THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD
Painting of “The Great Day of the Lord”
by John Martin (1789-1854), London, Tate Gallery
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
By
JIM GERRISH
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
I Events leading up to the Day of the Lord
What is the Day of the Lord?
Daniel’s time clock
The present evil age, and how we are to live in it
Our evil age will grow worse and worse
Satan will finally be cast down to earth
The rise of Antichrist
The Great Tribulation
Gathering all nations against Israel
II The Day of the Lord
The triumphant return of Christ
The Lord and his armies
Armageddon finally comes
Better understanding of the whole picture
The Millennium
How the Millennium will close
The Great White Throne Judgment
Bible Versions Used
ESV English Standard Version
NAS New American Standard Version
NET The Net Bible
NIV New International Version
NKJ New King James Version
NRS New Revised Standard Version
RSV Revised Standard Version
The Great Day of the Lord
Light of Israel Publications
Colorado Springs, CO
wordofgodtoday.com
Copyright 2023
INTRODUCTION
The Day of the Lord is surely one of the most alarming and even frightening subjects in all of scripture. The topic brings abject terror and horror to the wicked and lost, while it brings a great deal of hope and comfort to the saved, or those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus. It speaks of his return to earth at last and of our salvation becoming complete in him.
The Day of the Lord will bring a tragic end to this present evil age in which we now live. It will quickly remove the wicked from this earth. It will end the rule of the Antichrist and the work of the false prophet by casting them both into hell. It will lock Satan up and end all his work throughout the coming Millennial Age of one-thousand years. It will initiate the longed-for and prayed-for Kingdom of God on this earth.
I
EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE DAY OF THE LORD
WHAT IS THE DAY OF THE LORD?
Prophetic fulfillment is often a strange and puzzling thing. The word of God can be partially fulfilled on more than one occasion leading up to the final fulfillment. Sometimes we see prophecy related to the partial and final fulfillments woven tightly together as in Matthew 24. In this chapter, it is almost impossible to separate events relating to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, from events concerning the end of the age. Both are in fact “Days of the Lord.” 1 Thus we can see that the Day of the Lord was coming in Isaiah’s day and also in Jesus’ day. It was partially fulfilled at least three major times, in the defeat and captivity of the northern tribes of Israel by the Assyrians in 722 BC, of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC and by the Romans in AD 70.
God’s day is still coming. Man’s day, on the other hand, is just about finished. He has done what he pleased; he has mocked God; defied his laws and polluted his creation. Satan’s day is also coming to an end. He knows that he has but a short time left (Rev. 12:12). For several thousand years he has claimed to be the “prince of this world,” but his authority is about finished. At various times in history, God has broken in on man’s day and Satan’s day with events reminiscent of the coming Day of the Lord. Yet, the final day remains in the future. Dear friends, the final Day of the Lord is surely coming!
There seems to be no good reason for us to separate the concepts of “the Day of the Lord,” “the Day of Christ,” “the Day,” “that Day,” and even “a day” as they are used in scripture. All these speak of the same event. Much of the book of Revelation likewise speaks in detail of this day. It is sometimes confusing because we are attempting to peek into a time frame that is partially hidden from us. In other words: “For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known” (1 Cor. 13:12 NET). It is much like a prehistoric man trying to glimpse the wonders of the electronic age in which we now live. It simply was not revealed to him. Electronic wonders for him were limited to occasional flashes of lightning.
Throughout the ages, most of the prophets of God spoke about this dreadful day that is coming upon the earth. The prophets of old often called it “the Day of the Lord” (Joel 2:28-32; Amos 5:18-20; Obad. 1:15; Isa. 2:12ff.).
The early Christians looked forward to this special time and they also called it “the Day of the Lord,” just as the prophets had done before them (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Thess. 5:2). They had several other designations for this period. They referred to it simply as “the day” (2 Thess. 1:10), and sometimes as “that day” (2 Tim. 1:12; 2 Pet. 3:12). In addition, they called it “the day of Christ” (Phil. 1:10; 2:16).
It is variously referred to by other titles such as “the day of God’s wrath” (Rom. 2:5); “the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30); “the day of evil” (Eph. 6:13); “the day he visits us” (1 Pet. 2:12); and “the day of judgment” (2 Pet. 2:9). In these differing expressions the Bible is describing for us Christ’s coming kingdom and the terrible suffering that will precede and accompany it.
DANIEL’S TIME CLOCK
When we speak of days and times, we need to have some understanding of biblical time frames. For this, we need to go to the Book of Daniel and particularly the ninth chapter of this interesting work. We surely remember that Daniel was a favorite book for Jesus.
In Daniel 9, we have one of the most astounding mysteries in the whole Bible. This is the mystery of the “seventy-sevens,” or seventy periods of time that would run from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the very end of the age (9:20-27). The mystery is unfolded for us in four verses (24-27). Bible scholars have pondered these mysterious verses for ages, and still, many of their secrets remain hidden.
Daniel is told by the angel that there will be a total period of “seventy sevens” (seventy-seven-year segments) or 490 years, decreed for the Jewish people (9:24). The unusually wide scope of this period is reflected by the purposes that will be accomplished in it. During this time, transgressions will be finished, with an end being brought to sin. Atonement for wickedness will be made; everlasting righteousness will be ushered in; vision and prophecy will be sealed up; and the most holy will be anointed (9:24). This period seems to usher us into the very end of human history. Of course, as Christians, we can hardly look at this strange passage without seeing in it the person and work of Jesus the Messiah of Israel. The mystery seems to be focused on his coming, his atoning death, and his approaching kingdom.
We almost need a calculator to follow Daniel’s four verses. Daniel is informed by the angel Gabriel that from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the anointed ruler comes will be a combined period of “seven sevens” and “sixty-two sevens.” The initial period of “seven sevens” seems to be related to the resettlement of the land and the rebuilding of the Temple after the Babylonian captivity. The total period for our consideration will thus be “sixty-nine sevens” (9:25).
This kind of language is strange for us today, but it was not at all strange for Daniel or for the Jews living in his time. They were well acquainted with time periods of “sevens.” In Leviticus 25:2-7, the Israelites were commanded to let the land rest every seven years. In the same chapter, they were also commanded to have a Jubilee year after seven periods of seven years. It appears in the Bible that Israel was given seventy years of captivity precisely because she had violated that many sabbatical years (cf. 2 Chron. 36:21; Lev. 26:34). Israel was given one year of captivity for every year violated.
After the “sixty-two sevens” (which obviously includes the first period and is now a total of sixty-nine sevens), Daniel is told that the Anointed One (Mashiach or “Messiah” in Hebrew) will be cut off (9:26). This sounds very much like the language of Isaiah 53:8, “…he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded” (NET). Soon after that, the people of the ruler will come and destroy the city and sanctuary. This military figure is surely a reference to Titus, son of Vespasian, who was left in charge of the Roman war in Judea by his father. By this time, Vespasian himself had just become the new Emperor of Rome. In the year after his father became Emperor, Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. The end came like a flood with wars and desolations decreed (9:26).
Daniel is then introduced to the final period of “seven.” It will come at the end of the age because of the presence of the Beast or Antichrist pictured in this period. At that time the covenant will be renewed with Israel for a short and turbulent period of seven years. This period may well be marked by the building of a new Temple in Jerusalem and even by the renewal of animal sacrifices. In the middle of this period, the Beast or Antichrist spoken of in Daniel and in Revelation will put an end to sacrifice and proclaim that he himself is god (cf. Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4). He will set up the abomination of desolation in a wing of the Temple, but then his awful reign will be brought to an end (Dan. 9:27).
While there were several decrees made by kings in this era, many scholars seem quite confident that the Bible is speaking of the second decree of Artaxerxes in 445 BC (Neh. 2:1-9). When we calculate from this decree, we come up with a period of 483 years for a total of sixty-nine sevens. When we allow for the fact that lunar years instead of solar years were used, and other small necessary adjustments as well, we arrive generally in the period of the AD 30s, or the period of Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection. This is astounding information for us and especially for Israel.
It is plain from our calculations and the implications of these verses that the Messiah of Israel would have had to be cut off after the total of “sixty-nine sevens” had elapsed and that his ministry and death would have preceded the destruction of the Second Temple by Titus in AD 70. Daniel tells us that there is one period of seven, or a week of years that remains unfulfilled.
