Scripture quotations are from the 1901 american standard version unless otherwise indicated. And another book shall be opened the book of the scriptures, the statutebook of heaven, the rule of life. Nine times out of ten, when people ask, how do you interpret the book of. And another book shall be openedthe book of the scriptures, the statutebook of heaven, the rule of life. Study the bible online using commentary on revelation 20. The book is traditionally attributed to john the apostle, but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate. These 7 angels had the 7 bowls that contained the 7 last awful troubles from god.
Only one is written by the apostle paul philippians 4. Biblical studiesnew testament commentariesrevelation. And i saw the dead, small and great, standing before god. Being the resurrection of condemnation john john 5. A preterist commentary james rinkevich october 1, 2015 at 10. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. The sea, death, and hades, give up their dead, and are destroyed. The book of life, in this context, is the set of names of those who will live with god forever in heaven. This bible study takes an indepth, yet practical, look at. Biblical studiesnew testament commentariesrevelationchapter 20.
Revelation 20 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. God opens a number of books including the book of life. And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the lord and from the glory of his power 2th. And another book was opened, which is the book of life. After the wicked surround the city of god, but before they are destroyed. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. And i the apostle john saw the dead, small and great, standing before god. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast. God will raise the martyred saints to eternal life, but the unjust dead will not be resurrected until the end of this period. The word resurrection ajnavstasiv is used almost exclusively in the new testament to refer to the elimination of the condition of physical death through bodily resurrection. God is showing the past, present, and the unfolding of future history. A name cannot be both written in the books and in the book of the lamb. These occurrences are all found in the new testament.
Isiah 24 and ezekiel 3639 also contain similarities to revelation 20. This chapter contains the notable account of the millennium and the judgment of the dead. Christ, with almighty power, will keep the devil from deceiving mankind as he has hitherto done. Also, it has cross references for each scripture, plus free online commentaries. The book of revelation is one of the most intriguing books of the bible. Whether this means the lake of fire exists throughout the millenniumperhaps as a vivid. David guzik commentary on revelation 20, where the saints rain for a thousand years, after which. Revelation 20 commentary william barclays daily study bible. And another book was opened, which is the book of life this book is singled out from among the other books. Only the just, the righteous, will rise at christs second coming. Revelation 20 commentary chuck smith bible commentary. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading revelation the niv application commentary book 20. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire20.
The thousandyear interval is used in two connections in this passage. After the wicked surround the city of god, but before they are destroyed, god opens the books of heaven and shows each one of the lost the record of his life of rebellion against god. The phrase book of life is found only eight times, in eight verses, in the bible. Revelation 20, king james version kjv the bible app.
Modern day izmir, turkey its interesting that only in the book of revelation is smyrna and its church mentioned rev 1. Revelation 20 new international version niv biblica. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. Charles smith wrote a good article on the book of life in the bible not agreeing with my position. The judgment of the dead at the great white throne, revelation 20. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. The biblical reference to this unique volume, found in revelation 20, is the one most familiar to people. The victors in sardis are promised that their names would not be erased from the book of life rev. It is only when we start to overallegorize it or to force its interpretation according to our preconceived ideas or doctrines about the end. Also the temple itself had existed in some form for a years when the romans burned it down.
Revelation 422, reveals the future end time events that extend into the future unto eternity and establishes this as the end of gods revelation to man. On the other hand, those who are not found written in the book of life, revelation 20. Filled with vivid imagery, rich themes, and deep spiritual insights, it can be challenging to read and understand. If a person committed crimes, or otherwise defiled his standing in the city, he could be called before a tribunal and his name removed from the city registry, literally blotted out. The reward of the righteous, have right to the tree of life vss. Revelation 20 bible commentary matthew henry complete. Revelation 20 is the twentieth chapter of the book of revelation or the apocalypse of john in the new testament of the christian bible. Revelation the niv application commentary book 20 kindle edition by keener, craig s download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. It is the passage concerning gods judgment on the vast majority of mankind. And i saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. In addition to the book of life, there are other categories of records or books mentioned in scripture. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Nine times out of ten, when people ask, how do you interpret the book of revelation.
