Source: Tyndale House Publishers Inc.
Matthew 5:48 How can we be perfect?
(1) In character: In this life we cannot be flawless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible.
(2) In holiness: Like the Pharisees, we are to separate ourselves from the world’s sinful values. But unlike the Pharisees, we are to be devoted to God’s desires rather than our own and carry his love and mercy into the world.
(3) In maturity: We can’t achieve Christlike character and holy living all at once, but we must grow toward maturity and wholeness. Just as we expect different behavior from a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult, so God expects different behavior from us, depending on our stage of spiritual development.
(4) In love: We can seek to love others as completely as God loves us. We can be perfect if our behavior is appropriate for our maturity level-perfect, yet with much room to grow. Our tendency to sin must never deter us from striving to be more like Christ. Christ calls all of his disciples to excel, to rise above mediocrity, and to mature in every area, becoming like him.
Matthew 24:23-24 Jesus’ warnings about false teachers still hold true. Upon close examination it becomes clear that many nice-sounding messages don’t agree with God’s message in the Bible. Only a solid foundation in God’s Word can equip us to perceive the errors and distortions in false teaching.
Matthew 24:24-28 In times if persecution even strong believers will find it difficult to be loyal. To keep from being deceived by false messiahs, we must understand that Jesus’ return will be unmistakable (Mark 13:26); no one will doubt that it is he. If you have to be told that the Messiah has come, then he hasn’t (Matt 24:27). Christ’s coming will be obvious to everyone.
John 8:32 Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free (John8:36). He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus, Jesus does not give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom to follow God. As we seek to serve God, Jesus perfect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be.
John 8:34-35 Sin has a way of slaving us, controlling us, dominating us, and dictating our actions. Jesus can free you from this slavery that keeps you from becoming the person God created you to be. If sin is restraining, mastering, or enslaving you, Jesus can break it’s power over your life.
John 10:16 The “other sheep” were non-Jews. This is an insight into his worldwide mission–to die for the sins of the world. People tend to want to restrict God’s blessings to their own group, but Jesus refuses to be limited by the fences we build.
Acts 7:55-58 Stephen saw the glory of God and Jesus, the Messiah, standing at God’s right. Stephen’s words are similar to Jesus’ words spoken before the high council (Matt 26:64; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:69).
Stephen’s vision supported Jesus’ claim and angered the Jewish leaders who had condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy. They would not tolerate Stephen’s words, so they dragged him out and killed him. People may not kill us for witnessing about Christ, but they may let us know they don’t want to hear the truth and try to silence us. Keep honoring God in your conduct and words; though many may turn against you and your message, some will follow Christ. Remember, Stephen’s death had a profound impact on Paul, who later became the world’s greatest missionary. Even those who oppose you now may later turn to Christ.
Hebrews 1:3 Not only is Jesus the exact representation of God, but he is God himself – the very God who spoke in Old Testament times. He is eternal; he worked with the Father in creating the world (John 1:3; Col 1:16). He is the full revelation of God. You can have no clearer view of God than by looking at Christ. Jesus Christ is the complete expression of God in human body.
Hebrews 1:3 The book of Hebrews links God’s saving power with his creative power. In other words, the power that brought the universe into being and that keeps it operating is the very power that cleanses our sins. How mistaken we would be to ever think that God couldn’t forgive us. No sin is too big for the Ruler of the universe to handle. He can and will forgive us when we come to him through his Son. That Jesus sat down means that the work was complete. Christ’s sacrifice was final.
Hebrews 10:26 When people deliberately reject Christ’s offer of salvation, they reject God’s most precious gift. They ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit, the one who communicates to us God’s saving love. This warning was given to Jewish Christians who were tempted to reject Christ for Judaism, but it applies to anyone who rejects Christ for another religion or, having understood Christ’s atoning work, deliberately turns away from it (see also Numbers 15:30-31 and Mark 3:28-30). The point is that there is no acceptable sacrifice for sin other than the death of Christ on the cross. If someone deliberately rejects the sacrifice of Christ after clearly understanding the Good News teaching about it, then there is no way for that person to be saved, because God has not provided any other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them (see Acts 4:12).
1 Peter 2:9 Christians sometimes speak of “the priesthood of all believers.” In Old Testament times, people did not approach God directly. A priest acted as intermediary between God and sinful human beings. With Christ’s victory on the cross, that pattern changed. Now we can come directly into God’s presence without fear (Heb 4:16), and we are given the responsibility of bringing others to him also (2 Cor 5:18-21). When we are united with Christ as members of his body, we join in his priestly work of reconciling God and people.
