074 - Revelation 20

REVELATION 20

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

·        "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand." (Ap 20.1).

·

Abyss is the prison for certain demons (Luke 8:31; 2Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6).

The angel came down from heaven (as in Rev 10.1; 18.1) with the key, that is to say, he has authority. When Jesus gave the key to the kingdom of heaven to Peter, he was giving to Peter the authority to open the kingdom of truth by the preaching of the truth to Jews and non-Jews. 

The greatness of the size of the current shows that the culprit was not prevented because of ordinary crimes. It also shows the greatness of the power of Ha-Satan. But it is not enough Ha-Satan be cast into the bottomless pit and this to be closed? What the need of so many things, namely: great chain, cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on the abyss?

Before of Revelation 9.1 at no moment the bottomless pit needed to be guarded so greatly. What did it changed?

Many believe that the angel is Jesus based on Rev 1.17,18. After all, Christ closes by His power and seals by His authority. However, it’s good to remember that initially the key of the bottomless pit (Hell) was in the hands of Jesus: 

 

·        "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Revelation 1.18).

 

After this key was delivered to Ha-Satan:

 

·        "And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit." (Revelation 9.1).

 

After Ha-Satan have used this key to inflict plagues on the earth (for example the fifth trumpet) and to bring the angel of the abyss to occupy the place of the beast from the sea (Rev 11.7), this key is taken from him again and delivered to the angel who was assigned to secure Ha-Satan.

Key is a symbol of authority. Only Jesus has the authority to take someone's life, as well as to cast into hell both the body and the soul (Luke 12.5). However, so that everyone could see that even if someone could be taken out of hell (either fallen angel or human being) and have a second chance, yet such an individual would never regenerate, it will be allowed to Ha-Satan have authority to take someone from hell. In sooth, unless that the person is the real follower of the Eternal, they do not want change themselves, but only the circumstances.

 

·        “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years," (Ap 20.2).

·

The millennium is prophesied in several places (in the Testament of the Law - Psalms 72; Isa 2.2-4; Isa 11.4-9; Jer 23.5-6; in the Testament of the Favor of the Eternal - Luke 1.32,33; Matt 5.18; Luke 19.12-27).

Some characteristics of the millennium:

 

·        The Israelites will embrace Jesus as their Messiah (Zechariah 12.10; 13.10; Romans 11.26-29);

·        Jerusalem will be the world capital. Everyone will have to go there on special occasions (Isaiah 2:1-3, Ezek 17:22-24; Zec 14.16-19);

·        The truth will be pervasive. All the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the glory of the Eternal (Isaiah 11.9; 25.7; Hab 2.14);

·        All submit to Jesus. It will be a time in what the righteousness will be administered perfectly (Psalms 2:7; Ps 22:27-29; Isa 2:2-3; Isa 66:23; Zech 9:10; Zechariah 14:9; Matt 13:31-32; Rev 11:15);

o   "All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD." (Psalm 138.4,5)

·        There will be no war. Although there will be conflicts, all will be resolved in a fair and decisive way by Jesus and His ministers (Isaiah 2.1-5). It is not the physical reign of the Messiah that transforms the heart of man, but the full confidence in Him and in His work of salvation.

·        The relationship between humans and animals will be transformed, as well as the relationship of animals with each other (Isaiah 2.4; 11.6-9; Micah 4.3). In Gen 9.2,3 the human being has received permission to eat meat and animals began to fear the human being. With certainty all creation will be vegetarian;

·        It is very likely that David will be the prince regent over Israel (Isaiah 55:3-5; Jer 30:4-11; Ezek 34:23-31; Ezek 37:21-28; Hosea 3:5);

·        On Mount Zion, there won't be any kind of evil (Hab 2.13; Amos 9.11-15);

·        There will be time to purity and devotion to the Eternal (Zech 13:1-9);

·        The temple will be rebuilt and temple service restored as a memorial to all that the Eternal made by Israel in the past (Amos 9:11; Ezek 20:39-44; Ezekiel 40-48; Ezek 37:26-28). The Feast of Tabernacles will be commemorated, although the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost won’t;

·        Some of those who will believe in Jesus in the Great Tribulation period will judge Israel (Luke 19:11-27, Rev 20:4-6, Rev 2:26-28; Rev 3:12; Rev 3:22, 1Co 6:2-3);

·        With the end of the wars, of the intemperance, of the captivity and many passions that now shorten life, surely the number of individuals in the millennium will grow significantly (see Psalms 72.16; Isa 60.22):

o   "There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth." (Psalm 72.16)

o   "Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time." (Isaiah 60.21,22).

 

Many think that the human being is born innocent, being corrupted by bad environment. The millennium, among other things, serves to confirm what is written in (Gen 8.21; Psalms 58.3): that good it is only Jesus (Matt 19.17; Mark 10.18; Luke 18.19).

The fact of the abyss to be closed and sealed remembers what was done with Jesus on the occasion of His death (Matt 27.26).

Note the strength that this angel had, to the point of being able to insure Ha-Satan and secure him.

Whereas, for the Eternal, a day is as a thousand years (Psalms 90.35; 2Peter 3.8), therefore the millennium is the day of the rest of the Eternal, i.e., the day in which He, in fact, will be working. Everything will be in the order established by Him, there was no one to disturb this order, namely, leading individuals to see what is not to be seen.

May it be clear: all inspiration for what is good comes from the Eternal (see Job 32.8), whereas the inspiration for the evil comes from Ha-Satan. Without the heavenly actuation, the human being has no inspiration. It is sufficient to see that, for centuries, the society had not evolved technologically. Only when the Eternal allowed.

Detail: It is only mentioned the arrest of Ha-Satan (nothing is spoken about demons)?

Here, different from Rev 12.9, Ha-Satan is not “called”, but “is” the Devil and Satan.

 

·        "And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Rev 20.3).

·

The fact seal the door of the abyss is to ensure that nobody thought to change the reality of Ha-Satan (as it was with Daniel (Dan 6.17) and Jesus (Matthew 27.66)).

The release of Ha-Satan by little time shows that every action of evil in this world is under the control of the Eternal, being for a time much lower than we imagine, much smaller than all His glory to be revealed (Romans 8.18-22). Thus, with patience, let’s own our souls (Luke 21.19).

This time is little if compared with the thousand years and eternity which comes next. It is good to note that, in some places, you see Jesus mentioning about short time (Rev 20:3; Rev 1:3; Rev 2:16; Rev 22:20; 1Cor 7:29; Heb 10:37).

