The End of the Story

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Revelation 20:7-15

TO CHEW ON: "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Revelation 20:10

When you read a book, do you ever skip to the end, to see how it turns out? Today’s reading is the place we’d go to see how the story of the Bible, the story of the fight between God and Satan, ends.

"The Fall" by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Published 1907

Throughout time Satan has tried every trick to win. He started out by lying to Eve and persuading her to disobey God - to sin. Through the centuries he has lied to, stolen from, scared and tricked people. When Jesus came, Satan and his demons worked hard to destroy Him. Jesus was killed. But God used Satan’s plan to backfire on him. For Jesus didn’t stay dead. He rose, won over death and now everyone who trusts in Jesus’ death as payment for their sins wins over death as well.

1. What is Satan’s end (Revelation 20:10)?

"An angel casts beast Satan into the pit" by Caspar Luiken, 1712

2. The trouble is, Satan and his buddies don’t go there alone. Who goes with them (Revelation 20:15)?

3. How does a person get their name written in God’s Book of Life? John 3:16 has the answer. Fill in the missing words: “For God so loved the world (including you!) that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus) that _____________ ______________ ____ ____ shall not _____________ but have ____________ ______________.” If your name isn’t written in God’s Book of Life, it can be. Just believe in Jesus. The minute you trust Jesus, it’s there.

PRAYER: Jesus, I believe Your death paid the penalty for my sins. Thank You my name is written in the Book of Life. Amen.

"The New Jerusalem descending from Heaven"
by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1851-1860

MORE: Another Ending
What is the end of the story for those whose names ARE in the Book of Life?

Read about it in Revelation 21:1-8. Which things will be in heaven? Which things won’t?

sea                idol worshipers
water of life      tears
death              God
cowardly           pain
God’s people       murderers
liars              unbelieving
crying             New Jerusalem
magicians

"The New Jerusalem" by Darlene Slavujac
Copyright 1993, Used with the artist's permssion

ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.