1 Peter 2:9-10 People often base their self-concept on their accomplishments. But our relationship with Christ is far more important than our jobs, successes, wealth, or knowledge. We have been chosen by God as his very own, and we have been called to represent him to others. Remember that your value come from being one of God’s children, not from what you can achieve. You have worth because of what God does, not because of what you do.
Revelation
Revelation 3:5 To be “clothed in white” means to be set apart for God and made pure. Christ promises future honor and eternal life to those who stand firm in their faith. The names of all believers are registered in the Book of Life. This book symbolizes God’s knowledge of who belongs to him. All such people are guaranteed a listing in the Book of life and are introduced to the hosts of heaven as belonging to Christ (see Luke 12:8-9).
Revelation 13:7 The beast will conquer God’s people and rule over them, but he will not be able to harm them spiritually. He will establish worldwide dominance and demand that everyone worship him – everyone except true believers. Refusal to worship the beast will result in temporary suffering for God’s people, but they will be rewarded with eternal life in the end.
Revelation 7:1ff The sixth seal has been opened, and the people of the earth have tried to hide from God, saying, “Who is able to survive?”(Rev 6:12-17). Just when all hope seems lost, four angels hold back the four winds of judgment until God’s people are sealed as his own. Only then will God open the seventh seal (Rev 8:1).
Revelation 7:2 A seal on a scroll or document identified and protected its contents. God places his own seal on his followers, identifying them as his own and guaranteeing his protection over their souls. This shows how valuable we are to him. Our physical bodies may be beaten, maimed, or even destroyed, but nothing can harm our souls when we have been sealed by God. ( See Eph 1:13 for the seal of the Holy Spirit. )
Revelation 7:3 God’s seal is placed in the foreheads of his servants. This seal is the exact opposite if the mark of the beast explain in Revelation 13:16. These two marks place people in two distinct categories — those owned by God and those owned by Satan.
Revelation 7:4-8 The number 144,000 is 12 x 12 x 1,000, symbolizing completeness — all God’s followers will be brought safely to him; not one will be overlooked or forgotten. God seals these believers either by withdrawing them from the earth ( this is called the Rapture ) or by giving them special strength and courage to make it through this time of great persecution. Even though many believers have to undergo persecution, the seal does not necessarily guarantee protection from physical harm– many will die(Rev 6:11)–but God will protect them from spiritual harm. No matter what happens, they will be brought to their reward of eternal life. Their destiny is secure. These believers will not fall away from God even though they may undergo intense persecution. This is not saying that 144,000 individuals must be sealed before the persecution comes, but that when persecution begins the faithful will have already been sealed(marked by God), and they will remain true to him until the end.
Revelation 7:4-8 This is a different list from the usual listing of the 12 tribes in the Old Testament, because it is a symbolic list of God’s true followers.
(1) Judah is mentioned first because Judah is both the tribe of David and of Jesus the Messiah (Gen 49:8-12); Matt 1:1)
(2) Levi had no tribal allotment because of the Levites’ work for God in the Temple (Deut 18:1), but the tribe is given a place as a reward for faithfulness.
(3) Dan is not mentioned because it was known for rebellion and idolatry, traits unacceptable for God’s followers (Gen 49:17)
(4) The two tribes representing Joseph (usually called Ephraim and Manasseh, after Joseph’s sons) are here called Joseph and Manasseh because of Ephraim’s rebellion. (See Gen 49 for the story of the beginning of these 12 tribes.)
Revelation 10:9-10 The prophet Ezekiel also had a vision in which he was told to eat a scroll filled with judgments against the nation of Israel (Ezek 3:1ff). The taste was sweet in his mouth, but the scroll’s contents brought destruction–just Iike the scroll John was told to eat. God’s Word is sweet to us believers because it brings encouragement, but it sours our stomach because of the coming judgment we must pronounce on unbelievers.
Revelation 11:1ff This Temple is most likely a symbol of the church (all true believers), because there will be no Temple in the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:22). John measured the Temple to show that God is building walls of protection around his people to spare them from spiritual harm, and that there is a place reserved for all believers who remain faithful to God.
