Sunday, June 17th, 2018 - AM - Destiny of the Doomed (Rev. 20:7-10)

And I saw a great white throne, and him that 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, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

You have just read the most awesome passage found anywhere in the Bible. It confronts us with the sobering truth of our ultimate encounter with God. The story is told of the great statesman Daniel Webster, toward the twilight of his life, attending a luncheon meeting with some younger government leaders. The chairman of the group turned to Mr. Webster and asked, “What is the greatest thought that has ever passed through your head?” Quick as a flash Daniel Webster replied, “My accountability to God.” Nowhere is one’s accountability to God more clearly defined than in this passage of Scripture. [Tim LaHaye, Revelation Unveiled (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010).]

The Devil will be cast into everlasting torments and unrepentant unbelievers will face God’s just judgment and will suffer eternal death as a result.

I. The Destiny of the Devil (Rev. 20:7-10)

- The Devil & His Dupes Meet Their Final Doom (Rev. 20:7-10)

A. Society’s Final Anarchy (Rev. 20:7-9a)

Revelation 20:7–9 KJV 1900

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 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. 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.

Note - Consider these thoughts concerning “Gog & Magog” -

Cryptically, John employed the expression “Gog and Magog” ... to refer to this future event. Both Gog and Magog were individuals with the former the son of Shemaiah (cf. I Chr. 5:4) and the latter the son of Japheth (cf. Gen. 10:2; I Chr. 1:5). In Ezekiel’s prophecy, Gog is the prince of Meshech, Tubal, and the land of Magog (Ezk. 38:2, 3, 14, 16, 18; 39:1, 6, 11). The combination of these terms suggest another satanic battle against God’s people, albeit this one significantly different from the first. For instance, the two occasions in Ezekiel and Revelation are different with regard to geography, timing, and result. First, Ezekiel predicted that the invaders would come from the north (Ezk. 38:15), whereas John predicted that they would come from the four corners of the earth. Second, Ezekiel predicted that the time would occur early in the Tribulation (Ezk. 36-39),3290 whereas John predicted this would occur after the Millennium. Third, Ezekiel predicted that the Lord would allow nature to destroy them on the mountains and that they would be buried (cf. Ezk. 38:22; 39:12), whereas John predicted that they would be consumed with fire.

[3289 The land of “Magog” was founded by the man Magw,g, the NT counterpart to gAgm' (4x).]

[3290 Assuming that the peace and safety (cf. Ezk. 38:8) is the Antichrist’s false peace (cf. Dan. 9:27; Rev. 6:1-2), recognizing that the Millennial Temple will not be inaugurated until 2300 days after the midpoint of the Tribulation (cf. Dan. 8:14), and acknowledging that the weapons from the Gog/Magog battle will be burned for seven years or 2520 days (cf. Ezk. 39:9), one may assume that Ezekiel’s predicted battle will occur 1040 days into the Tribulation (Millennial Temple inaugurated 3560 days after the Rapture [1260 + 2300 days = 3560 days] minus seven years [2520 days] = 1040 days into Tribulation, or about 2 years and 220 days after the Rapture).]

[Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 876–877.]

Deception is a real danger

News: It was one more tragedy for the Kennedy family. When John F. Kennedy Jr. took off from Essex County Airport with his wife, Carolyn, and sister-in-law, Lauren, on July 16, 1999, he thought they were destined for a short trip up the coast to Martha’s Vineyard Airport. Kennedy had received training as a pilot but was not instrument-flight rated. In other words, he was dependent on his own perceptive accuracy to make appropriate adjustments. In this case, that dependence proved deadly. Flying over open water at night through difficult conditions, JFK Jr. lost the horizon, became disoriented, and flew into the ocean—all the while convinced he was flying true. As believers, we must beware of deception. It is easy, if we depend on our own perceptions, to be led astray. We must fix our eyes on the Word, the “instrument panel” for our journey. To miss this is to risk even more than crashing a plane. [J. Scott Duvall, Revelation, ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton, Teach the Text Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014), 266.]

B. Satan's Eternal Agony (Rev. 20:9b-10)

Revelation 20:9–10 KJV 1900

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. 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.

