Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Revelation 20-22
PERSPECTIVE
Our reading today is Revelation 20-22 as we continue through the Bible. Here we find that at the conclusion of the “thousand years”, the dragon is to be released. He is permitted another brief time of deception, but his time is short-lived. Following this final episode of deception at the conclusion of the thousand years, the dragon is recaptured and this time cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. John concluded his prophecy by declaring the utter faithfulness of his words. Those who heed his prophecy will receive the blessings of God. Those who ignore the warnings will be left outside the gates of God’s presence.
DRAW NEAR
In this part of the program we are encouraging God’s children to draw near to Him. These devotionals are taken from our book entitled, “Draw Near.” In our devotional for today the Bible says, “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from
my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:1-7). A New York taxi driver was fuming when his fare got in. Finally, the man asked the driver what was wrong. The reply was that a former fare had left a wallet containing three hundred dollars on the seat and the driver had searched New York for four hours before he could find the owner and return the wallet. When he did find the owner, the man looked suspiciously at the driver, turned and walked off. The cabbie said, “I didn’t want a reward. I merely wanted him to thank me.” David often called on the Lord, and God was faithful to answer his pleas. However, it is refreshing to note that David spent as much time thanking God as he does praying. This must have been why God fondly says David was a man after His own heart. In learning to thank God and others we become more giving and generous persons. There is a grace in gratitude that enhances our lives. Thus, it is even more important for us to thank people than for them to hear us say it because gratitude changes us for the better. All of us need to learn the grace of gratitude. In our hurry-up work it is easy just to push our prayer requests through without taking time to thank God for the multitude of mercies that He has shown us. When we truly learn the secret of praise, we find it helps us and expands our souls, making us better individuals. There is power in praise since God inhabits the praises of His people. May the same spirit of praise David had be in us.
THE MESSAGE
Our study today covers Revelation 20-22. Here is what is in our reading: The dragon, who is the serpent of old, the devil and Satan, is cast into a hellish abyss that is shut and sealed for a thousand years. The the dead in Christ are raised to govern with Him, and God’s rightful rule over the earth is vindicated. This thousand-year reign is called the millennium. The term millennium is derived from the Latin (mille, one thousand, annum, year) and means a period of one thousand years. In multiple Old Testament instances the term is used in counting, even as it is in the New Testament. Occasionally the term is used to mean a large number without specific units being intended. The particular references here are used to establish a doctrine of a thousand years associated with Christ’s final coming according to Revelation 20:2-11). In chapter 20, Satan is bound for 1,000 years. Christian martyrs reign with Christ for 1,000 years. The final revolt of Satan is noted ending with judgment at the great white throne. In chapter 21, a new heaven and a new earth are predicted. In chapter 22, the river of life and the tree of life are restored. The return of our Lord Jesus Christ is announced. Our specific emphasis today is on Revelation 22:7-17.
LIFE LESSON
1. As we pray for the Lord to come, we must have ears to hear what the Spirit says.
LIFE LESSON
2. We are to protect God’s Word neither adding to nor to taking away from its words.
LIFE LESSON
3. We are to persevere in the hour of tribulation, knowing the Lord will soon return.