Revelation 11:2 Those worshiping inside the Temple will be protected spiritually, but those outside will face great suffering. This is a way of saying that true believers will be protected through persecution, but those who refuse to believe will be destroyed.
Revelation 11:3 These two witnesses bear strong resemblance to Moses and Elijah, two of God’s mighty prophets. With God’s power, Moses called plagues down upon the nation of Egypt (see Exod 7-11). Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kgs 18). Both of these men appeared with Christ at his transfiguration (see Matt 17:1-7).
Revelation 11:3 In the book of Revelation, numbers are likely to have symbolic rather than literal meanings. The 42 months or 1,260 days equal 3 1/2 years. As half of the perfect number 7, 3 1/2 can indicate incompletion, imperfection or even evil. Notice the events predicted for this time period: there is trouble (Dan 12:7), the holy city is trampled (Rev 11:2), the woman takes refuge in the wilderness (Rev 12:6), and the devil-inspired beast exercises his authority (Rev 13:5). Some commentators link the 3 1/2 years with the period of famine in the days of Elijah (Luke 4:25; Jas 5:17). Since Malachi predicted the return of Elijah before the Last Judgment (Mal 4:5), and since the events in Daniel and Revelation pave the way for the Second Coming, perhaps John was making this connection. It is possible, of course, that the 3 1/2 years are literal. If so, we will clearly recognize when the 3 1/2 years are over! Whether symbolic or literal, they indicate that evil’s reign will have a definite end.
Revelation 11:8-9 Jerusalem, once the great city and the capital of Israel, is now enemy territory. It is compared with Sodom and with Egypt, both well known for their evil. By the time of John’s writing, Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Romans in A.D, 70, nearly a million Jews had been slaughtered, and the Temple treasures had been carried off to Rome.
Revelation 12:1-6 The woman represents God’s faithful people who have been waiting for the Messiah; the crown of 12 stars represents the 12 tribes of Israel. God set apart the Jews for himself (Rom 9:4-5), and that nation gave birth to the Messiah. The son (Rev 12:5) is Jesus, born to a devout Jewish girl named Mary (Luke 1:26-33). Evil King Herod immediately tried to destroy the infant Jesus (Matt 2:13-20). Herod’s desire to kill this newborn was motivated by Stan (the red dragon), who wanted to kill the world’s Savior. The heavenly pageant of Revelation 12 shows that Christ’s lowly birth in the town of Bethlehem had cosmic significance.
Revelation 12:6 The wilderness represents a place of spiritual refuge and protection from Satan. Because God aided the woman’s escape in the wilderness, we can be sure that he offers security to all true believers. Satan always attacks God’s people, but God keeps them spiritually secure. Some will experience physical harm, but all will be protected from spiritual harm. God will not let Satan take the souls of God’s true followers. When Satan’s attacks seem overpowering, remember that God is ruler over all. Trust him.
Revelation 12:9 The devil is not a symbol or legend; he is very real. Originally Satan was an angel of God, but through his own pride, he became corrupt. The devil is God’s enemy, and he constantly tries to hinder God’s work, but he is limited by God’s power and can do only what he is permitted to do (Job 1:6-2:8). The name Satan means “accuser” (Rev 12:10). He actively looks for people to attack (1 Peter 5:8-9). Satan likes to pursue believers who are vulnerable in their faith, who are spiritually weak, or who are isolated from other believers. Even though God permits the devil to do his work in this world, God is still in control. And Jesus has complete power over Satan–he defeated Satan when he died and rose again for the sins of everyone. One day Satan will be bound forever, never again to do his evil work (see Rev 20:10).
Revelation 12:10 Many believe that until this time, Satan still had access to God (see the note on Job 1:7ff, p.95). But here his access is forever barred (see also Rev 9:1). He can no longer accuse people before God (see how Satan made accusations about Job before God in Job 1:6ff).
Revelation 12:11 The critical blow to Satan came when the Lamb, Jesus Christ, shed his blood for our sins. The victory is won by sacrifice– Christ’s death in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. As we face the battle with Satan, we should not fear it or try to escape from it, but we should loyally serve Christ, who alone brings victory (see Rom 8:34-39).
Revelation 12:17 While the woman (Rev 12:1) represents faithful Jews and the son (Rev 12:5) could be either Jewish believers or, more likely all believers.
