The Role of Satan in the Millennium And his Coming Destruction Revelation 20:4-6 by Cooper Abrams |
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Introduction: Satan, who is called the devil is a real being and he is the source of sin on this earth which causes such great pain, suffering and destruction.
Since the Garden of Eden, he has performed his evil work in opposing God and those who believe and serve God. Throughout the Old Testament he made every effort to destroy the line of Seth, Adam and Eve's son, which was the godly line, by which the Lord Jesus Christ came to the earth.
We know from history and personal experience that the devil and his demons are constantly at work deceiving men, women, boys and girls into believing a lie. Ephesians 6:11-13, tells us that this battle is with Satan and his evil forces.
Paul instructed Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
We have preached several messages about what we call the "Blessed Hope" which is the future that God has for his children; for those who by simple faith put their faith and trust in Him. We look forward to that day.
Romans 8:21-22 speaking of this hope says, "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."
Yes, the whole creation has groaned and travailed under the evil influence of the devil. But as sure as you and I are here today...there is coming a day when he will no longer go to and fro around the earth bringing deception, destruction and suffering. Satan's doom is sealed and the day appointed in which he will no longer deceive men.....and he will be cast alive with his demons into the lake of fire and will be tormented for ever and ever....for all eternity without end.
I would interject here...the next three verses of Romans 8 which says:
Romans 8:23-25 "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
I want to share with you this morning what shall be the end of Satan, his demons and all who would reject God and follow him. It is not a happy story.....I wish would could just skip it and go on to Revelation 21-22 which tells of the New heavens and earth that is coming for all God's people. But we have to deal with it....God tells us to teach the whole counsel of God's word. And we will this morning. It is good news to the saved and a warning to the lost. I. The Role of Satan in the Millennium and his end. Rev. 20:3, 7-9
2. Verse 3 says that he will be loosed for a short season.
3. He shall loosed from his prison, called the "bottomless pit" and once again resumed his evil work. He learned nothing in the 1000 years in prison.
4. Verse 8 says he will go out and deceive the nations. The people who populate the earth in the Millennium are just like you and I now. All who go in the Millennium are saved people who trust Christ in the Tribulation. They are the remnant of God's people and many of them are Jews.
5. Children will be born and the earth will be repopulated. These children are no different from you and I and will have a sin nature. They will live under the best conditions ever known on earth since the Garden of Eden. They will live in time in which Jesus Christ will actually be on earth and rule from Jerusalem. Their will be no reason for them not to believe and received Jesus Christ as their Savior. But many will rebel at the reign of Christ.
Why? I have quoted this verse repeatedly from this pulpit and today I hope you understand fully what it is saying.
Jesus stated it plainly in John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Men love sin more than truth and in spite of all the truth they hear...most reject that truth because they do not want to live for God or love their Creator God and Savior. Oh, how does this truth trouble me...yet they should be a warning to us all. I deal on a daily basis with those caught up in false religions and beliefs. I try as best I can to show them God's truth, from His very word, but most times God's truth is rejected.
B. Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us why God gave us pastor-teachers. But sadly....there are many who are not called by God but who serve the Lord for power, prestige and money. They are the servants of the devil and they do his bidding.
In the Millennium, all doubt will be removed as to the existence of Jesus Christ and about His word. Yet, still men will reject Him and seal their doom. Satan will be loosed and he shall offer them what they want. An evil being to follow who will allow them to satisfy their lusts....and sadly these people will rebel against the Lord Jesus and they shall be destroyed to the man.... Once and for all sin will be destroy and removed from the earth.
2 Corinthians 4:4 further tells us of the work of the devil "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
Yet, we know the final out come! The devil is doomed and it is only a matter of time before he, his demons and those that serve him will meet their final end and judgment.
2. A single short phrase at the end of verse nine explains the end of rebellion on earth.
". . .and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." (Rev. 20:9)
3. Verse 10 explains that the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are....and they are tormented day and night forever and ever.
Salvation is simple..... It is believing God's word, and receiving God the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. It is realizing that yes, we are sinners and we have a nature to sin, but that sin is wrong, destruction and comes from the source of all pain and suffering....the devil himself. We accept that we are God's creation and that He has a plain for our lives.
That plan is plain and simple.....we receive Him as our Savior and as our Lord. That means we know He is true and what He says for us to do is best and right and we submit ourselves to that life changing truth.....and He makes us the sons of God.
To the unsaved the Lord says, John 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
John 11:26 "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
To the saved God gives us the same commission he gave to the Apostle Paul in Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
I like the promise of the Lord Jesus as John 16:22 states, "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."
It is not by chance you are here this morning. The Lord is seeking each of us to call the sinner to repentance and salvation and to strengthen those who are saved....to guide them to purity of life and godliness, and to use them as witnesses of God's grace.