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3. Death Will be Judged (Revelation 20:14-15)
REVELATION 20:14-15
14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
On the cross Jesus has defeated Satan and death “legally and spiritually”. Death could not keep hold of the Son of God in his realm, as he was sinless and in his own had the eternal live as source of live. “Jesus Christ has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:10; 1 John 3:8). Since Satan had been deprived of his power and thrown into the fire sea, there was nobody who had power over death any longer (Hebrew 2:14). In addition, the judge ordered death to hand over all his prisoners.
The deprivation of power of death was effected stepwise. At first the sea had to hand over all the dead. If the oceans of the earth are meant therewith, which cover nearly three quarters of the surface of the earth, then they are together with their unexplored depths and shoals the biggest burial chamber of mankind. Perhaps, however, the waters are meant therewith, upon which the earth rested according to the ancient worldview. In this case the underworld that is ruled by demons has to set free all its prisoners.
Afterwards, death will be forced to set free his specially bound that he had chained to himself. Then nobody was left over for him as a hostage.
Finally death had to open the doors to Hades, for Jesus had taken the keys of hell and death at the time of his resurrection (Revelation 1:18). The power of the keys and the authority is now given to the risen Lord who during his time as dead person had preached the gospel of live to the dead in Hades (1 Peter 3:19; 4:6).
After death was taken all his dead, he was in for it now. Likewise as Satan before, he was turned on his ear out into the wavy fire sea and together with him all his accomplices, his facilities, his torture-chambers, his records and files, his gas chambers and special dungeons. Whatever is related to death was destroyed, burnt, died down, including also killer bacteria, radioactivity and weapons of mass destruction. All this hellish stuff will be destroyed by the judgment. From now on there is no death any more. Death is the last enemy who will be subjugated to Christ, as he disturbed live in the Kingdom of Peace. Hallelujah!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, we worship You because You died according to Your body after a tempest of sufferings, but according to Your Holy Spirit You triumphantly rose from Your tomb when You had overcome the enemy of life. Yours are the keys of hell and death and You will entirely destroy Satan and hell. We continue to worship You and thank You. You are the unique Victor. Amen.
QUESTION:
- How will Christ end the devil and death?