This passage reminds us that God’s sovereign plan includes the destruction of his archenemy, Satan. The New Testament records multiple defeats or falls of Satan: being cast from heaven to earth (12:7–9; also perhaps Isa. 14:3–21),

Revelation 12:7–9 KJV 1900And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Isaiah 14:3–21 KJV 1900And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, He that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: It stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; It hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: The worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; That opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, Lie in glory, every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, And as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, That go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, Because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: The seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; That they do not rise, nor possess the land, Nor fill the face of the world with cities.

being defeated during the ministry of Jesus (e.g., Luke 10:18; John 12:31; 16:11; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8),

Luke 10:18 KJV 1900And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

John 12:31 KJV 1900Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

John 16:11 KJV 1900Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Hebrews 2:14 KJV 1900

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;

1 John 3:8 KJV 1900

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.

being cast into the Abyss (Rev. 20:1–3), and finally being thrown into the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).

Matthew 25:41 KJV 1900Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

The head of the serpent has been crushed (Gen. 3:14–15).

Genesis 3:14–15 KJV 1900And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The ancient dragon—Leviathan or Rahab—has been slain (Isa. 27:1; 51:9–11).

Isaiah 27:1 KJV 1900In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword Shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, Even leviathan that crooked serpent; And he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

Isaiah 51:9–11 KJV 1900Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; Awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; That hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, And come with singing unto Zion; And everlasting joy shall be upon their head: They shall obtain gladness and joy; And sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Although he tempts, accuses, and tries to deceive now, his time is limited and his doom is certain.

...The strategy for believers is not to fear Satan but to stay alert to his schemes. Interestingly, the first mention of the millennium is connected with the judgment of Satan, not the reign of believers. The role for believers comes soon enough, but we shouldn’t miss the present implication: do not fear Satan, but be alert to his deceitful schemes. Although Satan remains a dangerous enemy, he has been defeated and will eventually be destroyed. As Osborne observes, “the great victory in the Apocalypse occurs not at Armageddon but at the cross.”5 Our present strategy includes putting on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:11),

Ephesians 6:11 KJV 1900

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

resisting the devil (1 Pet. 5:9; James 4:7),

1 Peter 5:9 KJV 1900

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

James 4:7 KJV 1900

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

exercising spiritual authority (2 Cor. 10:3–4),

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 KJV 1900

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

responding with God’s Word (Matt. 4:1–11), forgiving and dealing quickly with anger (2 Cor. 2:10–11; Eph. 4:26–27),

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 KJV 1900

To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

and relying on God’s faithfulness even as we remain faithful (1 Cor. 10:13; Rev. 12:11; 16:15).

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 1900

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer 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.

[5 Osborne, Revelation, 34. [Duvall, 265-266.]

II. The Destiny of the Unbelieving Dead (Rev. 20:11-15)

A. The Lord on His Throne (Rev. 20:11)

Revelation 20:11 KJV 1900

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

1. The Object: Great White Throne

The Qualitative Nature - White

Daniel 7:9 KJV 1900

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

The Quantitative Nature - Great

a. A similar throne was beheld by John at the beginning of the great judgments which precede the millennium(Revelation 4:2-6)

b. There are significant differences between these two thrones

i. The first had a rainbow over it, a sign of God’s remembrance of His covenant promises – this one is naked; no hope

ii. The first was the source of lightnings, thunderings, and voices, the warnings of God – this has nothing but the silence of finality

iii. At the first John saw the intercessions of the Holy Spirit – here there is no longer any intercession; the day of grace has ended

iv. Before the first was a glass sea, a celestial pavement upon which God’s people could stand – here there is no longer a platform to find refuge from the day of wrath and judgment

v. John hears singing and joyful exultation at the first – here there are no songs, no voices of praise [W. A. Criswell]

2. The Occupant: Him that sat...

Note - Excerpt from Hamilton on The Judgment:

