(Chapter 19:11–21:8)
The prophecies thus far in the book have taken us up to the Appearing of Christ. Things have been developed from three different standpoints, each ending at the point of His coming in judgment (chap. 11:15-18; 14:14-20; 16:15-21). This closing section of the book picks up the thread of things from that moment and takes us from the Appearing of Christ, through the Millennium, to the Eternal State.
Eight Great Visions
There are eight great visions in this section indicated by the words, “I saw ... ” (chap. 19:11, 17, 19; 20:1, 4, 11, 12; 21:1). These visions are of consecutive order, stretching from the Appearing of Christ to the Eternal State.
The First Vision—Christ the Victorious Conqueror
Chap. 19:11-16—The thread of prophetic events is now resumed with a detailed account of the Appearing of Christ. The heavens are “opened” because the moment of Christ’s Appearing has come. This is quite different from chapter 4:1 where a door in heaven was opened for John to pass in; here it is opened for Christ and the armies of heaven to come out. The Lord Jesus said that no one knows the exact hour when this will be (Matt. 24:3636But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36)). The sovereignty of the earth is really the great thing at stake, and it will be decided once and for all at this time. The result is that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Rev. 11:1515And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)). This is the Lord’s Davidic (warrior) character of judgment.
• He rides a “white horse.” This is not literal, but symbolic of His victorious power (vs. 11a). In ancient eastern countries when a king came to a place on an ass, it meant he was coming in peace (Zech. 9:99Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9)), but when he came on a horse, it was in war. This Rider must not to be confused with the rider on a “white horse” in chapter 6:1-2, which is papal Rome professing purity of motive in gathering the nations of western Europe together into a federation.
• He is called “Faithful and True” because He judges in righteousness and according to the truth (vs. 11b).
• His eyes are “a flame of fire,” meaning that He has divine omniscience that searches out all hidden evil and deals with it according to righteousness (vs. 12a).
• He wears “many crowns [diadems]” referring to the universal dominion that belongs to Him (vs. 12b).
• He is clothed with “a vesture dipped in blood” meaning that He comes in vengeance (vs. 13a). The blood here is not His blood that was shed for sinners, but the blood of His enemies (Compare Isa. 34:6; 63:1-46The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. (Isaiah 34:6)
1Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. (Isaiah 63:1‑4)).
• His name is “the Word of God” because He is the perfect exponent of the mind of God as expressed in judgment (vs. 13b; John 1:11In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)).
• The “armies” of heaven that follow Him are the glorified heavenly saints from Old Testament and New Testament times who will attend His coming (vs. 14; 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:1413To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14); Jude 1414And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14); Zech. 14:55And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:5); Rev. 17:1414These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)). They have no weapons because they don’t need any; the battle is the Lord’s.
• Out of His mouth goes “a sharp sword” (vs. 15). Thus, His Word will be the instrument of His enemies’ destruction (Heb. 4:1212For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12); Isa. 30:3131For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod. (Isaiah 30:31)). The purpose of His coming in judgment is twofold: firstly, to “smite the nations ... with a rod of iron” which assemble at Armageddon––the Harvest judgment. Secondly, to tread “the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”––the Vintage judgment (Isa. 63:1-61Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. (Isaiah 63:1‑6); Rev. 14:18-2018And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (Revelation 14:18‑20)). (This latter judgment is not mentioned here because the Spirit of God is focusing on Christ’s Appearing, and the Vintage does not happen then, but sometime later.)
• His name (or title) is “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (vs. 16). This indicates His sovereign right to rule over all kingdoms.
The Second Vision—the Summoning of the Ravenous Birds of Prey to the Supper of God
Chap. 19:17-18—So sure is the judgment of the armies that gather to oppose the intervention of Christ that an angel summons “all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven” to feed on the fallen warriors. This is the second “supper” in this chapter. “The marriage supper of the Lamb” is a scene of joy and blessing in heaven; “the supper of the great God” is a scene of judgment on earth. This supper is of the dead who have fallen in battle (vss. 17-18).