Revelation 12:17 The apostle Paul tells us that we are in a spiritual battle (Eph 6:10-12). John says that the war is still being waged, but the outcome has already been determined. Satan and his followers have been defeated and will be destroyed. Nevertheless Satan is battling daily to bring more into his ranks and to keep his own from defecting to God’s side. Those who belong to Christ have gone into battle on God’s side, and he has guaranteed them victory. God will not lose the war, but we must make certain not to lose battle for our own souls. Don’t waver in your commitment to Christ. A great spiritual battle is being fought, and there is no time for indecision.
Revelation 13:5 The power given to the beast will be limited by God. He will allow the beast to exercise authority only for a short time. Even while the beast is in power, God will still be in control (Rev 11:15; 12:10-12).
The Three Angels (Revelation 14:6-13)
Revelation 14:6-13 Some believe that this is a final, worldwide appeal to all people to recognize the one true God. No one will have the excuse of never hearing God’s truth. Others see this as an announcement of judgment rather than as an appeal. The people of the world have had their chance to proclaim their allegiance to God, and now God’s great judgment is about to begin. If you are reading this, you have already heard God’s truth. You know that God’s final judgment will not be put off forever. Have you joyfully received the everlasting Good News? Have you confessed your sins and trusted in Christ to save you? If so, you have nothing to fear from God’s judgment. The Judge of all the earth is your Savior!
Revelation 14:8 Babylon was the name of both an evil city and an immoral empire, a world center for idol worship. Babylon ransacked Jerusalem and carried the people of Judah into captivity (see 2 Kgs 25; 2 Chr 36). Just as Babylon was the early Christians’ worst enemy. John, who probably did not dare speak against Rome openly, applied the name Babylon to this enemy of God’s people (Rome)–and, by extension, to all God’s enemies of all times.
Revelation 14:9-11 Those who worship the beast, accept his mark, and operate according to his world economic system will ultimately face God’s judgment. Our world values money, power, and pleasure over God’s leadership. To get what the world values, many people deny God and violate Christian principles. Thus, they must drink of the wine of God’s anger (see Ps 75; Isa 51:17).
Revelation 14:11 The ultimate result of sin is unending separation from God. Because human beings are created in God’s image with an inborn thirst for fellowship with him, separation from God will be the ultimate torment and misery. Sin always brings misery, but in this life we can choose to repent and restore our relationship with God. In eternity there will no longer be opportunity for repentance. If in this life we choose to be separated from him forever. Nobody is forced to choose eternal separation from God, and nobody suffers this fate by accident. Jesus invites all of us to open the door of our hearts to him (Rev 3:20). If we do this, we will enjoy everlasting fellowship with him.
Revelation 14:12 This news about God’s ultimate triumph should encourage God’s people to remain faithful through every trial and persecution. They can do this, God promises, by trusting in Jesus and obeying the commands found in his Word. The secret to enduring, therefore is trust and obedience. Trust God to give you patience to endure even the small trials you face daily; obey him even when obedience is unattractive or dangerous.
Revelation 14:13 While it is true that money, fame, and belongings can’t be taken with us from this life, God’s people can produce fruit that survives even death. God will remember our love, kindness, and faithfulness, and those who accept Christ through our witness will join us on the new earth. Be sure that your values are in line with God’s values, and decide today to produce fruit that lasts forever.
The Great Prostitute (Revelation 17:1-18)
Revelation 17:1ff The destruction of Babylon mentioned in Revelation 16:17-21 is now described in greater detail. The “great prostitute,” called Babylon, represents the early Roman Empire with its many gods and the blood of Christian martyrs on its hands. The water stands for either sea commerce or a well-watered (well-provisioned) city. The great prostitute represents the seductiveness of the governmental system that uses immoral means to gain its own pleasure, prosperity, and advantage. In contrast to the prostitute, Christ bride, the church, is pure and obedient (Rev 19:6-9). The wicked city of Babylon contrasts with the heavenly city of Jerusalem (Rev 21:10-22:5). The original readers probably rather quickly identified Babylon with Rome, but Babylon also symbolizes any system that is hostile to God (see Rev 17:5).
Revelation 17:3 The angel took John into the wilderness to see the prostitute in her reality. (The scarlet beast is either the dragon of Rev 12:3 or the beast out of the sea described in Rev 13:1.) Sometimes we can only get a clear view of reality when we step back from our daily lives and see the patterns of evil and sin around us. Retreats, conferences, and days of prayer and fasting can help us extricate ourselves from jobs, newspapers, and television and bring us to new spiritual heights. Take time to view the reality of your life and evaluate its direction and activities. Do these glorify God and renew you to serve others?