Ha-Satan was released in the same place that, formerly, angels which kept not their principality were released (2 Peter 2.4; Jude 1.6). 

First Ha-Satan is thrown out of heaven to which no longer accused the brethren in Christ before the angels. Now he is also taken from the earth so that not more wrong the nations.

Note how the abyss needed to be closed and sealed (as it happened Daniel (Dan 6.17) and Jesus (Matthew 27.66)). Comes the question: why the abyss needed to be sealed? Surely this seal was not for men, since they cannot see the abyss, much less its door. It is probably in order that angels have no doubt that Ha-Satan is really stuck and any demon don't think to try and change the sentence of Ha-Satan (thinking even in to act for him), but this can serve to confirm that the wickedness is intrinsic to every human being, regardless of Ha-Satan.

The idea is that we all realize that evil, although decrease in intensity, does not cease altogether with the arrest of Ha-Satan. That is to say, the idea is that everyone understands how the discretion gotten in Eden is evil, even without having someone to deceive the human being. That is to say, any sin that is committed in the millennium will be purposeful. There is no excuse.

After the thousand years, Ha-Satan will be released for a short time.

 

·        "And 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." (Ap 20.4).

 

Since the beginning the Eternal chose Israel to be the aim of His miracles. The division of nations, for example, was made with respect to Israel (Gen 9:25-27; Gen 10:1,5,18,25,32; Deut 32:8).

The millennium, for example, was prophesied in favor of Israel:

 

·        "Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD." (Ezek 37.12-14).

·        "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.  After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." (Hosea 6.1,2).

·        "It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." (Luke 15.32).

 

All who believe in Jesus are kings and priests (Rev 1.6; 5.10). The title of king in the Kingdom of the Eternal does not imply in mere honor, but in identity of character and service. This group of beheaded sit with Christ on His throne (Rev 3.21) to rule over the earth (Psalms 37:10.11; Rev 5:9-10; Matt 19:28; 1Cor 6.2-3; Rev 2.26-28; 3.12,22).

The fact of being a priest means to be set apart to be able, then, to offer a sacrifice for others. However, the true priesthood implies, first of all, in the own sacrifice (Rom 12.1) and to be willing to intercede for others. Otherwise, everything that it is offered to the Creator will be malignant.

Although the beheaded by love for Jesus lived and reigned with Christ, it is not they that sit on the throne, but those who have received the authority to judge (for example, the twelve apostles - Matt 19.28; Luke 22.30). The throne is to judge, and not to reign.

The souls of the beheaded are seen. Comes the question: why only them? And what about those who died in Christ in another way (for example, James - Acts 12.2)? And why the Church is not seen? Analyze those who are seen:

 

·        The Israelite saints who was martyrized at the Great Tribulation (Rev 6.9-11);

·        The non-Israelite saints who died because of the bowls that came during the Great Tribulation (Rev 7.14);

·        The fool virgins (Israelites who will convert after the coming of Jesus) which emerged victorious from the beast and his image and the number of his name (Rev 15.2), and that was died in virtue of the vials of the judge;

·        The beheaded here, which are the non-Israelite saints who were martired in the Great Tribulation by the beast.

 

This last group are those who were persecuted:

 

·        Because of the Word of the Eternal, that is, of His truth that defies the mark of the beast;

·        Because of the testimony of Jesus, i.e., by the manifestation of Him in this world, which makes us a real fight against the beast and his image.

 

But after all, who sits on the throne and for what?

Let’s analize some verses of Daniel 7:

 

·        "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire" (Dan 7.9). 

·        "A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." (Dan 7.10). 

·        "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him." (Dan 7.13).

·        "Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." (Dan 7.22). 

·        "But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end." (Dan 7.26). 

·        "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." (Dan 7.27).

 

This trial is different from Rev 20.11:

 

Daniel 7	Revelation 20.11
The throne is a flame of fire.	The throne is large and white.
The books are opened to judge the four animals	The books are opened to judge all dead.
Jesus is conducted until the Ancient of days to reign.	Jesus delivers the kingdom to the Father (1Cor 15:28).
The saints have the kingdom in the millennium.	The Eternal is all in all (1Cor 15:28).

 

In Daniel 7.9 the thrones was being set. However nobody was sat on them. Only the throne that belonged to the Creator was occupied by Him. At this moment the four animals are judged in according to the books.

This happens in 70 A.D., when Rome overthrow Jerusalem (the fourth animal) and the Israelites are scatter away all over the world.

After the judgment of the four animals, Jesus is seen coming in the clouds (Daniel 7.13) and getting control of all kingdoms. It is the beginning of the millennium.

In Revelation 20.4 the thrones already are set and, then, the souls of the beheaded are seen reigning with Christ.

Revelation 20.11 picture the final judgement that will take place after the millennium.

In short, here in Rev 20.4, the twenty-four elders are sitting on twenty-four thrones with the purpose of judging: the twelve apostles will judge Israel (Matthew 19.28; Luke 22.30) and the other twelve elders will judge the rest of the nations (it is the promise of Rom 8.17; 1Corinthians 6.2; 2Tim 2.12; Rev 3.21; 5.10).

However, the twelve apostles, as the representative of all Israelites who comprise the Church of the Eternal, indicate that they will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. The other twelve elders, as a representative of the non-Israelites who comprise the Church of the Eternal, indicate that these will judge the non-Israelites.

The beheaded in the Great Tribulation will reign, i.e., lead the nations with a rod of iron (it is the promise of Rev 2.26,27).

The nations will be broken as a potter's vase because the purpose of the millennium is to destroy and dispose of every doubt that someone (including angels) may have about the effectiveness of the kingdom of the fourth beast (Dan 7.26), which is present in the ten horns of the beast from the sea.

That is to say, the impact of the empire of antimessiah is so great that it will be a little more than a thousand years to finish again with the idea that something good can come out of this kingdom. 

Comes the question: what will the converted from Rev 7.15 and Rev 15.1-3 and Rev 6.9-11 be doing?

 

·        "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection." (Rev 20.5).

 

First of all, it is good to note that John nowhere mentions the expression "second resurrection". However, he makes mention of the "second death".

Many thinks that John here depicts the regeneration (Matt 19.28) and the restoration (Acts 3.21). 

