Revelation 20;10

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophets had been thrown.”

Was the struggle between Satan the Lamb to never end?  That is the legitimate question.

The drama unfolds in several chapters, 12 t0 18, with figurative pictures and events.  Complicated yet quite simple. The fact that the Spirit uses pictures does not mean that the truth is not at the heart of the figures or illustrations. In fact, all the “strange” images and so forth are to assert the solid reality of the cosmic battle as Satan, now in the earth, tries every stratagem imaginable to discredit and defeat God Almighty, primarily, at this point, by persecuting the followers of the Lamb.

There is an end to this battle, simply but magnificently stated in our verse for today, Rev. 20:10.  “The devil was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur.”  The prior chapters tell of the defeat of the beast, etc.  Now Satan, the source of all evil, meets his fate.  He was cast out of heaven when Jesus gave his life for our redemption and now here he is cast out of the land of the living by that very same power.

That is the sure end of the seemingly interminable conflict – the crucified Lamb is, surprisingly, the victor!

John, in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day on that island in the sea, now had his spirit renewed as the visions passed before him. He was much aware of the spiritual battle between the powers of darkness that held sway in the Roman Empire and the sons of light, the followers of the Lamb.

God, in his mercy, revealed to John in the clearest of terms that even though it might look like Satan’s power can never be broken, behold, his end is certain!  Now, brother John, find rest in your spirit and encourage the brothers and sisters in the seven churches to persevere, knowing that they will stand, one day, among the redeemed who sing their new song, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.”  21:3  That is us! Can there possibly be better news?