The Book Of Revelation: An Overview by bible.org

Title:

“Revelation” is from the Greek word apokalupsis which means, “a disclosure, an unveiling.” The book of Revelation is an unveiling of the character and program of God.

Author:

The author of Revelation called himself “John” (1:4, 9; 22:8). He was a prophet (22:9) and a leader who was known in the churches of Asia Minor to whom he writes (1:4). Revelation indicates a similarity with the Gospel of John, employing words that are common to both: word, lamb, witness, true, overcome, dwell, fountain of living waters and others. Most Bible students believe that the Holy Spirit used John, Christ’s beloved disciple, to give us three kinds of inspired literature: the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the book of Revelation. Warren Wiersbe has outlined the purposes of each as follows:

Gospel of John	Epistles (1-3 John)	Revelation
Believe (20:31)	Fellowship (1:3)	Preparation (22:20)
Life received	Life revealed	Life rewarded
Salvation	Sanctification	Sovereignty
The Prophet	The Priest	The King

 

The Purpose:

The stated purpose of Revelation is to reveal Jesus Christ (1:1): His person, His power and His plan for the future.

The Theme:

Central to the book is the existence, power, sovereignty, justice, wisdom and goodness of God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Date And Origin:

The traditional view for the date of Revelation is during the reign of emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96). The early church fathers affirmed this and most scholars since have agreed. The date has been traditionally set at between A.D. 94-96 (during the final and most severe years of Domitian’s reign). It is likely that John wrote Revelation during his exile on the island of Patmos.

Key Ideas:

The book opens and closes with similar ideas and phrases, among them are the words of Jesus, “I am coming soon” (1:1-8; 22:12-21). In between, the book deals with vivid descriptions of God’s judgments on sin.

Key Verses:

Revelation 1:7: “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen” (cf. Revelation 19:11-16). 

Revelation 1:19: “Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.”

Key Words:

Two key words are repeated throughout the whole letter.

They are “lamb” (29 times) and “throne” (47 times).
The duel ideas of sacrificial atonement and God’s sovereignty and judgment dominate the letter.

Four numbers also play a significant role throughout Revelation:

“seven” (55 times), “four” (29 times), “twelve” (23 times) and “ten” (9 times).

Key Note:

There are no formal quotations from the Old Testament, however there are many allusions. Bible students have found between 250-550 Old Testament allusions in the book of Revelation.

Nutshell Outline:

1. Introduction (1:1-20)
2. Letters to the seven churches in Asia (2:1-3:22)
3. Visions of the end of this age and the new heaven and earth (4:1-22:5)
4. Conclusion (22:6-21)

Importance:

1. Revelation, like all Scripture, is “profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16).
2. Revelation reveals Jesus Christ like no other book (1-22).
3. Revelation deals with “things, which must soon take place” (1:1).
4. Revelation is the one book that promises a blessing to all who will read it (1:3).
5. Revelation contains unique warnings and challenges to the church (2:1-3:22).
6. Revelation discloses conditions that will be present in the end-times (6:1-19:21).
7. Revelation is NOT to be sealed up (22:10)

Christ In Revelation:

Since Revelation is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” it demonstrates His glory, wisdom and power (1:1-20), and portrays His authority over the church (2:1-3:21) and His power and right to judge the world (5:1-19:21). But as the revelation of Christ, it is loaded with descriptive titles.

In particular, it describes Jesus Christ (1:1) as:

• The faithful witness (1:5)
• The firstborn from the dead (1:5)
• The ruler over the kings of the earth (1:5)
• The Son of Man (1:13)
• The first and the last (1:17)
• The living One (1:18)
• The Son of God (2:18)
• He who is holy, who is true (3:7)
• The Amen (3:14)
• The Beginning of the creation of God (3:14)
• The Lion that is from the tribe of Judah (5:5)
• The Root of David (5:5)
• A Lamb (5:6)
• The Word of God (19:13)
• King of Kings and Lord of Lords (19:16)
• The Alpha and the Omega (22:13)
• The beginning and the end (22:13)
• The bright morning Star (22:16)
• The Lord Jesus (22:21).

