Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, October 29, 2015

Valuable Resource:

For a fuller understanding of today’s theme text, please enjoy the Bible study titled, “Is the Devil in Charge of Hell?” brought to you by Amazingfacts.org.

Here’s a direct link to the study: http://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4988/t/is-the-devil-in-charge-of-hell

Today’s Scripture:

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14).

Today’s Observation:

With all of the turmoil we have become accustomed to experiencing, and grief we endure regularly, we can all relate to the thought of being weary. In some way or another, we are weary of overwork, crime, red tape, unsuitable programming on television, or something. Our lives have become complicated by sin. Even if we have chosen to follow the Lord with our entire being, we are not immune to the effects of sin. It will not be until God eradicates sin forever that we will be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

The Bible says that Jesus Christ is soon to come. His arrival is closer that we can imagine. If we continue to be faithful, we will be able to walk streets of gold, and eat from the tree of life. Until then, we will need to endure hard trials. We will need to be patient knowing that our crowns are laid up in glory for the appointed time. One thing I look forward to particularly is the day when all death is destroyed. Jesus took the sting of fear away when He conquered death at His resurrection, and one day the faithful will see the entire fruit of that victory. At the Second Coming of Christ, we will see those who lived for Jesus burst from the bonds of death and live uninterrupted lives forever and ever. Those who remain alive until Jesus comes will, with those who burst the bonds of death, receive immortality for the very first time (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Never more will the faithful be separated from their loved ones. Never more will they experience pain and privation.

With all of this in view, there is still a period following Jesus’ arrival that must pass for all tears and death to be completely gone. As we have mentioned a few times before, John speaks of a 1,000 year period following the Second Coming in Revelation 20. During that period, God’s people will read the books in which the evil deeds of the wicked are recorded. The righteous will in one accord agree that God is just in His judgment, and agree that He has given every opportunity for those lost souls to be saved. “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” (Revelation 20:7-8). For a brief season, the wicked people and devils will conspire to overtake the city of God, which by then will have partially descended from heaven. Following a quick succession of events, all of wickedness, both root and branch will be destroyed forever. Evil will never rise again. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14-15). When these things finally happen, all of God’s children will say, “Thank the Lord!” (Revelation 21:1-7).

A Prayer for Your Hearts:

Lord, thank you for one day putting an end to all destruction forever! In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.--L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)