What happened? Almost two thousand years have now passed and the end has not come. How do we explain this problem? The secret is that the biblical clock must have stopped, probably at the destruction of Jerusalem or of the Temple. God’s end-day program was thus suspended.
We remember that the end-day time clock began running with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Surely, Jerusalem’s destruction would have had a great bearing upon this divine timing mechanism. Today the clock still indicates seven minutes until midnight, so to speak. We are still very near a new day, and we are still living in the last hour of history. The clock still remains stopped. When will it start again? It could start at any moment especially now that Israel and Jerusalem are being restored once more. But the event that will start the clock will likely concern the building of a new Temple. When the clock starts, we could have only about seven years until the end of the age. This period will surely include the time of the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation.
THE PRESENT EVIL AGE, AND HOW WE ARE TO LIVE IN IT
The Bible states clearly that we are now living in what is called the “present evil age” (Gal. 1:4). This age is evil due to the Fall of humanity in Eden. The management of the earth for this era has been turned over to Satan. He now has the authority that Adam once had. Now, he is the one talking with God and not Adam (Job 1:6-12), and it is the devil who is now called the prince of this world (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).
So, not only is this age evil but everyone in it is evil due to the Fall. People do not have to do anything to be evil, they are just evil by nature. Given time and opportunity, that evil in humanity will reveal itself. The Bible assures us: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom. 3:23 NIV). Psalm 53:3 states it succinctly: “Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
People have wrestled with this sin problem for ages. Pagan folks from time immemorial have offered up sacrifices in vain, hoping to deal with their sin problem. For hundreds of years, the Jewish people offered sacrifices to deal with sin. However, we are told in Hebrews: “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb. 10:4 NAS). These offerings were like IOUs that were awaiting a much later time for fulfillment. At that time, Jesus the Messiah and true Lamb of God would make the perfect sacrifice of his own body on the cross. Hebrews also says: “Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will…And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all’” (Heb.10:9-10 NIV).
Through Jesus, the sin problem can be solved forever for those who believe in him and accept his sacrifice. He did for us what we could never have done for ourselves. Now he asks us to live for him in this polluted world. Through his Holy Spirit, he provides the knowledge and strength enabling us to overcome this world. Through the Bible, he gives us all the instructions we will need to live as triumphant Christians in this present age. He also gives us the spiritual suit of armor that we will need for the battles ahead of us (Eph. 6:10-20).
In the Book of Revelation, we read letters to the seven representative churches of Asia Minor (chapters 2 and 3). In these letters, the Holy Spirit demands that all the saints in these churches must be overcomers. This has significance for us today. It will be necessary for Christians to be overcomers as the last days arrive. We need to clarify that it will be Christ who is overcoming in us and it will not be by our power. Therefore, we are to rule and reign with Christ over this present evil age. Paul tells us in Romans 5:17 that the ruling and reigning must start right now.
How tragic it is that the earth and earthly things are now ruling over many people. I think of godless earthly passions that hold many in bondage and I think of hallucinogenic drugs in particular. God made humans to rule over the earth but instead, we see the things of earth ruling over humans. The ever-popular marijuana is obtained from the cannabis plant, while cocaine is obtained from the coca plant. At least five of our popular hallucinogenic drugs are derived from plants. Of course, tobacco and alcohol are also derived from plants. We were given authority by God to rule over the earth and everything in it, plants of the field included. Proverbs 25:28 tells us: “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (NKJV).
As we look at the coming age of trouble and judgment we are instructed to care for other believers. Hebrews says: “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25 NAS).
OUR EVIL AGE WILL GROW WORSE AND WORSE
Some Christians think that the world will get better and better until the Lord comes. The sad truth is that the world will get worse and worse until the end. After all, the Bible does call this the present evil age as we have mentioned.
Paul in the book of Second Timothy makes it very plain that people will become worse and worse as time goes on. He says: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” (2 Tim. 3:1-5 NIV). This evil world is ending rapidly. It appears that the only things that can prolong the coming judgment are spiritual awakenings (revivals) that come from time to time.
Wicked people have a lot to do with the state of the natural world around us. The Lord instructed Israel: “And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you” (Lev. 18:28 NIV). The Lord said to them: “Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out” (Lev. 20:22 NIV). Of course, Israel failed to keep God’s laws and the land eventually vomited them out. Horrible sins like idolatry, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, murder and the like defile the land and bring a curse upon it. In Numbers 35:33 we read, “Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land…” (NIV). In the US we now have considerably more than one mass murder event per day. Thousands of innocent people are killed or injured each year in these mindless events. Our land cries out over all these atrocities. The Lord says in Isaiah 24:5, “The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant” (NIV). In Micah 7:13 we read: “The earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the result of their deeds” (NIV).
The Bible tells us that Jesus created the world and universe with his holy word (Jn. 1:1-3). The Bible also tells us that the natural world is sustained or held together by the word of God (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17). When the word of God is spurned, the creation begins to come under stress. Already we are seeing some signs of this stress in the world around us. When we look at the Book of Revelation, we finally see rivers and the seas turning to blood, and the sun scorching people. There will be great thunder, hailstorms, earthquakes, falling stars and various other phenomena.
Not only do evil people help cause the destruction of the world but they themselves will literally be destroyed. Evil kills and destroys its hosts. “Evil people self-destruct; those who hate the godly are punished” (Psa. 34:21 NET), and “Good sense wins favor, but the way of the faithless is their ruin” (Prov. 13:15 NRS). In Proverbs 11:3 we read: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them” (Prov. 11:3 NRS).
Satan has done a terrible job of administering the world since the Fall of humanity. People are very near starvation in many countries like Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Liberia, Niger, Haiti, Chad, The Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Yemen, South Sudan, and Syria. 2
To make matters worse we are now told that three-quarters of the earth’s population, amounting to some 5.25 billion people have significant restrictions placed upon their religious freedom.3 All over the world God’s creations, who are made in his image, are oppressed, starved, imprisoned, murdered, abused and robbed all because of Satan’s mismanagement. Oh how we need to pray for God’s kingdom to come!
SATAN WILL FINALLY BE CAST DOWN TO EARTH
In Revelation, we read: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him” (Rev. 12:7-9 NIV). The Bible is clear that Satan and his angels now occupy a portion of the lower heavens (Eph. 6:12). It is also clear that in the last days Satan and his angels will be evicted from their heavenly abode.
Interestingly, overcoming Christians will assist the angels in this fall of Satan. Revelation also says: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Rev. 12:11 NIV). This cannot be talking about angels since it mentions their death.
The well-known international Bible scholar and teacher, Derek Prince, comments on this passage saying: “The victory in this conflict against Satan’s kingdom will only come through a joint action by God’s angels in heaven and the believers on earth. This challenges us to ask whether or not we on earth are sensitive to what is taking place in heaven and ready to play our part.” 4 The author, translator and teacher, William Mounce, adds here, “Not only does Satan suffer defeat at the hands of the archangel, but he is conquered by faithful believers as well.” 5 We must remember here that the saints are only able to overcome because of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony concerning that blood (Rev. 12:11). It is truly amazing that Satan once cast human beings from their heavenly position and confined them to earth. Now we see redeemed humans, who have taken a heavenly position in Christ (Eph. 2:6), helping to cast Satan from his heavenly abode to earth. The Fall of humanity is essentially reversed.
It seems that with the fall of Satan from heaven to earth the whole world will go into convulsions. Apparently, this will help bring about the Great Tribulation with all its horrible suffering. It probably will be the greatest suffering in the history of the world. Bible teacher David Reagan says: “From the moment Satan is cast to the earth with his fallen angels, God begins to pour his wrath out on all flesh— ‘Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12).’” 6
THE RISE OF ANTICHRIST
In his seventh, eighth and eleventh chapters, the prophet Daniel gives us the picture of an antichrist type. This person first appeared in the Greek Empire. He arose after the time of Alexander the Great, and even before Rome became a world power. We know him from history as Antiochus Epiphanes (c. 215 – 154 BC). Daniel refers to this man as a “little horn” (Dan. 7:8 & 8:9-12). We can learn a lot about the real Antichrist by studying this type.
We know from Jewish history that this antichrist type created great havoc. He invaded Israel, defiled the sacred altar by sacrificing a pig upon it, and utterly forbade the practice of Judaism. Many were persecuted and were even martyred in his wake. All this occurred around 165 BC.
The prophet further speaks of the great trials of these days. He speaks of God’s saints being captured, plundered and burned (Dan. 11:33). This evil ruler will do as he pleases. He will greatly magnify himself and even speak against the True God (Dan.11:36).