Summary of the Book of Revelation by biblestudytools.com

This summary of the book of Revelation provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Revelation.

Author

Four times the author identifies himself as John (1:1,4,9; 22:8). From as early as Justin Martyr in the second century a.d. it has been held that this John was the apostle, the son of Zebedee (see Mt 10:2). The book itself reveals that the author was a Jew, well versed in Scripture, a church leader who was well known to the seven churches of Asia Minor, and a deeply religious person fully convinced that the Christian faith would soon triumph over the demonic forces at work in the world.

In the third century, however, an African bishop named Dionysius compared the language, style and thought of the Apocalypse (Revelation) with that of the other writings of John and decided that the book could not have been written by the apostle John. He suggested that the author was a certain John the Presbyter, whose name appears elsewhere in ancient writings. Although many today follow Dionysius in his view of authorship, the external evidence seems overwhelmingly supportive of the traditional view.

Date

Revelation was written when Christians were entering a time of persecution. The two periods most often mentioned are the latter part of Nero's reign (a.d. 54-68) and the latter part of Domitian's reign (81-96). Most interpreters date the book c. 95. (A few suggest a date during the reign of Vespasian: 69-79.)

Occasion

Since Roman authorities at this time were beginning to enforce emperor worship, Christians -- who held that Christ, not Caesar, was Lord -- were facing increasing hostility. The believers at Smyrna are warned against coming opposition (2:10), and the church at Philadelphia is told of an hour of trial coming on the world (3:10). Antipas has already given his life (2:13) along with others (6:9). John has been exiled to the island of Patmos (probably the site of a Roman penal colony) for his activities as a Christian missionary (1:9). Some within the church are advocating a policy of compromise (2:14-15,20), which has to be corrected before its subtle influence can undermine the determination of believers to stand fast in the perilous days that lie ahead.

Purpose

John writes to encourage the faithful to resist staunchly the demands of emperor worship. He informs his readers that the final showdown between God and Satan is imminent. Satan will increase his persecution of believers, but they must stand fast, even to death. They are sealed against any spiritual harm and will soon be vindicated when Christ returns, when the wicked are forever destroyed, and when God's people enter an eternity of glory and blessedness.

Literary Form

For an adequate understanding of Revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the Western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation (e.g., stars are angels, lampstands are churches, 1:20; "the great prostitute,"17:1, is "Babylon" [Rome?], 17:5,18; and the heavenly Jerusalem is the wife of the Lamb, 21:9-10).

Distinctive Feature

A distinctive feature is the frequent use of the number seven (52 times).

There are seven beatitudes (see note on 1:3), seven churches (1:4,11), seven spirits (1:4),seven golden lampstands (1:12), seven stars (1:16), seven seals (5:1), seven horns and seven eyes (5:6), seven trumpets (8:2), seven thunders (10:3), seven signs (12:1,3; 13:13-14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20), seven crowns (12:3), seven plagues (15:6),seven golden bowls (15:7), seven hills (17:9) and seven kings (17:10), as well as other sevens. 

Symbolically, the number seven stands for completeness.

Interpretation

Interpreters of Revelation normally fall into four groups:

1. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its first-century setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place.
2. Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from Patmos to the end of history.
3. Futurists place the book primarily in the end times.
4. Idealists view it as symbolic pictures of such timeless truths as the victory of good over evil.

Fortunately, the fundamental truths of Revelation do not depend on adopting a particular point of view. They are available to anyone who will read the book for its overall message and resist the temptation to become overly enamored with the details.

