Righteousness And Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 2:20-3:8

“Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.  For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?  For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.” (Eccleaiastes 2-20-23)

Realizing that everything he had accomplished didn’t produce a lasting sense of worth or Solomon got even more depressed.  It was even worse when he looked around and saw how often people who had worked their whole lives to accomplish something ended up turning it over to someone who had nothing invested and didn’t appreciate the work they had done.  All their sacrifices and struggles just become meaningless in such a case.

“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.  For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)

God has designed the world so that the best thing a man can have in this life is to enjoy doing things he can feel good about and provide what he needs every day.  Solomon had accomplished more than anyone of his time in a very short time, and he realized that all the pleasure he could be sure of getting was what he was experiencing while he did it. 

“For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit,” (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

God rewards those who do what pleases him with both knowledge and wisdom, the ability to learn things easily, and the ability to think about how to use what he learns to accomplish things effectively, resulting in pleasure or joy in what he has done.  Man was created to please God and it is what will provide him the greatest level of pleasure.  Revelation 4:11 says, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”  

Those who choose to focus on pleasing themselves rather than God, heaping up things for themselves miss out on the joy, and ultimately God will give what they have accumulated to those who have pleased him.  All their efforts will ultimately result in depression and frustration.  The level of frustration can be increased by impatience of procrastination.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. “ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

There is a proper time for everything.  An action taken at the right time can make one’s life immeasurably better, while the same action at a different time can be a disaster.   The wisdom to know when to take an action or when not too is invaluable.  Without it a person finds themselves constantly having to redo or work around things because they did them at the wrong time.  It is really frustrating and depressing to find out your efforts just made things harder.    The wisdom comes from God.

Looking In The Wrong Places

Ecclesiastes 1:12-19

“I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.  And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.” (Ecclesiastes 1:12-13)

As a young king, Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom to properly lead and teach Israel.  During his reign he actively promoted the development of science and engineering, getting involved himself with some of the research in an effort to help his people.  He studied everything that caught his attention wanting to understand how it worked, and sometimes it was a lot of work for little benefit.

“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.  That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14-15)

In the process of his studies, Solomon realized that ultimately, everything people did was in itself meaningless and frustrating.  No matter how hard one tried there were things that he couldn’t fix or prevent, and there are so many problems to be solved they can’t even be counted. 

“I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.  And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.  For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)

Solomon realized he had had opportunities others didn’t have to make a difference, and yet the differences he made were minor and only temporary.  The more he learned how things could be the more frustrating it became to realize he was unable to effect permanent change.   He decided to try something different to see if it wouldn’t be more satisfactory.

“I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.   I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?  

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.” (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3)

He thought making people laugh and having fun himself would give him a sense of value and peace.  Like Robin Williams, he discovered it wasn’t satisfying and was ultimately just a waste of his time.   Other people drank or use drugs to help them forget their frustration, while continuing to do their job so he decided to try it and see if it helped and was worth recommending.  As a result of his experiments he warned young people to avoid the use of alcohol in Proverbs.  It didn’t produce peace. 

“I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.  And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11)

Because having comedy and entertainment didn’t provide satisfaction and a sense of worth, even when he was getting and education and doing his best to help people and alcohol didn’t cure the dissatisfaction, he tried to assuage his sense of meaninglessness by getting and doing things.  He designed and built houses and gardens, businesses and game preserves.  He sponsored musical groups, and helped them develop better instruments.  He gained a huge level of influence and power, and thoroughly enjoyed all the things he was accomplishing, doing whatever he felt like doing. 

When he had done all these things he discovered that while he had enjoyed them, they didn’t produce a sense of real satisfaction and lasting value.  Things or even accomplishments and charitable actions provide only temporary pleasure.

“And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.  The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.  For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten.  And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.” (Ecclesiastes 2:12-16)

Frustrated that nothing was making him happy, Solomon compared the smartest and most educated men he knew to those who were mentally incapacitated or insane.  While those who were smart and made good choices had better lives, they were not happier than those who did not.   When they died they had no more control or influence over what happened than those who were incapable of making a good decision.  When they died there was no difference.  

“Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.  Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.  And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-19)

At this point Solomon considered suicide, feeling that all of life was meaningless and hopeless.  All his accomplishments would be left to other people to capitalize on, and there was no way to ensure that they would take advantage of them.  Even his own children could take the profits and spend them on foolish things, destroying everything he had worked for.  It was such a waste.

Solomon’s observations are just what many businessmen, actors and sports figures have discovered.  It is impossible to say how many have committed suicide by over use of drugs or alcohol, by driving too fast or by accidentally drowning.  Some, like Robin Williams use a more direct manner of suicide when the other ways take too long.  Some continue to madly pursue their career or wealth, hoping that more will take away the sense of unhappiness.  Others throw themselves into various causes to try to obtin some sense of relevance. 

Happiness will never be found in these kinds of things, and continuing to seek it such places can only result in depression.  They are looking in the wrong place.  Unfortunately, these are the places most people look, and as one investment adviser has said, if you do the same things everybody else does you will have the same results.   To get different results, you must do some thing different.

It Seems Hopeless

“The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” (Ecclesiastes 1:1)

David’s son Solomon was one of the greatest rulers of history, ruling much of present day Syria and Jordan as well as Israel, extending as far south as the gulf of Aqaba, and having treaties with many of the surrounding nations.   The major Caravan routes across northern Africa to the east all passed through Israel, and Solomon took advantage of the location to build a great trading Empire.  He formed a trading alliance with Hiram of Tyre, and the Phoenicians to trade around the Mediterranean, and also to develop a fleet of ships on the Gulf of Aqaba to trade along the coasts of Africa and India. 

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.   What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3)

Though he had wealth and power beyond belief, Solomon discovered that they weren’t very meaningful or satisfying.    While they seemed important at the time, his accomplishments were not much more valuable in the long term than winning wining a basketball game.   As soon as the game is over, you have to start preparing for the next game because their win doesn’t keep them from losing next time.  Sooner or later someone will set a new record or break the winning streak.

“One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.  The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.  The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.  All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.” (Ecclesiastes 1:4-7)

While the earth remains, the people on it do not.  Todays young people will get old and die and a new generation will take over.  All of nature goes through cycles.  The sun arises in the east, and sets in the west then arises the next morning in the east again.  When the wind blows in one direction, other air moves in to replace it so the air never all accumulates in one place.  In a similar manner all the rivers run to the sea, but evaporation carries the water back out to the land where it precipitates and runs to the sea again.  Nothing man does can stop the cycle.

“All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.  The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.  Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.  There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8-11)

The second law of Thermodynamics tells us that everything deteriorates.  As a result even the best house or nicest car takes constant work to keep it useable, and a man never gets to the point where he doesn’t need food as long as he lives, so he has to keep working just to live.  The eyes and brain are designed so they never fill up and just stop seeing things nor do the ears run over with the sounds they hear. 

We brag about inventing some new thing, but even those things have been done in the past, although not necessarily the same way.   The first recorded steam engine was made about 300 BC.  The first computer we know about was built five hundred years ago.  The Aztec Indians did brain and heart surgery.   The Chinese had guns and bombs long before Marco Polo went exploring, and everything we invent is based on our understanding of how natural things work.  There is nothing truly new under the sun. 

Nothing we learn can be passed directly to our children.  They have to learn those things for themselves, although we can try to teach them.   As a result, history repeats itself because people and governments continually repeat the same behavior instead of learning from the mistakes their forbearers made.

It is easy to get depressed as you realize how little control you really have of things.  Solomon wants us to understand the reality that we have very little control, despite what the motivational speakers may tell us.  When I was in college we were required to take a course in philosophy.  Being an avid reader, I read the entire book, including the biographies of the philosophers we studied.  I was shocked to realize almost all of them realized the same things Solomon states in this book and committed suicide, concluding that life was ultimately meaningless and hopeless. 

Solomon didn’t commit suicide, but continued to look for answers.  He discovered that life could have meaning, but that it would not come from the things we accomplish.  Ecclesiastes describes what he learned from his efforts to find meaning in his life.   While the first several chapters seem pretty depressing, and mirror many people's experience, there is hope.  

Closing Statements

Revelation 22:6-21

“And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:6-7)

Once again the angel reminded John that the things he has seen are from the same God who inspired the Old Testament prophets.  God has sent his angels so that his people can know what is going to happen, and can do what is necessary to prepare for those events.  Those who take action on the  warnings in this book will be blessed for doing so. 

