The Enemy's Last Days
The Enemy's Last Days
Text: Revelation 20
Big Idea: God answers prayers for justice.
Purpose: To reassure that God will make all things right.
Introduction:
Very soon, in my house, I will start to hear the repeated question:
How many days until Christmas
How long ‘til we get to open presents
I can understand the enthusiasm
-Christmas is probably most people’s favorite holiday
-great deal of sentimentality
-there is an excitement that accompanies the exchange of gifts
-the Christmas songs fill church
-special programs, time off from school
Furthermore, to children, a year is a long time to wait for another Christmas
How will I respond to these questions?
-first, in general terms
-End of December, 2 more months,
As time grows nearer – I will give the number of days
-3 days, 2 days…
Have you ever asked, “How long?”
-of friends, family? – to have expectations met
-how about God – ever asked Him
-reflecting the prayers of the Psalms
-for peace, justice, end of pain, all things made right
In Revelation 6:10 – God’s people cried out, “How Long?”
-wanted their deaths avenged
God, does not directly answer that questions
-it lingers throughout the entire book, vision, of Revelation
-and it is not answered until this point
Consider the way God responds to the question, “How Long?”
-to see if He answers
-to see how He answers
God never answers in words
But Action comes in Rev. 20
Sermon Body:
Movement 1: *Satan's days of influence are limited.
The question in 6:10
-spoken by those who have died – martyrs
-people who have been wronged – did not deserve their fate
-and long for justice – things to be set right
And in this text
-God is addressing the root of their problem – Satan’s work
The beginning of this text identifies satan
-snake (garden of eden)
-dragon (cast out of heaven)
-slanderer – liar, misleads,
-which he does to others
-which he does to us – you are not God’s, too guilty to be saved,
punishes with guilty feeling
(despite the forgiveness that God has given you.)
-Satan – which means accuser
-an accuser who lies – dangerous
-but that is all he can do
*Facts about Satan:
1. He has influence
2. He is deceptive and misleads
3. He accuses (false witness or prosecuting attorney).
Satan is clearly identified in this text
-it all comes together
-it makes sense – He has been at the heart of these problems
-going back to the beginning – Genesis
-through this book – dragon, appointing a beast, false prophets
-setting up a kingdom called Babylon
-all of this is from Satan’s hand
If we look at our lives – as we cry out, “How Long?”
-we see Satan’s hand – wreaking havoc on our lives
-disease, war, famine, temptation, violence
-either directly or as a result of His work
-our woes – caused by Him
This does not absolve us of sin
-not an excuse when we say, “the devil made me do it”
-but we can acknowledge his hand in our depravity
-in order to see how God responsds.
God’s response – a relatively brief encounter – to subdue Satan
-5 words – seized, bound, threw, locked, sealed
-a finality about that – been there, done that, got the T-shirt
-signed, sealed, delivered – it’s done
Satan will come down without a fight - relatively powerless - simply able to deceive and accuse, and although that can be powerful, it is not comparable to Christ's reign.
Movement 2: *Satan will be banished for 1,000 years.
A few words on millennium:
much debate - Christ comes before, after, when is millennium.
This text - not about millennium - but about justice
The 1,000 years represents a long time
-as opposed to the three-and-a-half years from earlier
-an enduring reign
-a big number
During that 1,000 years
- Satan imprisoned
- God’s people on the throne – reigning with Christ
The prayer had been answered
-God took a long time – but His people are avenged
Furthermore, even when Satan is released at the end of the time
-it only gets better
-seems to be a battle plan
-to round up all who worshipped the beast
-so that they could be defeated with one final blow
The Enemy will be defeated
In addition, Life gets better for God’s children
-Death and Hades are abolished
-Hades – is the realm of death, (not hell)
-keeps people from the living
-Death no longer separates
-good news for many – who miss lost loved ones
How does God respond to the cry?
He avenges, and starts to change what has happened
Movement 3: *Christ's children have reason for optimism.
1. They are seated on thrones.
2. Their accuser is obliterated.
3. Death is powerless over them.
All a result of being written in the book of life
To be honest – Revenge, seeing punishment does not satisfy
-Parents of a murdered child – think they want justice
-believe death sentence will end their suffering
-and although justice may be served – they are really missing their child
God doesn’t settle for vengeance
-He goes the extra mile to make things right
-eliminates the sting of death
-restores and resurrects those who have been wounded
-brings His children to reign on the throne with Him
Action Steps:
Patience
Resist the Devil
Wait for Christ’s reign
Conclusion:
God hears your cry for Him to act.
And even when you wonder why you have no answer
-He is making it come to pass
He will avenge your wrongs
But better yet
-He will undo them
Those who were lame – walked
Those who were blind – see
Those who were deaf – hear again
Those who were stained by sin – perfected
If you are Christ’s child – you may have a while to wait
-but the best things are worth the wait