atan is bound for a thousand years. (1-3) The first
resurrection; those are blessed that have part therein. (4-6)
Satan loosed, Gog and Magog. (7-10) The last and general
resurrection. (11-15)
Verses 1-3: Here is a vision, showing by a figure the restraints laid
on Satan himself. Christ, with Almighty power, will keep the
devil from deceiving mankind as he has hitherto done. He never
wants power and instruments to break the power of Satan. Christ
shuts by his power, and seals by his authority. The church shall
have a time of peace and prosperity, but all her trials are not
yet over.
Verses 4-6: Here is an account of the reign of the saints, for the same
space of time as Satan is bound. Those who suffer with Christ,
shall reign with him in his spiritual and heavenly kingdom, in
conformity to him in his wisdom, righteousness, and holiness:
this is called the first resurrection, with which none but those
who serve Christ, and suffer for him, shall be favoured. The
happiness of these servants of God is declared. None can be
blessed but those that are holy; and all that are holy shall be
blessed. We know something thing of what the first death is, and
it is very awful; but we know not what this second death is. It
must be much more dreadful; it is the death of the soul, eternal
separation from God. May we never know what it is: those who
have been made partakers of a spiritual resurrection, are saved
from the power of the second death. We may expect that a
thousand years will follow the destruction of the antichristian,
idolatrous, persecuting powers, during which pure Christianity,
in doctrine, worship, and holiness, will be made known over all
the earth. By the all-powerful working of the Holy Spirit,
fallen man will be new-created; and faith and holiness will as
certainly prevail, as unbelief and unholiness now do. We may
easily perceive what a variety of dreadful pains, diseases, and
other calamities would cease, if all men were true and
consistent Christians. All the evils of public and private
contests would be ended, and happiness of every kind largely
increased. Every man would try to lighten suffering, instead of
adding to the sorrows around him. It is our duty to pray for the
promised glorious days, and to do every thing in our public and
private stations which can prepare for them.
Verses 7-10: While this world lasts, Satan's power in it will not be
wholly destroyed, though it may be limited and lessened. No
sooner is Satan let loose, than he again begins deceiving the
nations, and stirring them up to make war with the saints and
servants of God. It would be well if the servants and ministers
of Christ were as active and persevering in doing good, as his
enemies in doing mischief. God will fight this last and decisive
battle for his people, that the victory may be complete, and the
glory be to himself.
Verses 11-15: After the events just foretold, the end will speedily
come; and there is no mention of any thing else, before the
appearing of Christ to judge the world. This will be the great
day: the Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ, will then put on majesty
and terror. The persons to be judged are the dead, small and
great; young and old, low and high, poor and rich. None are so
mean, but they have some talents to account for; and none so
great, as to avoid having to account for them. Not only those
alive at the coming of Christ, but all the dead. There is a book
of remembrance both for good and bad: and the book of the
sinner's conscience, though formerly secret, will then be
opened. Every man will recollect all his past actions, though he
had long forgotten many of them. Another book shall be opened,
the book of the Scriptures, the rule of life; it represents the
Lord's knowledge of his people, and his declaring their
repentance, faith, and good works; showing the blessings of the
new covenant. By their works men shall be justified or
condemned; he will try their principles by their practices.
Those justified and acquitted by the gospel, shall be justified
and acquitted by the Judge, and shall enter into eternal life,
having nothing more to fear from death, or hell, or wicked men;
for these are all destroyed together. This is the second death;
it is the final separation of sinners from God. Let it be our
great concern to see whether our Bibles justify or condemn us
now; for Christ will judge the secrets of all men according to
the gospel. Who shall dwell with devouring flames?
atan is bound for a thousand years. (1-3) The first
resurrection; those are blessed that have part therein. (4-6)
Satan loosed, Gog and Magog. (7-10) The last and general
resurrection. (11-15)