Reference

Revelation 19-20

For the past two thousand years, the church has been living under the tension of these two voices:  

  • The persecuted are asking: “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Rev. 6:10) 
  • The angel swore that there would be no more delay for the mystery of God to be fulfilled (Rev. 10:5)

Last Section of the Book of Revelation 

  • After the fourth “Open” (19:11), the Apostle John saw the return of the Faithful and True on a white horse, and the Great White Throne.

Christ’s Return - the Endgame?

  • Actually, the endgame never took place. 
  • Once Jesus returned, Satan was defeated and thrown into the Lake of Fire and Sulfur. 
  • Satan was already defeated in Revelation 12. Through the death, resurrection, ascension and reigning of Jesus, God has defeated Satan. 
  • At its last hours, all Satan could do was to deceive people 
  • Christ did not return to fight, but for the final judgment.

Great White Throne 

  • Every person will stand in front of the throne for the most thorough and fairest judgment.
  • The evil doers will be convicted. The righteous will be vindicated.
  • The Book of Life is in fact the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
  • It records everything Jesus had done, and who is part of this story of salvation. 
  • Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of Fire and Sulfur, representing the total destruction of the power of sin. 
  • The Lake of fire represents a place of eternal remorse and sadness, and a place of eternal separation from God. 
  • If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire and shared the same destiny with Satan.

How should we prepare ourselves to face the final judgment?

  • Prepare yourself, like the bride waiting for the groom to come back and take us to the eternal wedding feast.
  • Live as if you are a betrothed bride, and follow Jesus with an undivided heart.