The Third Vision—the Judgment at Armageddon
Chap. 19:19-21—The judgment the Lord will execute at this time is the first in a series of judgments. When He appears, He will first deal with the Western powers at Armageddon. These are the confederate armies under the Beast (political Babylon) who will come to the land of Israel from the west with their massive navy (Num. 24:2424And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. (Numbers 24:24)). At the same time, the Lord will dispatch His angels who will go through the prophetic earth and take out all who have rejected the gospel and cast them into Hell (Matt. 13:38-43; 24:40-4138The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:38‑43)
40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:40‑41)). This is the Harvest judgment.
Vss. 20-21—There is no account of the battles at Armageddon given here, just the result. The Beast (the leader of the Western confederacy) is taken with the Antichrist and cast alive into the lake of fire. The Antichrist is not called “another beast” or “the king,” but “the false prophet,” because at this point he will be reduced to that role, having lost his place of rule in the land of Israel as king. Prior to this, he will have fled from his post in the land when the King of the North and His Arab confederacy attacked (Zech. 11:1717Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. (Zechariah 11:17); Isa. 22:1919And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down. (Isaiah 22:19); Jer. 39:44And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain. (Jeremiah 39:4); John 10:1313The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. (John 10:13)).
The Fourth Vision—Satan Bound for 1000 Years (the Millennium)
Chap. 20:1-3—It is God’s desire to display the glory of Christ through the Church in the very place where He was rejected and cast out, and thus vindicate Him before the eyes of all (Matt. 17:1-21And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (Matthew 17:1‑2); John 17:2323I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23); 2 Thess. 1:1010When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:10)). He will do this in the Millennium—the 1000-year reign of Christ. However, the whole scene must be cleansed before the stage can be set for the display of His kingdom glory. As we have seen in the previous chapters, this cleansing will be through judgment. Having judged His enemies, the Lord will make “wars to cease” (Psa. 46:6-96The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. (Psalm 46:6‑9); Isa. 2:44And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4)).
If peace and blessing is to be had on earth, Satan, who is the great instigator of violence and corruption, must be removed. The final act of preparing the scene for the display of Christ’s glory will be to cast him and his angels into “the bottomless pit [abyss].” They will remain there “for many days”—the duration of the Millennium (Isa. 24:21-2221And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. (Isaiah 24:21‑22)). The earth will be free of his influence for 1000 years! This is something the world has never known.
The sphere of Satan’s movements will continually be restricted, until at last he will be thrown into the lake of fire (Hell). He once had the privilege of being in “the garden of God” (the abode of God), but when he sinned, he was expelled (Ezek. 28:11-1911Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 12Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. 18Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. 19All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more. (Ezekiel 28:11‑19)). Being cast out, he has had the run of the heavens and the earth, which he has sought to corrupt (Job 1:6-7; 15:156Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (Job 1:6‑7)
15Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. (Job 15:15)). At the time of the flood, some of his emissaries were confined in the pit on account of their particular wickedness of attempting to co-habit with the daughters of men (Gen. 6:22That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (Genesis 6:2); 2 Peter 2:55And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (2 Peter 2:5); Jude 66And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (Jude 6)). Then, in the middle of the coming prophetic week of Daniel, he will be cast out of the heavens “into the earth” (Rev. 12:7-97And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9And 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. (Revelation 12:7‑9); Luke 10:1818And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (Luke 10:18)). When Christ appears at the end of the prophetic week, Satan and his angels will be cast into “the bottomless pit [abyss]” for 1000 years. Then, after his last revolt (having been let out of the pit after 1000 years), he will be cast into “the lake of fire”—his eternal abode of everlasting judgment (Rev. 20:1010And 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. (Revelation 20:10); Matt. 25:4141Then 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: (Matthew 25:41)).
