The angel, having the key to open the Abyss? What? What am I reading?
These symbols have already been seen in the text but they are not yet understood, not now but they will be witnessed soon. Most people will fail to understand them and yet there is, above the mystery and uncertainty, the reality of human beings needing love, care, concern and to share these with one another. A heart molded by benevolence, shaped in concert with patient endurance and faith in God which overcomes trials and tribulations.
These symbols suggest elements that reveal bravery, boldness – so when will they come? Ask yourself, for God wants you to be a victor in Christ.
In the current passage the tribulation is over but the trial is not complete. The people who overcame through faith in Christ, who persevered will have a posterity set to continue for a millenium. Impossible? Just imagine what a peaceful civilization could accomplish, for what would diminish it?
Lies. Tangentially, I write this while reflecting upon ongoing lies regarding … well, you name it. Everything. There is so little honesty, and that is death.
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.
To live well is to live truthfully, for this is the very word and nature of God.
4 Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Note the first resurrection – the return of saints to this honorable station of vital prudence in spreading the strength and clarity of God’s justice, and of embracing the guidance of the priests of God. So whom will these oversee?
5 The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
7 When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.
Having escaped the death of the tribulation, these related in the context of the earthly kingdom of Christ – living in the time commencing with his return and continuing until the millenium is over – these will be ‘offered’ rebellion. A great many elements of the last societies again become entranced by the lies of Lucifer, and so become victims of their passions, dried and inflamed by hubris. There is only one God, and He is neither of us.
9 And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them. 10 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Satan is not capable of remorse, and therefore the anguish Satan visited upon God’s created beings, His children, is visited upon him unendingly.
The end of the separation between God and man approaches! Hence the final judgement is for those who rejected payment for sin by Jesus Christ.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne.
And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.
14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
For the saints, death of the body – inevitable from birth – is followed by the fruit of rebirth in Christ Jesus. Thus, those who denied the saviour stand condemned – lost in vileness and devoid of gratitude, and of mercy.
End Times Prophecy 