Whereas the dead mentioned above are those which came out of great tribulation, it is very likely that the mode by which individuals will be martired in the Great Tribulation is through the guillotine (or something of this kind).

The rest of the dead, namely, the wicked are not raised here. They have nothing more to do in this world or by him.

 

·        "Blessed 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." (Rev 20.6).

·

Happy and separated for the exclusive use of the Eternal is the one who participates in the first resurrection, namely, the resurrection of the righteous (which is divided into four steps). This was prophesied several times in Scripture (for example: Isa 26.19-21; John 11.25,26; 1 Corinthians 15.20,52).

These who have part in the first resurrection will not endure the hurt of the second death (Rev 2.11), namely, the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 20.14). Even though to the likeness of hell, the lake of fire and brimstone could open his mouth (Isa 5.14) (I believe that this will suck the wicked to within itself), yet cannot swallow who belongs to the Eternal.

Even more: all these are priests and kings (Rev 1.6; 5.10; Isa 61.6; 1Peter 2.9) of the Eternal both in His divine attribute and based on everything that He was in the flesh when He was here:

 

·        As kings they will show the wisdom of the Eternal solving everything amid the daily circumstances.

·        As priests they will show the virtues that accompany those who serve closely to the Eternal, so as to awaken in them the desire for an inner transformation.

 

The importance of the real condition of those who serve the Eternal today is so vital that:

 

·        It was the first thing ordered by the Eternal to man (Genesis 1.28);

·        The reign over the sin it is to start in life (Rom 5.17);

·        We should hold what the Eternal gave us so that no one may take our crown (Rev 3.11).

 

·        "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." (Rev 20.7,8).

 

·        "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree." (Rev 7.1).

 

Note in Revelation 7.1 that the four angels were holding the four winds of the earth", and not the four winds of the "four corners of the earth." Here, when the nations come from the four corners of the earth, they would cover the entire width of the earth.

Why, after one thousand years, is it important that Ha-Satan to be released?

After Jesus reign so wonderfully for a thousand years, why would someone think to rebel? This will serve to show the total rebellion and depravity of man who, even having all the good and the best, still prefer to rebel against the Creator. Just think that Adam and Eve don’t sinned only while they don’t saw opportunity for this. However, as soon as they saw it, they did not hesitate to sin.

This shows that the problem is not the people who surround us or in adverse circumstances, but in ourselves. See how the human race pervert themselves so fast.

Besides, observe that, even after being trapped and chained in a place that no demon liked to go for 1000 years, Ha-Satan will not change.

After finishing the millennium, Ha-Satan will be released from the abyss and go to entice the non-Israelites who are in the four corners of the earth. At this time, there will happen the same took place on the occasion of the battle of Armageddon when the beast of the abyss, along with Ha-Satan and the false prophet, gathered the armies of the world to make war against the Lamb (Rev 16.14).

The fact quote Gog wants to say that it will be lifted people as influential as it was Gog in the past and the fact of being quoted Magog wants to say that will cover the whole world. This Gog (the local leader of the nation), moved by Ha-Satan, will make a trawl through the land:

 

·        "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." (Rev 20.9).

·

Fire falls from the sky - (here is some places where this can be seen - Gen 19:24; Lev 9.24; Ez 38:22; 2Kings 1:10.12; Luke 9:54; Psalm 11:6; Is 29:6);

 

·        "Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire." (Isaiah 29.6).

 

The beloved city is Jerusalem (Psalm 78.68).

 

·        "For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?" (Rom 11.15). 

 

The camp of the saints may be referring to the people of Israel dwelling around Jerusalem defending it (Psalms 34.7). 

The expression "marching on the surface of the earth" implies "rise" to fight against the enemy (See Judges 1.1).

Perceive that, in Daniel 8.8, we have four horns growing toward the four winds of the heaven (going out from the center of the world empire to the periphery). Now we have people of the four corners of the earth (periphery) march against the city that will be in the center of the millennium: Jerusalem.

They will occupy the entire width of the land of Israel (as it has in the past - Isa 8.8; Ezek 38.9-10) and leave the Israelis and the whole Church under siege. Jerusalem is called the beloved city (Psalms 78.68; 87.2).

The fact of fire come down from heaven on the enemies recalls that the Eternal made by means of Elijah (2Kings 1.9-12). While in the Battle Of Armageddon The individuals are killed by word that come out of the mouth of the Lamb (Rev 19.21), here the enemies are killed with fire.

Note how the millennium is preceded and followed by a war and a trial:

 

·        Before, by the battle of Armageddon, where the wicked will die by the word of love of the Eternal (they do not support the immense agony to see so many people being blessed by the Eternal and they outside and, with this, end up dying) and the lambs are separated from the goats (these go to the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the eternal fire prepared to Ha-Satan and his angels - Matt 25.41-46).

The throne is fire because the purpose of this is to burn the wicked works of the earth (Matthew 13.41,42). Note how the Eternal several times is seen coming in a flame of fire (Isaiah 29.6; 30.30; Lam 2.3; 3.12; 2Thes 1.7,8). Inclusive, note how the minister of the Eternal is implemented as a flame of fire (Heb 1.7). 

·        After the Battle of Gog and Magog, when, after the fire from heaven to consume all, it is installed the court of the Great White Throne, in which all the dead rise (first those who belongs to Jesus and after all the ungodly of all times, including those who participated in the battle of Armageddon).

The throne here is white because the goal is to clarify completely everything about the justice of the Eternal. The white recalls the light of love (1 John 1.7; 2.9-11), that is, this is the absolute end of every root of bitterness against the brethren, because now there is no more doubt about the reason behind the evils which followed each one.

 

This should not be called the final battle, because there is no battle. The battle is won before it even begins.

 

·        "And 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." (Rev 20.10).

·

Ha-Satan finally goes to the lake of fire and brimstone, and whereas there are still the beast and the false prophet (which there were before the millennium - Rev 19.20), so for those who think that this lake is a temporary torment, there is no denying that it lasts at least a thousand years.

The presence of the beast that rises from the abyss and the false prophet into the lake of fire and brimstone fight against the theology of annihilationism.

They will be tormented day and night. This means that there it will continue to exist day and night: during the day they will suffer before the face of Jesus and the glory of His power, and by being banished from everything that Jesus is (peace, happiness and love); at night they will suffer for the absolute absence of the presence of the Eternal.

