Welcome to the Susquehanna Valley Baptist Pulpit, preaching a life worth living, abundant life in Christ, and now the message. Notice, if you will, in Revelation chapter 20, and maybe let's start in verse 7, in fact, and we'll read maybe 7 and 8. It says, And when the thousand years are expired, they've come to a conclusion, this millennial kingdom, a thousand years, it's ended. Satan will be loosed out of his prison. and shall go out to deceive the nations, which are in the four quarters of the earth, so those north of Jerusalem, south of Jerusalem, west of Jerusalem, east of Jerusalem, Gog and Magog, and gather them together to battle the number of whom is the sands of the sea. So that in mind, next week, Lord willing, we'll deal a little bit with the great rebellion against the Savior. But this week I want to focus primarily on that part of verse 7 in the first half of verse 8. Satan shall be loosed out of his prison and shall go out and deceive the nations. And let's speak for a little bit this morning on the return of Satan. It really almost in a literary sense sounds like something that's out of this world. You have an adversary. who nearly eradicated accomplishing his goal during the seven years of tribulation. He really did. He almost accomplished his goal. At Calvary, I believe he thought he accomplished his goal because he bruised the heel of the Christ. But of course, we know in the scripture, the fulfillment of the prophecy in Genesis chapter three, that rather his head was crushed. And this lingering, insulted, injured enemy will continue to persecute and deceive nations, and it comes to the time of the tribulation, and he nearly accomplishes his goal of having a global government that is in direct opposition and rebellion against the God of heaven. And time will not allow us to speak greatly of this, but during the revelations in those chapters, you'll find that men and women will know that the mark of the beast is diabolical and demonic. They'll know that it is not of the God of heaven. And they'll know that that is the defining point. I think this is somewhat something we miss sometimes when studying these things. We get the idea that somebody will accidentally take the mark of the beast. No, I think the battle lines are so clearly drawn. It's even distinct from today. Today, there's a lot of people that are not saints of God, but they're not necessarily openly hostile to the things of Christ. There are people today that can appreciate true religion and undefiled that takes care of the fatherless and the widow. They can appreciate that. They can appreciate the morality that is instructed in them. They can appreciate those things, but all the while not be part of it. One historical character that comes to mind is Benjamin Franklin. If you read Benjamin Franklin's autobiography, as I have, you'll find there's no way to misconstrue the fact that he was not a believer in Christ. He did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He did not believe in the atonement of Christ. By any of his own words, he, both by action and by testimony, was an unbeliever. Yet, it was Ben Franklin that built a tabernacle outside of Philadelphia for the exclusive purpose of George Whitefield to come and preach for the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. There's a man that was not hostile towards the gospel, but also not allied with the gospel. And I think we have some of that that still exists today. When you get to the time of Revelation, it's a clear line of demarcation. And when they see and are brought forth with this beast and the false prophet, these minions of hell, they'll have a decision and the defining line will be this mark of the beast. and it is going to be understood in every heart and in every mind, an individual that takes that mark has allied themselves against the God of heaven. It's that clear. That's why when you come to verse number four, those tribulational saints, what does it say about them? How are they identified? It says, which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither received the what? mark upon their forehands or in their hands. They'll pay the price of their life for their refudiation and refusal to comply with the rebellion of Satan in that day. So the battle lines are clear and now a thousand years have come. Peace has reigned supreme and Satan has now returned. And let's speak on that a little bit, the return of Satan. Notice that first paragraph. The bliss of the millennial reign will be unparalleled. Christ will rule over the whole world. Here's coming upon your first blank with a rod of iron. And the passages whereby you receive that is Isaiah chapter nine talks about the government shall be upon his shoulders. And if you were ever wondering what government? All government. In the millennial kingdom, The government is the same as Christ. You know, in this country we live in, I guess it was in the 1950s that we did this. I can't, I'd have to really research that again, but we began to stamp and imprint all of our coins with, in God we trust, you know, and there's certainly coins older than 1950 as well. But my point is we've tipped our hat to the morality of God. I was in the Capitol building this past week. And I was looking for paperwork, like just, we toured the Capitol building, but I was looking for some paperwork, might be self-guided stuff I could read later. And so the guide was there and said, turn around, there's a credenza over there and you can get anything you want out of it. And so I went over there and I looked, and to my other shock and surprise was a little pamphlet. And I got two copies of it, if you want, want it, want to look at it, you can, but it says biblical quotes in the Capitol. And I grabbed it thinking it's about a half a sheet of paper. It was my kind of cut, a half a sheet of paper. And I pulled that thing out. It