Revelation 20 Devotional

When Death Itself Is Judged

“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”Revelation 20:6 (BSB)

Christians who love Scripture have understood the thousand years of Revelation 20 in different ways. Whatever the details, its main lines are clear. Satan is seized, bound, and sealed in the Abyss so that he cannot deceive the nations (20:1-3). Those who were faithful to Jesus, even to death, are seen alive and reigning with Christ (20:4). When Satan is released, his final assault ends with fire from heaven, and he is thrown into the lake of fire for good (20:9-10).

Then comes the great white throne. The dead, great and small, stand before God, books are opened, and each is judged by what they have done (20:12-13). It is a sobering scene. Every life is accounted for. But another book is opened too, the book of life (20:12, 15). Those who share in Christ's victory are told that the second death cannot touch them (20:6). Even Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire (20:14). Your hope at the judgment rests on the one whose book it is.

To think about: What does it mean for you today that your hope at the judgment rests on the Lamb rather than on your own record?