On this throne of judgment is Jesus Christ on the great white throne. The Father gave all judgment to the Son (Jn. 5:22, 27) and it is Jesus who is said to be on the throne at the final judgment (Mt. 25:31–46). The judgment seat is called God’s (Rom. 14:10) and Christ’s (2 Cor. 5:10). These statements should not cause any difficulty because the Father and Son are one in nature, purpose, and righteous works. Christ sat down with the Father on His throne (Rev. 3:21) which is the throne of God and the Lamb (Rev. 22:1). Judgment is to be carried out by the Son (Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16). As He went forth on a white horse to conquer His enemies, even so shall He sit on a white throne to judge all men. [Clinton D. Hamilton, “The Binding of Satan and the Judgment,” in Overcoming with the Lamb: Lessons from the Book of Revelation, ed. Ferrell Jenkins, Florida College Annual Lectures (Temple Terrace, FL: Florida College Bookstore, 1994), 197.]

Note - Quote from Nicoll:

He who is to decide our portion for eternity is the very Being who died as our Surety. [W. Robertson Nicoll, ed., The Sermon Outline Bible: 1 Peter–Revelation, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1958), 354.]

3. The Outcome: Earth & Heaven Fled

Note - The Fleeing Earth & Heaven…no place found

Both the Old and New Testaments affirm the earth and heavens will pass away

Psalm 102:25–27 KJV 1900

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.

Hebrews 1:11ff KJV 1900

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

2 Peter 3:10 KJV 1900

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Therefore from the face of the Lord the earth and heaven fled away (Rev. 20:11). [Hamilton, 197.]

B. The Judgment of the Dead (Rev. 20:12-13)

Revelation 20:12 KJV 1900

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

1. The Guilty - The Dead

Hebrews 9:27 KJV 1900

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

2. The Judge - God

Note - Consider this powerful description by Philips Brooks:

What is meant by standing before God? We are apt to picture to ourselves a great dramatic scene, host beyond host, rank behind rank, the millions who have lived upon the earth, all standing crowded together in the indescribable presence of One who looks not merely at the mass, but at the individual, and sees through the whole life and character of every single soul. The picture is sublime, and it is what the words of St. John are intended to suggest. [Nicoll, 351.]

3. The Evidence - Things…written

a. The Books

- The Book of Works

- The Book of the Word

b. Another Book

- The Book of Life

The “another book” ..., the third after “the book of works” and the inspired and preserved Scriptures, was described as “which is” ... the book of life” ... The Book of Life originally had the names of all mankind written within, but as men historically refused to repent of the sins confirming their old nature, and died in an unrepentant state, their names were blotted out .... These three books, the book of works, the Bible, and the Book of Life, were the three witnesses to God’s holy and just condemnation. John gave the obvious finalization of the matter, stating summarily, “the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books” .... The resurrected dead will stand at the Great White Throne Judgment and be judged by that which has been and still is written in these three books. The Judge will look at each person’s record book of works and declare that they are worthless, as the psalmist David said, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good” (Ps. 14:1).3345 Next, the Judge will scrutinize each life and compare it with the preserved Scriptures to declare every man’s dismal failure, since He said, “That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Lk. 4:4). Then, the just Lord will carefully examine the Book of Life and declare that the name has been blotted out, as He warned, saying, “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Ex. 32:33).

3344 See Rev. 22:19 for the other example of this perfect passive participle from gra,fw (209x).

3345 Isaiah stated about so-called “righteousness,” saying, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isa. 64:6).]

[Strouse, 891–892.]

4. The Final Verdict - Guilty as Charged

Revelation 20:13 KJV 1900

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

The Prophet Ezekiel gave an elaborated discussion on the personal accountability of every sinner, saying, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezk. 18:20). At the Great White Throne Judgment, when all of the lost will stand before God, He will judge them for their very works and not those of someone else. No one will be permitted to claim the fallacious humanistic statement as attempted in the time of Jeremiah, who said, “In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge” (Jer. 31:29-30). His judgment will be true and accurate, with no mistakes or confusion. [Strouse, 894.]

