Everyday Life in Revelation Part 10: The Final DaySample

At the end of this era, between the first and second comings of Jesus, Satan will be released from his bondage to deceive the nations and to gather them one last time for battle against God and His people (20:7–10). John is taking us back to other scenes of the final conflict and judgment in texts such as 6:12–17, 17:11–18, and 19:11–21. Whether we take the amillennial, postmillennial, or even premillennial interpretation of Revelation 20, then it seems that we should expect an increase of wickedness and attack on the church just before Jesus consummates His kingdom. As no one knows the day or hour of this return, however, we cannot say for certain whether the present spread of evil means that Jesus is about to return. He could come today, tomorrow, or a thousand years from now. All we can do is be ready today. For all we know, His second coming in glory could be at hand.

We do not want to take an increase in overt evil lightly, especially when societies approve of what they know to be sin. Still, we should not ultimately fear when evil increases, for if we are in Christ, the enemy cannot finally defeat us. Satan may gather an innumerable force to battle the church, but even the mightiest army is no match for the Lord of Hosts.