When the thousand years were completed, Satan would be released from prison. Once again, he would come to deceive the nations, like Gog and Magog, to gather people for the battle. They would be as numerous as the sands of the sea. They would march forward on the earth, surrounding the camp of the saints and the beloved city. Then fire will come down from heaven and consume them. The devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the eternal lake of fire and sulfur with the beast and the false prophet. This time, they were tormented day and night eternally, not just for a thousand years. Have you ever seen a fiery lake?
The Christians reigned for a thousand years (chapter 20)
John then saw people seated on thrones with authority to judge. John also saw the ones who were beheaded that had given testimony to Jesus and the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image. They did not have the mark of the beast on their foreheads or hands. Instead, they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years had ended. This was the first resurrection, so that they were blessed and holy. Thus, the second death had no power over them, because they were the priests of God and Christ. They would reign with God and Christ for a thousand years. Would you like to be charge for a thousand years?
The angel seized the dragon for a thousand years (chapter 20)
John saw another angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a chain. The angel seized the dragon, who was the ancient serpent, the devil, and Satan. He bound him for a thousand years, as he threw him into the pit, locked it, and sealed it. Thus, the dragon was locked up for one thousand years, so that he was not able to deceive various nations anymore. After a thousand years, he was let out for a little while. Do you think that the dragon, the serpent, the devil, and Satan are all the same?
The capture of the beast (chapter 19)
Then John saw the beast and the earthly kings with their armies ready for war against the rider on the white horse and his armies. The beast and the false prophet were captured. The two of them were thrown into the fiery lake with sulfur. The rest of their army were killed with a sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the white horse. Then all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. Have you ever seen a fiery lake?
Birds would come to eat the flesh of the defeated ones (chapter 19)
Then John saw an angel standing in the sun. This angel called with a loud voice to all the birds that fly in midheaven, “Come! Gather for the great supper of God!” These birds were to eat the flesh of the kings, the captains, the mighty ones, the horses, their riders, the free-men, the slaves, the small, and the great. Have you ever seen birds eating dead bodies?
The rider on the white horse (chapter 19)
Then John saw heaven open with a white horse and its rider called “Faithful and True”. In righteousness, he judged and made war. His eyes were like flames of fire. His head had many diadems. He had a name that no one knew, but himself. He was dressed in a robe dipped in blood. His name was the word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in fine, white, and pure linen, were following him on white horses. He had a sharp sword in his mouth in order to strike down the nations that he was going to rule with an iron rod. He was going to tread the wine press of the wrath of the almighty God. On his robe and on his thigh his name was inscribed, “The King of kings and the Lord of lords.” Do you think that good guys ride white horses?
The “Hallelujah” rejoicing in heaven (chapter 19)
Then John heard a loud voice in heaven say, “Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory to our God! His judgments are true and just. God has judged the great whore who corrupted the earth with her great fornication. He has avenged the blood of his servants.” Then they said again, “Hallelujah! The smoke goes up from her eternally.” The twenty-four presbyters and the four living creatures worshipped God saying, “Hallelujah! Amen!” From the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God! All your servants and all who fear him, small and great.” John heard the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and thunders, crying out, “Hallelujah! The Lord our God, the Almighty one reigns! Let us rejoice and exult! Give him the glory.” The marriage of the lamb has come. His bride has made herself ready. The bride is dressed in fine bright pure linen, that is the righteous deeds of the saints. Then the angel said to me, “Write this down! Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the lamb!” He told me, “These are the true words of God!” Then John fell down at the feet of the angel to worship him. However, the angel responded, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers, who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Do you ever say “Hallelujah”?
The violent end of the great Babylon (chapter 18)
John said that a mighty angel took up a stone and threw it into the sea. He said that this was how the great city of Babylon will be thrown done. It will be found no more. There will be no more music. The sound of harps, minstrels, flutes, and trumpets will be heard no more. There will be no more artisans of any trade. There will be no more millstones, lamps, or weddings. Their merchants and the nations were deceived by their sorcery. In that great city, they found the blood of the prophets, the saints, and all the dead people. Have you ever seen anyone die violently?
The merchants and the sailors (chapter 18)
The merchants weep since no one buys their cargo goods anymore, gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine line, purple, silk, scarlet, scented wood, ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, and human slaves. The splendor has gone, never to be found again. These wealthy merchants will stand far away in fear of her torment, weeping, and mourning. Woe to the great city clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls! In one hour, all this wealth is gone. The sailors stood far away. The cried as they saw this city go up in smoky flames, “What city was like this great city?” They wept and mourned for this great city. All the ships at sea had grown rich by her wealth. In one hour, she was gone. Rejoice in heaven! You saints and prophets! God has given judgment against her. Do you get upset when a store closes?
Leave the city (chapter 18)
Another voice from heaven said “Come out of her, my people, so that you do not take part in her sins and share in her plagues. Her sins are as high as heaven. God has remembered her iniquities. She will be repaid double for her deeds. Mix a double draught for her in the cup she mixed. She glorified herself and lived luxuriously. Give her torment and grief. She said that she ruled like a queen who would never see grief. Her plagues will come in a single day, pestilence, mourning, and famine. She will be burned with fire. Mighty is the Lord God who judges her! The kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see her burning smoke. They will be far off with fear and say, “Woe! Woe! The great city! Babylon! The mighty city! In one hour, your judgment has come.” Have you ever been told to leave before something bad happens?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 