It was the valiant Maccabees who finally arose to withstand the antichrist type of their day. Ultimately, they defeated this evil man and his program. All this gives us a better understanding of the real Antichrist who appears in Revelation chapters 11 through 19. It is clear from Revelation that valiant Christian overcomers will stand against the real Antichrist.
In our New Testament, only John mentions the Antichrist by name (1 Jo. 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 Jo. 1:7). From Revelation 13 onward he is mentioned as the Beast several times. Also, Paul mentions him as “the lawless one” in 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10. He says “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (NIV).
Revelation 13:1 introduces the Antichrist. He arises out of the sea as soon as Satan falls to earth. This beast with his crowns, horns and blasphemy certainly seems a fulfillment of Daniel’s visions and interpretations (Dan. 7:2-8). The crowns and horns all speak of great authority and power from the devil, designed to establish his counterfeit kingdom.
One of the heads of this beastly system has been mortally wounded in the past, but now this wound is healed (Rev. 13:3). We should bear in mind that this wound may be more than a death stroke, and likely represents some great spiritual defeat in past history.
This Beast apparently will head up a rather impressive military machine, or at least he has done so in earlier times, since it is said, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” (Rev. 13:4 NAS). Again, as in the Book of Daniel, there is a mouth that utters blasphemies (Dan. 11:36). We are told that the rule of the Beast will last forty-two months (Rev. 13:5), or roughly three and one-half years.
As we see in Daniel 7:21-22, this Beast or Antichrist, whose wound is now healed, is given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them, albeit for only a short time (Rev. 13:7). Apparently, many who are in this remnant of the redeemed will make one great end-day offering of their lives on behalf of the Messiah. This might be a reflection of Psalm 44:22: “…for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered” (NIV). This great offering will help bring about the end of the age.
The Beast is also given authority and power over the whole world so that all its unsaved inhabitants will worship him (Rev. 13:8). The author then speaks of captivity, war and death, and ends this section with a stern admonition to the saints of God: “This requires steadfast endurance and faith from the saints” (Rev. 13:10 NET). In other words, the saints of God will have to “tough it out.”
The Prophet Daniel speaks of this awful time of persecution. He says: “Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days” (Dan. 12:10-12 NIV). We can see how the saints will have to hang on for a time after this period ends.
Daniel speaks of many being made spotless. In Ephesians 5:27, Paul tells us that Christ will present to himself a church without spot or wrinkle. Someone has remarked that it takes a very hot iron to get wrinkles out. By all this, we might assume that the final cleansing and preparation of the church will take place during this awful tribulation (cf. Mal. 3:2-4). Perhaps the apostle Peter is speaking of this: “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Pet. 4:1 ESV). Fuller professor George Eldon Ladd says of this time: “At the end of the age, the church is destined to undergo the most intense persecution of her history…” 7 The nineteenth-century American Bible expositor, Albert Barnes, sees that in this period the persecuted church will become obscure and in danger of being swallowed up, although she will be sustained.8
Revelation 13:11 speaks of a second Beast. It says of him: “Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon” (Rev. 13:11 ESV). Now we have the rise of the Second Beast. This Second Beast seeks to institute the worship of the First Beast. This Beast fills the role of the False Prophet.
In Revelation 16:13, we see the Beast and False Prophet working hand in hand. In Revelation 19:20, we see the two being captured together as the Messiah appears. We also see in the same verse that their careers end simultaneously as they are thrown together into the lake of fire. Because this beast has no crown we may assume that the Second Beast primarily has a religious role. 9
The resurrected First Beast, who has received a mortal wound and yet somehow lives, has many deep mysteries associated with his person. Is he a notable figure from the past, whose life and work are somehow resurrected by this Second Beast? Perhaps he is some notable anti-Semite who has been killed and yet is somehow mysteriously brought back to life? This may take place in the physical sense, but it also could happen in the spiritual sense with a revival or restoration of his work and worldwide worship of his person. He thus looks like Christ but is, in fact, the opposite of Christ. So, just as the True Lamb appears on earth later in Revelation, we first have the appearance of the false lamb.
This beast might also be some great religious figure who is able to deceive the whole world (Rev. 13:14). This one will set up an image of the wounded First Beast, and even to breathe life into this image. All who will not worship the image will be killed (13:15).
The Second Beast now forces everyone to receive a mark on the right hand or forehead (13:16-17). By this mark, the Beast will strictly control the world and regulate national and international commerce of all kinds. All this makes an interesting contrast with Deuteronomy 6:8, where the righteous are commanded to bind the law of God to their hands and foreheads.10
Then the writer introduces us to another great mystery that has baffled the minds of people over the centuries. The number of the Beast is given as 666 (Rev. 13:18). This seems to be some cryptic means indicating the magnification of man and man’s system.
From the prophet Daniel we learn much more about this Second Beast. He will make a peace agreement with Israel as mentioned in Daniel 9:27: “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ [apparently a week of seven years]. In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” (NIV). It is often interpreted from this and other passages that the whole time the Beast will be in power will be about seven years. The last three and one-half years of his reign will comprise the Great Tribulation.
Paul tells us that this lawless one is already present in one sense but that something is holding him back (2 Thess. 2:7). We do not know exactly what is holding him back. Probably, it is the presence of biblical law and even civil law. We have been witnessing both of these things being taken away, particularly in our Western societies. Lawlessness is beginning to reign everywhere, so it is likely that the ground is being prepared for the lawless one to appear.
It seems from scripture that at this lawless moment, the Two Witnesses will miraculously appear and give their testimony (Rev. 11:3-12). The Antichrist, or Beast as he is called, will kill them amid much celebration from the lawless crowds. However, they will be resurrected before them all and will then ascend to heaven as the people watch in awe.
Through the ages, these have been interpreted as either two people or two groups of people. If they are individuals, it is likely that one of these persons is Elijah since we have a biblical witness that he will reappear in the last days (Mal. 4:5). The other is often said to be Enoch. These are the only two people in the Bible who did not die a natural death but were both taken directly into heaven by God. This account helps us see how violent and lawless these last day people have become.
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
Now we come to consider that mysterious seventh week of the prophet Daniel. Interpreters often feel that this is a seven-year period in which the Antichrist will take over the world. They feel that the first three and one-half years are a time of his gaining complete control. He will likely make a covenant with the Jewish people and even construct a temple for them as we have seen in Daniel 9:27. In the last three and one-half years “all hell” will break out on the earth (Dan. 12:7). The Antichrist will take over the Temple and declare himself to be god (2 Thess. 2:4).
At this point probably the greatest persecution in all Christian history will happen (Dan. 12:1; Mk. 13:19-20). There will be a flood of martyrdom among God’s saints (Rev. 6:9). For this reason, the time will be limited by the Lord. It is interesting that the saints of God will be involved in this terrible time and not resting somewhere off in heaven as many suppose today. There is no idea that the saints will entirely escape this ordeal. Jesus once said in John 17:15: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (NIV).
For such persecution, every saint will need the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20). They will especially need the helmet of salvation to protect their minds. It is clear from scripture that there will be many false Christs and false prophets in this time. Also, many will depart from the faith and come to hate other believers (Matt. 24:10-11).
In Matthew 24:21-22 Jesus says: “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened” (NIV). In Zephaniah 1:15-16 we are told: “That day will be a day of wrath – a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness – a day of trumpet and battle cry…” (NIV). It will be a day of worldwide, thick darkness (Isa. 60:2).
The whole world will be in distress and convulsions. Natural and spiritual disasters will abound especially as the last three and one-half years play out. We see these listed in the Book of Revelation. In Chapter six we are introduced to the opening of the seven seals. These reveal military conquests and civil insurrections, great famines, attacks by wild beasts, and plagues. It appears that a fourth of the world’s population will initially be affected by these things (Rev. 6:8). Many will die and many others will be martyred for their faith.
As the Book of Revelation progresses, we see the sounding of seven trumpets. As they sound, we witness hail and fire mixed with blood, with a third of trees and grass being burned up. We also witness parts of the sea turning to blood and comets falling with disastrous results. There will be great warfare with a third of the earth’s population being killed. All this leads up to the sounding of the last trumpet when the Day of the Lord will officially begin at Christ’s coming.