Based on this, we should think: why do we want to be successful in this world? Why crave a kingdom where Ha-Satan is prince (John 12.31; 14.30; 16.11) and god (2Cor 4.4)? As the prince of the power of the air" (Eph 2.2) Ha-Satan is the head of a vast host of demons. How to expect good things within us in a world organized on the principle of force, ambition, selfishness, greed and pleasure in sin. It was precisely on this that Ha-Satan tried to bribe Christ (Matt 4.8,9).

For a certain period of time is allowed to Ha-Satan sift and test those who believe in Jesus in regard to their self-confidence and carnal pleasure (see Job 1.6-11; 1 Corinthians 5.5; 1 Tim 1.20). However, this is temporary. limited by the power of Christ. Not to mention that we are preserved in faith through advocacy of Christ (Luke 22.31,32). Jesus is our advocate (1 John 2.1) with regard to reveal to us and give us everything that He won for us so that we can overcome the trials and, concomitantly, have our faith developed.

Fire is an emblem of suffering (Zechariah 13:9; 1Co 3:13-15; 1Pe 1:7); sulfur is an emblem of desolation (Job 18:15). This reminds the fate that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19.24-28).

Be tormented day and night: continuous;

Be tormented forever: eternally.

In other words, the lake of fire and brimstone: 

 

1.     There will be no rest for those who are under the wrath of the Eternal.

2.     There is a sense of defeat, loss, and exclusion, remorse, despair, lack of hope" (John 3:36; 1Cor 15:25; Matt 25:28; Luke 13:28; Matt 27:4; Matt 25:10; Luke 13:24; 2Thes 1:8.9; Matt 7:23; Heb 10:26,27).

 

In the lake of fire and brimstone, everyone will harass each other by centuries of centuries based on everything they have experienced in this world.

The reason is called the lake of fire and brimstone is because the Holy Scripture, for those who don't like Jesus, it is smell of death to death (sulfur - 2Cor 2.14-16), which keeps the love (fire - see Songs 8.6,7) that acts like fire burning the hearts who takes no pleasure in the goodness and mercy (see Matt 12.24).

The love nourished by Holy Scripture leaves Ha-Satan and all his followers in an eternal torment. This because don’t exist nothing that torment more a wicked than to see someone that cause them pain and losses to be blessed. In their mind, who hurt them is the culprit for their torment. However, it is their desires of seeing the other atormented that atorment them.

Even in the current dispensation, the majority prefer to keep their eyes fixed on evil until they feel comforted and joyful by the pain of others than receive the free gift of Jesus and live to do good, regardless of the merit of individuals.

Note also the expression "centuries of centuries", that is, one hundred centuries contained within each century, an endless succession of torments, each exploring the maximum each torment that exists within their heart, acting in extreme against each one who offended them in each of the areas, seeking to feel completely vindicated by each one of the aggressions suffered.

However, as nobody else dies, nobody never feel completely vindicated, hence this endless torment.

The threat mentioned in this chapter will be useful to those who believe in Jesus, for, does not only reveal the majesty of the Eternal in defending its own sake, but also reveals the definitive fall of Ha-Satan in three stages:

 

·        In Revelation 12.9 Ha-Satan fell from heaven to the earth;

·        in Revelation 20.3 he falls from the earth to the abyss;

·        in Revelation 20.10 he falls finally to the lake of fire and brimstone.

 

In order the enemies fall:

 

1)     Great Babylon;

2)     The beast from the abyss and the false prophet;

3)     The dragon - Ha-Satan.

 

Only remained an enemy to be overcome: death.

 

Note the use of the expression "day and night" here and in (Rev 4.8). This means that in heaven or in the lake of fire and brimstone there is separation between day and night?

Yes. Only in the New Jerusalem there won’t be day and night (Revelation 21.25). The only light will be the Eternal Himself (Rev 21.23).

 

·        "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." (Rev 20.11).

 

Comparing Psa 18:7-15 with Psa 77:16-19 we can see this figure of speech:

 

·        “Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.” (Psalms 18.7-15).

·        “The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.” (Psalms 77.16-19). 

 

We can see something similar in the verses below:

 

·        "He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting." (Hab 3.6).

·        "The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear." (Hab 3.10,11). 

·        "The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?" (Ps 114.3-5).

 

The throne was put in Daniel:

 

·        "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire." (Dan 7.9).

 

The name of the Eternal is not mentioned, but it is seen sitting on the throne (Rev 4.2,9; 5.1,7,13; 6.16; 7.10,15; 19.4; 21.5) and the Son sits with Him (Heb 1.3) and works with Him (John 5.19-21; 10.30; Matt 25.31; Acts 17.31; 2Cor 5.10; 2Thes 4.1).

To be more exact: who is sat at first on the throne was the Creator. At the time of the judgement the entire administration of judgment will be in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 5.22,27; Acts 10.42; 17.31; Rom 14.10; 2Cor 5.10; Phil 2.11).:

 

·        "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." (Isaiah 6.1).

·        "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:" (John 5.22).

·        "And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man." (John 5.27).

·        "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." (Rom 2.16).

 

And the motive for this is written below:

 

·        "They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." (Ps 102.26,27).

·        "And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Heb 1.12-14).

·        "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matt 24.35);

·        "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2.17).

 

It is in this moment that every evildoer will be given according to their works (Psalms 62.11-12; Prov 24.12; Jer 17.10; Matt 16.27; Rom 2.5-6). After all, the righteous are justified by the favor of the Eternal and any reward they receive will be so that they have the privilege of offering something to the Eternal (since He is the only one that is worthy of owning something - Rev 4.11; 5.9,12).

It is possible that this throne is called "great" if compared with the thrones of Revelation 4.4 and 20.4. This, however, doesn’t mean that the throne become bigger em Revelation 20.11, but that the seriousness and severity of the judgment increased.

 

·        "Because 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).

·        "The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:" (Rev 14.10)

 

The throne is symbol of glory. What Solomon built, for example, was notable (2Chr 9.17). Unfortunataly, most of the thrones are stained with sensuality, injustice and tyranny, though.

The fact to be white indicates that it is a trial where all the justice will be revealed (note how the white color is associated with justice - Rev 19.8). The white also reveals the purity and holiness of the final judgment. In constrast with the clouds and murkiness that cover the throne of those how doesn’t have pleasure in Jesus and in all the He is:

 

·        "Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne." (Psalm 97.2).