The book of life is the record of those who received eternal life at some point in time. The millennial kingdom revelation chapter 20 commentary. The phrase second death is found only in the book of revelation, the first time in the letter to the church at smyrna. Study revelation 20 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better. In revelation, the book of life refers to a divine record of all believers those who live eternally with god in the new heavens and the new earth. Cities in johns day had a city register which listed the names of every citizen.
And i saw the dead, small and great of every age and condition, rank and degree. The names not found in it were not a part of gods called and chosen peoplethey. This book of life is also mentioned in revelation 3. Commentaries for revelation chapter 20 the imprisonment of the dragon, or satan.
He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the devil and satan, and bound him for b a thousand years. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. He will dutifully check the book of life for the name of each and every one who stands in this judgment. He never wants power and instruments to break the power of satan. The binding of satan for one thousand years, revelation 20. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. The book of life was the registry of the approved of god. And if anyones name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Smithexamination of the passages in the ot and the nt speaking of the book of life and related phrases reveals that early in the ot the book was related to. Smithexamination of the passages in the ot and the nt speaking of the book of life and related phrases reveals that early in the ot the book was related to recipients of conditional covenantal blessings. The consequence of omission from the book of life is being thrown into the lake of fire. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 20. Aug 02, 2016 utley writes that there are two books mentioned in scripture.
Christ shuts by his power, and seals by his authority. After books are opened, and above all the book of life, the dead are judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books v. The millennial reign of christ with the saints, revelation 20. This commentary on revelation will prove, contrary to what most people think, that the revelation, the last book of the bible, is not difficult to understand if we will take a simple, facevalue, commonsense approach to interpreting it. The primary reason the first resurrection in revelation 20 must refer to a physical resurrection concerns the terminology itself. In this preterist commentary on revelation 20, compelling historical evidence is presented showing that the thousand year reign was literally one thousand years long and the gog mentioned in this chapter is the literal, historical gog of turkey mentioned in biblical history. The single condition here stated, as being what would save any from being cast into the lake of fire, is, that they are found written in the book of life. And i saw the dead, small and great, stand before god. Another book shall be opened, the book of the scriptures, the rule of life. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. The book of deeds or remembrances is described in ps.
This book is opened as containing the law, the touchstone by which the hearts and lives of men are to be tried. Read revelation 20 kjv along with a helpful commentary. Utley writes that there are two books mentioned in scripture. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. John equates the second death with the lake of fire, the final judgment of the incorrigibly wicked, those whose names are not found in the book of life. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death revelation 2. Status will not influence this judgment because jesus will judge the great as well as the small. While the bible speaks often of death, one death in particular, the second death, mankind knows little of. The versebyverse commentary on revelation introduction this commentary on revelation will prove, contrary to what most people think, that the revelation, the last book of the bible, is not difficult to understand if we will take a simple, facevalue, commonsense approach to interpreting it. The images are intended to teach and to spark an emotion upon seeing the things john sees. After this aborted battle, satan is then judged and tormented forever together with the beast and the false prophet, who were cast into the lake of fire at the beginning of the thousand years revelation 19. Nov 06, 2019 scripture quotations are from the 1901 american standard version unless otherwise indicated.
It is clear from this verse that only the presence of a persons name in the lambs book of life keeps them from being cast into the lake of fire. While these events occur after the millennium, the lake of fire is also shown to exist before the millennium revelation 19. The positive use of this book is given in revelation 20. Revelation 20 bible commentary matthew henry concise. The book of revelation is the only book in the bible, that i know of, that has a blessing associated with it for those who will read itnot once but twice. As we read what john sees, i ask you to visualize and imagine the descriptions given. The primary act disqualifying the earth dwellers from inclusion in the book of life is worshiping the beast rather than the lamb cf. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire 20. Cast into the lake of fire they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Yet woven throughout revelations sweeping tapestry is a unifying message. First, god opens books other than the book of life.
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20 the thousand years 1 and i saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. The crushing of the final satanled rebellion, revelation 20. Sea released its dead, death and hell turned in their dead. The redeemed will be blessed with gods intimate presence for eternity, but these go away into torment and eternal separation from all that is goodgod. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the book of life was hurled into lake fire. Revelation 20 1 then i saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
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