Revelation 17:6 Throughout history, people have been killed for their faith. Over the last century, millions have been killed by oppressive governments, and many of those victims were believers. The woman’s drunkenness shows her pleasure in her evil accomplishments and her false feeling of triumph over the church. But every martyr who has fallen before her sword has only served to strengthen the faith of the church. Persecution is by no means a thing of the past. Christians in many parts of the world know that faith in Christ amounts to a death sentence. Believers who live in places free of such persecution must not forget to pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ in those difficult parts of the world.
Revelation 17:8 We met the dragon, Satan (Rev 12); we saw the beast from the sea and the power he received from Satan (Rev 13); we saw God’s great judgments (Rev 14-16). In Revelation 17, a scarlet beast similar to the beast and the dragon appears as an ally of the great prostitute. The beast was alive, died, and then came back to life. The beast’s resurrection symbolizes the persistence of evil. This resurgence of evil power will convince many to join forces with the beast, but those who choose the side of evil condemn themselves to the devil’s fate-eternal torment.
Revelation 17:8 For more information on the Book of Life, see the note on Revelation 3:5 p. 1806.
Revelation 17:9-11 Here John is referring to Rome, the city famous for its seven hills. Many say that this city also symbolized all evil in the world-any person, religion, group, government, or structure that opposed Christ. Whatever view is taken of the seven hills and seven kings, this section indicates the climax of Satan’s struggle against God. Evil’s power is limited, and its destruction is on the horizon.
Revelation 17:12 As we ponder the identity of the seven kings and the emergence of the ten kings, we must see John’s theme of worldly power and its ultimate ineffectiveness against God and his people. Their authority only lasts “for one brief moment,” symbolizing its brevity and ultimate destruction. As Christians, have we become infatuated with the worldly power of movie stars, sports celebrities, political coalitions, and world economic forces? Are you craving the power and prestige that position, wealth, and connections offer? If so, you are an easy target for Satan’s trap; the desire for it can turn us away from God. Worship only God and make it your strongest desire to serve him.
Revelation 17:16 In a dramatic turn of events, the prostitute’s allies turn on her and destroy her. This is how evil operates. Destructive by its very nature, it discards its own adherents when they cease to serve its purposes. An unholy alliance is an uneasy alliances because each partner puts its own interests first.
Revelation 17:17 No matter what happens, we must trust that God is still in charge, that God overrules all the plans and intrigues of the evil one, and that God’s plans will happen just as he says. God even uses people opposed to him as tools to execute his will. Although he allows evil to permeate this present world, the new earth will never know sin.
Revelation 18:1ff This chapter shows the complete destruction of Babylon, John’s metaphorical name for the evil world power and all it represents. Everything that tries to block God’s purposes will come to a violent end. (For more information on how the book of Revelation uses the name Babylon, see the note on Rev 14:8, p. 1821.)
Revelation 18:2-3 Merchants in the Roman Empire grew rich by exploiting the sinful pleasures of their society. Many business people today do the same thing. Businesses and governments are often based on greed, money, and power. Many bright individuals are tempted to take advantage of an evil system to enrich themselves. Christians are warned to stay free from the lure of money, status, and the good life. We are to live according to the values Christ exemplified: service, giving, self-sacrifice, obedience, and truth.
Revelation 18:4-8 The people of Babylon had lived in luxury and pleasure. The city boasted, “I am queen on my throne…. I have no reason to mourn.” The powerful, wealthy people of this world are susceptible to this same attitude. A person who is financially comfortable often feels invulnerable, secure, and in control, feeling no need for God or anyone else. This kind of attitude defies God, and his judgment against it is harsh. We are told to avoid Babylon’s sins. If you are financially secure, don’t become complacent and deluded by the myth of self-sufficiency. Use your resources to help others and advance God’s Kingdom.
Revelation 19:10 The angel did not accept John’s homage and worship because only God is worthy of worship. Like John, it would be easy for us to become overwhelmed by this prophetic pageant. But Jesus is the central focus of God’s revelation and his redemptive plan (as announced by the prophets). As you read the book of Revelation, don’t get bogged down in all the details of the awesome visions; remember that the overarching theme in all the visions is the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over evil.
Revelation 19:11 The name “Faithful and True” contrasts with the faithless and deceitful Babylon described in Revelation 18.
