Our study of Revelation 20 this morning reminds us that there are many subjects in Scripture that are not easy to talk about or popular to teach on. Nevertheless, we need to remember that nothing that we find in Scripture is insignificant or unnecessary (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 19:7-11). From the very first verse in Genesis to the very last verse in the Revelation, we have the written revelation of the will and purposes of God (Romans 1:2; Hebrews 1:1-2, for example).
One would not expect demons and demonology to be popular topics. Amazingly, they are amongst the most popular in Hollywood’s box office attractions. Only Satan himself would want us to think of him and his kingdom as a form of entertainment. There is nothing entertaining about spiritual warfare, however. Spiritual warfare is something that each and every follower of Jesus deals with on a daily basis (Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3,4). Whether we like it or not, the Bible is clear in its revelation that there is a very real entity called the devil. Jesus Himself battled with him (Luke 4:1-13), and spoke of his fall from heaven (Luke 10:18,19).
Today we read an amazing account of demon-like creatures ascending from a bottomless pit that is located somewhere beneath our earth’s surface. And that reminds us of another very disturbing subject: the subject of hell as a real place where real people will spend eternity because they reject the record that God has given regarding His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ (Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-15).
While it is important to believe the Bible and its revelation regarding the devil and demons, it is equally important that we avoid becoming preoccupied with the kingdom of darkness. For we who are in Christ Jesus are to be setting our affections and our mind on things above (Colossians 3:1,2). Our King is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus has promised us a peace in the midst of the tribulations of life (John 14:27, 16:33). The gospel that we are to share with the lost is a gospel of peace (Ephesians 2:17, 6:15).
Reader, have you come to experience first hand the peace that Jesus Christ gives to those who repent of their sin and trust in Him (Colossians 1:20)? Yes, there are many perplexing and disturbing things found in the Bible, but let us never forget that the main theme of all of Scripture is Jesus Himself (John 5:39; Hebrews 10:7).