Outline

• Introduction (1:1-8)
  • Prologue (1:1-3)
  • Greetings and Doxology (1:4-8)
• Jesus among the Seven Churches (1:9-20)
• The Letters to the Seven Churches (chs.2 - 3)
  • Ephesus (2:1-7)
  • Smyrna (2:8-11)
  • Pergamum (2:12-17)
  • Thyatira (2:18-29)
  • Sardis (3:1-6)
  • Philadelphia (3:7-13)
  • Laodicea (3:14-22)
• The Throne, the Scroll and the Lamb (chs.4-5)
  • The Throne in Heaven (ch.4)
  • The Seven-Sealed Scroll (5:1-5)
  • The Lamb Slain (5:6-14)
• The Seven Seals (6:1;8:1)
  • First Seal: The White Horse (6:1-2)
  • Second Seal: The Red Horse (6:3-4)
  • Third Seal: The Black Horse (6:5-6)
  • Fourth Seal: The Pale Horse (6:7-8)
  • Fifth Seal: The Souls under the Altar (6:9-11)
  • Sixth Seal: The Great Earthquake (6:12-17)
  • The Sealing of the 144,000 (7:1-8)
  • The Great Multitude (7:9-17)
  • Seventh Seal: Silence in Heaven (8:1)
• The Seven Trumpets (8:2;11:19)
  • Introduction (8:2-5)
  • First Trumpet: Hail and Fire Mixed with Blood (8:6-7)
  • Second Trumpet: A Mountain Thrown into the Sea (8:8-9)
  • Third Trumpet: The Star Wormwood (8:10-11)
  • Fourth Trumpet: A Third of the Sun, Moon and Stars Struck (8:12-13)
  • Fifth Trumpet: The Plague of Locusts (9:1-12)
  • Sixth Trumpet: Release of the Four Angels (9:13-21)
  • The Angel and the Little Scroll (ch.10)
  • The Two Witnesses (11:1-14)
  • Seventh Trumpet: Judgments and Rewards (11:15-19)
• Various Personages and Events (chs.12-14)
  • The Woman and the Dragon (ch.12)
  • The Two Beasts (ch.13)
  • The Lamb and the 144,000 (14:1-5)
  • The Harvest of the Earth (14:6-20)
• The Seven Bowls (chs.15-16)
  • Introduction: The Song of Moses and the Seven Angels with the Seven Plagues (ch. 15)
  • First Bowl: Ugly and Painful Sores (16:1-2)
  • Second Bowl: Sea Turns to Blood (16:3)
  • Third Bowl: Rivers and Springs of Water Become Blood (16:4-7)
  • Fourth Bowl: Sun Scorches People with Fire (16:8-9)
  • Fifth Bowl: Darkness (16:10-11)
  • Sixth Bowl: Euphrates River Dries Up (16:12-16)
  • Seventh Bowl: Tremendous Earthquake (16:17-21)
• Babylon: The Great Prostitute (17:1;19:5)
  • Babylon Described (ch.17)
  • The Fall of Babylon (ch.18)
  • Praise for Babylon's Fall (19:1-5)
• Praise for the Wedding of the Lamb (19:6-10)
• The Return of Christ (19:11-21)
• The Thousand Years (20:1-6)
• Satan's Doom (20:7-10)
• Great White Throne Judgment (20:11-15)
• New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem (21:1;22:5)
• Conclusion and Benediction (22:6-21)

Chapter 21: vs.1-14

The final two chapters of the Book of Revelation present the glorious future which awaits every believer of all dispensations and ages. The eternal state of both the saved and lost is described in the first eight verses of this chapter. In addition, verses 9 through 27 present a glowing description of the New Jerusalem. The view is absolutely breathtaking. 

Let's begin our study.

Verse 1: And 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.

The passing away of the first heaven and earth occurred at the conclusion of the Great White Throne Judgment. This was part of the renovation of the world which Jesus predicted in Matthew 24:35 when He said, Heaven and earth shall pass away. The time and method are described in 2 Peter 3:7, 10-13. 

Listen carefully to these solemn words: The heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

In the new world, the sea is eliminated, possibly because of its connotation with wickedness: The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt (Isaiah 57:20). Another reason may be that oceanic vegetation is no longer necessary.

Verse 2: And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Two Jerusalems are mentioned in Scripture (see Galatians 4:25, 26 and Hebrews 12:22). 

One is earthly and the home of the believers during the millennial period. The other is heavenly-as the New Jerusalem, or celestial city, hovers over the earth during the thousand-year (millennial) reign of Christ and then becomes situated eternally upon earth at the end of the thousand-year period. Revelation 21:1-8 actually follows 21:9-22:15.

This is one time the chronological outline of the book of Revelation is different. 

