“A Matter of Life and Death” (Revelation 20)

“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

We’re coming down to the “2 minute warning” of the 4^th quarter of our reading through the Revelation of Jesus Christ and of the history of mankind on planet earth as we know it! However, there are a few “business matters to attend to” before the final countdown known as the Great White Throne Judgment begins Here are a few key terms that will help us understand chapter 20 better…

Satan (aka, the dragon, Lucifer, the devil, ruler of this world, prince of the power of the air, father of lies, god of this world) – This once powerful angel who occupied heaven in a privileged position as Lucifer, rebelled against God by exalting himself above the throne of God, desiring to be worshipped as God, and consequently, was removed from his position, revoked of his privileges, and was cast out of heaven to some realm between heaven and earth (see Ezekiel 28: 12-26). This is probably why the apostle Paul called him “the prince of the power of the air”.

Bottomless Pit (Abuso, abyss) – The word abyss simply means “a deep hole”—so deep that it seems bottomless or immeasurable. The word is often used in modern contexts to describe the sea. Luke records an instance where Jesus casts demons out of a man, “and they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss” (Luke 8: 26-34). The Abyss is obviously a place that the demons fear and try to avoid. In the Book Of Revelation, we see the Abyss as a place of confinement for demons or fallen angels.

The Lake of Fire (aka “Gehenna” and “Hell”) – a place of perpetual torment (v. 10), “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41) The word gehenna is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew ge-hinnom, meaning “Valley of [the sons of] Hinnom.” This valley south of Jerusalem was where some of the ancient Israelites “passed children through the fire” (sacrificed their children) to the Canaanite god Molech (2 Chronicles 28:3; 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31; 19:2–6). The place is called “Tophet / Topheth” in Isaiah 30:33. In later years, Gehenna continued to be an unclean place used for burning trash from the city of Jerusalem. Jesus used Gehenna as an illustration of hell (Gehenna definition from gotquestions.com.)

The Great White Throne Judgment – the judgment of all the lost souls of all the ages whose names were not found written in the Book of Life. They are raised for this day to be judged by their works. “And whosover was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (v. 15)

The Book of Life  (Rev. 20:15, 3:5, and Philippians 4:3) or “The Lamb’s Book of Life”  Rev. 13:8, 21:27) – a book in heaven containing the names of those individuals who put their faith in Jesus Christ and have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Inclusion in the book grants eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ. Exclusion from the book grants eternity apart from Jesus Christ in hell.

Do you know without a doubt that your name is written in the Book of Life? It’s truly a matter of life & death; don’t wait another moment without knowing.  Trust Jesus now.

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life…                                                                                                        (I John 4:13)