Psalm 118 v 8

The reason why the Devil will not be cast into the lake of fire together with the Antichrist and the false prophet is that he will be used as a catalyst to make manifest the latent evil in unsaved people at the end of the millennium. They will then reveal their true character, which will clearly distinguish them from the saved people.

The shocking fact is that even in the dispensation of the kingdom, when Christ will publicly and visibly rule from the throne of David in a government of righteousness, millions of people will proceed with their lifeless form of godliness without complying with Christ's command to be born again. In the history of mankind those who, spiritually, chose the narrow way were always a minority group, referred to as a remnant. The same phenomenon will repeat itself in the millennium. When the deceiver of the nations is released from his thousand year bondage in the bottomless pit the latent evil in people will immediately be activated into sinful deeds of rebellion against God. The carnal nature of unsaved people will be drawn to the Devil like pins to a magnet and sinful deeds will proliferate in a short space of time. Of this time John writes:

"Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Rev. 20:7-10).

After the millennium, ending with Satan’s final rebellion against God, a great white throne will appear in heaven. The second resurrection will then take place, when all people who lived and died without Christ will be resurrected to stand before God at that awesome throne of final judgement, where they will be condemned to eternal death. The narrow way and the broad way (Mt. 7:13-14) will then each reach its ultimate destination – the one in the new Jerusalem with its pearly gates and golden streets, and the other one in the lake of fire:

"And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15).

Please note that the lake of fire is a literal place and that it will exist forever. The following are a few of the statements of Jesus about this place:

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mt. 10:28).

"Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Mt. 13:40-42).

"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Mt. 25:41).

"And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Mt. 25:46).

God’s plan for the ages

After the final judgement, the seventh and last dispensation in God’s plan for man will commence, which is the dispensation of eternity. In the Bible, the history of mankind is divinely ordered within the framework of seven dispensations. It commences with the creation of Adam and Eve in paradise and culminates in the new heaven and new earth where an eternal perfect existence will prevail. The seven dispensations are:

1. The dispensation of innocence in paradise.
2. The dispensation of the conscience after the Fall.
3. The dispensation of the law in the Old Testament.
4. The dispensation of grace in the church age.
5. The dispensation of the Antichrist.
6. The dispensation of the millennial kingdom.
7. The dispensation of perfection in eternity.

The beginning and end of a dispensation are always marked by dramatic events associated with the unfolding of a new aspect of God’s plan for the ages. They are also accompanied by intensified demonic activities as Satan then tries everything in his power to thwart God’s plan. The main characteristics of the seven dispensations are as follows:

1. The dispensation of innocence

The very first dispensation in which Adam and Eve found themselves was that of innocence in paradise. God had forbidden them to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and warned that they would surely die should they eat of the fruit (Gen. 2:17). They were innocent as they had no knowledge of good and evil and were not even ashamed of their nakedness (Gen. 2:25). With great cunning Satan deceived Adam and Eve into rebelling against God by breaking His law. They willingly heeded Satan’s advice and subjected themselves to his authority, thus becoming sinners. Spiritual death immediately set in while they also physically became mortal. The dispensation of innocence ended with the Fall which was the result of great deception by Satan.

2. The dispensation of the conscience

For a long time after the Fall man had no law and could only distinguish between good and evil by way of the voice of his conscience. Various people pursued righteousness in accordance with their inner convictions and whatever personal revelations God gave them. Some of them, like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph became preachers of righteousness. At times during this dispensation evil was so appalling and pervasive that God’s anger was kindled against man. During the Flood all but eight people were destroyed. Through the calling of Abraham, God started to prepare a special people of His own to live in accordance with His laws. At the end of the dispensation of the conscience, when Israel were about to receive the law of God and move into a new dispensation, Satan launched an incredible attack against them from the kingdom of darkness. He applied all his powers of deception to frustrate the next unfolding of God’s divine plan for man. While Moses was on the mountain to receive the law, Israel were deceived into rebelling against God by practising outright idolatry, thereby rendering themselves unfit to receive God’s law. God threatened to destroy them, but Moses interceded for Israel. He was so shocked at the sight of the golden calf that he broke the tablets on which the law were written, but God graciously wrote them again.

3. The dispensation of the law

With the introduction of the dispensation of the law a much clearer distinction was made between good and evil. Not only in the Ten Commandments, but through a great number of other laws and decrees God defined righteousness and sin. Satan concentrated on Israel to induce them to sin in an effort to subvert and nullify their calling as a special people of God. These efforts were greatly increased when the time came for the Messiah to be born. Satan must have been extremely infuriated with the announcement from heaven that the Messiah’s Name would be Jesus [meaning 'Yahweh is Salvation'] and that He will save His people from their sins (Mt. 1:21). Satan then took possession of Herod and incited him to massacre all male children under the age of two years in an effort to kill Jesus. When this evil plan failed he first tried in the wilderness to tempt Jesus to sin, and afterwards relentlessly attacked Him through the hostile leaders of Israel. He wanted to kill Jesus and obliterate the gospel of the kingdom of God. But the devil’s plans backfired on himself because through His death Jesus "destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2:14). God’s divine plan proceeded.