5. The Sentencing - Cast

THEY MUST FACE THE RECORDS OF CHRIST

A. There will be No Exclusions (12a)

B. There will be No Excuses (12b)

1. Their Character will be fairly Revealed (12b-1)

2. Their Conduct will be fully Rewarded (12b-2)

C. There will be No Escaping (13)

1. Their Resurrection (13a)

2. Their Reward (13b) [Ron Lynch]

C. The Destiny of Death & Hell - The Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14)

Revelation 20:14 KJV 1900

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Note - Pentecost’s words concerning death in light of the resurrection hope of 1 Cor. 15:

Death was not a part of God’s original creation, but physical and spiritual death came into God’s creation because of the disobedience of Adam. When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden He put restrictions upon them which required obedience to God’s revealed will. God said (Genesis 2:16–17), “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Physical and spiritual death came into God’s creation because of Adam’s sin, and man immediately began to face the question, “Is there life after death?” Will there be a time when the hopes, the aspirations, the unrealized dreams, the unappropriated promises will ever be realized? And Job the Patriarch voiced that which is a universal cry of men’s hearts: “If a man die, shall he live again?” (14:14). [J. Dwight Pentecost, Things Which Become Sound Doctrine (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1996), 144.]

Note - Excerpt of Proctor’s Article from The Fundamentals:

Once more, the words of the Ascended and Glorified Saviour recorded in Rev. 21:8 may be quoted: “The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” A careful study of the Scriptural uses of the words “life” and “death” will clearly show that the root ideas are respectively “union” and “separation”. Physical life is union of the spirit with the body, spiritual life is the union of the spirit with God, and everlasting life is this union perfected and consummated summated to all eternity. Similarly, physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body, spiritual death is the separation of the spirit from God, and eternal death is the perpetuation of this separation. Hence, for all who have not experienced a second birth, “the second death” becomes inevitable; for he who is only born once dies twice, while he who is “born again” dies only once. As against the doctrine of annihilation, Rev. 20:14 may be quoted: “Death and [Hell] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, ...” [Wm. C. Procter, Chapter IV: What Christ Teaches Concerning Future Retribution, vol. 3 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2005), 56–57.]

Note - The Final Destiny of the Great Enemy of the Soul (Death) and the Prison Hold of the Devil and his Angels (Hell) - The Lake of Fire

D. The Destiny of the Wicked - The Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:15)

Revelation 20:15 KJV 1900

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

1. The Breadth of Divine Judgment

Note - Whosoever was not found written

2. The Basis of Divine Judgment

Note - The Book of Life

3. The Ultimate End of Divine Judgment

Note - Was Cast Into he Lake of Fire

Conclusion:

One day, death will die

Poetry: “Death Be Not Proud,” by John Donne. This famous poem celebrates the day death will die....

Death, be not proud, though some have callèd thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so:

For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow

Die not, poor Death; nor yet canst thou kill me.

From Rest and Sleep, which but thy picture be,

Much pleasure, then from thee much more must flow;

And soonest our best men with thee do go—

Rest of their bones and souls’ delivery!

Thou’rt slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;

And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well

And better than thy stroke. Why swell’st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,

And Death shall be no more: Death, thou shalt die!

John Donne

[John Donne John Donne, “Death,” in The Harvard Classics 40–42, 313.]

[Elliot Ritzema, ed., 300 Quotations for Preachers (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012).]

1 Corinthians 15:26 KJV 1900

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

While on this side of eternity, our mission is simple and urgent: reach the lost with the gospel

Scenario: Imagine you are on a hike through the woods. It is a beautiful summer day. As you walk, you hear what sound like a hundred freight trains rushing by. Drawing closer to investigate the sound, you find a vast waterfall, dropping down more than one hundred feet below you to great, jagged rocks. You follow the path upriver. As you do, you encounter a party of people on a raft, floating toward you and the waterfall. They are laughing, joking, and having a good time, utterly unaware of their impending doom. Each second, they are drawing closer to the waterfall. What would you do? Let them pass? Cry out? Look for a rope to throw? Wouldn’t you do anything you could to keep those people from heading over the falls?

There are many things we will get to do in heaven that we do here on earth as well—worship, fellowship with believers, spend time enjoying work. But one God-ordained activity that we will not be able to do once we go to heaven is sharing the good news with those who are perishing. [Duvall, 279.]

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