists references of 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 to be read with Revelation 20:2. Excellent! Now you are on your way, accompanied by the Holy Spirit, knowing that by “seeking” it SHALL be opened unto you.
But you must remember that he will only show you the Person of the Lord Jesus and his sovereignty over all things. For you are not looking for a time table, or a program! You are seeking the Lord while he may be found! You are seeking to enter into heavenly thoughts and wisdom! Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
The Lord is extremely sincere concerning the writings of this book. If we are ever to be “rightly dividing the word of truth” regarding any other book of the Bible, we must, most assuredly, carefully and prayerfully, approach this sacred Revelation of Jesus Christ. For as has been stated, no other book of the Bible contains a promised blessing as does this book. (1:3) But no other book contains such a serious warning as does this one.
Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
And this chapter twenty is one of the most butchered of the twenty-two chapters in this book. Satan’s forces, including naturally minded religionists, have forced it to say that which supports their preconceived beliefs and end time schedule. Let us proceed prayerfully, carefully seeking the Lord while he may be found. Let us not forget that we are seeking Christ, and not any preconceived religious concepts.
Therefore we must see that the angel mentioned in verse one is none other than the Lord Jesus. Let us see if the scriptures will bear that out. First it states that he has come down from heaven. Read what he stated to Nicodemus as recorded in John 3:13. And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (Read also John 6:38, 41, 51, 58)
Then our verse clearly states, “HAVING the key of the bottomless pit.” That is most important. For we read of another character in chapter nine who is also involved with this key. Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. But let us take note of two things. First he is a fallen star. And in Revelation 1:20 we are given to understand that the stars are the “angels” or messengers of the churches. But his one is a fallen ministry! Like Satan, he has fallen from any heavenly, or spiritual realm down to just a carnal and earthy effect upon the souls of men. (See Revelation 12:12)
And secondly we notice in this verse that has to be “given” this key! He, unlike our angel in chapter twenty and verse one, does not maintain the key in his possession. And this fallen ministry, just like their father Satan, is God’s servant for the deceiving of the souls who remain as unbelievers and scoffers after hearing the gospel. Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Joshua 24:20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
We also read in chapter eighteen and verse one of this same angel who has come down from heaven, of whom it is said that he is having great power. Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And our Lord states of himself that since his accomplished redemption and resurrection, he has been given all power. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Then notice the difference in the result of both “angels” when they appear. One falls from the heavenly all the way down to the earthly. The other is said to have come down, being sent for God’s purposes. 1 Corinthians 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
Therefore the chapter nine, fallen star, or angel not only blocks out the existing light of the gospel, but then causes the smoke from the pit to further darken the atmosphere. 2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. Whereas the chapter eighteen angel’s presence lightens the earth with his glory. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Psalm 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment:
We also see in chapter ten of the Revelation the appearance of another angel who has specific traits of our Lord. Revelation 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
And we see that our Lord appeared to and guided the children of Israel in a cloud. Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
And this angel was said to have his face as it were the sun. Then consider these verses: Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
If our Lord is willing, we shall continue this study in our next article.
Pastor Gene Breed
July 18, 2019