4. The dispensation of the church

With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit the church age was ushered in. The Holy Spirit was given to convict people of sin and righteousness, to regenerate them, to guide them into all truth, and also to endue them with power from on high to serve Christ under difficult circumstances in a spiritually dark world. The knowledge of good and evil was increased through spiritual discernment (we have enlightened eyes of the mind), but still not to its fullest extent: "For we know in part and we prophesy in part" (1 Cor. 13:9). Although Christians now had a strong weapon against Satan, he did not give up the struggle against the church of Christ and for many centuries instigated an all-out war, using the Roman Empire, the Medieval Roman Catholic Church, and later the Communist Bloc, in an attempt to destroy it. These plans also failed. We are now at the very end of the church dispensation and it is once again a time of increased demonic activity and a great falling away in many churches: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Tim. 4:1). Satan intends to pervert the church of Christ, deprive the virgins of the oil in their lamps, and put them to sleep during the midnight hour just prior to the coming of the Bridegroom. Through the establishment of a false church (an ecumenical alliance between degenerate Protestantism, Catholicism and the non-Christian religions), as well as the promotion of a culture of sin (including abortion, homosexuality, drunkenness, and immorality of all sorts), a climate is created which is conducive to the appearance, acceptance and worship of the Antichrist as world messiah and "man of sin" (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

5. The dispensation of the Antichrist

When the one who withholds, being the true Church of Christ, has been taken out of the way during the rapture, the Antichrist will be revealed (2 Thess. 2:6-12). Strong delusion will prevail on earth and the masses will blindly believe the lies of the Antichrist. Evil will develop to its fullest extent, and there will be no limits to blasphemous and sinful conduct. The second half of the Antichrist’s reign of seven years will be a time of unprecedented demonic activity: "Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time" (Rev. 12:12). Towards the end of the seven years of the tribulation period the Antichrist and the false prophet will, under the instigation of Satan (Rev. 16:13-14), muster a great multinational force to fight against Christ when He comes to Jerusalem at His Second Coming. This battle will not be a long one as the Antichrist and the false prophet will be captured and cast alive into the lake of fire. The devil will be chained and confined to a bottomless pit for one thousand years (Rev. 19:19-20:3).

6. The dispensation of the kingdom

During the millennium the glorified believers will rule with Christ. They will have perfect, immortal bodies, perfect joy and perfect knowledge. But the end of this dispensation will also be characterised by tremendous demonic activity. Satan will be released from his prison to make a final assault on the kingdom of God. While doing so, he will serve as a catalyst to make manifest the latent evil in the unsaved people who lived during the millennium. All unsaved people (and they will be many) will be deceived by him and join him in his final war against the kingdom of light. This vain effort will lead to the final doom of Satan and all his hordes – including all the unsaved people of all ages – on the Day of Judgement (Rev. 20:7-15).

7. The dispensation of eternity

In contrast to all other dispensations this one will be endless. In the new heaven and on the new earth "there shall by no means enter anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life" (Rev. 21:27). Satan, his demons, the Antichrist, the false prophet and all unsaved people will have been consigned to the lake of fire, which will burn for all eternity. For the redeemed people of all ages there will be endless bliss, as God Himself will dwell with them. He will wipe away all tears and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain as the former things will have passed away, God having made all things new. The redeemed will have immortal bodies of glory, like Christ's, suited to the perfect environment and dwelling place He has prepared for them in the Father's house. They will be like the angels as there will be no marriage. There will be no need of sun, moon or lamp and no night there, for the glory of God and of the Lamb will perpetually shine upon them. They will serve and praise God continually, experiencing in His presence fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore.

The new heaven and new earth

The book of Revelation concludes with a description of God’s new creation. During the final judgement the earth will be burned up, the heavens will pass away and the elements melt with fervent heat (2 Pet. 3:19). A new heaven and a new earth will be created. The new Jerusalem, that wonderful city which Jesus prepared for those who love Him, will descend from heaven from God, having the glory of God, and rest upon the new earth.

The city and its streets are built of pure and transparent gold. The foundation stones of the wall are decorated with precious jewels that vary from crystal clear stones to deep red sardius, green chrysolite and sparkling blue sapphire. In the high walls that surround the city are twelve gates made of pearls – each gate is a single pearl. The idea of a tear is conveyed by a pearl, since its formation is associated with pain and suffering. When the oyster is injured, a shiny pearl is formed in the wound. When the feet and hands of Jesus Christ were pierced by the rough nails and He gave His life on the cross, the gates of paradise were again opened to fallen humanity. On the merit of His tears and suffering He became a precious pearl to us, which in itself is a gateway to the new Jerusalem. Through Him we can enter into the kingdom of heaven and delight ourselves in the glory of the Lord.

