In this episode, we learn that when unbelievers stand before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment, they will not be judged by the code of morality they have written for themselves, but by God's perfect standard. And because they died in their sins and unrighteousness, all who appear at this judgment will be eternally condemned to a place of eternal torment in the lake of fire. May these sobering truths drive us toward fulfilling our commission to beg people to be reconciled to God before it’s too late. There are many roads to hell, but there is only one way to avoid it—believing that Christ died for your sins personally and rose again.

This teaching explains that during the Millennial Kingdom, many people born into its perfect conditions will still reject Christ—not believing He is the Messiah and the Son of God—and that after 1,000 years, Satan will be released to deceive those unbelievers and gather them for a final rebellion. That revolt will instantly be destroyed when God sends fire from heaven, and Satan is then cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever. This passage in Revelation 20 illustrates that human hearts remain sinful apart from new birth, so even utopian conditions cannot produce universal faith, and that God’s sovereign plan includes a final purging of unbelief before the eternal state.

This message focuses on Revelation 20:4-6, which explains that Tribulation martyrs who refuse the beast’s mark will be resurrected in the “first resurrection,” given thrones and priestly authority, and will live and reign with Christ for 1,000 years. The “rest of the dead” (unbelievers) will not be raised until after the Millennium and will face final judgment. Although this passage emphasizes Israel’s role as priests in the earthly kingdom, we as members of the Body of Christ can also be urged to live with eternity in view, and that faithful service as Christ’s ambassadors will be rewarded with an eternal reign in the heavenlies.

We begin a series that examines the events that the Apostle John saw leading up to and then into the eternal state, as recorded in the last three chapters of the Book of Revelation. As we’re bombarded with chaos, temptation, deception, broken families, corrupt governments, and opposition against God—much of which is the result of Satan’s work—it is very comforting to know that the devil’s days are numbered. We are reminded in this episode that God is in control and will have the final say over the devil. Satan has made the fatal choice in rebelling against God and at first will be bound for 1,000 years, loosed for a short time, and then ultimately cast into the lake of fire to suffer in torment there forever.