The New Jerusalem is undoubtedly the one Christ has been preparing for over 2,000 years, for the Saviour said in John 14:2, I go to prepare a place for you. This magnificent masterpiece descending toward earth reminds one of the elegant beauty of a bride on her wedding day.

Verse 3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

To this point in time, God's Tabernacle has been located in heaven. 

Now we discover a change of address. 

The Almighty descends to earth with His heavenly entourage, settling in the New Jerusalem to begin global operations from this satellite city. The redeemed-in their glorified bodies-live in the New Jerusalem. Those with bodies of flesh-those who were born and saved during the millennial hour-enter the eternal state with their natural bodies. They live on earth, in and under the light of the Holy City (see chapter 21, verse 24).

The true beauty of the entire scene is that God dwells in the midst of His people, for a voice cries, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Another exciting fact is that believers, with their glorified bodies, will be able to travel as fast as the speed of light, yea, as fast as their thoughts. Thus, they will traverse back and forth to earth from their city in space-the New Jerusalem-in a moment of time. Presently the world's scientists predict that men will certainly be living in space cities within our century. They don't know the half of it! Amen!

Verse 4: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

This verse should be a favorite among God's people. 

Think of it! 

Pain, sorrow, crying, and death are forever eliminated in this land of eternal life. 

This, as mentioned in verse 2, is only true after the Millennium when Christ's Kingdom is recommissioned and eternally established on earth. No wonder the redeemed are able to triumphantly shout, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (I Corinthians 15:55). 

Never again will a funeral procession take place, for death, the last enemy, will have been destroyed (see I Corinthians 15:26). 

In addition, everything associated with death is also eliminated for time and eternity. 

Glory! 

No more disease, heart attacks, automobile accidents, wars or rumors of wars. "It is finished" is truly the national anthem of eternity.

Although these truths are wonderful in themselves, the greatest fact is that the Lord's people see His face (see chapter 22, verse 4). In addition, sin has ceased to exist because Satan is eternally incarcerated in Gehenna, the lake of fire (see chapter 20, verse 10). A new day in a new heaven suspended above a new earth has arrived because...

Revelation 21:5-6

Verse 5: He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Verse 6: And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

God speaks to John, saying, It is done. 

As Christ completed His redemptive work for sinners on the cross, He cried, It is finished. Now God, who has made all things new, again announces, It is finished, or done. His will has been accomplished in Jesus Christ-namely, that the earth should be free from the curse of sin and that its inhabitants should be conformed to His very likeness. This has happened. It is done. God adds, I am [the] Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. 

Alpha and Omega are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet. Hence, the explanation, the beginning and the end. 

But what does it mean? 

In Christ, all creation began without sin (see Colossians 1:15-19). Now, in Christ, it has ended without sin.

In this glorious city-New Jerusalem-the spiritual thirst of God's people is also satisfied forever. While on earth, Jesus said to the woman of Samaria, Whosoever drinketh of this water [in the well] shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:13,14). That time has come, and God states: "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." It is yours to possess throughout the ages. Enjoy yourselves!

However, make no mistake about it. The eternal prize of being in the presence of God in the New Jerusalem, where there is no more death, sorrow, crying, pain, or thirst, is only for those who trust in the merits of the shed blood of Christ.

Verse 7: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Who is the overcomer? 

The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (see 1 John 5:4). Oh, be sure of your salvation, because the next verse mentions a motley group of sinners who miss the eternal paradise upon earth.

Verse 8: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

This text plainly states that those who were condemned at the judgment of chapter 20, verses 11-15, have been cast into the lake of fire, or Gehenna. They were not given a reprieve, a commuted sentence, or a second chance, as some sentimentalists teach. Revelation 21 is the eternal state.

No more changes are possible. 

Those who stood before God's Great White Throne did not make it. 

Who were they?

The fearful - those who rejected Christ to escape the ridicule of men.

The unbelieving - those who rejected the doctrine of Christ's deity and shed blood as the only means of obtaining eternal life. Jesus said, Ye shall die in your sins... if ye believe not that I am he [or that I am God] (John 8:24). In John 5:40, the Saviour again said, Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

The abominable - those who engaged in wicked practices. They spoke the language of christendom but never lived it: They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus 1: 16).

