The Dragon's Demise
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Satan's final failure.
Text: Rev. 20:7-10
Date: 03/04/2012, the Evening service.
Series: "Revelation" Part 53
Description:
The millennial period comes to an end as Satan is released from his prison. An acute tribulation follows as he instantly resumes his nefarious plans to destroy the church. We will view this period of time from the same perspective as we have viewed the rest of this chapter-- as a replaying or recapitulation of the events recorded at the end of chapter 19. As a result, our interpretation of this passage will be simple and straight-forward, for the difficult decisions have all ready been made. In fact, we will not concentrate on the millennial madness that usually overshadows this passage, but rather pay close attention to the extraordinary biblical event that is related here-- namely the demise of Satan, the nemesis of the human race! We will join our hearts with Christians from all ages in rejoicing over the fact that Satan will ultimately fail and the closing chapters of human history will be a mighty victory for the Lamb!
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Rev. 20:7-10.
A. Context
B. The release of Satan, vs. 7-8a.
1. The great tribulation, vs. 7, Matt. 24:21-22.
a. Unlikely explanations.
b. Heading towards the final conflict.
2. The great deceiver, vs. 8a.
C. The battle of Armageddon revisited, vs. 8b-9.
1. The armies of Gog and Magog, vs. 8b.
a. Imagery from Ezekiel, Ezek. 38:1-2.
b. The "sands of the sea", Rev. 12:17.
c. Three references to the same battle, Rev. 16:13-16, Ezek. 38:9; Rev. 19:17-21, Ezek. 39:18; Rev. 20:8, Ezek. 39:6.
2. The saints under fire, vs. 9b, Rev. 19:19.
a. The "camp of the saints", Numbers 2:2.
b. The "beloved city", Rev. 3:12.
c. Metaphors for the church.
3. The triumph of the Lamb, vs. 9c, Rev. 19:21, Matt. 24:27, 2Thess. 2:8.
D. The dragon meets his Maker, vs. 10.
1. The punishment of the evil triumvirate, Rev. 12:9, 19:20.
2. Analyzing eternal torment.
a. Understanding "torment".
b. Understanding "day and night", Luke 16:23-24.
c. Understanding "forever and ever", Ex. 15:18, Dan. 7:18, Heb. 1:8, Rev. 4:9, 14:11, 19:3.
d. Conclusion
III. Application
A. Focusing on the true importance of the passage.
B. Celebrating the dragon's demise.
IV. Conclusion
