Saturday, December 19, 2009

Rev 20 describes the casting of Satan down into the "abyss", where he will remain for a time while the saints will come to life in the first resurrection and will reign with Christ in judgment. John says, "Blessed and holy" are those who have "a part in the first resurrection, for over these the second death has no power". After a time, though, Satan will be released and return again to deceive the nations of the earth and will wage war against "the camp of saints and the beloved city", but John says a fire will come down from heaven and devour him. "And the devil who deceived them" will be "thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone" with the beasts and false prophets, and "they will be tormented day and night forever and ever". Then John describes the judgment of those who names are not found written in the book of life. These dead , both "great and small", will stand before the throne and be judged according to their deeds, and will then be thrown into the lake of fire.