Finale Of Revelation
The finale of Revelation can be found in chapters 20 through 22. The events which bring its finale include the conclusion of the Millennial Kingdom, the destruction of the old earth. We see a new heaven and new Earth and nestled within those events in this transition is an event that is called the Great White Throne Judgment.
This period of time is filled with many transitions which lead us into Eternity. I wish to focus on these events for a purpose other than establishing a time line or mere explanation. As usual I will try to use simple terms in plain English for easy comprehension rather than great sounding theological terms.
A deeper and much longer commentary on Revelation 20 can be found here for more study and deep theological terms are still at a minimum.
The Last Battle
After the Second Coming Satan and company are bound for a thousand years in the bottomless pit from where they cannot escape. Within the Millennial Kingdom there is no influence from them. At the end of this period he and his minions are loosed for an undefined period of time.
It is here that they once again seduce the world with sin. We see the rise of what is called Gog and Magog. I wish to make a very clear point here for many even within the more elite educated community have mistaken and misplaced events surrounding Gog and Magog.
Within Revelation 20 this body of people are defined as the nations of the world. They are gathered together and their number is as the sands of the sea. They then move to war against Christ. There is another Gog and Magog that can be found in Scripture within Ezekiel 38. Much confusion has been made as to the identity of who and when these events affect.
Gog and Magog found in Ezekiel 38 is comprised of 5 to 7 major nations which also make up several peoples. In the old days we would use the term vassal states which are subordinate to a greater power. It is important to note that this does not equal the nations of the world as defined in Revelation 20.
Other major differences include that in Revelation this power comes to battle against Christ. Within Ezekiel these powers come to battle a nation which has been brought back from the sword. The only nation which can qualify for this is Israel. This is further reinforced in verse 16 when it is stated that this force will “come against my people of Israel” specifically naming them. Other differences in these two instances is how the battle ends and the aftermath.
In Ezekiel 39 God states that he will cause this army to fall in the field. There is a fire that falls upon those that dwell carelessly in the isles. In verse 11 there will be a grave given to this army in Israel within a valley to be named Hamongog. What is very important to note is Verse 9.
Verse 9 is everything in understanding time. It states that Israel will burn the resources of their enemies for 7 years. The conclusion of Revelation 20’s battle ends with the Great White Throne Judgment and the current Earth and Heavens being destroyed. Ezekiel 38, 39 cannot fit this description and be the same battle at the same time.
Some have stated that the battle found in Ezekiel is at the Mid Tribulation point when the Antichrist enters Jerusalem. If this is so why does Israel flee and the Antichrist take control of the Temple? Furthermore why would Israel burn the resources of their enemies for the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation and then also an additional 3.5 years into the Millennial Kingdom. This does not fit nor can it be accurate.
Ezekiel 38 and 39 does fit into a very specific period of time yet this will require another discussion. It is important to at least bring this discrepancy forward here to gain clarity that the events within Revelation 20 is unique and unlike any other Scripture found.
The battle happens as Christ is seated within Jerusalem and the nations of the world who reject Him which are the children of the Millennial Kingdom. Not all will reject Him. Nevertheless their numbers are as the sand. Having gone this far to establish this period of time there is one more very important thing to note.
We as Christians often wonder why people reject Jesus. In fact we who are in the faith believe that if they could just see Him they would believe. Within Revelation 20 there is a people who have lived under His rule, known His blessings, they will have received the greatest life to have ever been given since the garden of Eden. They will even know His voice. Yet they still reject Him.
If one will stop for a moment to contemplate this it can be quite terrifying. There are some who simply will never believe. Their rejection in fact may not be a matter of belief or disbelief. The fact that they refuse Christ may be merely for they refuse to submit their will, mind, and body to Him. Keep in mind Lucifer himself knew the very throne room of God yet stated that he would set his throne higher and rejected God. There are some people who simply cannot be saved for they will never accept Christ. Evil is real within mans heart and there is no good to be found in it without Christ.
Great White Throne Judgment
Immediately at the close of the battle within Revelation 20 we move to verses 10 to 15. Satan is cast into the lake of fire to never return. We then see a Great White Throne and all unbelievers will stand before the throne of God. I wish to point out that at this same moment the Scripture states that heaven and earth will flee away. They are no more as it says “there was found no place for them”.