The murderers - including those who carried hatred within their hearts and minds for others. If you don't believe it, listen to the following: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3:15).

The whoremongers - those who engaged in fornication (premarital sex), adultery (extramarital flings), or perverted sex.

The sorcerers - those who practiced drug usage for "kicks" and "highs."

The idolaters - those who worshiped or revered anyone or anything other than the living and true God, or who used idols in worship. Remember God's warning, Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21).

All liars - those who deceived others, distorted the truth, and destroyed mankind by lies.

Verse 9: And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

Here one member of the angelic host which administered the final seven judgments now speaks to John, saying, "Come here. I want to show you the Bride, the Lamb's wife, the one who made herself ready [in] fine linen, clean and white (chapter 19, verses 7 and 8) and who returns with Him for the 1,000-year honeymoon (chapter 19, verses 11 through 16)." At this point the Bride is envisioned in her final resting place.

Verse 10: And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.

The Bride is pictured as the city of the New Jerusalem because a city is composed of people. 

Buildings, streets, and light are but aids to the residents. For example, one refers to a city as "clean" or "wicked." Why? 

Because of its people. 

Now, as John views God's heavenly creation, he is impressed by (1) the brilliance of the city (verses 9-14), (2) the size of the city (verses 15-17), and (3) the beauty of the city (verses 18-21). 

He describes the city as...

Revelation 21:11-14

Verse 11: Having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a Jasper stone, clear as crystal; Verse 12: And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Verse 13: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. Verse 14: And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

In Bible times walls were erected for protection. However, since war is forever finished, one may question the presence of this wall in the New Jerusalem. The answer? It serves as a reminder that the God of love protected His people while on earth. This wall is an eternal memorial to the fact that our lives have been hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

The city also has twelve gates, each inscribed with one of the names of the twelve tribes of the Children of Israel.

The gates are staffed with angels who welcome those possessing the right and privilege of entering the city (chapter 22, verse 14). The twelve angels standing at these entrances are possibly those who worked jointly with each tribe during the earthly sojourn of the people of Israel. We also note that, just as the gates are inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes, the foundations of the wall itself contain the names of Christ's twelve apostles. Next week we will consider the size of the city.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

Chapter 20: vs.7 - 15

Revelation 20:7-9

Verse 7: And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, Verse 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. Verse 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.

This portion of Scripture has caused many people great concern. 

They ask, "Why should Satan be loosed for a short season? What purpose could God have in unchaining this monster after one thousand years of blessed peace?" 

The answer is, "The free will of man."

All persons who enter the Millennium are redeemed people (Isaiah 60:21 and Joel 2:28). However, one must remember that procreation still takes place during this era of time because those who survived the Tribulation hour enter the Millennium with human bodies. The believers upon the thrones possess resurrected bodies and do not bear children, but the others do. 

Consequently, the children born during this one-thousand-year period are born with the old Adamic, or sin, nature which has been an inherent part of man ever since the fall of Adam and Eve. Many of them, of course, accept Christ as their personal Saviour, but many do not! In addition, since Satan is bound, there is little to tempt them.

They simply do not face the problems and trials which have confronted mankind in past ages. Satan's release, then, is to determine whether or not Christ is real to these children of the Millennium, or whether they have been submissive simply because He ruled with a rod of iron (chapter 19, verse 15).

The truth is revealed as millions follow the devil. 

Yes, even after living with the Lord Jesus Christ for ten centuries, much of mankind rebels. 

Verses 8 and 9 inform us that Satan deceives the nations internationally (pictured by the four corners of the earth), and gathers them together for one last battle. 

The army is gigantic in number...as the sand of the sea. Once again the camp of God's people-the beloved city of Jerusalem-is surrounded, just as the armies of the Tribulation hour gathered against Jerusalem to battle (see Zechariah 14:1). 

Then, in an instant, God destroys them all with a devouring fire from heaven.

To whom do the names Gog and Magog refer? 