The Fifth Vision—the Heavenly Saints Reign With Christ for 1000 Years (the Millennium)
Chap. 20:4-10—After all hostile powers are put down, Christ will reign over all the works of His hands with the heavenly saints (Rev. 20:4-64And 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. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed 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. (Revelation 20:4‑6)). Scripture tells us that God has “appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained” (Acts 17:3131Because 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. (Acts 17:31)). This “day” is not a single day of 24 hours but the whole period of 1000 years—the Millennium. It is “the day of the Lord” (2 Peter 3:8-108But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But 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. (2 Peter 3:8‑10); 1 Thess. 5:22For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2); 2 Thess. 2:22That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (2 Thessalonians 2:2); Isa. 2:10-2210Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. 11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. 12For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: 13And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, 14And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, 15And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, 16And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. 17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. 18And the idols he shall utterly abolish. 19And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 20In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; 21To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 22Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? (Isaiah 2:10‑22); Joel 1:1515Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. (Joel 1:15); Zeph. 2:22Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you. (Zephaniah 2:2); Mal. 4:55Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: (Malachi 4:5)). The Harvest and Vintage judgments prior to this are the Lord’s Davidic warrior judgments, but this is His Solomonic reign in peace (1 Kings 5:44But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent. (1 Kings 5:4); Psa. 72:7-87In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. 8He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. (Psalm 72:7‑8); Psa. 147:1414He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. (Psalm 147:14); Isa. 60:1818Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. (Isaiah 60:18)).
• “They sat upon them” are the glorified saints from New and Old Testament times (vs. 4a).
• “The souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God” are the martyrs from the first half of the prophetic week who will be raised and glorified (Rev. 6:9-119And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Revelation 6:9‑11)).
• Those who “had not worshipped the Beast, neither his image” are the martyrs from the last half of the prophetic week who will also be raised and glorified (Rev. 14:2-3; 15:2-42And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:2‑3)
2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. (Revelation 15:2‑4)).
Chap. 20:7-10—At the end of the Millennium, Satan will be “loosed out of his prison.” Immediately he will make one final, desperate attempt to regain mastery over the world. He will go out and “deceive” those who are lost, and they will follow him in an all-out attempt to overthrow the saints in “the beloved city.” This is the last siege of Jerusalem. Those who follow him are called “Gog and Magog,” but they are not the same people as in Ezekiel 38-39. Those who follow Satan at this time are called that because they have the same godless character of unbelief. God will use this event to bring Satan and all who follow him to their final end. “Fire” (a symbol of judgment) will come down from God and devour them. Satan will be cast into the lake of fire—his eternal abode of judgment.
The Sixth Vision—the Great White Throne
Chap. 20:11—The sixth vision is of “a great white throne” and “Him” who sits on it. Hence, the Millennium begins and ends with a sessional judgment (vss. 4, 12-15). Who is the occupant of this throne? It is not God the Father, but God the Son, for all judgment has been committed into His hand (John 5:2222For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: (John 5:22)).
The Seventh Vision—the Judgment of the Wicked Dead
Chap. 20:12-13—This final scene of judgment is that of the wicked dead. The last recorded act in time is the judgment of those who follow Satan in his final revolt; the first recorded act in eternity is the resurrection and judgment of the wicked dead. Between these two events the “earth and heaven” will flee away from the “face” of Him who sits on the throne. They actually happen at the same time. At this point, the melting of the elements of the whole creation will take place (2 Peter 3:7-127But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But 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. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:7‑12)). This will not include the abode of God (“the third heaven”) for the fires of purification cannot touch it.
There will not be a universal resurrection of all men. Scripture indicates that there are two resurrections: a “resurrection of life,” and a “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-2928Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28‑29); Acts 24:1515And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Acts 24:15)). This chapter calls the resurrection of life “the first resurrection” (vs. 5). It involves the righteous only. The fact that it says, “The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished,” indicates that there is another resurrection after the first resurrection—and it involves the wicked. Hence, it could be called, “the second resurrection.”
The wicked dead from the beginning of time will be raised to receive their eternal sentence of judgment. They will stand there suspended in space before their Creator and will be sentenced to a lost eternity in “the lake of fire”—Hell (Job 14:1212So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. (Job 14:12)). Contrary to popular teaching, there is no one in Hell (the lake of fire) yet. Those who have died in their sins are presently in “prison” in Hades (1 Peter 3:1919By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (1 Peter 3:19)), which is a temporary state of confinement for disembodied spirits who are lost. The first persons cast into Hell (the lake of fire) are the Beast and the Antichrist, then all those who have rejected the gospel of the grace of God in the Western nations will be put there by the angels (the Harvest judgment). The wicked dead are the last to be consigned there. Since these people will be raised from the dead to stand before the great white throne, they will be cast into the lake of fire alive (spirit, soul, and body) and will suffer in endless separation from God.
