Nothing is known of this disciple. Not a single recorded word. No outstanding work. But this disciple that stands in the background reminds us that God uses unknown people too! Meet James the son of Alphaeus...
(Revelation 22:20-21) Come with us to the last page of the Bible. This is how it all ends. Prophecy leads us beyond earth to a new heaven and new earth, beyond time to eternity. (0973250324) —-more—-
The End of the World
There’s nothing quite as exciting as coming to the end of a book and seeing how it all ends. How the pieces all come together, how the story concludes the victory of the end. The same thing is true in scripture. When you come to the end of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, you discover how it’s all going to end.
The Return of Christ and the Rapture
And we know the next thing on God’s agenda is the return of Christ in the air, the rapture of the church that sets in motion the tribulation period here on Earth. And while we’re in heaven, we’ll have the judgment seat of Christ and the marriage supper of the lamb. What a great celebration that will be, but that’s not the end of it all. No, immediately after that, the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back to this planet. That’s right. He’s coming back to this earth and we are coming with Him. Listen to the words of Revelation 20:1, “1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up…” Won’t that be a good day when the devil gets shut up? “…and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” Did you catch the little expression there, “a thousand years,”? In fact, that expression, “a thousand years” is used six times in Revelation 20:1-10.
The Millennial Reign of Christ
It is commonly referred to in prophetic language as the millennium of the millennial reign of Christ. It’s a reference to the thousand-year visible earthly reign of the Lord Jesus on this earth that follows the great tribulation. He returns from heaven. We come with him. He sets up his throne to rule and reign on this earth. If you read through Revelation 20, there’s an amazing description of all that takes place during this time, or at least everything that God wants us to know at this point. And some people have questioned, do you really think that’s gonna happen?
Oh, yes, I do. Because when the Lord Jesus sets up his kingdom and rules and reigns here on the earth, then he is gonna have the opportunity to completely fulfill his unconditional covenant covenants that he made with the nation of Israel. He’s going to free this world from the curse of sin. Think of that and reward the faithfulness of saints.
I had a Bible teacher years ago that used to ask this question. He said, “Are you getting ready to rule?” According to scripture in the millennial kingdom, the saints are awarded positions of authority based on their faithfulness in this life. We’re allowed to rule and reign with Christ. So let me ask you, “Are you getting ready to rule once and for all?” The Lord Jesus is going to rule and reign on this earth for that thousand year period, it’s gonna be the most wonderful time. If the tribulation is the most awful time in world history, this is gonna be the most wonderful time this world has ever known. According to scripture, people are going to enjoy increased lifespans. Isaiah 65 tells us that. Isaiah 65 also tells us that the nature of animals will even be radically changed. The lion will lay down with the lamb. Somebody says that’s not natural. No. That’s what happens when the Lord brings peace. All of nature will be fruitful as it’s never been before in this cursed world. Isaiah 35 tells us about that and the head of the government, who will that be? That’s gonna be the King. The King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be truly a theocracy. God’s going to prove once and for all that only he is able to perfectly govern this earth. We believe according to the book of Isaiah, that he’s gonna rule and reign from his throne in Jerusalem.
It is the spiritual center of the whole Earth. Zechariah 8 tells us that, and we believe that God is going to rule and reign during that period.
Satan’s Final Revolt and Judgment
Now you’ll notice when I read you from Revelation 20, the Bible says, “After that, Satan will be loosed for a little season.” Can you imagine that? After a thousand years of perfect peace and harmony and the Lord’s ruling reign, the devil’s gonna be released for a short period of time and is gonna attempt one last revolt as described for us in Revelation 20:7-9, “7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” It’s not really much of a battle. God’s just gonna breathe fire from heaven and consume all of them. Once and for all. Satan is gonna meet his final judgment and be cast into the lake of fire forever. And all who follow him will be cast into the lake of fire forever. It’s at that moment that God will bring the final judgment into this world that moment, the heavens and the earth are gonna be destroyed by fire.
Revelation 20:11 tells us that everything is going to be gone, it’s going to be consumed. Peter describes it also in 2nd Peter 3. Then there’s going to be a resurrection and a judgment known as the great white throne. God is going to once and for all judge all of the unsaved dead. Those who’ve rejected him from all time are going to stand before God. They’re going to be judged by holy God, and they’re gonna be cast into the lake of fire forever with the devil. What a sad day that’s going to be, but my friend, that’s not the end. Here’s how it’s all gonna end.
The New Heaven and New Earth
Once all of that is concluded and final judgment has come, God is going to create a new heaven and a new earth. Revelation 21, that’s the next chapter. Verse 1 begins like this, “1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
God’s going to create a new heaven, a new Earth, and a new Jerusalem. In fact, he goes on in Revelation chapter 22 to tell us He’s going to make all things new. Listen to that expression. All things will be made new. We’re going into eternity with the creator, God of the universe and the savior of our soul. And to borrow a phrase from scripture, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. That is how it’s all going to end.
Where Will You Be At the End of Time?
Now, my question to you is this, how’s it going to end for you? If you’re not a believer, your end is final judgment and hell separated from God forever. I wanna plead with you today, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. Look to Jesus in simple faith now and receive Him as your Savior. And if you’re a Christian, if you’ve believed on the Lord Jesus, you can take this by faith as God’s promise to you, that it’s not gonna end in defeat. It’s gonna end in victory. It’s not going to end with the devil. It’s gonna end with the Lord. It’s not going to end with earth. It’s gonna end with eternity. I. It’s going to end with us being with God forever.
Years ago, I heard the story of a mother who asked her son to do some chore, and he was reading a book and kept putting it off and putting it off. And finally she said, “Son, lay the book down and do what I’ve told you to do.” And just a moment, he came to the house grinning from ear to ear, and she said, “Why are you smiling?” And he said, “I found out how the story ends.” And she said, “You read it all?” And he said, “No, but I flipped to the end of the book. And I found out who wins in the end.” Can I tell you? You may not understand all of the details, but if you go to the end of the book, read the last page of scripture, Revelation 22, I’ll tell you how it ends. The Lord is victorious. He is the conqueror, and we win with Him. Let’s end what the Bible says about the end time with the last words of the Bible. “20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Outro and Resources
Repeating what other people have said about the Bible is not enough. We must know the biblical reason behind what we believe. We hope you will visit us at etj.bible to access our Library of Bible teaching resources, including book-by-book studies of scripture. You’ll also find studies to watch, listen to, or read. We are so grateful for those who pray for us, who share the biblical content, and for those who invest to help us advance this ministry worldwide. Again, thank you for listening and we hope you’ll join us next time on Enjoying the Journey.
