ARMAGEDDON AND FULFILLMENT
OF FIRST RESURRECTION
REV. 19:17 – REV. 20:6
Lesson 24
Introduction: Armageddon is the subject of movies and wide public interest as mankind feels itself being drawn toward a showdown between the forces of good and evil. I have stood overlooking the valley of Megiddo, which our Jewish guides were quick to outline its future. At some future time the armies of the world will be gathered to do battle. In Rev. 15 we studied the fierceness of this battle resulting in a blood bath that covered a 200-mile field of death and destruction. In our previous study in this the 19th chapter, we have noted the praise given to God as the result of the destruction of the Godless forces of the world. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb in which the Church of this age plays a major role. Christ coming in all His kingly glory with His saints and angels will assume His rightful throne. Our attention is now focused upon the results of His coming and the end of those who have led the forces of evil. We have before the works of a personal God and an end result of the devil who is a real person.
I. The battle of Armageddon (Vs. 17-19)
a. The invitation of the angel (Vs. 17)
1. The angel in the sun catches our attention and probably refers to an angel whose brilliance outshone the sun.
a) This image of a brilliant light speaks highly of the glory of God.
b) The angel cries with a loud voice revealing that something important is about to be revealed.
2. An invitation to the supper of the Great God
a) The word supper refers to the main meal.
b) This is the main event, and John throughout Revelation has been giving us more and more detail.
b. We see from verse 18 that divine judgment is no respecter of persons
1. Matt. 24:27,28 is the parallel scripture to this scene.
a) Remember birds of prey are always present at the scene of death.
b) It has been suggested that the flesh of those who sought to dethrone God become the food of the birds of prey.
c) Not too glorious of an ending
c. Making war against the creator of the universe (Vs. 19)
1. It would seem that those mentioned in chapter 13 as the beast and 10 kings are involved here.
a) The armies of the world are gathered to do battle against each other but unite their forces when Christ appears.
b) Those who make up the players in this scene are the antichrist and 10 kings joined by the kings of the east who have come to do battle.
2. Their purpose is to control the land of Israel and the Middle East.
3. God now intervenes in the affairs of men. (Joel 3:1,2 and Joel 2:1,2)
II. The destiny of the beast and false prophet and their allies (Vs 20,21)
a. The beast of Rev. 13 and the false prophet are taken and cast alive into the lake of fire. These are the first occupants of the lake of fire, which is the second death.
1. Those who were Satan’s masterpieces precede him into the place of eternal judgment and punishment.
2. Let us remember that no one at this time occupies the lake of fire.
3. Hades is Greek, and Sheol is Hebrew where people go until the Great White Throne Judgment.
b. The judgment in verse 21 seems to set forth the fact that Christ and not His followers execute judgment. (Vs 21)
1. Here is recorded man’s total defeat at the time of the height of Satanic power.
a) The prophet Isaiah foretold this same event. (Isa. 11:4)
b) What John warns about and what the end of the wicked shall be is sure and final.
III. The binding of Satan (Rev. 20:1-3)
a. An angel is discharged from heaven to lay hold of Satan.
1. It would seem from our study of the Old Testament scriptures that Satan’s power has been some what reduced.
a) In Daniel even the Arch-angel was careful
b) I think this all came about as a result of being cast out of heaven and confined to earth at midpoint of tribulation.
b. Keys of the bottomless pit and the great chain
1. The bottomless pit is the abyss also translated by the word “deep.”
a) It is the home of the demons or those angels who sinned in Jude 6.
2. The great chain carries the thought of restraint.
a) In II Pet. 2:4 we have chains of darkness restraining the wicked spirits.
b) The main idea of this event is to render Satan inactive.
c) He will be restrained or have no influence upon mankind during millennium
3. Six times in this chapter the 1,000 years is mentioned.
4. This has been the battleground of those who hold to the post, pre, amillennial views of Christ coming kingdom.
c. We are left little doubt as to the person involved here. (Vs. 2)
1. The various names that have been used of Satan throughout the Word of God is clearly stated.
a) The use of the old serpent is to remind us he has been active as long as men have lived.
b) The word Devil means slanderer, a malignant liar.
c) Satan means an adversary or accuser, one who lies in wait to trap or disable.
2. Again the 1,000 years is given and support the length of Christ literal reign upon earth known as the millennium.
d. The seal is placed, and Satan is removed from the scene on earth during the Millennium.
1. No influence the entire 1,000 years
2. Mention is now made that Satan will be loosed and people given another chance to follow him if they so desire.
3. We will say more about this when we cover verse 7.
IV. The blessings of the first resurrection (Vs. 4-6)
a. John 5:28,29 makes it clear there are two distinct resurrections.
1. In order to understand clearly the Word of God, one must keep this in mind.
a) Before the tribulation period begins, the rapture will occur. (I Thess. 4:13-18)
b) Following the tribulation, there will occur another resurrection of those who died during the 7-year period.
2. The wicked or unjust dead are clearly said not to live again until the end of the millennium.
b. A blessing is pronounced upon those who take part in first resurrection. (Vs. 6)
1. Notice that the second death hath no power over them because they are heirs of eternal life.
2. Priest of God and shall reign with Him a thousand years
a) Peter declares us of the Church age as believer priest. (I Pet. 2:5-9)
b) The joy of reigning with Him shall be our joy and is in our future. (PRAISE GOD)