All who are not found written in “the book of life” are judged according to their works, as recorded in “the books.” The fact that there are books indicates that God keeps records of men’s lives. Every thought, word, and deed is recorded there. Luke 12:47-4847And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:47‑48) indicates that there will be varying degrees of punishment for the lost in Hell. It will be a just judgment, and they will be punished “according to their works.” No one will suffer for something he or she didn’t do.
Chap. 20:14-15—“Death and Hades” are personified as powers, and are cast into the lake of fire in everlasting defeat. Both have come into existence because man sinned, but now there will be no further need of them. “The lake of fire” is the eternal depository of the lost where they will suffer. A “lake” denotes a place of confinement; water flows into it from various creeks and rivers and is confined there. “Fire” is a symbol of judgment throughout Scripture. Hence, the lost are in a place of eternal confinement under the judgment of God. God never intended that any person should end up in that awful place of judgment; it was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:4141Then 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: (Matthew 25:41)). But wicked men who refuse the movements of God’s love and grace toward them will also end up there.
The fact that this judgment of wicked persons is called “the second death” shows that they did not cease to exist when they experienced the first death (physical death). If there was nothing left of them after they die, as some falsely teach, then they couldn’t experience this judgment. Some think that “everlasting destruction” (2 Thess. 1:99Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:9); Phil. 3:1919Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:19); Matt. 7:1313Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matthew 7:13); 2 Peter 2:1, 12; 3:16,1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)
12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; (2 Peter 2:12)
16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16) etc.) means that people are consumed by the fire of God’s judgment and they cease to exist thereafter. This false doctrine is called Annihilationism. God’s Word, however, indicates that “everlasting destruction” has not to do with the loss of one’s being, but the loss of his well-being.
It is clear from Job 30:2424Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction. (Job 30:24) that the lost still exist after they die. It says that they “cry” out even after they have been destroyed. Revelation 19:2020And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20) tells us that the Beast and the false prophet were cast alive into the lake of fire. Then, in chapter 20 we are told that the devil is put into the bottomless pit for the duration of the Millennium and then let loose. And after a brief rebellion we read, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are” (Rev. 20:1010And 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. (Revelation 20:10)). Notice: the Beast and the false prophet were still there in the lake of fire after the thousand-year reign of Christ! They didn’t cease to exist. The Lord Jesus said, “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:3636He 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. (John 3:36)). “Abideth” is an on-going thing. If the wrath of God abides on the unbeliever, there must be the existence of the unbeliever for it to abide on him. Again, it says in Revelation 14:11,11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:11) “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever.” Torment signifies a condition that requires a living person to endure it. You cannot torment what does not exist. The Lord also said, “Their worm dieth not” (Mark 9:4848Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:48)). This indicates that the torments of a guilty conscience will not die in the lost under eternal punishment. Moreover, a number of Scriptures tell us that the fire of God’s judgment “never shall be quenched” (Matt. 3:1212Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:12); Mark 9:43, 4543And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (Mark 9:43)
45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (Mark 9:45); Luke 3:1717Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. (Luke 3:17)). What need would there be for it to continue if those who are cast there are annihilated immediately? Some tell us that death itself is the judgment. But Scripture says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this (death) the judgment” (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). If, “after” death is the judgment, how could death be the judgment?
Even in our ordinary language, “destruction” doesn’t mean the cessation of existence. For instance, if we took an axe and destroyed a beautiful wooden table, there would be just as much material lying in a useless heap on the floor as when it sat as a beautiful, useful table. Once it has been destroyed, it is no longer useful for the purpose for which it was made. It is the same with the destruction of human beings. Man was made for the glory of God (Isa. 43:2121This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise. (Isaiah 43:21); Rev. 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)). If he goes into “everlasting destruction,” he can no longer be fitted through salvation for the purpose for which he was created.
The Eighth Vision—the Eternal State
Chap. 21:1-8—The final vision is the Eternal State, which is the summit of God’s holy desires in the fullest sense. This brings us to the end of all God’s purposes in regard to the glory of Christ and the blessing of man. There is relatively little given to us in Scripture about the Eternal State. There are really only three main passages that speak of it (Rev. 21:1-81And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8But 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. (Revelation 21:1‑8); 2 Peter 3:10-1310But 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. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:10‑13); 1 Cor. 15:24-2824Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:24‑28)).