Chapter 16 and following in Revelation tell us of seven angels with seven bowls of God’s wrath. These angels will pour out plagues of painful sores. They will also cause rivers and springs to run with blood. They will cause the sun to scorch people and those people will curse God. These angels will open the way for eastern armies who will fight in the coming Battle of Armageddon. They will also produce lightning and earthquakes.
In the Book of Revelation, we are told that God’s elect will be sealed for this terrible time. In 7:2 we see an angel coming with the seal of the living God. We are told that four mighty angels hold back the evil winds of tribulation until the servants of God can be sealed on their foreheads (7:1-3). This is a seal in the minds of God’s people that they may know how to conduct themselves in the terrible trials ahead. It does not keep them from becoming martyrs for the Lord’s cause if he so chooses. The sealing appears to be closely connected with the work of the Holy Spirit as we see in Ephesians 4:30: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (NKJ). The Bible does promise, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22 NKJ).
This sealing or protection of the righteous was prefigured in the account of Noah and the experience of the Hebrew children in Goshen. Noah’s ark was sealed both without and within (Gen. 6:14). He was so protected that God destroyed the world with Noah and his family still in it. They were kept safe because of the seal. We read in Matthew 24:37: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” (NIV). In Noah’s day, the evil society was destroyed by water but in this last day it will be destroyed by fire (Mal. 4:1; 2 Pet. 3:7). It seems that the last day fire will purify the earth while burning up the wicked. We need to remember that just as God made Noah waterproof he will make us fireproof if we let him.
The prophet Joel described this difficult time. He cried out: “Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty” (Joel 1:15 NIV). As Joel also exhorted long ago concerning this day: “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm signal on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land shake with fear, for the day of the LORD is about to come. Indeed, it is near!” (Joel 2:1 NET). God’s people need to be alerted to that which is coming.
Many scriptures give us comfort when we are suffering tribulation. Proverbs 3:25-26 states: “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared” (NIV). In Proverbs 2:7-8 we read: “He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones” (NIV).
Psalm 33:18-19 states: “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine” (NIV). Indeed, we see that “The LORD’s angel camps around the LORD’S loyal followers and delivers them” (Psa. 34:7 NET). The sun will not harm them by day or the moon by night (Psa. 121:6). Joel the prophet in speaking about the day of the Lord says: “…But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel” (Joel 3:16 ESV).
The Psalmist advises: “For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,” (Psa. 46:2 NET). There are many other wonderful Psalms of protection such as Psalm 27:1-3, 5 and 91:1-8. Indeed, the Book of Psalms may become the hymnal for last-day saints.
In 2 Peter 2:9, the apostle assures us that: “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials, and to reserve the unrighteous for punishment at the day of judgment.”
The seal of God mentioned earlier will not keep God’s saints from martyrdom, should God choose this course as we have said. It is rather designed to keep them from giving up or denying their Lord under the awful pressures of the end times. It is a form of spiritual protection. In Romans 8:35 Paul asks: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” He answers in verse 37: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37 NIV).
We should note in Revelation 16:10-11, that some of these tribulations come specifically upon the Antichrist or Beast and his followers. Their kingdom is plunged into darkness and they gnaw their tongues in agony. This helps us understand that tribulations occur prior to the coming of the Lord. We know this since the Beast is still present on the earth and has not yet been sent to hell by the returning Master.
As a prominent part of the Day of the Lord, we will see much darkness (Ezek. 30:3; Amos 5:18-20; Zep. 1:15). Probably much of this darkness will be experienced in the Great Tribulation as well. There is a wonderful Psalm for believers in this dark time. It says, “even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you” (Psa. 139:12 NRS).
The coming of this Day and the appearing of the Lord will bring sorrow to the peoples of earth. They will mourn because of him (Rev. 1:7). We cannot imagine how sorrowful this mourning will be. The whole world will suddenly see how bankrupt its philosophies are and how futile are all the plans of self-redemption. People will see how they have rejected their only hope, their only way and their only chance of life. The world will mourn but God’s victorious elect will rejoice. Jesus says, “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Lk. 21:28 NRS).
Paul says: “For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well” (Phil. 1:29 NRS). So, suffering is God’s gift to us. The scripture also says, “if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;” (2 Tim. 2:12 NRS).
Several of the earliest church fathers comment upon this awful time of tribulation coming upon the church at the end of the age. Hermas (c. AD 150) says: “Happy are you who endure the great tribulation that is coming. And happy are they who will not deny their own life.” Hippolytus (c. AD 200) speaks of the tyrant who will “…reign and persecute the church, which flees from city to city, and seeks concealment in the wilderness among the mountains.” Irenaeus (c. AD 180) says: “For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which they are crowned with incorruption – when they overcome.” Then finally in 1 John 5:4, the aged apostle says: “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 11
One bright spot that will probably happen in the tribulation is that Israel will turn to the Lord Jesus. Isaiah says, “It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (Isa. 25:9 ESV). Zechariah adds: “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1 ESV).
GATHERING ALL NATIONS AGAINST ISRAEL
In Revelation 16:13-14 we read; “Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty” (NIV). These verses assure us that the age-long encounter against Israel and the Jewish people is in the last analysis a spiritual battle.
We see as far back as the days of Daniel, there were powerful spiritual entities ruling in this area of the world (Dan. 10:12-14). Now it is perhaps these very spiritual powers that are going out to draw the whole world to Armageddon.
Long ago the prophets had spoken of this great end-day battle (Zech. 14:1-3; Zeph. 3:8). Armageddon (Heb. Har Megiddo), at the foot of the Carmel Mountain range, seems representative of so many of Israel’s great battles fought in the past in the Jezreel Valley (Jud. 5:19-20; 2 Ki. 23:29-30). Still today this valley is a very strategic sight and an ideal place for enemies to cut the land of Israel into two parts. They will be able to easily unload their troops and equipment at nearby Haifa Port.
It is difficult to realize how much hatred against Israel and the Jewish people is expressed in the nations of the world. One great tool of that international hatred has been the United Nations. UN resolutions over the years have been heavily weighted against Israel. For instance, from 1947 until 1989, there were 321 General Assembly resolutions in condemnation of Israel. During this same period, there were no resolutions condemning any Arab state or the PLO. During this period there were also 49 Security Council resolutions condemning Israel and none condemning Arab states or the PLO.12 On average, the UN still passes 30 anti-Israel resolutions each year. 13
On June 9, 1991, a Jerusalem Post editorial marveled that although Israel was only one-thousandth of the world’s population, she had managed to occupy 30 percent of the UN Security Council meetings and to be the subject of a third of its resolutions. The editorial went on to say that since the establishment of the UN, that organization has spent more time and energy seeking to condemn and de-legitimize Israel than it has spent on any other agenda item. 14
It is entirely possible that the UN will finally call all nations to come together in one grand attack against Israel. Their united goal would be to put an end to the “Israel Problem” that has supposedly plagued them and the world for so many decades.
In all likelihood, Armageddon is a sort of biblical code word that speaks of an attack against the whole nation of Israel. Armageddon may well include the great battle which will be fought in the Kidron Valley next to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. It is called the Valley of Jehoshaphat or the valley where God judges. Armageddon and Jerusalem are scarcely over fifty air miles apart (80 km.) and such a large battle will cover both, even all the tiny nation of Israel. It is unthinkable that a worldwide battle involving all nations against Israel will not cover and saturate the whole country in war. The prophet Joel says: “I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land” (Joel 3:2 NIV).
We notice that half the city of Jerusalem will go into exile. A similar thing happened in the 1948 War of Independence. Old Jerusalem was captured and its people were taken to exile in Jordan. This was likely another Day of the Lord in miniature form. We read that the houses of Jerusalem will be looted and the women raped. Rape was often a hallmark of Muslim victories in the past. Surely, the surrounding Muslim nations will gladly join in with the international forces to vent their ancient rage once more against Israel.
We must ask, “Where are you, God?” It often seems that God gets there only a minute before a total disaster after everyone but the faithful have given up. The prophet points out that the whole city will not be conquered. A remnant of the population will be left. Yes, God always works with a remnant. Daniel 12:7b tells us that the power of God’s people will be broken before the Lord at last appears.
II
THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD
THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF CHRIST
Revelation 19:11 says: “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war” (NIV).
We now hear a mighty chorus of praise arising from the courts of heaven. Heaven’s worship continues as the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fall down in praise to the Lord, crying “Amen, Hallelujah!” (19:4). Then all God’s servants, a mighty multitude, cry out “…Hallelujah! For the Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” (19:6-7 NIV). Heaven is delighted that the reign of God at long last is about to become complete on the earth.