“And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.” (Revelation 22:8-9)

After all he had seen, John felt compelled to bow down and worship the angel that had showed him all these things. But the angel again forbade his doing so.  Once again he insisted he is only a fellow servant and not superior to the prophets or those who obey God’s word.  Worship is to be reserved for God only.

“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” (Revelation 22:10-13)

John was instructed to leave these prophecies open so they were available to any who cared to look because the time was close enough they need to know.  It will not change people’s relationship with God.  Those who serve god will be serving him anyway, while those who do not will continue to not serve him.  When he comes it will be fast enough they will not be able to fake serving him, and the rewards will already be ready.

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:14-15)

Those who have been obedient to God will be given access to the tree of life and the privilege of entering the new city of Jerusalem.  Those who keep turning back to their past sin and witchcraft or other religions, or are involved with sexual sin, murders, or deliberate deceit will not ba allowed such access. 

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.“ (Revelation 22:16-17)

Revelation 1 told us this was the Revelation by Jesus Christ of the things which were to come.  Jesus again identifies himself as the sender of the message, and repeats his offer of salvation to anyone who will come to him. 

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)

Anyone who changes the book will bring God’s judgment on himself.  If he adds to the message, he will experience all the plagues that are promised to those who do not believe God.  If he denies part of what God has said in the book, his place in the Book of Life will be blotted out, and he will not be saved.  He will lose any part of the promises to God’s people. 

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:20-21)

The Lord reminds us again his coming will be sudden and unexpected.  True believers will not be concerned about a lack of advance notice.  They will simply enjoy his blessings on their lives while they wait.

Construction of the City

Revelation 21:18-22:5

“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.  And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” (Revelation 21:18-21)

The wall of the city was of polished jasper stone.  The city itself was constructed of gold so pure it is like looking at fine glass.  The twelve foundations of the wall were each overlaid with precious or semi-precious stone.  Each of the twelve gates will be made of a single huge pearl. 

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:22-23)

There is no need for a temple or priests to pray to God because he and his son are right there all the time.  In fact they provide the light so the sun never needs to shine. 

“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.  And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.  And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” (Revelation 21:24-27)

All those who have been saved before the Lord throughout the ages, including the Millennium will live in the light of that great city, treating it as their capitol.  The gates never close because there will be no night there and people come to the city freely.  No diseases or people who do things against god aor deceives people will ever be allowed into the city, but only those whose names have been written in the book of life.

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.   In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-2)

Out of the throne of God and of Christ flows a river of the water of life.  On each side of the river, along the streets are rows of the tree of life.  These trees produce twelve different kinds of fruit and every month some of the fruit ripens so that there is never a time of food shortage.    The leaves of the trees cure any health problems the different peoples may have.   

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:3-5)

The curses that resulted from Adam and Eve’s sin will be removed from the earth, so that sin will no longer separate between man and God.  They can see God’s face and live, and he provides the light they need.  They will live with him forever, as kings and priests.

New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-17

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1)

II Peter 3: 10 states, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up,” and as we saw, when mankind again chooses to follow Satan rather than God, he will destroy the universe we know with fire, burning away every vestige of sin.  He will start over.

Isaiah 65:17 declares, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”    II Peter 3:13 refers to that promise, saying, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” The new earth will be very different from the earth we know today, but we won’t even miss this old one.

The first thing we notice about the new earth is that there is no more sea.  Today two thirds of the earth’s surface is covered by ocean.   One function of the ocean is to serve as heat storage, moderating the earth’s temperature swings, releasing heat when the temperature drops and absorbing it when it rises.  Without the ocean our temperature swings between day and night and through the seasons would be much more extreme than they are now.    The new earth will not need such a moderating influence, so apparently there will be less extremes of temperature. 

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:2-4}

The mansions Christ promised us in heaven will come to earth as the city of New Jerusalem, completely refurbished and decorated like a bride fixed up in her wedding dress.  God will establish his throne in the city, living among the people and having personal contact.  There will be no more regrets or sorrows, nor will there be any more death or pain.  All the things that caused those things will be burned away when the earth is destroyed.