In Ezekiel 38 and 39, they identify Russia. Not so in verse 8. Instead, they most likely indicate the memory of past brutality-much like the names Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, and Iraq do today. As Gog and Magog (Russia) invades Israel and comes against Jerusalem during the Tribulation hour, such an indelible impression is left upon all the world that now-one thousand years later-the details are still vivid. Thus, this past war, fought in the same area, is brought to mind as Satan once again attempts to destroy Israel.

Verse 10: And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

This is the end for the deceiver of the ages. 

He is cast into the place prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Many centuries were required for this slanderous culprit to reach his final destination. Now that he has arrived, he will experience nothing but continual torment-day and night-for ever and ever. Amen!

We need to digress for a moment at this point, because many persons-Christians included-harbor a misconception about hell. 

Whenever they see or hear the term, they picture a place where a little red-suited gremlin stokes the fires and torments his victims with a pitchfork. Satan is neither the stoker nor does he torment his followers-and, as we have observed, he does not enter hell until after the Millennium. 

As we have already learned, Satan is the god of this world [system] (2 Corinthians 4:4), the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), and the ruler of heavens one and two-the aerial and stellar heavens. He retains this position until he is cast out of heaven (see chapter 12, verses 7-9). 

He then reigns on earth for the final forty-two months of the Tribulation period.

Upon Christ's return to earth, Satan is bound in the bottomless pit, and then, following the Millennium, is released for a short season.

Finally, he is cast into hell, or the lake of fire and brimstone, where he is tormented for all eternity. An understanding of these truths is essential to both victorious living and correct interpretation of the Book of Revelation.

We now come to the most awesome portion of Scripture in the entire Bible-the judgment of the wicked.

Revelation 20:11-15

Verse 11: And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. Verse 12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Verse 13: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Verse 14: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Verse 15: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Again John says, I saw. The term is found thirty seven times in this book. What a privilege was his! 

This time he views the gloomiest hour of history-the judgment of the wicked-as well as Christ sitting upon a white throne. White is the symbol of purity, justice, and holiness in Scripture.

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). 

His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white (chapter 19, verses 7 and 8).

Since "white" stands for all that is honorable and right, what does it symbolize? Integrity-for Christ, who is the truth (John 14:6), is himself the Judge.

Notice that the term is Great White Throne. This pictures a great judgment that is about to fall on those who have rejected the "so great salvation" question (see Hebrews 2:3).

How does one know that the tender, loving Jesus is the One who sits upon the throne as Judge? 

The answer is found in John 5:22: 

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. 

Again, the Father 

hath given him authority to execute judgment also,because he is the Son of man (John 5:27). 

The One raised from the dead-the Lord Jesus Christ-is the Judge, according to Acts. 17:31: [For] he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 

That moment is now before us!

What a solemn scene as unregenerate mankind comes face to face with God for the investigation of all their evil deeds.

Every transgressor is present: presidents and paupers, high society snobs and skid row derelicts. 

Yes, this group includes every Christ-rejecter of the ages, small and great, rich and poor, free and bond. 

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life [the first resurrection]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [the resurrection for judgment] (John 5:28,29). 

Make no mistake about it, 

there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust (Acts 24:15).

As the unsaved stand before a holy God, the books are opened. 

Yes, He has record of every wicked deed sinners have ever committed. Nothing remains hidden. Adultery, abortion, drunkenness, drug addiction, harlotry, hatred, lawlessness, murder, rebellion, sexual promiscuity, wife-swapping, and every other abominable practice is then exposed in detail.

How is all this possible? 

God is: both omniscient (all knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful). 

The psalmist said in chapter 139, verses 1 and 2, 

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising. 

God knows everything: about every member of the human race. 

God adds,

I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them (Ezekiel 11:5).

I know when you have 

eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin (2 Peter 2:14).

I know when your tongue is about to curse, 

• For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether (Psalm 139:4). 
• I the Lord search the heart (Jeremiah 17:10). 

This statement is extremely important, 

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies (Matthew 15:19).

God's books: will be totally accurate because He sees every move humans make: 

• The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth (2 Chronicles 16:9). 
• All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4: 13). 