 

Men will be judged according to the light they had, i.e., based on how they used the light that the Eternal gave them (Rom 2:11-15; Matt 10:15; 11:21-24; Luke 11:31,32; Luke 12:47,48; Acts 10:34,35).

 

1.     May every believer in Jesus wait anxiously to be approved by the judge (1John 2.28);

2.     Let’s strive to forget never that the gaze of Jesus is always probing us;

3.     Each action is hoarding blessings or wrath against us for the great and revealer day (Rom 2.5; 1Tim 6.19).

 

In eternity, each one will be a continuation of what they were when they were here.

Compare the various terms that are put against the word "life":

 

1. Life and punishment (Matt 25:46).

2. Life and judgment (John 5:29).

3. Life and anger (John 3:36).

4. Life and the second death (Rev 20:14,15).

5. Life and destruction (2Cor 7:13,14).

6. Life and lake of fire (Rev 20:15).

7. Life and hell of fire (Matt 18:9).

8. Life and eternal fire (Matt 25:41).

9. Life and fire inexhaustible (Mark 9:48).

10. Life and everlasting contempt (Dan 12:2).

 

Behold what the Holy Scripture says about the Final Judgement:

 

1.     After the final judgment, the time of trial of the human race has finished.

2.     Everything is ready for the administration of fair justice;

3.     Everyone will appear before the judgment seat of Christ (Rom 14.10; 2Cor 5.10);

4.     Everybody will know how they really are in their personal relationship with Jesus and will be forced to bow before Him and confess his name;

5.     The final state of each one depends on its attitude toward Jesus;

6.     The judgment will be:

o   In accordance with the truth that each one has received and with the commitment that has had with this truth;

o   The result of the work of moral laws that are working since now;

7.     The measure of punishment will be according to the measure of sin;

8.     The fair will have joy and honor unspeakable (Jesus does not grant the Holy Spirit by measure - John 3.34);

9.     The wicked will have irreparable loss, curse and unspeakable pain, remorse that no tongue or pen can express;

10.  For those who reject Christ, there is no way to recover the time lost.

 

And for what will we be judged?

 

1.     Works (2Cor 5.10);

2.     Words (Matt 12.36,37);

3.     Thoughts (1Cor 4.3-5);

4.     Secret things (Rom 2.16);

5.     Every secret thing (Ecc12.14).

 

Only in 2 Peter 3.10-12 and 2Thessalonians 1.7-8 it is said about the destruction. In Peter, such destruction is compared with the flood in the days of Noah.

No place was found for them (Rev 20.11). It comes the question: who search place for them? They weren’t disintegrated, otherwise it wouldn’t possible the Earth give the deads that were in it.

In the face of Jesus heaven and earth flee (as soon as the trial takes place in space). Here is importante to make a difference:

When Jesus goes to the battle of Armageddon, Jesus will give His signal (Matt 24.29). On this occasion, it will be fulfilled what is described below:

 

·        "For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Matthew 24.28-30);

·        “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” (Isaiah 65.17);

·        “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.” (Isaiah 66.22).

 

Comes the question: why more than one heaven, since at the millennium, supposedly, the Eternal will be here on the earth? At first place, it’s probable that the second heaven will be redone to keep the demons there arrested (today they can exit the second heaven to act here in the first heaven (Eph 2.1,2) or climb up to the third heaven to accuse the saints (Rev 12.10)).

Furthermore, the Eternal will be in the third heaven with the Church and those who will believe in Jesus in the Great Tribulation and will die naturally.

After the Battle of Gog and Magog, fire will consume everything on this earth and nobody will find a place to heaven and earth.

 

·        "But 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. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking 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?" (2Peter 3.10-12).

 

The earth is retaken, coming to be something entirely unheard (Rev 21.1). Ao to heaven, there will be only one (and not more heavens, as in the millennium).

After the millennium, this second heaven simply ceases to exist, because the evil angels will be judged by the Church (1 Corinthians 6.3) and condemned to the place that belongs to them. The land, on the other hand, while some (who-knows-where) it is completely restored and then, after the judgment of white throne, the New Jerusalem descends toward the earth completely new.

 

·        "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." (Rev 20.12.13).

·

Some things we need to consider:

First: characteristics of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15.35-44):

 

·        "But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."

 

(1)   Remaining before the Eternal does not mean that there is a trial to determine the veracity of the facts, but testify to all the reason by which each one passed by what passed.

They remain in the face of Jesus kneeling and praying, not to be converted, but sentenced. It is today, and not in the future, the day of salvation.

(2)   The judgement is not a distressing imposition applied by a power without resistance. The judgement is each one receiving what seek out.

(3)   There will be no resurrection without first of all be sowing and death;

(4)   The sown body is not the body that will be.

(5)   As each seed has a body, each individual is raised in a different body.

(6)   The body of the wicked will resurrect as the bad character of them. Within the body of them there will be provision for eternal damnation:

o   "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9.44,46,48).

 

Second: as the resurrection will be executed?

 

1.     By the power of the Creator (Matt 22.29);

2.     By the authority of the Lord Jesus (John 5.28,29; Phil 3.21);

3.     By the energy of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8.11).

 

Jesus, whose eyes penetrated the most secret places of our hearts, is the only one worthy of judging: 

 

·        He was in the same position that us;

·        He fought the same battles that we face;

·        He endured the same temptations to which we are exposed.

 

The works of men shall be determined, recognized and appraised by Jesus who will use beings who have the authority to confirm His justice (note that the books were opened).

 

Third: Why the resurrection is right?

 

1.     Because Jesus assures us it (John 11:23);

2.     The apostle asurres us it too:

o   “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.” (1Tim 5.24,25).

3.     Jesus sees this as part of what has been entrusted to Him:

o   "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6.39-40).

4.     Jesus made of His resurrection what should mark out our faith;

o   "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." (1Corinthians 15.17).

5.     The great desire of Jesus is that we follow Him to glory (John 17.24).

6.     His work as mediator will be complete when we rise (1Cor 15.29; 1Sam 2.19; Cl 1.28; Jude 1.24).

 

Fourth: Seven ways of individuals cope with the resurrection:

 

1.     Some deny it completely (1 Corinthians 15.12);

2.     Some declare that it has already passed (2Thess 2.18);

3.     Some mock about this (Acts 17.32);

4.     Some try to speculate on this (Matt 22.28);

5.     Some only think about this later (Acts 17.32);

6.     Some believe, but in an apathetic and anesthetized way. It is a mixture of faith and fear of death (John 11.26,27);

7.     Some believe (1Peter 1.3-5);

 

After the Great White Throne being installed, Jesus will give His Word of order and John 5.28,29 will be fulfilled. Note the order: first the dead in Christ will be raised; after, the alive that remain faithful to Jesus will be transformed (these are the great deads).

And that there will be judgment of those who were righteous in the millennium, this is proven by the fact that the book of life is quoted here (Exo 32.32,33; Psalms 69.28; Phil 4.3; Dan 12.1; `Rev 3.5; 13.8; 19.5; 21.27). It’s good to remember that, everyone that Jesus used and don’t endured until the end will have their name blot out of the book of life (Matt 24.13; Exo 32.33; Rev 3.5). This means that the only reason for opening the book of the life is because will there be believers in the Final Judgement.

Next, those who died without Christ will rise (small deads).

First, we have the judgement of the righteous and, after, the judgement of the wicked.

Here are the books (see Psalm 56.8; Mal 3.16):

 

·        Book of Life (Exodus 32.32,33; Psalms 69.28; Dan 12.1; Rev 3.5; 13.8; 17.8; 21.27; Phil 4.3). In the book of life are those who will be saved (Isaiah 4:3; Luke 10:20; Phil 4:3; Heb 12:23; Phil 3:20), through who Jesus worked His wonders;

·        Book of remembrance (Psalms 56.8; 139.4; Mal 3.16) -> where are registered each time that the serves of Jesus sook Him;

·        Book of memories of each one:

"The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;" (Jeremiah 17.1).

This book contains all the actions of the wicked. Everything that they tried to conceal now will be revealed. One of the reasons why the lake of fire and brimstone will be so terrible is because then everybody will know the truth about everyone, and without the life of Jesus to cover everything, there is no hope of improvement;

·        Book the conscience of each one (Luke 12.48; Psalms 139.16): what each one received truth:

"For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;" (Rom 2.12);

"For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." (Romans 2.14-16);

·        Book of creatures: which has been abused by the wicked (Gen 4.10; Rev 6.9-11);

·        Book of Providence: the rich ignore the will of the Creator regarding the use of riches:

"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." (James 5.1-3).

·        The book of the law (Gal 3:10; Lev 18.5; Ezek 20.11,13,21; 33.19; Rom 10.5) -> Here is revealed the rigor of purity and holiness which is in Jesus, as well as the laws by which men are proven. It will be to who knows the law;

·        Book of the New Covenant (Psalms 139:16; John 12:48) -> This book is everything Jesus did for humanity, i.e., all His manifestations of love. It is a contrast with the Book of the Law. Here you can see the numerous times that Jesus chid with our spirit and endured with patience our rebellion. It is also possible to see the countless miracles He wrought for us;

·        Book of nature:

"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" (Rom 1.19,20).

 

There are several degrees of punishment (Luke 12.27,48) in accordance with the deeds practiced; we can see this in the gospels (Matt 16:17), in the letters written by Paul (Rom 14:10,12; 1Corinthians 4:5; 2Cor 5:10; Gal 6:7) and John (John 5:29; Rev 20:12-13).

The basis of the judgment for them is not what others have done, but what each one did with the truth that received (see Rev 20.13; Jer 17.10; 32.19; Matt 16.27; Rom 2.6).

There is still another point to be considered: why is it said that the sea gave up the dead which were in it? Why not the earth?

At first place, observe that, in the resurrection, there is connection between the body of mortal man and the body of the resurrected man. This combat spiritualism.

Furthermore, when the judgement of the Great White Throne starts, the Earth with all the elements will melt with fervent heat and the Earth with its sky will try to flee away of this, but there is no place for them going where Jesus isn’t present.

After all this, all that will remain is a solid and uniform mass in the depths of the sea. As the water of the sea don’t keep human being’s works, it isn’t burnt.

In short: all that will remain of the earth will be under water. Hereby the reason by which the sea will give its deads. This confirms that Earth e heaven won’t be destructed, but only will be purified and redone.

 

·        " And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." (Rev 20.14).

 

Here the Hades is hell, inasmuch as all righteous resurrected. Here the death, the last enemy, is defeated for ever, being treated as a living being. 

Death is personified (here and in Rev 6.8) and exposed as the last enemy to be overcome (1 Corinthians 15.26). In Rev 6.8 Death mounts the yellow horse and is followed by hell. Both are personified as enemies of men, being one of the judgments over the world.

Death and Hell are not neutral powers, but powers shaking the wicked and keeping them under control. Note that both are throw, in the next verse, into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast from the abyss, the false prophet and Ha-Satan will be. That is to say, Death and Hell receives the same punishment. This means that Death and Hell will gain life inside themselves in so far as each will interpret their role.

Paul mentions the hymn of victory over death (1Corinthians 15.54), taken from (Hosea 13.14). It is over, for those who believe in Jesus, the fear of Death (Heb 2.15). The Death no longer exists for them (Rev 21.4).

However, in the lake of fire and brimstone there will be Death (separation) and Hell (internal torment).

Firstly it is necessary to clarify the concepts:

 

·        Lake of Fire. Since whoever it is inside this lake will be tormented before the face of the Eternal and the glory of His power (2Thes 1.9; Rev 14.10,11), therefore the fire here represents the love (Songs 8.6,7).

·        Lake of Sulfur. Represents the Sacred Scripture which is the smell of death for the wicked (2Cor 2.14-16).

·        Death. Means separation.

·        Hell. Although it is a place itself, it implies an inner torment due to sin.

 

In Rev 6.8 we see the knight named as Death being followed by Hell. This is because his mission is to isolate the individuals in order to be able to send the greatest possible number of individuals to definitive hell. See that the hell follows the death, that is, first the individual is isolated from the Eternal, and of the other people to, then, be taken of every sort of feeling that burns the individual inside (Eph 4.17-19).

In the beginning, only the beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 19.20). After the goats are throw into there (Matt 25.41,46). During the millennium, without Death and Hell into the lake of fire and brimstone, those who are there are tormented by not being able to enjoy the benefits of Sacred Scripture and the love of the Eternal. The sin deformed them in such a way that, what should make them happy, is what torments them.

On the other hand, those who are in hell are plagued by loneliness and the depths of their desires not met. They are not tormented by the love of the Eternal because, in this state, they have no knowledge of this love and are separated from the bosom of Abraham by a great chasm (Luke 16.26).