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:5-7)

At this point God’s plan will be complete.  God himself will have made everything new, and these things are definitely going to happen because God is doing them.  Salvation is available to anyone who is willing to ask for it.  Those who accept his salvation, refusing the temptations the world offers will inherit the things god and prepared and be accepted as one of God’s beloved children.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

Those who are afraid to place their trust in God or chose not to believe in him, and those who have deliberately refused to live by his standard will all be cast into the lake of fire.  This includes all those who deliberately try to be offensive, those who have deliberately ignored God’s sexual plan, whether by promiscuity, homosexuality, or by sexual abuse.   People who have killed others deliberately, those who have refused to worship God himself, and those who have tried to deceive others about God, and all those who deliberately lie will be cast into the eternal fire of Judgment.  They will never escape it.

“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:9-14)

Often driving at night, you will see the glow of a city’s lights even though hills or mountains keep you from seeing the city itself.  As the angel took John up a mountain to see the city he saw a similar glow about it, like a clear jasper stone with a light shining through it.  Around the city was a great wall.  There were three gates on each side, with an angel identified by one of the names of the twelve tribes of Israel serving as the doorman or greeter.  The wall of the city rested on twelve foundations, each marked as a memorial to one of the twelve apostles.   

“And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.  And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.  And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.” (Revelation 21:15-17)

The wall forms a square fifteen hundred miles on each side, or about the distance from New York City to Oklahoma City.  The wall is also fifteen hundred miles tall, and a hundred forty four cubits or about two hundred twenty feet thick.  

The Millennium and Judgment

Revelation 20:4-15

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4)

In Revelation 4 we saw the twenty four elders on the thrones of which twelve are the twelve apostles who are to judge the tribes of Israel.  In chapter six we saw the souls of those who were killed for their testimony in Christ.  I Thessalonians 4:16-17 said that all God’s people will also be present.  For a thousand years they will be with the Lord, participating in the marriage supper of the Lamb, and his awards banquet.  For a thousand years he will maintain his kingdom here on earth, known as the Millennial Kingdom.   Isaiah 11:4-9 describes conditions during the Millennium.

“But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:4-9)

For a thousand years, things will be almost like God made them at creation with all the animals again being vegetarians, and sin punished by death immediately.  People will know God and his hatred of sin and will be afraid to disobey.  

“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:5-6)

The first resurrection is when the believers are resurrected.  Those resurrected at that time are assured of a place with God and will not have to go through the Judgment,  Instead they will reign with him as kings and priests forever as Revelation 1:5-6 tells us.  The unsaved, however will not be resurrected until the end of the millennium. 

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” (Revelation 20:7-9)

After a thousand years of imprisonment. Satan will be released for a short time, to go out and give the nations a choice whether they will follow Christ or Satan.  After a thousand year with no crime or war or disease, the same nations that followed the king of the North listed in Ezekiel 38-39 will again follow Satan.  By doing so they demonstrate again mankind’s deliberate choice of evil over Good.    This time there will be no battle. 

Instead God will just send fire from heaven that will destroy the entire earth.  II Peter 3:10 describes what happens.  “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”  God will have sterilized the entire universe, eliminating any trace of corruption or evil.

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)

At that time Satan will be cast into the Lake of fire and molten rock along with the Antichrist and the false prophet.  He is just as much a prisoner as anyone else, and will suffer the torment of the flame forever and ever, similar to what a person who has been severely burned may suffer in a burn unit while waiting for death, except they will never die. 

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

All the people who lived and were not at the first resurrection will be resurrected and stand before the Great White Throne of judgment.   They will be judged on their attitudes toward God, as demonstrated by what they said according to Matthew 12:35-37.   “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.   For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”  These things will demonstrate the justness of their judgment. 

The book of life will also be opened, and each person’s name checked to verify they have not had their sins forgiven.  Those who have believed in Christ have their names permanently inscribed in the Book of Life, but the names of those who have not are blotted out according to Revelation 3:5.  For those who have believed, their sins were blotted out of the other books according to Acts 3:19 and Colossians 2:14.  This is why John 3:18 could say, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  For those who have believed there is no record of their sin, but for the unbelievers, their sins are recorded.