Revelation 19:11-21 John’s vision shifts again. Heaven opens, and Jesus appears -this time not as a Lamb but as a warrior on a white horse (symbolizing victory). Jesus came first as a Lamb to be a sacrifice for sin, but he will return as a conqueror and king to execute judgment (2 Thes 1:7-10). Jesus’ first coming brought forgiveness; his second will bring judgment. The battle lines have been drawn between God and evil, and the world is waiting for the King to ride onto the field.
Revelation 19:12 Although Jesus is called “Faithful and True” (Rev 19:11). “Word of God” (Rev 19:13), and “King of all kings and Lord of all lords” (Rev 19:16), this verse implies that no name can do him justice. He is greater than any description or expression the human mind can devise.
Revelation 20:2-4 The 1,000 years are often referred to as the Millennium (Latin for 1,000). Just how and when this 1,000 years takes place is understood differently among Christian Scholars. The three major positions on this issue are called postmillennialism, premillennialism, and amillennialism.
(1) Postmillennialism looks for a literal 1,000-year period of peace on earth ushered in by the church. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be unleashed once more, but then Christ will return to defeat him and reign forever. Christ second coming will not occur until after the 1,000-year period.
(2) Premillennialism also views the 1,000 years as a literal time period but holds that Christ’s second coming initiates his 1,000-year reign and that his reign occurs before the final removal of Satan.
(3) Amillennialism understand the 1,000-year period to be symbolic of the time between Christ’s ascension and his return. This Millennium is the reign of Christ in the hearts of believers and in his church; thus, it is another way of referring to the church age. This period will end with the second coming of Christ.
These different views about the Millennium need not cause division and controversy in the church because each view acknowledges what is most crucial to Christianity: Christ will return, defeat Satan, and reign forever! Whatever and whenever the Millennium is, Jesus Christ will unite all believers; therefore, we should not let this issue divide us.
Revelation 20:3 John doesn’t say why God releases Satan for a little while, but it is part of God’s plan for judging the world. Perhaps it is to expose those who rebel against God in their hearts and confirm those who are truly faithful to God. Whatever the reason, Satan’s release results in the final destruction of all evil (Rev 20:12-15).
Revelation 20:4 The beast’s mark is explained in the note on Revelation 13:16-18, p1820.
Revelation 20:5-6 Christians hold two basic views concerning this first resurrection:
(1) Some believe that the first resurrection is spiritual (in our hearts at salvation) and that the Millennium is our spiritual reign with Christ between his first and second comings. During this time, we are priests of God because Christ reigns in our hearts. In this view, the second resurrection is the bodily resurrection of all people for judgment.
(2) Others believe that the first resurrection occurs after Satan has been set aside. It is a physical resurrection of believers, who then reign with Christ on the earth for a literal 1,000 years. The second resurrection occurs at the end of this Millennium in order to judge unbelievers who have died.
Revelation 20:6 The second death is spiritual death–everlasting separation from God (see Rev 21:8).
Revelation 20:7-9 Gog and Magog symbolize all the forces of evil that band together to battle God. Noah’s son Japheth had a son named Magog (Gen 10:2) Ezekiel presents Gog as a leader of forces against Israel (Ezek 38-39).
Revelation 20:9 This is not a typical battle where the outcome is in doubt during the heat of the conflict. Here again, there is no contest. Two mighty forces of evil-those of the beast (Rev 19:19) and of Satan (Rev 20:8)– unite to do battle against God. The Bible uses just two verses to describe each battle: The evil beast and his forces are captured and thrown into fiery lake (Rev 19:20-21), and fire from heaven consumes Satan and his attacking armies (Rev 20:9-10). For God, it is as easy as that. There will be no doubt, no worry, no second thoughts for believers about whether they have chosen the right side. If you are with God, you will experience this tremendous victory with Christ.
Revelation 22:17 Both the Holy Spirit and the bride, the church, extend the invitation to all the world to come to Jesus and experience the joys of salvation in Christ.
Revelation 22:17 When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, he told her of the living water that he could supply (John 4:10-15). This image is used again as Christ invites anyone to come and drink of the water of life. The Good News is unlimited in scope-all people everywhere may come. Salvation cannot be earned, but God gives it freely. We live in a world desperately thirsty for living water, and many are dying of thirst. But it’s still not too late. Let us invite everyone to come and drink.