Jesus Reigns | Daily Devotion
Read Revelation 20
Christian, Satan is not all-powerful. Only God is! As we read Revelation 20, we see that one angel captured Satan easily, binding him with chains for 1,000 years. Satan cannot do anything he wants, he is at the constant mercy of God—Job 1:12. So when God says, “Satan, you are done inflicting pain on My people,” he’s done.
This is something to praise God for! He remains in control at all times and He invites us to pray and ask for the end of abuses and deliverance from demonic oppression.
So during Jesus Christ’s 1,000 year reign on earth there will be peace. Satan is locked up; so there is no sin, turmoil, fear or despair. The Tribulation saints, the Old and New Testament saints and the redeemed will rule and reign with Christ—Revelation 20:4, 2 Timothy 2:12. Life is really good. Think perfection. Jesus is with you.
But then, at the end of the 1,000 year reign, Jesus releases Satan for his final chance to deceive. In His love for His people, Christ gives them the opportunity to choose Him or Satan. Jesus never forces Himself upon anyone. The sad thing is, many descendants of the Tribulation saints, who grew up in the 1,000 year reign living in absolute perfection in the presence of Jesus Christ, will walk away from Him choosing the path of destruction. Sometimes we believe that if only the circumstances surrounding us were perfect, it would be easier to believe. But that’s not the case; it’s a matter of the heart. Today, where is your heart? What do you desire?
There is coming a day when every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord—Philippians 2:10-11. The question is: which judgment will you be standing at? The judgment for Christians, which is more like an awards ceremony, or the Great White Throne Judgment for non-believers?
The apostle John tells us in Revelation 20:11-15 NLT, “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. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s 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. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
As we listen to the apostle John share about the Great White Throne Judgment for non-believers, we Christians need to remember that our behavior, how we live our lives, reveals to a watching world what we believe. For doctrine dictates behavior. The apostle John in 1 John 3:6 NLT tells us, “Anyone who continues to live in God will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.” Therefore, our knowledge of God is revealed in our lifestyle choices. What we justify and what we say no to.
Today is the day to choose where you are going when you die. Heaven or hell? There is coming a day when God will throw Satan into hell for good. Christian, hell was not made for people; it was made for Satan and his demons. It is a place of constant torment – your worst fear heightened to the max on repeat with no death for escape. God does not want you there. Picture Him looking you in the eye saying, “Over my dead body, will you go to hell!” Jesus’ dead body! But in His love, as the perfect gentleman, He gives you a choice. To not say yes to Jesus’ gift of salvation, is to say no. So, if you do not choose to respond to His sacrificial love, by accepting Him as your Lord and Savior, you are literally stepping over His dead body that was laid down for you – choosing to walk straight into hell. It’s your choice. Choose life. Choose Jesus Christ.
Will you pray with me?
Abba, thank You for Your love found in Jesus Christ, for His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. We ask Lord for You to soften the hardest hearts to Your voice, drawing people to repentance and their recognition of their need for a Savior. We pray many are drawn to Your throne of grace, receiving Your mercy when they need it the most. In Jesus’ name, Amen.