was a whole little booklet of all the references in the Capitol, either in part and whole, that are present. It's unmistakable that the founders that set up the Constitution and such of this commonwealth held the Word of God to be in high and plain view. But when you speak of the government of the Millennial Kingdom, all governments, of all people of that era will be under the complete and be total allied with the supreme God of heaven. And he, Psalm 2 and verse 9, will rule with a rod of iron. Now his administration will likely be led by David, King David. And we get that from Ezekiel chapter 34, verse 23 through 24. And he talks about in Isaiah 55, that David shall reign. There's some believe that David will be the regent over Jerusalem. And in that sense, you would have a king supreme, the Lord Jesus Christ, and King David is reigning over the chief city of the millennial kingdom, Jerusalem. But nevertheless, it's in the scriptures. Now, while the saints of all ages, so that's Old Testament saints, New Testament saints, and tribulational saints, shall rule with them. It's an amazing thing to consider. Your faithfulness on this earth will determine what, where you rule in his millennial kingdom, but God has a place prepared for you. So the idea of you sprouting wings and flittering and flying all over eternity seems to be in stark contrast. By the way, I can't think of one time, I don't even know where it comes from, where one time where scriptures will talk about us ever sprouting wings. I really can't. Not one time. I know that we'll sing praises to God, so you might have a theological inkling that playing a harp might be closer to the truth, but sprouting wings I can most certainly not find. But there'll be an eternal work, just like there's a work here that is eternal. In the millennial kingdom in heaven, you'll have an eternal work. You'll have a task that God will have equipped you for and one in which you'll readily and excitedly and fervently and consistently engage in. The population of this global kingdom will truly be impressive with trillions or more people. And if you remember from two weeks ago, we did a whole, or maybe it last week, we did a whole study about, you know, the exponential birth rate of generations. Yet, the sin nature will still exist. The sin nature will still exist. Let me turn to a passage here that I want to touch on in just a moment. In Romans chapter 3, some of you may be able to quote this. Verse 10, this is what the Lord says about human nature. As it is written, there is none righteous No, not one. Verse 11, there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Now, when this is penned originally at Psalm 14, it's quoted in Romans, who's he speaking of? Who falls under the category of none righteous, no, not one? That's all humanity. I want you to note that that's not going to change in the millennial kingdom. The only ones that have overcome the flesh are believers. We would remind you of Romans chapter 6. He said, let not therefore sin reign in your flesh. The moment I'm saved, I have a new king on my heart's throne. And because of that, sin hath no more dominion. It doesn't reign. But most assuredly, it does remain. And that's why we can be tempted with evil. That's why we can know to do good and do it not. And to him that does that, it is sin. Because sin remains. The only individuals to whom has no more remaining sin are those that are perfectly righteous, for they are in the presence of the perfectly righteous one. So entering the millennial kingdom, all the governmental officials globally, that's all the saints of all ages, there's no propensity to sin in them. They're saints of the most high God. They have a redeemed nature. They have been expunged a sin nature. They are not tempted anymore. They are holy and immutably in Christ. But those descendants of the tribulational saints, yet remain in human flesh. And because of that, what does the scripture tell us? None righteous, no, not one. So within a generation removed of the tribulation, just a generation removed from the beginning of the millennial kingdom, you've got trillions of people in whom the sin nature still exists. However, crime and wickedness will seem to be rare. Why? Because God is going to rule with a rod of iron. You know, I had a elementary professor and he was Gene Stephens, Gene Griffith rather. And now don't think me abused or anything, but there was about 70 kindergartners and about 40 or 50 first graders. I mean, it was a big Christian school. And Mr. Griffith, during the time we were changing for recess and lunch, they'd line us up in hallways. And you always had cantankerous people. And he would walk the aisles during those times. He'd walk the big hallways. And in his pocket, right here, he had a paint stick. And we'd be cutting up, they were very clear, you stand up, you stand in your line by name, in a straight line, don't touch the person behind you, don't touch the person behind you and don't talk. And everybody did that right. But when Dr. Griffith came out, and he reached into that pocket, pulled out that stick, you know what everybody did? You conformed. Except for the knuckleheads. We'll be unto you if you decided not to conform. I was one of those ones and he walked up to us and it was me and I might would say that I wasn't the worst one but he started with me and the next four, still got your hand, he swatted us so many times in the hand. Then you know what we did? We conformed. You know what would have happened if we didn't conform? He'd have welcomed us to go see Miss Brenda, the school secretary, and wait for him. For in his office, he had a larger paddle. You see what he was doing? Now imagine a savior that's going to rule with a rod of iron. That's what we're talking about. That's why crime and wickedness will seem so rare. May I say something? One of the reason that murder