That aborted fetus flushed into oblivion, that sex act in a parked car or motel room; that crooked deal for illegal gain-everything is indelibly inscribed in the journal of the Almighty bookkeeper. 

One cannot hide from God, whoever He may be! 

Furthermore, no mistakes will be made, for the dead will be judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. We also see that every unbeliever will be present, for the bodies come forth from land and sea and the souls come from Hades (or hell). Then, body, soul, and spirit are reunited to stand before God.

Many have never realized that there is a time when the wicked are released from hell. This is not a new doctrine or man-made theory. However, for the moment, let's examine a few facts regarding this teaching.

The New Testament contains two Greek words - Hadesfn01 and Gehennafn02 - both of which are translated hell in our English Bible. The Lord Jesus Christ used both words repeatedly. 

Why two words? 

Are there two places? 

Yes! A simple illustration will help us understand.

Everyone knows the difference between a local jail and a penitentiary. 

When an individual is arrested for a crime, he is not placed in the penitentiary until he has had a trial. Instead, he is locked up in the local jail (city or county), where he awaits his trial. Then, upon being found guilty, he is transferred to the penitentiary, where he serves his sentence. 

The next statement is of extreme importance. Get it! 

When Jesus used the word Hadesfn01, He referred to the local jail-the place where the sinner is bound until the judgment morning. 

Then, on Judgment Day, the sinner comes out of the local jail (Hades)fn01, stands before the Judge (the Lord Jesus himself), is found guilty, and is subsequently transferred to the final penitentiary of souls (Gehenna)fn02. 

The lake of fire is usually synonymous with Gehenna.fn02

The eleven instances where Christ mentioned Hadesfn01 are as follows: 

• Matthew 11:23; 16:18
• Luke 10:15; 16:22, 23
• Acts 2:27; 2:3 1
• 1 Corinthians 15:55
• Revelation 1:18; 6:8; 20:13
• Revelation 20:14

Gehennafn02 is mentioned twelve times by the Saviour: 

• Matthew 5:22; 5:29; 5:30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15; 23:33
• Mark 9:43; 9:45; 9:47
• Luke 12:5
• James 3:6

After studying the twenty-three texts, one observes that verses 13 and 14 of our present study now make perfect sense: 

Death [the grave] and hell [Hades]fn01 delivered up the dead which were in them.

The plural pronoun "them" indicates two places: the grave and Hadesfn01 - one for the body and the other for the soul. 

Next they were judged every man according to his works (that's the trial). Then death and hell [Hades-Greek]fn01 were cast into the lake of fire [Gehenna-the final penitentiary]fn02.

Why are they transferred? 

Gehennafn02 differs from Hadesfn01 in that Gehennafn02 is a place where there are degrees of suffering. 

After one has been examined and judged as to how much light he had (how often he heard the message of salvation and rejected it), he is assigned to this place called Gehennafn02, where there are degrees of suffering according to one's light and works. Thus, the final hell will differ for all, depending on one's evil deeds and the number of times he rejected Christ's offer of love.

Now we understand Romans 2:5 a little better: 

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up [storest up, savest up] unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath. 

This is why it shall be more tolerable [more bearable, more endurable] for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for [Capernaum] (Matthew 11:24). 

What was Capernaum's sin? 

Capernaum had greater light since Christ visited the city and preached to her citizens. This is also why the Pharisees receive the greater damnation (Matthew 23:14).

Clearly, sinners are raised from death and Hadesfn01, judged by Christ at the Great White Throne, and then transferred to Gehennafn02. 

The "good news," however, is that none of this happens to those who are trusting in the merits of the shed blood of Jesus. When one trusts Christ, his name is written in the book of life. 

The judgment just discussed is only for those whose names are not found inscribed in the book (see verse 15).

If one is saved, he need never be concerned about hell as his eternal destiny, for he that believeth on [Christ] is not condemned (John 3:18). He is also passed from death unto life (John 5:24). Thus, there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Amen.

The great judgment is only for those who participate in the final resurrection which occurs after the 1,000-year or millennial reign of Christ upon earth. Those who were raised prior to the Millennium are eternally secure, 

for blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power (verse 6).

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE