Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Valuable Resource:

For a fuller understanding of today’s theme text, please enjoy the Bible study titled, “1000 Years of Peace” brought to you by Amazingfacts.org.

Here’s a direct link to the study: http://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4989/t/1000-years-of-peace

Today’s Scripture:

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:1–3).

Today’s Observation:

The time of peace is quickly approaching. This peace will extend for a period of 1,000 years. Can you imagine this world having 1,000 years of peace? With all of the senseless bombings and wars, which have intensified since September 11, it is difficult to believe that real peace is possible for one full day, not to mention a millennium. In spite of how difficult it is to believe, we will experience it if we are faithful.

When you have an opportunity, study the 20th chapter of Revelation. You will find startling and glorious truths depicted there. The Lord has promised that He will return to this old earth to rescue His children. Those who love Him and have heeded the call to remain faithful will soon welcome His arrival. At the Second Coming, the faithful will be changed immediately and receive immortality, the unrepentant will die and stay dead for 1,000 years, and the devil with his demons will be bound for 1,000 years. The chain with which they will be bound will be one of circumstance. They will finally be laid off from their job of destruction and temptation, only to sit idle. The Lord will give them ample opportunity to contemplate their evil. This world will be at peace while they await the final judgment that will occur at the end of the 1,000 years.

Conclusion:

It is a wonderful thing to know that those who continue loving the Lord until the end of time will finally live in peace. If we are faithful, we will go to heaven to praise the Lord and enjoy the beautiful gift He has been preparing for us. We will walk the streets of gold and eat from the Tree of Life. We will also reign with the Lord while looking through the record He has kept of all of the sins of the wicked. We will know without doubt that His judgment is just, and that He gave everyone abundant opportunity to live eternally.

I am so glad that I do not have to rely on any political superpower to bring about peace. The Lord will soon appear to give His people 1,000 years of much needed rest. Shortly after those years have lapsed, all wickedness will be put to an end. Sin and sinners will be annihilated, never to rise again. Death will be abolished and evil will be rooted out of the universe forever. When this is done, time will drift into eternity and we will inherit the new earth. I look forward to that day.

A Prayer for Your Hearts:

Lord, thank you for your promise of peace! In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.--L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)