Jesus says: “Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” (Matthew 24:29-31 NIV).
THE LORD AND HIS ARMIES
The Commander in Chief of heaven’s armies, who is also the Bridegroom of his coming glorious wedding, now appears from heaven on a white horse (Rev. 19:11). This is likely the focal point of the whole book of Revelation.
It seems however that before the wedding can be consummated, the Lord must dispatch all his enemies. We realize that the wedding preparation stretches over a rather lengthy period of time, even through the coming Millennium (21:9). The heavenly rider is called “Faithful and True” (19:11) and the war he will lead is a just war.
He is described as having eyes of blazing fire and with many crowns upon his head (19:12). “The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations…” (Rev. 19:14-15 NIV).
In Psalm 45:3-6, this mighty heavenly Messiah was described many centuries before: “Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom” (NIV).
We are told that the armies of heaven follow him. As we see, all God’s holy ones, past and present, have a part in his coming. So, the Lord Jesus will come with all his saints (1 Thess. 3:13). Likely it is these who are arrayed in white (Rev. 3:5). The saints who are still alive at his appearing will be instantly changed and glorified. Departed saints will be resurrected. They will all then rise to meet him and join his great army (1 Thess. 4:16-17). As Jude says, “…Look! The Lord is coming with thousands and thousands of his holy ones,” (Jude 1:14 NET).
We must take note of the Lord’s direction and purpose as he appears. He is coming to take complete charge of this rebellious planet, and his authority and kingdom will never end. He is not making some “divine Dunkirk” rescue operation for his defeated saints as many suppose but rather coming for and with his victorious ones. Many of these have already endured great persecution for his cause. We can safely say that all have taken up his cross.
Out of the Bridegroom’s mouth comes the sharp two-edged sword of the word (Isa. 11:4). With this word he smites the nations. The Heavenly Bridegroom now unleashes the pent-up displeasure with sinners as “…he treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty” (Rev. 19:15 NIV). There is no mistaking his identity, for “On his robe and on his thigh he has the name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (19:16 NIV).
ARMAGEDDON FINALLY COMES
The stage is now set for the long-prophesied battle to end the present age. This of course is the Battle of Armageddon (cf. Rev. 16:16). Long ago the prophets had spoken of this great end-day battle (Zech. 14:1-3; Zeph. 3:8). Armageddon refers to a hill or ancient ruin at the foot of the Carmel Mountain Range. Still today this valley of Jezreel is a very strategic sight and an ideal place for enemies to cut the land of Israel into two parts.
An angel of heaven now summons the birds of prey that they may gorge themselves on the flesh of generals, mighty men and all people small and great (Rev. 19:17-18). We note from scripture that the nations of earth will be represented here (Joel 3:2). It will no doubt be an impressive display of the world’s combined military might.
In Isaiah 34:2-3, we seem to have a description of this great contest: “The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter. Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will stink; the mountains will be soaked with their blood” (NIV).
Although the contest with the Antichrist or Beast is now at hand (Rev. 19:19), it proves to be no contest at all. In contrast to its long and impressive build-up, this battle has a quick and decisive end. The Beast is immediately taken prisoner and along with him the False Prophet so responsible for his rise to power. Both are thrown alive into the lake of burning sulfur (19:20). Their armies are quickly killed by the sword of the word. Then the birds of heaven receive their promised banquet on the flesh of the world’s mighty (19:21).
This great prophetic battle will bring devastation upon all nations of the earth. In Micah 7:16-17, the prophet speaks of this awful time: “Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will put their hands over their mouths and their ears will become deaf. They will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling out of their dens; they will turn in fear to the LORD our God and will be afraid of you” (cf. Psa. 76:1-12). This great battle will destroy the combined military might of the whole earth.
Perhaps we may wonder at this point why the Lord is so angry with the nations. Isaiah 34:8 may give us a clue: “For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause” (NIV). Although we may not be able to comprehend the full scope of this anger, we can be sure that part of it is a simmering rage over the way nations have treated his chosen people and his chosen land. Of course, God is probably also angry over the way nations have rejected and scorned his saving gospel and his Messiah.
BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WHOLE PICTURE
Since it is difficult to tell whether some events come shortly before or immediately after the appearing of Christ, let us do a quick breakdown of the whole event.
The swiftness of the day
Jason DeRouchie, Southern Seminary professor, comments: “The prophets commonly portrayed the day as ‘near and hastening fast’ (Zeph. 1:14; cf. Isa. 13:6; Ezek. 30:3; Joel 2:1; 3:14; Obad. 15; Zeph. 1:7).” 15
The Bible uses many vivid and striking pictures to describe this day. In Revelation 1:1, it is said that this day would “soon” take place. The word for “soon” (Gk. en tachei) indicates a future event that is coming with suddenness or swiftness. From this root, we get our word “tachometer.” 16 The rapid coming of this day will surprise many folks but it should not surprise the saints since they should be watching for it (Matt. 24:42–43; Mark 13:33–37; Eph. 5:14; 1Thess. 5:4, 6; Rev. 3:2–3).
Simply, the day is coming much faster than any of us suppose. Jesus says: “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (24:38-39 NKJ). Suddenly their world ended. Paul assures us, “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would” (1 Thess. 5:4 NET). Christians must not be “caught napping.”
The defeat of human pride
The Day of the Lord will put an end to mankind’s great pride. In Isaiah 2:12, 17 it is said: “The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled)…The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,” (NIV).
Light versus darkness
There will be a great contrast between light and darkness. David Reagan says: “Light and darkness will reside in the world until the end, but in the tribulation, the contrast will be stark.” 17 The prophet Isaiah says: “For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the LORD shines on you; his splendor appears over you” (Isa. 60:2 NET). The Bible speaks much about the sun and moon not giving their proper light in the last days (Joel 2:10, 31; Amos 8:9; Zech. 14:6; Acts 2:20; Rev. 8:12). Amos 5:20 says: “Don’t you realize the LORD’s day of judgment will bring darkness, not light – gloomy blackness, not bright light?” (NET). There is a great mystery here. It is the mystery of how God who is light can dwell in thick darkness (Ex. 20:21; Psa. 18:11; 97:2). Some think it is to shield human beings from his great splendor. We may have to wait until the Lord comes to answer this one.
Wealth in the last days
Much is said about the uselessness of wealth in the end times. Ezekiel says: “’They shall fling their silver into the streets, and their gold shall become an abhorrent thing; their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetite, nor can they fill their stomachs, for their iniquity has become an occasion of stumbling” (Ezek. 7:19 NAS, cf. Zeph. 1:18).
Isaiah says: “In that day people will throw away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship” (Isa. 2:20 NIV). When we read the story of the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, we learn that the possession of wealth was a great liability. There were plenty of thieves inside the city who mercilessly preyed upon the captive populace and stole their treasures. 18 Those who tried to escape the city were killed by the Romans with their bodies often being cut open and searched for hidden gold and silver.19 Proverbs 11:4 tells us, “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death” (NAS).
Endurance of God’s saints
Much is said about the endurance of God’s saints. In Revelation we are challenged: “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death” (Rev. 2:11 NIV).
Revelation also tells us, “To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations” (Rev. 2:26 NIV). “…Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Rev. 3:11 NIV). When Jesus was on earth, he seemed concerned whether he would still be able to find faith at his coming (Lk. 18:8). God promises: “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth” (Rev. 3:10 NIV).
Paul boldly states: “…I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Tim. 1:12 NIV). He says in addition, “He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:8 NET). Then he says in Philippians 1:6 “For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (NET).
The Bible gives us many more verses for the tribulation of the last days. Psalm 91:5 says: “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day” (NIV). In verse 11 of this same Psalm, we read: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 121:6 assures us that neither the sun nor the moon will harm us by day or night. In Psalm 138:7 we read: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me” (NRS). Psalm 50:15 tells us to call on the Lord in our trouble and he will deliver us and allow us to honor him. Isaiah 37:32 gives us these assuring words: “For from Jerusalem a remnant shall go out, and from Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this” (NRS), cf. Isa. 4:2-3; Joel 2:32).
The blessings of God’s people
2 Thessalonians 1:10 speaks of it as “…the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed…” God will save his people just as a shepherd saves his flock. “They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown” (Zech. 9:16 NIV). Malachi adds: “‘On the day when I act,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him’” (Mal. 3:17 NIV).
The Apostle Paul when thinking about this day said: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8 NIV). This crown is not a symbolic thing. We understand that God’s saints will actually rule on earth.
DeRouchie comments: “Central to the day of Yahweh is the return of his presence among his people.” 20
Destruction on the Day of the Lord
There are many pictures of the destruction of humanity and the earth. DeRouchie comments: “The Old Testament uses overlapping images of cataclysm, conquest, and sacrifice to describe the impending time of fury.” 21 Jesus says: “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matt. 24:7-8 ESV).
The prophet Jeremiah adds that a worldwide disaster is certainly in store. In Jeremiah 25:31-33 the prophet says: “‘The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD will bring charges against the nations; he will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword, ‘ declares the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Look! Disaster is spreading from nation to nation; a mighty storm is rising from the ends of the earth.’ At that time those slain by the LORD will be everywhere – from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned or gathered up or buried, but will be like dung lying on the ground” (NIV).
In Zephaniah 1:2-3 it is said: “‘I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea – and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble. ‘When I destroy all mankind on the face of the earth,’ declares the LORD,” (NIV).
We even see the Holy City of Jerusalem split into three parts by an awful earthquake (Rev. 16:19). Isaiah cries out: “Wail, for the day of the LORD is near! It will come as destruction from the Almighty” (Isa. 13:6 NAS).
Zechariah 14:4 says: “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south” (NAS). Isaiah prophesies: “Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; And He will exterminate its sinners from it” (Isa. 13:9 NAS). Daniel adds: “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people – everyone whose name is found written in the book – will be delivered” (Dan. 12:1 NIV).
Isaiah prophesies, as we have previously quoted, “See, the LORD is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants” (Isa. 24:1 NIV). He says further that the earth will be broken up, split asunder and violently shaken (Isa. 24:19 NIV).
The coming fire of God
We see fire mentioned many times in connection with the Lord’s coming (Zep. 1:18; 3:8; Psa. 97:3; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). Peter tells us that just as the ancient world was destroyed by water because of its evil, the present evil world will be destroyed by fire. He says: “But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Pet. 3:7 ESV). The prophets uniformly speak of these awful times. As we have said, it seems to be the wicked who will be burning in these flames.
It is entirely possible that some of this end-day fire will be from atomic weapons. Today several rogue leaders have such weapons in their possession. We can be certain that these leaders will never suffer defeat without detonating their bombs. Some years ago, an Israeli believer mentioned Joel 2:30 which says: “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke” (ESV). He noted that the Hebrew for columns or billows of smoke (ti-mar-ot ashan) is speaking of palm trees of smoke. We noticed while living in the Galilee that untended palm trees began to look like little atomic mushroom clouds. This was the only thing the prophet could see in his day that pictured what was to come. Even the appearing of the Lord Jesus (Yeshua) is pictured as a coming fire: “…This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels” (2 Thess. 1:7 NIV).
We may think that because we are Christians, we have no concerns over the last-day fires. Paul assures us that this is not so. In 1 Corinthians 3:13, we read that, “each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done” (ESV). Paul tells us in this passage that if our work survives, we will receive a reward and if it is burned up, we will suffer loss, although we will be saved like one escaping the flames. The spiritual things in our lives will survive this fire. However, all the fleshly things, in which we take so much pride and give so much attention, will go up in a puff of smoke.
In 2 Peter 3:11-12, the apostle says: “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming…” (NIV). From what we see in the New Testament and in church history, the earliest Christians were simple folks who cared little for the world’s things. They knew for a certainty that the world around them would not last. Still, they were not pessimists. They were full of optimism and joy because their eyes were focused on Jesus and his coming kingdom.
We had best start viewing our pilgrimage here as nothing more than a refining process. God is burning the flammable things out of us and purging us until our lives resemble the purest gold. That is what so many of our trials and tribulations are designed to do, that is if we treat them properly. The apostle Peter speaks of this in 1 Peter 1:7: “These [trials] have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (NIV).
A day of punishment for the wicked
Isaiah says: “In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below” (Isa. 24:21 NIV). He says in Isaiah 27:1 “In that day, the LORD will punish with his sword – his fierce, great and powerful sword – Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea” (NIV). In Malachi 4:3 it is said: “Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act, says the LORD Almighty” (NIV).
The Lord will crush kings and judge nations, heaping up their dead (Ps. 110:5-6). People will try to hide in caves and holes in the ground to escape the fearful presence of the Lord (Isa. 2:19; cf. Rev. 6:15). I have often said that the most expensive real estate in the last day will be a hole in the ground. Joel says, “Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side” (Joel 3:12 NIV). During those days men will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them (Rev. 9:6 NIV).
Jerusalem’s defense
God promises, “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves” (Zech. 12:3 NIV). God will destroy all nations that dare to attack Jerusalem (Zech. 12:9). “On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them” (Zech. 12:8 NIV). Then the daughters of Zion will shout and rejoice with all their hearts (Zeph. 3:14).
THE MILLENNIUM
There are numerous scriptures that illustrate the Day of the Lord continuing through the Millennium. Let us just consider a few of them. Isaiah 4:2 says, “In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel” (NAS). Isaiah also says: “In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples – of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious” (Isa. 11:10 ESV). Isaiah adds: “And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous. In that day your livestock will graze in large pastures,” (Isa. 30:23 ESV). Other scriptures speak of similar things (Isa. 26:1; Jer. 30:8; Hos. 2:18; Amos 9:11; Zech. 2:11; 9:16; 14:8-9, 20).
The Millennium can be described as that incredible and interesting thousand-year period at the close of this present evil age. The words “thousand years” occurs six times in Revelation 20, but we do not find this anywhere else in scripture. We do find the concept of the Millennium in many Old Testament scriptures. The word Millennium comes from two Latin words, mille meaning thousand and annum meaning year. The expression represents the thousand-year kingdom of Christ on this earth. During this time Christ and his resurrected saints will reign over the nations, and Israel will finally receive the blessings promised through the ages by her prophets.22
When we look at the whole Bible it seems that the Millennium is sort of a sabbath at the end of this present evil age. That is clearly in line with the way God operates. Scottish theologians Jamieson, Faussett & Brown say: “The Jewish Rabbis thought, as the world was created in six days and on the seventh God rested, so there would be six millenary periods, followed by a sabbatical millennium.” 23
In Revelation chapter 20, we immediately see God’s judgment on Satan. We see an angel sent from heaven with the key to the Abyss and holding a long chain in his hand. This unnamed angel is significant. It illustrates the true weakness of Satan that even a nameless angel of heaven could take him down. Twentieth-century biblical expositor Ray Stedman comments: “The chain is a symbol of extreme restraint, a limiting of his power and ability to function…the angel shuts the door and locks it, which means it is rendered impossible to be opened from within…the angel seals it over so that it is impossible to open from without.” 24
We observe that Satan is thrown into the abyss. This abyss is not hell but rather the bottomless pit. Texas professor Bob Utley suggests that this pit (Gk. abusson) may be the same as Tartarus (2 Pet. 2:4), that place of confinement of evil spirits.25 There he will be confined for a thousand years.
In Revelation 20:4, we see first that there are thrones of God’s judgment set up on the earth. We read some astounding verses in the Book of Revelation: “You have made them [the saints] to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10 NIV). Revelation also states: “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6 NIV). It seems evident that the saints and overcomers of God will rule on earth during the Millennium. It also seems evident that these are all resurrected and glorified saints.
We need to get some things straight about the coming age. God has given the earth to victorious humans. We note that Father Abraham was made heir of the whole world (Rom. 4:13) and we are of Abraham’s children by faith (Gal. 3:7). Jesus promises: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5 NIV). Psalm 115:16 says, “The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind” (NIV). Victorious saints of God will administer the world just as Adam was supposed to have done before the Fall. The Bible talks about the victorious saints ruling over cities (Lk. 19:17) and even over nations (Rev. 2:26). After all, the Bible does say that we are laborers together with God (1 Cor. 3:9). We are also even joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).
Dr. David Reagan, who has long served as a popular minister and television host says, “Jesus will reign as king of the world from Mt. Zion in Jerusalem (Isaiah 24:23 and Zechariah 14:9). The Redeemed, in their glorified bodies, will help him with his reign by serving worldwide as administrators, judges, and spiritual tutors to those who enter the kingdom in the flesh — and to their children (Daniel 7:18, 27; Jeremiah 3:15; Luke 19:11-17).” 26
We have said that the resurrected overcomers will be left on earth and will be ruling it with Christ. In Isaiah 65, we learn that some people will still be doing fleshly things like planting vineyards, building houses and dying at very old ages (65:20-22; cf. Zech. 8:4-5). At the end of the Millennium, we see a vast fleshly army coming against Israel. After God slays this army, Israel will spend seven months just burying the dead (Ezek. 39:11-16). This information assures us that there will be some fleshly people still on the earth. We really have no biblical clue as to who all these people are. Likely, they are folks who have somehow survived the Great Tribulation.
It is certain that the Jewish remnant will be a part of the resurrected overcoming company. It seems clear from scripture that Israel will play a very large part in the Millennium. We cannot ignore the possibility that some, or many Jewish people in the flesh may survive the Great Tribulation. For thousands of years, they have survived numerous tribulations and persecutions. God says that Israel will never cease to be a nation before him (Jer. 31:35-37).
There will be changes in light, darkness, warmth and cold (Isa. 13:10; 60:19-20). At last, we will have a real “climate change” that so many talk about. Many physical changes will happen on earth. We remember that at the coming of Jesus, there will be terrific changes in the topography, especially around Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives will be split from north to south with a very large valley in between (Zech. 14:4). The city of Jerusalem will be greatly elevated (Zech. 14:10).
In Isaiah 55:12, we see that the trees of the field will clap their hands as God’s saints go out with joy. In Romans 8:19 we read: “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God;” (NRS). Isaiah speaks in prophecy, “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God” (Isa. 35:1-2 NIV). He also says, “I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together” (Isa. 41:18-19 NIV). God will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isa. 43:19-21).
In Isaiah 62:4-5, we are told that the land of Israel will no longer be deserted or desolate. The land will be “married” as its farmers take delight in it. There will be showers of blessing. The trees will yield their fruit and the ground its crops. Amos says: “The time is surely coming, says the LORD, when the one who plows shall overtake the one who reaps, and the treader of grapes the one who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it” (Amos 9:13 NRS). The land will be renowned for its crops (Ezek. 34:26-27, 29). The land will be like the Garden of Eden (36:35-36). Fruit trees will grow on both banks of the river flowing from Jerusalem. They shall be for healing (Ezek. 47:6-12). In Joel, we read: “On that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the dry stream beds of Judah will flow with water. A spring will flow out from the temple of the LORD, watering the Valley of Acacia Trees” (Joel 3:18 NET).
After God made the earth, he created man and woman and put them in charge of maintaining the earth and ruling over it. We read about the significance of this in Psalm 8:6-8, which says: “You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas” (NIV). This mission is also described in Hebrews, where it is noted again that God, “…put everything under their feet. In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them” (Heb. 2:8 NIV). So, in a very real sense, human beings were made as sort of vice-regents of God on earth.
Unfortunately, the beautiful and powerful angel Satan had already rebelled against God. He quickly took about a third of the angels of heaven with him and after that caused the rebellion and ruin of mankind. In Genesis 3:15, God gives an ancient but blessed promise concerning humans: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (NIV). These words are known as the protoevangelium, or the first gospel of how Jesus, the seed of the woman, or the Redeemer, would eventually crush the head of Satan. 27
That event happened initially many centuries later at the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Because of Jesus’ sacrificial death as the Lamb of God, those who called on him and believed in him could be saved and restored (Rom. 10:9-10, 13). Then at the end of the age, that crushing of Satan’s head would be complete as he would be cast into hell and destruction. Romans 16:20 makes clear that overcoming Christians will have a small part in this through Jesus. Paul says to Christians, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet…” (NIV). Whatever Jesus does, we get to help a little because we are now laborers together with God (1 Cor. 3:9).
In scripture, we see some marvelous things about the rule of Jesus in the last days. We will see the king in his beauty (Isa. 33:17). He will rule from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth (Psa. 72:8). Jesus the Mighty God and Prince of Peace will ultimately reign on David’s throne forever (Isa. 9:6-7). He will rule every inch of this planet. This Servant of the Lord will be highly exalted and nations will shut their mouths because of him (Isa. 52:13-15). Isaiah says, “but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins” (Isa. 11:4-5 ESV). His heavenly kingdom will never be destroyed (Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14). It will be an eternal kingdom that will endure from generation to generation (Dan. 4:3).
Through Jesus and his power, his overcoming saints will rule with him. In Psalm 110:3 it is said: “Your people will offer themselves freely on the day you lead your host upon the holy mountains. From the womb of the morning like dew your youth will come to you” (RSV). In Psalm 149:6-9 (NIV) it is written: “May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them – this is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the LORD.” Daniel says about the Lord’s people: “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him” (Dan. 7:27 NIV).
In Isaiah 32:1-2, we see that a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with him in justice. In Hebrews 2:5-9, we learn that the world to come will not be given to angels but to the redeemed of God. In Revelation 5:10, we are told that we will reign on earth as a kingdom of priests. We see by this that there will be intercessory work to be done in the Millennium. Finally, we are told that our reign with Christ will last longer than just through the Millennium, but that we will reign forever and ever (Rev. 22:5). We need to remember to pray every day for God’s kingdom to come (Matt. 6:10).
In this special time, we can assume that resurrected David will rule over all of Israel (Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:24; 37:25) and that resurrected disciples will rule over the tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28) just as Jesus promised. It will be a truly interesting time.
It is clear that in the Millennium the Law of the Lord will regulate the whole earth. As one minister used to say, the world will finally be run by “the manufacturer’s handbook.” Isaiah says, “many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the LORD’s mountain, to the temple of the God of Jacob, so he can teach us his requirements, and we can follow his standards.’ For Zion will be the center for moral instruction; the LORD will issue edicts from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:3 NET; cf. Mic. 4:2). By this time the lawless one or antichrist will be gone from the scene forever.
Zechariah prophesies: “Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles” (Zech. 14:16 NIV). In Psalms we read: “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations” (Psa. 22:27-28 NIV). The nations will come and worship before God (Psa. 86:9; 102:21-22; Rev. 15:3-5) and they will be blessed through him (Psa. 72:17).
HOW THE MILLENNIUM WILL CLOSE
The Millennium was designed by God to last only a thousand years. While it was not a perfect time period, it was designed to lead into the perfect day or into eternity. We have seen so far that the Millennium population was made up of God’s resurrected overcomers as well as people who were still living in their fleshly bodies. The Millennium will prove two things, that human beings are innately sinful, even in a near-perfect society, and that Satan has done a terrible job of trying to rule over the earth.
When the peaceful Millennium ends, we will see some of the people in the flesh once more rise up and rebel against God and Israel. These people have lived in an almost perfect society and yet their hearts have not been changed. This reveals how deeply evil has penetrated into human beings. Stedman says “God wants to impress upon humanity what Jeremiah declares so plainly, ‘The heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?’” 28
Once Satan is released at the end of the Millennium, he will quickly proceed to do what he has always done. He will gather a large army and attack Israel and Jerusalem. This time he will use the northern nation of Gog (Ezek. 38:1-23). Theology professors Charles Pfeiffer and Everett Harrison say of this, “It reveals that a thousand years of imprisonment do not alter the evil character of the devil.” 29
We might ask “Just who is this Gog?” Gog is mostly dealt with in chapters 38 and 39 of Ezekiel. In Revelation 20:8 we learn that Gog is accompanied by Magog and that these nations are widely spread over the earth. However, this is not another international attack like that of Armageddon. British New Testament scholar Donald Guthrie and his associates say: “… a strictly limited proportion of earth’s populace is involved in this last insurrection.” 30
Utley comments: “Originally, Gog was a man from the land of Magog, but in this chapter, the terms have been personified into twin enemies.” 31 Asbury professor, Craig Keener, fills us in a little on the history of these two enemies saying: “Gog and Magog thus recur often in Jewish texts as the final major enemies of Israel…” 32
These great and mighty nations and their allies will gather. They will seethe with satanic rage against tiny Israel and they will come to eliminate Israel from its place in the world. But they have surely forgotten that it is now a different age. God will no longer pamper evil people and nations and show longsuffering and endless mercy, but he will now rule with a rod of iron. Pfeiffer & Harrison describe this attack saying: “The apostate nations march into the jaws of death. Their judgment is sudden, swift, overwhelming, and final…” 33 We learn in Revelation 20:9, that God immediately sent fire from heaven and destroyed them all. It destroyed them before they could destroy his beloved Jerusalem.