It is significant that the number eight marks this passage. It speaks a new beginning:
• It is the eighth vision.
• Eight things are said to exist no more—the first heaven, the first earth, the sea, tears, death, sorrow, crying, and pain (vss. 1-4).
• Eight classes of sinners are found under eternal judgment—the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars (vs. 8).
God will begin to “reconcile all things” to Himself in the Millennium, but it will not be complete until the Eternal State is reached (Col. 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)). Sin and death will still exist in the Millennium (1 Cor. 15:25-2625For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:25‑26)), but in the Eternal State all trace of sin and Satan and death will be gone (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)). During the Millennium, righteousness will “reign” (Isa. 32:11Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (Isaiah 32:1)), but in the Eternal State, righteousness “dwells” (2 Peter 3:1313Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)). In contrast to this, those who stand for righteousness today “suffer” (1 Peter 3:1414But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (1 Peter 3:14)).
Righteousness will reign in the Millennium through Christ ruling with “a rod of iron” (Psa. 2:99Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. (Psalm 2:9); Rev. 2:2727And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. (Revelation 2:27)). But in the Eternal State, there will be no need for reigning because there will be nothing to subjugate, for all will be of God, and He will be “all in all” (1 Cor. 15:2828And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:28)). Christ and the heavenly saints will “reign to the ages of ages” (the Eternal State) but not in the ages of ages (Rev. 22:55And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:5) – J. N. Darby Trans.). There is no mention of a King reigning in His kingdom here in this passage because it will have been delivered up to the Father (1 Cor. 15:2424Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:24)). Hence, the Millennium will be for the vindication of God’s holy character, but the Eternal State is for the satisfaction of His heart.
The great point in regard to the Eternal State is that everything will be “new” (vs. 1). Heaven and earth will abide as distinct places throughout all eternity, but they will be in an entirely new condition. The “heaven” mentioned here is not the abode of God, which doesn’t need to be made new, but rather the atmospheric and stellar heavens.
The fact that there will be “no more sea” indicates that there will be no more separation in circumstances, as we know them. A “sea” is a separating element in nature and is used to indicate separation in circumstances, age, time, and nationality, etc. Time distinctions, geographical boundaries, human limitations and differences will be gone then. There will be nothing to separate men from happy fellowship with one another and with God.
New Jerusalem comes into view as the eternal abode of the Church. It is “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (vs. 2). The Church is seen in the closing chapters of this book in her “bride” character and in her “wife” character. As a bride, she is wholly for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the heart of Christ. As a wife, she will assist the Lord in the administration of the world to come—the Millennium (vs. 9). It is interesting to note that her wife character does not continue in the Eternal State, because that side of things will cease. However, the bride side continues forever.
It mentions new Jerusalem “coming down from God,” but there is no indication that it touches the earth and makes them one place. The two will remain distinct places of human destiny, but in the closest harmony.
The declaration is made, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them” (vs. 3). This is God’s great desire—to dwell in fellowship with “the sons of men” (Prov. 8:3131Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. (Proverbs 8:31)). It will be accomplished perfectly then.
Verse 4 indicates a condition of fixed happiness. “Tears,” “death,” “sorrow,” “crying,” and “pain” are five things that are the result of sin. All of these will be gone forever because all things will be made new (vs. 5). It will be announced victoriously: “It is done.” This marks the fulfillment of God’s purpose.
Verses 6-7 indicate that redeemed men will always have a thirst. Our thirst in the day of God will be for more of Christ and His love. He is the “the Water of life” who alone can satisfy that thirst. Though being in the Eternal State, we will still be dependent creatures; we will never be self-sufficient. God will meet our every desire perfectly, and will eternally satisfy us with Him who is “enough, the mind and heart to fill” (L.F. #174).
Verse 8 indicates that not only will there be a fixed state of happiness and bliss for the righteous, but there will also be a fixed state of damnation for the lost. Eight classes of sinners are mentioned as being under eternal judgment in the lake of fire.