Only makes sense to speak of separation when there is knowledge. It is not possible, for example, to feel nostalgia for someone who you do not know.

However, when the Death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, every one there will be plagued with two deaths (hence the term second death - Rev 2.11; 20.6; 21.8) (indeed, this is the moment that Jesus casts soul and body in hell - Matt 10.28):

 

·        The separation of their own self and of the people around them;

·        The separation of the Eternal.

 

Understand: in hell, the individual is separated from the others, stuck so only on their own torment (plagued by past memories and their unsatisfied lust). In the lake of fire and brimstone, although individuals have contact with each other, are tormented by not being able to take part in the life of anyone. Unfortunately, nobody can find satisfaction through the live of anyone. They are tormented by the love that they does not want to offer nor desire that others receive.

When you gather the two, we have two individuals tormented in themselves and harassing each other by memories of the past and the impossibility of the future.

And why all this? By being in front of the perfect reference of love, goodness and justice. 

So that you can understand this: when someone does not have a reference of what is good and righteous, they adapt easily to evil. However, when someone has a deep contact with what is excellent, they never get to be happy in scarcity.

It is for this reason that individuals, while they are in this world, manage to find moments of pleasure: because they do not know the true joy. And it is for this reason that the world hates the followers of the Eternal: because their presence makes them see how miserable they are.

Let it be clear: for anyone who loves the separation and injustice (that is to say, they use the other only to promote themselves and have their wishes fulfilled), the love and Sacred Scripture are a real torment.

When death is thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, then it will have been effectively expired (1Corinthians 15.26,54-56), inasmuch as nothing more will be able to separate those that belongs to the Eternal.

It comes the question: what is the power of death that Ha-Satan had? Certainly, it is not the power to determine who dies and when.

 

·        "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: o death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction:" (Hosea 13.14).

 

·        "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev 20.15).

 

And every one whose life was not a continuation of the life of Christ here will go to the lake of fire and brimstone.

 

 

 

ADDENDUM

 

1 – THE THREE COMING OF CHRIST

 

A – HIS COMING TO RAPTURE THE CHURCH

·       “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the ungodly among them about all their ungodly deeds which they have committed impiously, and about all the harsh words which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." (Jude 1.14-15).

·       “And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood; and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?” (Rev 6.12-17).

·       “But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Thess 4.13-18).

·        “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Mat 16:27,28).

·        "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1John 3.2).

 

In the rapture the heaven will be rolled as a scroll, the star of the heaven (Ha-Satan and his demons), Jesus will appear and will catch His Church up and pour down His vials.

Jesus will take the Church for Himself in order to protect her of the seven vials.

After this, the heaven will be spread again.

B – THE COMING OF CHRIST TO ESTABLISH THE MILLENNIUM

·        “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24.29-31). 

·        “Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1.7).

·        “I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7.13-14). 

 

When Jesus come to establish the millennium, the stars (physical stars) will fall from heaven. See the difference:

 

• Matthew 24.29 mentions simply “stars”, while in Revelation 6.13 quotes “stars of the heaven”;
• Matthew 24.29 says that stars fall from the heaven; Revelation 6.13 relates that it is necessary a “strong wind” so that the stars fall unto the Earth.

C - THE COMING OF CHRIST TO ESTABLISH THE ETERNITY

 

·        “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” (Isaiah 65.17).

·        “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain.” (Isaiah 66.22).

·        • “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” (Revelation 20.11).

·        “... we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure; which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: if so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you, and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,  when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.” (2Thes 1.4-10).

·        “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2Peter 3.10-13);

·        “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The 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; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mat 13.36-43)

·        “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2Cor 5.9-11) 

 

After the millennium, Ha-Satan will lead a rebellion and Jesus will come from heaven with His Church and angels in flame of fire to destruct all rebels.

At this moment He will be glorified in the Church and will be admired for all that will be living in the millennium.

After this, all heavens will be melted, but only the first heaven, which is directly connected to the Earth will try to run away from the destruction, as if they were a alive organism. Nevertheless, to where can someone or something make off from the presence of someone that is ubiquitous and omniscient (Psalms 139.7-12).

Next, the final judgement will happen and, finally, will come the eternal rest. Until then the rest of the saints will be partial.

D – PASSAGE COMPRISING THE THREE COMING OF CHRIST

·        "Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. The 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. And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch." (Isaiah 34:1-9).

 

2 - THE TWO RESURRECTIONS

Introduction

·        "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed 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 20.5,6).

 

This passage has intrigued many. However, when analyzed correctly, it is a passage very easy to understand. When the Holy Scripture say that there are two resurrections, is saying in qualitative sense of the thing, namely: the resurrection of the saved and the resurrection of the wicked.

Versicles related with the resurrection of righteous:

 

·        righteous (Heb 9:28; 1Jn 2:28.29; Phil 1:10). The bodies of the righteous will rise (Phil 3:21; 1Co 15:43; Romans 8:11; Rom 8:23);

·        both (2Thess 1.10; 1 Jn 4:17; Dan 12.2; Matt 10:32,33; Mt 13:30; Mt 13:42,43; Mt 16:27; Jn 5.28,29; Acts 17:31; 24.15; Romans 2:5, Romans 2:16; Rom 14:10; 2 Thess 1:6-10).

Passages don’t related directly with the coming of Christ:

1 - These passages and Romans 14.10 say that everyone with be present in Final Judgement.

 

·        “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2Cor 5.9-11).

·        “but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;” (Rom 2:5).

·        “in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.” (Rom 2:16).

 

2 - This passages and Mt 25.34-46 are related with those who profess the name of Jesus Christ, in order to decide who will enter in the millennium and who not.

 

·        “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7.21-23)

·        “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10.32-33).

 

3 - This is relationed with 1Cor 14.24.25, which speaks about the gift of prophecy when Jesus will reveal the secrets of the hearts.

 

·        “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” (1Cor 4.5).

 

4 - Who blushes of Jesus now will be a shame to Jesus when He comes (this will happen in the rapture):

 

·        “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8.38)

·        “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1John 2:28). 

·        “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Rev 3.5).

 

5 - This passage is related with the people that believes in Jesus, but that allowed wrong people work wrong things in their hearts. They were saved, but it was necessary terrible and difficult situations in order to remove all wrong people that came into our hearts.

 

·        “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1Cor 3.12-15).