Some have carried a tradition that at the Great White Throne Judgment believers sins will be read or judged. I have even heard Christians say that they dread the day their sins are read. I literally cannot help but laugh when I hear this. I try to only laugh on the inside. Once you are forgiven your sins are parted as far as the East is from the West and are remembered no more.
Truly when God the Father sees you it is because He sees Christ first. It is because of Jesus that the Father can see you and also you will be able to look upon Him. This is why when we pray our prayers enter into the very throne room of God. Know and understand the rituals and traditions of the Old Testament Temple, its layout and the purpose of the Mercy Seat to gain great insight into these principles. It is a very beautiful picture to where we were and what Christ has done for us allowing us to enter into the Holiest of places.
The judgment we see in Revelation 20 is strictly for the unbelievers in all of history including those within the Tribulation. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess. Every sin will be known and each name will be searched to see if it is found within the Book of Life. Only a believers name will be within this book. As these people stand before God and their name is not found they too will be cast into the Lake of Fire where Satan and all who stood against Christ are.
This is not a metaphorical separation. Allow me to explain. God gave a gift. We choose to accept or reject. In other words God did not choose for us to be separated from him, rather if one suffers this fate it was their choice. If God is life then to be outside of God and separated from Him is death. This is why the Scripture states that this is the second death.
A literal person cannot be thrown into a symbolic place. They cannot suffer a symbolic or metaphorical separation. To further explain this one must realize that what comes next is a world within which someone who has rejected Christ cannot exist. The impure cannot exist within the pure. Sin will not be allowed to taint what is Holy. The old heaven and Earth has fled away with no place to be found for them.
Hell is a literal place which is outside of this new universe of God. It must be literal to accept a literal person. I wish to turn you to Exodus 32:30-33. Here the children of Israel have sinned and Moses if petitioning for forgiveness. Moses requests of God that if He will not forgive them of this sin that God should blot Moses out of the book which God has written. Moses knew more than we realize.
In response to Moses God states that He will blot out those who have sinned against Him. While this book is mentioned it is not stated that it is the Book of Life. Some have surmised that this book is a separate book. Revelation 20:12 states that the “books” as in plural were opened, and then another book was opened which is called the Book of Life.
Some suggest that this book which Moses was speaking of could be called a book of existence for lack of a better word or phrase. It could contain the names of those who have ever lived. Know that those who are not of Christ cannot be written within the Book of Life and once within that book the name cannot be blotted out. Once saved “no man” including yourself can separate you from God.
The request of Moses was as if it was a request to God for not merely his life to be taken but rather the removal of his very existence. There would be no memory of him, his life, accomplishments, it would be as if his soul was never created. This is the fate of those who enter into the Lake of Fire. Their names are forever blotted out of existence. There will be no memory of them or sin in this new world.
Gods New Universe: A New Heaven And A New Earth
Perhaps I am embellishing a little by saying a new universe. Yet if this universe exists and is flawed how marvelous would the new be? This alone could be a sound argument for a universe. After all it is the same author of creation which will install the new.
To what extent or functional purpose we do not know all the answers yet foundational principles remain true. It is all for the Glory of God. In this we share and partake within it.
This new universe can be found in Revelation 21. Great descriptions of a world that we just cannot imagine or understand. We are given a brief picture, a snapshot if you will, into something that is really beyond our comprehension. Yet here believers who are also literal will live within this new literal Kingdom.
It is here for the first time that we see Heaven in Revelation from a perspective other than John being within the Throne Room. It is a city which will not need the light of the Sun or the Moon for the Glory of God and Jesus will light it and the Earth. It is a unique world unlike anything we have known and I believe more unique than anything Adam or Eve knew.
In Closing
I know that many read these things and more so today than ever before these Scriptures are taken either symbolically or metaphorically. I want to point out one section of Scripture. Revelation 22:18-19 holds a very serious impact upon those who do this.
For those who add to these Scriptures the plagues of Revelation will be added to them. Likewise if anyone takes away from these Scriptures their part will be taken out of the Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things written in the book.
With this please understand that even as I write about this it is a very serious matter. I do not take what I write lightly. Yes I am human and I will make mistakes, we all do. Yet human error in association or interpretation is not what is being discussed here. It is when a person intentionally misrepresents this Book that a line has been crossed.
As I look at the Churches today and I hear some of the things that is taught I cannot help but wonder how intentional they are in the things which are said. It definitely should give one a moment of pause.