Revelation 19:17-20:6 Christ watches everything we do and will soon return to set all things right

Revelation 19:17 – 20:6

A

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 

B

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

C

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

D

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. 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 were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Background

Christ commences His reign after disposing the beast, the false prophet and Satan. The battle between the armies of the heaven and the armies of the earth is swift and decisive. The remains of the armies of the earth becomes a feast for the birds. Thereafter, Christ proceeds to judge the works of every individual, separating them into the righteous and the wicked. For the righteous, He gives them authority to reign alongside Him. For the wicked, He sends them into eternal punishment. Today’s devotion reminds us that Christ watches everything we do and will soon return to set all things right.

Observation

A

John saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all flying birds to gather together for the great feast of God to consume the remains of kings, generals, horsemen, and all people slain by Christ. The number of the deceased will be so vast that the vultures will have more than enough to feast on.

Truly, the armies of earth are no match for the armies from heaven. The sharp sword that emerges from Christ’s mouth instantly destroys the earth’s armies by divine power. The same inspired Word of God which so wonderfully describes God’s grace and the salvation offered to all who believe is also very clear about the judgment awaiting those who reject Him.

B

The outcome of this battle, known as “the battle on the great day of God Almighty” (see Revelation 16:14) is clearly described here. The beast and the false prophet, who are leaders of Babylon and its coalition, will be captured. Their demonic powers will not be enough to rescue them. Both of them will be cast alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

C

Having disposed of the beast and the false prophet as well as the armies, Christ turns to Satan himself. And John saw an angel descend from heaven holding the key to the Abyss and a great chain. The angel seizes Satan, the dragon and ancient serpent, binds him, and casts him into the Abyss, securing him for a thousand years. This is to prevent Satan from tempting the nations to do evil before the thousand years are up.

D

John saw thrones on which are seated those who had been given authority to judge. In addition he saw the souls of those who have been executed because they opposed the beast having remained faithful to the Lord and His Word. These are resurrected to reign with Christ for a thousand years; this is referred to as the ‘first resurrection.’ These who undergo the “first resurrection” are considered blessed and holy. They will serve as priests of Christ and live eternally. “The rest of the dead” refers to those who stand on the side of the beast, they will be imprisoned in hell in the spirit realm until the thousand years come to an end. 

Truth

Christ watches everything we do and will soon return to set all things right.

After vanquishing the beast, the false prophet and having cast Satan into the abyss, Christ begins His reign by searching out the wicked in the rest of the world and eliminating them. This process will encompass all levels of society; beginning with the heads of state, leaders of organizations, churches, communities and families. Unless the wicked are thoroughly gotten rid of, oppression and injustice will continue. At the same time, God elevates the righteous to positions of authority so that they may rule with justice and compassion.

Christ instructed that upon His return, He will judge the world by dividing individuals into two groups: the sheep (representing the righteous) and the goats (symbolizing the wicked). Those who are righteous and compassionate will be positioned on His right. And He says to them,

‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me…. ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ – Matthew 25:34-36, 40

For those who are wicked and self-serving, He sets them on His left. And He says to them,

‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me….‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ – Matthew 25:41-43, 45

Indeed, the wicked will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Therefore, do not let the wicked discourage us from doing what is good and righteous. The wicked may prosper temporarily, but their demise is inevitable. For Christ will soon return to set all things right.

Application

• I must live each day with integrity, knowing Christ sees my deeds, words, and heart.
• I should not rely on religion, position, title, or heritage, but on living faithfully and compassionately.
• I must not grow weary or discouraged when evil seems strong; my hope rests in Christ’s return and justice.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You see every deed and will soon return to set all things right. Keep me faithful, compassionate, and steadfast amid injustice. Guard me from false religion, and strengthen me to serve the least with love. Help me endure with hope, awaiting Your righteous reign. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.