REVELATION TWENTY #2
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.
The first ‘order of business’ in Christ’s new administration is to restrain Satan from his spreading of deceit among the nations of the world. 1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. He does this to ensure the sovereign spread of the gospel into the world order, and effectually into the hearts of his Father’s elect. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
And, as stated in that verse twenty, this has his sovereign force behind it, continuing time until it is accomplished! For it will only be when this is accomplished that he will cause time to be no more. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
But when does this binding and imprisoning of Satan take place? The sovereign Lord said it took place at Calvary. John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. It was at his death that he would begin to draw all kinds of humanity unto him, in redeeming grace. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And it was at his death that Satan – the prince of this world – was cast out. Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
And it was the death of the Lamb of God that both the Son and the Father proclaimed that work to have fully accomplished their intents. John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
And in that John 12:31 verse, listed above, there are two “nows.” Therefore we are given to understand that both Satan was cast out, and the world was, at that time, beginning to be judged. And that sheds light on verse four of our Revelation twenty passage. In that verse John records seeing thrones, and that those who sat upon them were given both the responsibility and ability of judgment. And this gospel judgment shall seal all for the “appointed day” of the final judgment. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
The Apostle Paul revealed to the believers at Corinth that their spiritual judgment was far better than the judgment of the national courts of their land. 1 Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
For we take note of the nations being called before the throne of the returned Christ, that they are already judged, as they are immediately separated either as sheep or goats. And here, the Lord just affixes that gospel judgment upon them. Matthew 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
For those who have refused to believe the gospel are called goats. And those are called sheep who have believed it. They are already sealed. It just remains to have Christ honored in affixing that gospel judgment to them in his eternal judgment.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
And we must keep in mind, not only when Satan was to be bound, but why he was imprisoned. For it is twice clearly stated in our text that it was to keep him from deceiving the nations! Therefore when we read in the Apostle Peter’s writings that he “walketh about,” we must not be confused. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. For his temptations against the individual are different from the deception of the nations. Remember the Lord’s sovereign command at the launching of his gospel administration. Reread Matthew 28:18-20 listed above. Christ recovered from Satan that which Adam lost! For in Satan’s temptation of the Son of God he offered him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. (Matthew 4:8) But the Father returned all authority to the God-man, giving him a name above every name due to his obedient and perfect sacrifice! Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Therefore the Lord Jesus kept his intentions hidden from Satan in the matter of the salvation of Gentile believers throughout the world, and bound him in that regards when his will towards them was made known. 1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
The Gentile Abram was chosen and promised by God that in him all families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:3) And all those in Christ are declared to be in Abraham. Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. And so it is! There were seventeen different nations present at Pentecost! For the gospel calls some of every nation and language. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
There were even those from Egypt at Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:10. Thus was the prophecy in Isaiah fulfilled. Isaiah 19:22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. 23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. 24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: 25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
Not even Satan, nor sin, nor demonic oppression, nor any other thing shall keep the Lord Jesus from his sovereign reign in grace over all kinds of peoples! Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
One of the glorious effects of Christ’s binding of Satan at his conquering cross is the mitigation of temptation. The Lord Jesus suffered supernatural temptations as listed in Matthew chapter four. But after his defeating of Satan at the cross, Satan was reigned in and bound up to strict restraints even concerning the temptation of the believers. For he can only tempt them according to that which is common to man. And that temptation cannot be above which they have ability to endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer (permit) you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
And we have glimpses of this in Satan’s desire to get to Job with greater power then God would allow. Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
For the Lord is faithful to us not only to define the workings of temptation, but also to give us the necessary defense against sin and Satan himself. James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 1 John 2:1 And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Pastor Gene Breed
July 26, 2019