Key Verses: 2, 4, 7-8, 10, 12, 15
Remember, I am not going to solve all the questions that exist about the timing of end-time events. I leave that to others. So what can we learn from this passage other than Satan activities get stopped for a period of time? I think the greatest truth we can see is that Satan is totally under the authority of God. He can’t do anything without God’s permission. At the bidding of an angel, Satan is completely controlled.
It doesn’t take much to keep Satan in check! We just need to resist him and he flees. There is not epic struggle between two equal forces, good and evil, with the outcome in question. This is not Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader of Star Wars fame. The results are never in question. Jesus wins now and forever. Satan loses. Period.
At the same time Satan is locked up Jesus is reigning as Ruler of this earth. And with Him are those who have had their heads cut off because they were Jesus-followers. Up until a few years ago I thought this would never happen in our modern world. And then I learned about Islam’s current practice of beheading infidels and this scripture made perfect sense. I can see Islam’s victims reigning with Jesus. It makes sense.
So why does God give Satan one more chance to deceive people after he was locked up for that extended period of time? The only reason I can imagine is this: people pretended to follow Jesus, but in their hearts they continued in rebellion. So Jesus uses Satan’s release to make their rebellion evident to all. They were already destined for hell; Jesus makes what is on the inside plain by giving them the opportunity to show it on the outside. And again, this really isn’t a battle. They gather, but before the attack, God judges them with what John describes as fire from heaven.
The are some who doubt Hell’s permanence. This text, and many others, state that hell is for ever and ever. I believe the Scriptures.
If there is one place I want my name recorded it is not in the government’s central registry. I could care less about the no-fly list, or the Social Security roles. I want my name in the Book of Life. I am not going to argue about whether it is a literal book or not. I won’t waste my time. I know God knows all things, so I know He doesn’t need a book. But John needs something to see that he understands so that he can convey the truth. And that truth is that God keeps a record and we will all stand or fall on that record.
The good news is that our record has been expunged and rewritten. We get credit for Jesus’ obedience rather than our disobedience. Our names are there, not because we deserve it, but because God loves us. We responded positively to that love and our names have been written there. That is good news!
The Arnold Journey 