rates and heinous crimes is on the rise is because society has done away with ruling in a sense with a rod of iron. One of the most inhumane things you can do to a society is remove capital punishment from the law books. This fellow, Luigi, went up to New York City some time ago and he stalked the CEO of that insurance company. He assassinated him. he will not face the death chair. And so he's gonna live his life in prison and people will receive and he'll interchange with letters and one day he may likely even be paroled. That's heinous. It matters not that he didn't like the politics of the CEO or he didn't like the fact that that CEO made decisions that increased his premiums. That matters not. He took a life hunted down someone and took their life. God's desire for that is capital punishment. Now I'm thankful to live in a society that has some grace that allows time for appeals. I don't want someone to face capital punishment if there's any propensity or any possibility that the law has gotten the wrong person as the accused. I don't want that to happen. So I'm for that timeframe. But in God's time, the omniscient God will know the exact intents of a man's heart in a crime, and He will chasten him with that very judgment. That's why crime and wickedness will be rare. The diadem of heaven will rigidly prevent it. Now, those who rebel will likely either face the criminal punishment and be cut off, or they will conform to His administration. So a couple of words, they'll face capital punishment and be cut off or they'll conform to his administration. In Isaiah chapter 65 and verse 20, it talks about the man being a hundred years and dying, dying as an infant. Some postulate that this means that in those first hundred years is when a decision is made of whether they're going to conform or be cut off. But the scripture does not delineate that with detail. Similarly, It seems that the truth of the gospel will be clearly proclaimed in his gospel, in his kingdom rather. Saints who are kings and priests will be accessible to the general public, much like officials are today. I was in the Capitol building. We finished up our little tour. And they probably always tell you this, I just miss it. The tour guide said, now this is a public facility. So if there's any place that you shouldn't go, you'll know you shouldn't go there. It'll be well marked. You'll need a key card. Anywhere else you can go. Now, it was not in chambers. They had passed the budget and left town Wednesday night. But the reality is you could walk down the hallways and go right up to a Pennsylvania senator's or Pennsylvania governor if he's in office or representatives. I likely think that's the case. I'd love to know what the Capitol building of the Millennial Kingdom is going to look like. If I can face one on this age that has Bible verses etched and gold leafing around its dome, what do you think that the Word that became flesh and reigned, what do you think His Capitol building looks like? I think even greater still it would be adorned with people in complete alliance with Him. that you can stop in that Capitol building and there's a Saint of God that will gladly tell you a story, an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory. But they'll be accessible. And because of such, they'll, much in the same sense, always be looking to give an answer to the hope that had resided in their hearts. It's interesting that during this millennial kingdom, the temple will be active and it'll be well-staffed. You can read about that in Ezekiel 43 and 48. down to the lengths and widths and heights and what sacrifices and when they're going to make the sacrifices. It's interesting that in Zechariah chapter 14 delegates will be sent from around the world and they'll offer a memorial sacrifice to God in Jerusalem. In fact, in that illustration in verse 16, it talks about even Egypt will come and give a sacrifice unto God. And if they fail to bring a memorial sacrifice to God, he said, I'll bring famine on their land. Let me put you that in the psalmist words. I'll rule with a rod of iron. You will bring this sacrifice or else I will smite thee. This will not be a time of extended grace. and longsuffering that we experience in this day. You'll bring the sacrifice in Jerusalem or face punitive measures. The privileges available to every millennial citizen are numerous. They will have every opportunity and motive to believe, to love, and to serve Him. And these inhabitants will have been raised in a time of incredible peace and prosperity. Romans chapter 8, the curse has been lifted. In one sense, does this now mean that there's no thorns on roses? The curse is lifted. Isaiah 35, deserts are blooming. Look at the Gobi Desert. Look at the Sahara Desert, the Great Southwest American Desert. There'll be fertile fields. It's an amazing time. Disease will be eradicated. and they'll even be harmony between humans and the animal kingdoms that exist. It's hard for me to understand the implication of these things because my mind exists in the now. In Isaiah chapter 11 it talks about the lion and the lamb. It talks about the harmony that will exist there. What does that mean? Does that mean no more hunting season? There's three deer roaming this property here, little, I don't know, maybe they're all triplets, I don't know. But they're not as startled by humans because they're not hunted. And they just kind of graze and look at you and act like you're invading their space. Imagine that on a global scale. I don't know, it's a serious thought that that brings to my mind. But if you're a citizen of the millennial kingdom, now I'm not talking about a saint, a ruler, I'm talking about one of those that was born at the beginning of the millennial kingdom. This is the world that you knew. They call those post-millennial in this world, they call them native with digital technology. Can