The FIRST RESURRECTION

What few people know is that the resurrection of the righteous will be in four steps:

 

1St - The Resurrection of Christ

 

·        "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." (1 Corinthians 15.20).

 

2Nd - the resurrection that will occur at the rapture

 

It is opportune to remember that the rapture will occur three and a half days after the first half of the great tribulation. This can be proven raking 1Thes 4.16 with Rev 11.12. After the sounding of the sixth trumpet, the time for the two witnesses to fulfill every purpose that the Eternal assigned to them will end. The two witnesses wil be killed, then, by the beast of the abyss and, after three and a half days, they will be resurrected in the presence of all those who will be present, which will hear a great voice from heaven, which tell the two witnesses: "Come up hither" (Rev 11.12).

Then they will rise to heaven in a cloud and their enemies will see. At the same time there will be a large earthquake that will drop the tenth part of the city, and in the earthquake will be dead seven thousand men: and the remnant will be very frightened, and give glory to the God of heaven (Rev 11.12,13). There will be, then, a opening and closing of eyes (1 Corinthians 15.52), that is to say, there will be sudden and momentary awakening of faith.

At this moment, while all eyes open and close, will sound the seventh trumpet (Rev 11.15). In the midst of this fanfare trumpet (1Thes 4.16), Jesus will come down with the voice of the archangel (1Thes 4.16) (which says: "Behold, the Bridegroom! Go forth to meet him!"). The dead in Christ will rise first. Then, those alive in Christ will be raptured and transformed for the meeting of the Eternal in airs.

Finally, the wise virgins of Israel will prepare themselves to meet with Jesus (being sanctified and justified increasingly) and the fool virgins of Israel, looking for seeking and establishing their own righteousness, are becoming more and more unfair and dirty (Rev 22.11). 

That is to say, on this occasion:

First raised the witnesses:

 

·        "And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." (Rev 11.7-13).

 

After those who are of Christ will rise:

 

·        "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (1 Corinthians 15.23).

·        "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1Thes 4.16,17).

 

After the living in Christ will be raptured.

 

·        "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15.51-52).

 

There is still another point to be considered. Note the connection between the parable of the opportune friend, the parable of the ten virgins and the occasion of Christ's return:

 

·         “And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." (Lk 11.5-8).

·        "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." (Matt 25.6).

 

That is to say, on the occasion of the coming of Christ, the archangel (1Thes 4.16) will say to the two witnesses: "Come up hither". For those who belongs to Christ and the ten virgins of Israel, the archangel will shout: "behold, the bridegroom. Go out to meet Him."

After this call, the situation of the people of Israel is defined. 

 

·        "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." (Rev 22.11).

 

That is, the five wise virgins will light their lamps, i.e., will sanctify increasingly. The five fool virgins will increasingly become defiled. They will seek to enter the Kingdom of Eternal, but may not (Lk 13.23-28).
They will be rejected by Him, coming to perish during the Great Tribulation or in the Battle of Armageddon, so that only the remnant of Israel (the five wise virgins - Rm 9.27) will be saved.

 

·        "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." (Dan 12.1).

 

 They will enter the millennium with natural body.

 

3rd - the resurrection that will happen after Armageddon

 

·        "And 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." (Rev 20.4).

 

Note how these individuals converted and were killed in the Great Tribulation period (when all that are not written in the book of life will worship the beast and his image and receive the mark of his name) and will be seen reigning with Christ during the millennium. Therefore, they will be resurrected.

 

4th - The resurrection of the Final Judgment

 

·        "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev 20.11-15).

 

During the millennium, although there will be longevity, many righteous will die. Note that only those who were not found written in the book of life is that will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Therefore, this means that those who were killed were not only the wicked.

Second Resurrection

After all the righteous be rise in the final judgment, it is the turn of all the wicked rise.

Therefore, it is on this occasion that meets the following prophecies:

 

·        "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Dn 12.4).

·        "marvel not at this; because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice. And those who have done good will for the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation." (John 5.28,29).

·        “And I 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).

 

Here arises a question: why is it said that "many" (and not "everyone") who sleep in the dust of the earth will be resurrected? Because the majority of the righteous, on this occasion, has already raised earlier.

Apparent Objections

And every eye will see

 

Comes the question: how and when will the following prophecy fulfill:

 

·        "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." (Rev 1.7).

 

There are two ways to interpret this passage, each with its own message.

First way: sequential. In this case, when Jesus comes to rapture His church, everybody will see the rapture, including Jews and Romans who are the responsible people for the fact of Jesus have been pierced. This teaches us that the Eternal does not reject forever, nor even those who rejected Him when he came in the flesh. Whereas many believe that the Israelites were discarded of the plan of the Eternal, this confirms that the Eternal continues loving the Jews:

 

·        "I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying," (Romans 11.1,2).

 

Comes the question: in this case, as everyone can see Jesus coming, since the earth is round? The explanation can be seen in this passages:

 

·        "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt 24.27).

 

When Jesus comes, He will appear in the middle of the sky from the East to West, as if it was a procession (ver Psalms 113.3).

 

Second form: not sequential. In this case, the part A says that Jesus is coming with the clouds to rapture the Church and, in the Final Judgment, every eye will see Him, including the soldier who thrust Jesus, Pontius Pilate and Herod, Annas, Caiaphas, etc. In this case what the Eternal is saying is:

 

·        "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (Rom 14.11).

 

After all, in the Final Judgement everyone will be risen.

In both cases, one thing is clear: THERE IS NO SECRET RAPTURE!!! After all, how can be secret if every eye will see?

 

The last day

 

·        "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6.39,40).

·        "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6.44). 

·        "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6.54).

·        "Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." (John 11.24).

·        "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12.48).

 

There are three days:

 

                1st -           The last day of the time of the gentiles (when will take place the rapture);

              2nd -           The last day of the dispensation of the Favor of the Eternal (after the Great Tribulation, when Jesus comes to separate the sheep from the goats).

                3rd -           The last day of the human being in this world (in the Final Judgment, when all the righteous who do not resurrected and all the wicked will be resurrected).

 

In relation to this last case, it is good to remember that, for Jesus, one day is “as” one thousand years (see that it is said that one day is “as”, that is, it isn’t exactly one thousand years, but “as” one thousand years).

In other words, the last day will start with the rapture of the Church (when Jesus begins to reign – Rev 11.15) and finish with the Final Judgement.