The End…

 

How appropriate to read of the end of evil and the promise of a new life on the last day of a year. While the events seen by John in Revelation may not happen in 2026, just thinking about it builds anticipation in my heart.

Evil’s ending includes the final judgment on a ‘woman’ who represents immoral living. She “glorified herself” but “her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her” and those who profited from her will fear and mourn yet the “saints and apostles and prophets” will rejoice. 

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:1–2)

After (?) this, more celebration, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”. . . . These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:6–9)

Then a white horse ridden by the righteous Judge called Faithful and True, clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and named the Word of God, with the armies of heaven, following him on white horses. He strikes down the nations and rules. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Even so, the beast and the kings of the earth gather to make war against Him. They are defeated and thrown alive into the lake of fire or slain by His sword.

An angel binds Satan for a thousand years, shutting and sealing the pit, then allowing his release for “a little while.” Those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1–6)

Satan is released “to deceive the nations. . . .  to gather them for battle” against the saints, “but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Then John saw a great white throne with the dead standing before it. God opened the book of life and these were judged and, “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” 

Finally John sees a new heaven and a new earth, the holy city. . . . coming down out of heaven. . . . and heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. . . . It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:5–8)

Then he describes the Bride of Christ as a city of jewels without need of light “for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb . . . . But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

He saw the river of the water of life, the tree of life, knowing Jesus’ servants will reign forever and ever. And He says: 

Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. . . . I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. . . .  Let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:17)

PRAY: Jesus, on the eve of a new year, prepare me for twelve new months of both groaning and growing in grace, yet glorify Yourself in all that will happen.