September 20
Straight from the Pastor’s Heart by Dr. Hernes Abante
Revelation 20:11-15 - “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. [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. [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. [14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
For our review, we have covered the 5 Resurrections as follows:
1. Resurrection of the Saints at the death of Christ on the cross. They lived and died again. (Matthew 27:51-53)
The moment after Christ died, He descended and preached to the OT Saints in Paradise and announced that their sins were fully paid. The work of salvation was fulfilled. The souls of the OT saints were taken by Christ to heaven. This was not resurrection for their bodies remained in the grave. (Ephesians 4:8-10)
2. Glorious bodily Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the grave. (Luke 24:1-12)
3. Glorious Resurrection of all saints from OT, NT, and the empowered Church at the Rapture. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-16)
4. Glorious Resurrection of the Two Witnesses, Moses & Elijah; in the middle of Tribulation after they are summoned to heaven. (Revelation 11:1-14)
5. Resurrection of the Tribulation saints to be ushered straight to the Millennial Kingdom. They will live again with their restored body like Lazarus to live in the Millennial kingdom. (Revelations 20:4)
The 6th and Final resurrection is the Resurrection of all the unsaved who have died and will die in every dispensation. This resurrection of the unjust will occur at the end of the Millennial kingdom. It will include all who will rebel against Christ at the last desperate act of Satan’s rebellion after his release from the bottomless pit.
At the beginning of the Millennial kingdom, only the believers will get in. These are the people who will be saved and protected that they survive the Tribulation. Also with them are the resurrected Tribulation saints; all the OT and the NT saints who will come down with Jesus Christ from heaven; and the Bride of Christ who will rule with Him.
After the Battle of Armageddon, is the Judgment of the Gentile nations. They will be judged according to how they treat the people of God. Only the sheep nations (nations that treat God’s people well) will be represented in the kingdom. The Bride of Christ or the Glory Church (the obedient, and found faithful) will reign and occupy the ruling positions in every nation. The way of life will be the best of physical living; without the presence of sin and malice. It will be a government of righteousness: a taste of eternity. We will have a social, professional, and spiritual life; all led and ruled by Jesus Christ as the King of kings.
There will be no death in this 1,000-year span since God is present, except when Satan is released for a season. Those who survive the Tribulation period still possess a sinful nature. But they cannot commit sins, without the Tempter. Some of the children who will be born in the kingdom will remain in unbelief, but they are unable to commit sins, not only because the tempter is in prison, but because Christ is the King, who will rule with a rod of iron. We can imagine a life of perfect peace and righteousness because the Ruler is Christ and His Bride.
Near the end of the millennium, Satan will be released to begin his final campaign against the Son of God. He will lead the last attempt to rebel against God, who will send fire from heaven and will consume them all. Peace will be restored.
After the millennial kingdom is the resurrection of all the unjust from every dispensation. Their souls who are now in hell will reunite with their bodies to face the White Throne Judgment with Jesus Christ as the Judge. They will be sentenced and cast in the Lake of Fire, together with Satan and the fallen angels to suffer forever.
Conclusion:
These are the places of eternal punishments for Satan, his fallen angels, and all unbelievers:
1. Hell - a temporary place of suffering where there will be continuous regrets, sorrows, fire, and brimstone. It is at the core of the earth. (Luke 16:19-31)
2. Tartarus - a place where the fallen angels are kept and punished. It is at the lowest part of hell. (1 Peter 2:4). Location is below, the underworld.
3. Bottomless pit - a temporary place of incarceration for the beast and other angels who sinned. (Revelation 20:1-3). Possibly, the black hole.
4. Lake of fire - the lake of fire is the “second death.” It is the ultimate consequence of sin, a total separation (death) from God. An eternal place of perpetual suffering and misery. Scripture indicates that every person whose name is not in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15). It is also where the fate of the beast and false prophet from the end times, (Revelation 19:20), as well as Satan himself. (Revelation 20:10). The Bible indicates that both death and hell (hades), the temporary destination of the unsaved dead—will also be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14).
The Lake of Fire is the conglomeration of all the places of punishments in one. It is hell, Tartarus, and bottomless pit combined. There is no truth that Satan is the ruler there. Satan, all fallen angels, and all the unsaved who reject the gospel will be in this same place to suffer eternally. It is my prayer and hope that you are not among them. If not, be saved today!