Living Life Gods Way Revelation 20:1-15 NLT[1] Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. [2] He seized the dragon-that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan-and bound him in chains for a thousand years. [3] The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while. [4] Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. [5] This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) [6] Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. [7] When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. [8] He will go out to deceive the nations-called Gog and Magog-in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle-a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. [9] And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded Gods people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them. [10] Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. [11] And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. [12] I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before Gods throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. [13] The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. [14] Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. [15] And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. Obituaries are a notice of a persons death, usually with a short biographical account. In this particular account usually their accomplishments are recorded for all to read. Usually those preceded in death are mentioned. To have your obit written in the Bible is pretty important! God wants everyone to know the demise of Satan, its for a good reason. In this obit we are told that Satan has deceived the nations and because of his deception will receive the ultimate penalty, he will be thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. The most important bit of information in this obituary is that those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will receive the same treatment. When a person is born-again, then and only then, is their name written in the Book of Life. Your name is not automatically written in this Book of Life because you go to church or because you are a good person. Scripture teaches that a person must be born-again to be able to enter the Kingdom of God. Even Jesus, tells us that a person must be born-again. Those who are born-again are spared of the second death. Scripture teaches that the godlys path has no death on it, but the wicked leads to destruction. The godly path is the road that leads to heaven where there is rest for our souls. This path is narrow and straight. Matthew 7:13-14 NLT[13] You can enter Gods Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. [14] But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Luke 13:22-28 NLT[22] Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. [23] Someone asked him, Lord, will only a few be saved? He replied, [24] Work hard to enter the narrow door to Gods Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. [25] When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, Lord, open the door for us! But he will reply, I dont know you or where you come from. [26] Then you will say, But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets. [27] And he will reply, I tell you, I dont know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil. [28] There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. Proverbs 12:28 NLT[28] The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death. Psalm 1:6 NLT[6] For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Jeremiah 6:16-19 NLT[16] This is what the LORD says: Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, No, thats not the road we want! [17] I posted watchmen over you who said, Listen for the sound of the alarm. But you replied, No! We wont pay attention! [18] Therefore, listen to this, all you nations. Take note of my peoples situation. [19] Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected my word. 2 Corinthians 4:1-4 NLT[1] Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. [2] We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We dont try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. [3] If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. [4] Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who dont believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They dont understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. John 3:3-8 NLT[3] Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God. [4] What do you mean? exclaimed Nicodemus. How can an old man go back into his mothers womb and be born again? [5] Jesus replied, I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. [6] Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. [7] So dont be surprised when I say, You must be born again. [8] The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but cant tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you cant explain how people are born of the Spirit. Romans 10:9-10 NLT[9] If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Revelation 21:27 NLT[27] Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty-but only those whose names are written in the Lambs Book of Life. Revelation 3:5 NLT[5] All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 17:08:03 +0000