This will be the war that ends all wars forever. Never again will people and nations seek to persecute and destroy God’s heritage of Israel. In the end, we will see the Israelis finally burying their enemies. It will take them seven months to accomplish this (Eze. 39:12). For another seven years they will use the enemy’s weapons for fuel (Ezek. 39:9). We must note here that there will be fleshly Israelis as well as resurrected ones in the last days. In all this, the true Israel will be saved with an everlasting salvation (Isa. 45:17).
Finally, at long last, the bloody saga of the earth will be concluded. In Revelation 20:10, the devil is finally judged and thrown into the lake of burning sulfur where he will remain forever. Soon perfect peace will begin to be felt throughout the whole world. That Messianic peace will continue forever and ever.
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
We come now to the awesome picture of the great white throne judgment. The white color surely represents the absolute purity of the judge and his judgment. We can understand that the Great Day of the Lord simply must continue through this judgment. This scene is so spectacular that it affects the earth and sky. American Bible scholar Kenneth Barker and his associate John Kohlenberger comment: “The language of poetic imagery captures the fading character of everything of the world.” 34 Moody Church pastor and broadcaster, Warren Wiersbe, says that heaven and earth will flee away and leave the sinner no place to hide.35
It is a little difficult to determine who exactly will appear before this judgment. The Bible says: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Cor. 5:10 ESV).
The sentencing here is carried on by Christ since all judgment is committed to him (Acts 17:31; Jn. 5:22-27; 2 Tim 4:1). Barnes sees this throne as the same one seen in Matthew 25:31-46. 36 However, we note in this passage that both the righteous and the wicked are represented in this judgment. We also note that the Book of Life is used in this judgment. Wiersbe is certain that there will only be unbelievers before this throne and there will be no rewards.37 He feels that Christians will appear before some special judgment seat of Christ. We are just a little short on scripture to support this idea. We do know from the Bible that Christians will not come under God’s judgment (Lk. 6:37; Jn. 5:24).
Revelation 12 deals with this great judgment of people small and great. The books of God are opened. Matthew Henry, eighteenth century British minister, calls these, “The books of God’s omniscience, who is greater than our consciences, and knows all things.” 38 In this cyber age we surely are aware that our actions and words can easily be recorded. They can even be broadcasted on the internet where the whole world can see and know about them. That record simply cannot be erased. We can be sure that God’s record of our lives is much more complete and undeniable.
Keener tells us that many early Jewish texts refer to these books and tablets. He notes how the Book of Life appears many times in the Old Testament (Dan. 12:1. Mal 3:16). He also mentions how the Bible claims that people will be judged by their works (Psa. 62:12; Prov. 24:12. Jer 17:10; 32:19; Ezek. 18:30).39
Judgment by works sounds a little strange to us Christians who put our emphasis on faith. Actually, our works are evidence of our faith in action. Barker & Kohlenberger state, “Works are the unmistakable evidence of the loyalty of the heart; they express either belief or unbelief, faithfulness or unfaithfulness…” 40
Wiersbe comments that there, “Will be a judge but no jury, a prosecution but no defense, a sentence but no appeal…Before God can usher in his new heavens and earth, He must deal with sin, and this he will do at the Great White Throne.” 41 We might wonder why all the deeds good and evil will be considered in this last judgment. Again, Wiersbe answers: “…to determine the degree of punishment they will endure in hell…There are degrees of punishment in hell (Matt. 11:20-24).” 42
We note that the sea will give up its dead for this great judgment. On the surface that sounds quite impossible. People who died in the sea were surely devoured by the myriads of hungry sea creatures. There was literally nothing left of them. Perhaps our electronic and cyber age can help us understand how God can restore such a one. We can have an old computer document that is wrinkled, torn, coffee stained and useless. However, with the push of a button, our computers can produce a brand-new immaculate copy of that document. If we can do that, just think about what God can do!
Not only the sea will give up its dead for judgment, but death and Hades (the abode of the unrighteous dead) will also give up their dead. These were quickly judged according to their deeds. The wicked were then thrown into the lake of fire where they would be forever. This is the second death. It is interesting that both the righteous and the wicked will continue for eternity. Since even these will not be destroyed, we can see how the earth and heavens will also continue on for eternity. God’s works are forever.
The eternal punishment of the wicked is a grim picture and many today have a difficult time with the concept. There are multitudes of folks who do not believe in an eternal hell. There are even some preachers who do not believe in it. Nevertheless, it is a biblical reality and a necessity. Wiersbe comments: “Jesus clearly taught its reality (Matt. 18:8; 23:15, 33; 25:46)…Hell is a witness to the righteous character of God. He must judge sin.” 43
The great Day of the Lord will close with this awful but final judgment of evil. The stage is now set for the holy New Jerusalem to come down to earth; the long-delayed marriage of the Lamb; and the revelation of all the glorious things that God has made for his people. Heaven will now be found on earth as God comes to dwell with the people of Israel forever. The wonderful New Heaven and New Earth will be revealed and enjoyed eternally by all the saints and overcomers of God. There will never again be sickness, sorrow, crying, pain or death, and God will gently wipe away the tears of those who have suffered so much to help bring in his eternal kingdom.
ENDNOTES
1 Renald Showers, Israel My Glory, https://israelmyglory.org/article/the-biblical-concept-of-the-day-of-the-lord/
2 Concern USA, https://www.concernusa.org/story/worlds-hungriest-countries/
3 John L. Allen Jr., The Global War on Christians (New York: Image, 2013), p. 35.
4 Derek Prince, War In Heaven, God’s Epic Battle With Evil (Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2003), p. 145.
5 Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: WM Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977), p. 243.
6 Dr. David Reagan, https://www.thehouseofdavid.org/writings/2020/5/1/the-day-of-the-lord
7 George Eldon Ladd, A Commentary on the Revelation of John (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1972), p. 165.
8 Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website. Commentary on Revelation, vs. 12:6. https://www.ccel.org/ccel/barnes/ntnotes.xxx.vii.iv.
9 Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Revelation, “B.E. Series,” vs. 13:11-18.
10 William Barclay, The Revelation of John, Vol. 2, Revised Edition, The Daily Study Bible Series, (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1976), p. 99.
11 Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, editors, The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1, p. 558, Vol. 2, p. 11, & Vol. 5, p. 217.
12 Jim Gerrish, Does God Play Favorites, God’s Unique Relationship With Israel (Minneapolis: Cornerstone Publishing, 2000, 2003), p. 308.
13 Ibid.
14 Ibid.
15 Jason S. DeRouchie https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-day-of-the-lord/
16 Lehman Strauss, The Book of the Revelation, Outlined Series (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1964), p. 21.
17 Reagan, https://www.thehouseofdavid.org/writings/2020/5/1/the-day-of-the-lord
18 Josephus Flavius, Wars, Bk.5, Ch.12, Par. 3.
19 Josephus Wars, Bk.5 Ch13. Par. 4.
20 DeRouchie https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-day-of-the-lord/
21 Ibid.
22 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2007), p.1078.
23 Robert Jamieson, D.D.; A.R. Fausset; David Brown, Commentary on Revelation, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Revelation 3. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/revelation-3.html. 1871-8.
24 Ray Stedman, Revelation, Ch. 20:1-10, https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/revelation/one-thousand-years-of-peace.
25 Bob Utley, Revelation, Ch. 20:1-10, http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL12/VOL12_11.html
26 Reagan, https://www.thehouseofdavid.org/writings/2020/5/1/the-day-of-the-lord
27 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2007), p. 29.
28 Stedman, Revelation, Ch. 20:1-10.
29 Charles F. Pfeiffer & Everett F. Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962), p. 1520.
30 D. Guthrie, J. A. Motyer, A. M. Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman, eds., The New Bible Commentary Revised (Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979), p. 1306.
31 Utley, Revelation, Ch. 20:1-10.
32 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, NT (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), p. 814.
33 Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 1520.
34 Kenneth L. Barker & John R. Kohlenberger III, Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, V. 2 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994), p. 1223.
35 Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 1079.
36 Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Rev. 20:11-15.
37 Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 1079.
38 Matthew Henry, Henry’s Concise Commentary of the Bible, Rev. 20:11-15. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mhn/revelation.html
39 Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, NT, p. 814.
40 Barker & Kohlenberger, Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, V. 2, p. 1223.
41 Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 1080.
42 Ibid., p. 1079.
43 Ibid.