Preparation

After the reader has been given a glimpse of the new heaven and the new earth in Revelation 22, his attention is drawn back to the present. Equipped with new insight into the glorious destination of all Christians, as well as the terrible eternal abode of the wicked, the reader is challenged with the need for a genuine commitment of faith in Jesus on his part. It is also expected of us to be blameless in holiness at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes. 3:13). We are clearly called to a life of dedication, godliness and separation from the present evil world:

"And he said to me: Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to give to every one according to his work" (Rev. 22:10-12).

The Lord again reminds us that we are not to follow the pattern of Babylonian thinking of unity at all costs. In terms of this ideology people are taught to go along with anything that comes their way, and to accommodate all religions and their non-Christian traditions. In our dispensation, which is characterised by the presence of two opposing spiritual forces, the ideal of global unity is not feasible. We should rather, because of our faith in the Lord Jesus, be prepared for greater polarisation against an evil world. Such an attitude calls for spiritual as well as moral non-conformity to the mainstream of the permissive and corrupt life-styles that are the order of the day.

You cannot compromise and revert to the sinful practises and ideologies of this world that is in the power of the Evil One. Follow the straight and narrow road all the way. Do not deviate from God's principles and do not become overwhelmed when the world, as well as the compromising, worldly churches, turn their backs on you. When Jesus was on earth, the religious leaders persecuted and rejected Him. He warned us that His disciples would have the same experience (Jn. 15:18-19; 16:33).

Nominal Christians who compromise with the world, will obviously not be reproached and persecuted. But in the end they will pay dearly for this temporary advantage when the Lord refuses to accept their self-styled form of Christianity (Mt. 7:21-23). Friendship with the world is emphatically branded as enmity against God (Jas. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). Therefore, no bridges should be built between the two ideologies and life-styles. Each Christian must take an unequivocal stand on his convictions.

You are invited at this very moment, even should the tribulation already have begun, to turn from the pathway of darkness and iniquity to the Saviour, Jesus Christ. To everyone who truly wants to be saved, the Lord says in the closing chapter of the Bible:

"And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17).

Do not delay for another moment, but go down on your knees and confess your sins to Jesus Christ. His promise is that those who come to Him, He will in no way cast out (Jn. 6:37). He waits for you now:

"Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Is. 1:18).

The Lord pardons abundantly (Is. 55:7). Even if you have backslidden time and again, you can still have the confidence to return to the Lord. Do not allow the Devil to prevent your salvation or spiritual restoration with the idea that your sins are too many and too awful and may even be unpardonable. That is one of his many lies! Confess everything to the Lord and accept 1 John 1:9 as the promise of complete forgiveness and salvation:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn. 1:9).

Testify to others about your faith and take a public stand for Christ (Rom. 10:9-10), even though it may bring persecution. Do not be ashamed to acknowledge your Redeemer, and do not keep quiet about the great things He has done for you. Read the first epistle of Peter, and rejoice even in the suffering you have to undergo because of your faith. The hardships in this hostile world do not weigh up against the eternal glory that is shortly to be revealed to us (2 Cor. 4:16 - 5:1). Time is so short that not a moment should be wasted if you are to get into a right relationship with the Lord. What you do now, or neglect to do, will be decisive for your eternal destiny.

At the conclusion of Revelation the assurance is given that, if we have been reconciled with God through the blood of the Lamb, the Holy Spirit will bring a deep longing for the return of Jesus in our hearts. The Spirit and the bride call on the heavenly Bridegroom: Come, Lord Jesus! His response to this is: Surely I come quickly! (Rev. 22:17, 20).

The Bright Morning Star

In Revelation 22:16 the Lord says: "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

Jesus is the Root and Offspring of David. As the 'Root' of David His Deity is asserted – He is David' Lord! As the 'Offspring' of David His Manhood is involved (Lk. 20:41-44). He is the promised Messiah who was born from the house of David in the tribe of Judah – the seed of Abraham through whom all the nations would be blessed. In Deuteronomy 18:15 Moses also referred to this great Prophet who would be raised up in Israel. Through the centuries Satan hated and persecuted Israel because of the promises made to them about the coming Messiah. Religious leaders with insight understood the true reasons for the spiritual and physical attacks against Israel and committed themselves to the struggle against the forces of darkness. They realised the worthiness of bearing the reproach of Messiah and of suffering for a cause which has long-term spiritual benefits for humanity. For unselfish service of this nature God will reward them in eternity. Moses chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ [the Messiah] greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward" (Heb. 11:25-26).

As the Bright Morning Star Jesus Himself is the promise of a new day that will dawn over this troubled world. The morning star is visible only during the latter part of the night – just before and heralding the dawn. The darkest hour is often just before dawn. It is still night now and the world is sinking ever deeper into moral and spiritual darkness. The true believers will meet Jesus as the Morning Star during the rapture in the fourth night watch of this dark dispensation. The darkest part of the night will then ensue on earth under the evil reign of the Antichrist. With His Second Coming Jesus will, as prophesied, "arise" as "The Sun of Righteousness… with healing in His wings" (Mal. 4:2), dispelling all darkness and usher in His millennial reign as Prince of Peace, King of kings and Lord of lords!