MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
This concludes a 5-week series on the Book of Revelation, which we previously studied from September 2020 to Spring 2021. Our last article ended with a summary of final judgment found in chapter 20. "An angel" [some think this is Jesus] comes down from heaven and Satan is bound for a thousand years (verses 1-3). The devil's attempts to build his kingdom and deceive humanity come to an end for a time, when he is rendered powerless.
Christ then establishes His reign for a thousand years of peace, called the Millennium. With Him will be resurrected saints who have been martyred, overcomers, and the redeemed mentioned in Revelation 3:21. "'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.'" The same theme is found in a song, Revelation 5:9-10, and in this chapter. "Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth" (20:4-6). The period will serve as a time of refinement, for the redeemed to learn how to live their new holy life.
At the end of a thousand years, Satan is released, and many - despite all that Christ has done - will still be deceived (Revelation 20:7-8). A number "like the sand of the seashore" gather around God's city, but fire comes from heaven to devour them (verse 9) and the devil is thrown into the lake of fire with the antichrist and the false prophet, to be tormented forever (verse 10). The battle is finally over, concluding all temptation and torment.
Before the emergence of a new universe, judgment at the throne of God must occur. The key to understanding this judgment is found earlier in the chapter. "They [the redeemed] 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 completed.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power...." (Revelation 20:4-6).
The next chapter presents a dazzling description of God's new creation. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God...." (Revelation 21:1-2). "No more sea" indicates no more separation, no barriers between people or God. "'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them...'" (verse 3) just as he was in Eden with Adam and Eve. Tears are wiped away; there is no more death or sorrow, crying or pain.
The Old Jerusalem, which at one time could have been the dwelling place of God, had sold out to the antichrist and was destroyed when Babylon fell (Revelation 11:8 and 18:21). The New Jerusalem will be a place where the redeemed will live in a state of eternal blessing. John does his best to give us the idea of breathtaking beauty and perfection. His descriptions include the massive and striking brilliance of the city wall. The twelve gates represent Israel's tribes, allowing entrance from all directions; and the twelve foundations represent the apostles. Combined, they reveal God's plan of deliverance and destiny for all people of faith throughout the generations. The city's size would stretch from Kansas City to Boston, also standing that high, which can accommodate billions of people throughout the ages, from every land and culture.
"And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb" (Revelation 21: 22-23).
Chapter 22 describes the river of life and the tree of life. The river flows "from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (22:1). It is the living water promised by Jesus to the woman at the well (John chapter 4); people are continually refreshed by the presence of God. The tree of life is mentioned only one other time, in Genesis chapters 2 and 3. After Adam and Eve's disobedience, the tree was placed under guard, to keep humans from living forever. After the process of full redemption, this tree reappears, and "the leaves of the tree will bring healing to the nations" (22:2).
The final words of the Bible leave us with the responsibility to share this Revelation. In sharing, we are not to add to or take away from the message (22:18-19). The bottom line is that Jesus will return to establish His kingdom. Any "special revelation" beyond that should be held suspect. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and salvation comes only through acceptance of Him as Lord. Jesus is the conclusion of what He began (see John 1:1).
The choices we make now lead to affirmation and reward, or destruction and eternal death. The book concludes with one final invitation. "'The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life'" (Revelation 22:17).
