Reflections on Revelation: Chapters 19-20

As always, I am indebted to Mitchell Reddish and his commentary “Revelation” for the notes on this series.

 

Revelation 19  

CELEBRATION IN HEAVEN AND THE TRIUMPHANT CHRIST

 

• Rejoice!   We are being called to be overwhelmed in this opening part of chapter 19 as heaven and earth are united in glorious songs of praise to God as “Hallelujahs” reverberate throughout all of creation.
• And yet, as we look around (then and now), the sovereignty of God appears to be in doubt.  There is still evil in the world.   John calls for the church to proclaim the truth – the real reality – that “The Lord our God the Almighty reigns” and therefore we can sing in the midst of trials.  
• Note the contrast between the bride of Christ (the church) and the whore of Babylon (Rome).  The first is clothed in white, is pure and bright and Rome is dressed in scarlet (the color of sin) and is drunk.  
• John’s response to all he has seen and heard is to fall at the feet of an angel and worship.  
  • You must not do that!  the angel says.  
  • Col. 2:18 – tells us that the worship of angels was a problem in some areas.
  • This angel’s admonition is a reminder that nothing or no one is deserving of our worship but God alone – not even angels should be venerated.  And if not angels, certainly not Rome or an emperor or anything else that asks for our allegiance.

 

The Rider of the White Horse (19:11-16)

• This rider is Christ, named “Faithful and True.”  Different from the rider in 6:2.
• Has a secretive name.  Why?   In John’s day there was power in naming someone (see Gen. 17, for example).   To name someone meant you had a certain power of that person.  This secretive name shows that there is mystery beyond our human comprehension when it comes to God and also that we cannot claim any power of this name.
• The blood dipped robe
  • The blood is there before battle occurs.
  • Believed to be Christ’s own blood – blood from the cross- reminding us that the conquering Christ is also the suffering Christ, the slaughtered Lamb.
• Conquers not by violence but by the word from his mouth that cuts like a sword (see Heb. 4:12).  
• No saints fight in all of Revelation.  All the “fighting” is done by Christ.    
• The battle is not described – it is over before it begins.
• The beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire.
• Surprisingly, the rest of Christ’s opponents are not thrown into the lake of fire but are killed and become food for birds.

 

Revelation 20

THE MILLENNIAL REIGN AND THE DEFEAT OF SATAN

 

• Only the martyrs are resurrected first – the rest will be united after the millennial reign
• After this, Satan is released from his imprisonment to “deceive the nations.”  
  • Evil, even when it appears to be bound and no longer a threat, has the capacity to rebound and wreak havoc in one’s life.  

 

The Last Judgment 

• The two books (one of life and works)
  • Tells us that while salvation is pure gift and comes from God alone, what we do matters.  There is a tension between grace and responsibility.

 

• Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire – death is defeated.
• The unrighteous are judged last and thrown into the lake of fire. This is the “second death.”
  • Does this mean eternal destruction (death) or eternal punishment?
    • John’s imagery is ambiguous.  
    • On one hand, the “second death” implies annihilation, or permanent destruction.
    • On the other, John says in 14:10-11, that those who worship the beast will be tormented “with fire and sulphur….and the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast.”
  • John is not answer all our questions.  He is not concerned with giving us a detailed description of events beyond our world.
  • The point of the lake of fire is to show that God’s justice demands that evil will not always exist and will be dealt with.  John is extremely restrained of his portrayal of the punishment of the wicked.  We would do well to follow his example.

 

Connections…

 

• With the amount of attention the millennium gets one would think it is all over the pages of the Bible.   But Rev. 20:1-7 is the only place it is mentioned.
• For Paul, Christ’s enthronement and reign began with his resurrection (1 Cor. 15:24-28).   Even Jesus said before he ascended that all authority on heaven and earth has been given to him.
• In the 4th century with Augustine an amillennium view became popular, where a spiritual view of this reign took hold.  This view holds that the 1000 year reign is not to be taken literally but is the period that we are in now, the church, and it began with the coming of Christ.    It will last until Christ returns and defeats evil for good.
• John’s scene of the millennium is a way to reassure the martyrs that they are not forgotten by God but that much reward awaits those who are faithful in times of persecution.

 

• The Lake of Fire is the Bible’s way of speaking of being cut off from God.  
• The “new Jerusalem” is sharing in life with God like “the lake of fire” is being in the absence of God.
• Judgement affirms that God will not let evil go unpunished but will correct the ills creation faces.
• The idea of hell says that God honors human choice.  
• It should also serve as a warning to those who would presume upon God’s mercy or make light of grace.  
• Yet, is it possible that God’s love eventually overcomes even our own rebellion and resistance?   Is it possible that God’s universal love for all will trump even our stubborn hearts and minds?    Certain texts in Revelation seem to hold out for such a hope (Rev. 5:13; 11:13; 15:4; 21:3, 24-26; 22:2).   
  • Christians can be certain of one thing:  God will always act in mercy and love, far beyond anything we can imagine.  Even hell must submit to the sovereignty of God.