you imagine being a native of the millennial kingdom? You never, you were never born in the tribulational timeframe. You're not a saint of God that in some regards remembers the former things. You just, the only knowledge you've got of history is in the millennial kingdom. That's what I'm talking about. Numerous opportunities. The world system which they dwell will not be dominated by the God of this world. You can turn on your TV and there's no, there's no even questionable commercials. There's no praise of illicit activity. The knowledge of the drug industry. We're not talking about the war on terror. We're not talking about the war on drugs. You don't have to worry about your children in drive-by shootings. You don't have to worry about people that will make merchandise of your children. Libertarians will finally understand that God's against prostitution and there'll be no desire to legalize that at the national level. There'll be no conversations about right to life that doesn't exist. Prisons will be exceedingly rare if not non-existent. Why? Because God of this world is not present. Yet their hearts are still naturally deceitful and desperately wicked. The scriptures note in our passage here in Revelation 20 that Satan shall be loosed and one could ask the question, why? Why does he have to be loosed? I mean, a thousand years in a utopian-esque society. Satan's not present. Everything's better than it's ever been in history. Why do we have to release Satan now? Does that not cross your mind? Why can't he just stay bound forever? Why does he have to be released? I think ultimately the part of that answer is certainly the glory of God. may be manifested. That is ultimately the answer to almost every question upon the hearts of God's people. But let me give you some practical reasons why Satan needs to be released. Number one, it proves to these trillions of individuals that are in the millennial kingdom, it proves unequivocally that a peaceful and secure society cannot save. Listen, the very thought That you as a child of God cannot escape the past transgressions. You'll hear sometimes, and this is really a Freudian type psychology, that your past determines your future. That because you were raised in a home where your dad did not show the affection he ought to, that's why you are disabled now from being able to love. Because you were born in a home where a mother did not care for you. That's a Freudian type view. You also have a Rogerian type view which is basically questioning everything you say in life. But in this kingdom the presence the return of Satan will prove once again the infallible truth that regardless of the society you live in that society cannot save you. There is no society that can produce righteousness. I do not care how peaceful and secure it is. A human whose heart is desperately wicked is incapable of producing a society that can produce the new birth. That is God's work and God's work alone. As he's released, it will prove once again that a righteous environment cannot save. It will prove once again that a restored earth cannot save. What's the Audubon? I believe it was his name. Audubon? Is that Audubon Society? I was reading back this summer about Audubon another fellow who was a main advocate of some of the national parks and he was raised in a very strict Presbyterian home and his dad trying to conform that mind would make him memorize so many chapters of the New Testament and if the fellow refused To memorize them, he would be beat ferociously. Well, as you can imagine, as he grew in life, he had nothing but disdain for his dad and hatred for the word of God. And he was one of the founders of our national parks that we have. And they said that even in his old age, he could sit there and quote scripture left and right. It was ingrained into him even from a child, but he was an unbeliever. He believed he was closest to God when he was closest to earth. And so he would leave civilization and long to be in some of these beautiful, we would call them parks today, they weren't in his time, just to be in the presence of nature. Let me make a statement here. The return of Satan will prove once again that it does not matter how restored and beautiful the earth is, it has no propensity or ability to save. Number four, Satan's return will prove unequivocally that an upright government cannot save. There are good governments and bad governments, and I suppose that historically most governments under which humanity exists would not be relegated in the camp of a good government. In fact, I think we as Americans are a little spoiled, for we can talk about a good president and a bad president, and the reality is Due to so many things in our society, we've really not experienced the depth of badness to which a president could be. Now, we could disagree with that. You're welcome to disagree with that. But I would take you to Israel. Look at the kings of Israel and compare them. They're like nothing we've ever... Go to the kings of England. Look at some of the kings of England. I don't forget Henry VIII was busy killing people for what we're doing today. We've not experienced that. and I, for one, hope I never do. That doesn't mean that we don't have good and bad. I'm just telling you the depths of bad aren't nearly historically equivalent. But even an upright government has no propensity to save. If the Apostle Paul could be your president, he would not be good enough to dictate an administration or people that could bring about salvation. Ultimately, the return of Satan proves unequivocally that humanity is not innately good, your blank there being not, and that humanity is naturally prone to rebel against God. Next to last paragraph. Despite being bound and isolated for a thousand years, Satan will be released and will accelerate his longstanding goals. seeks to destroy John 10, 10. He seeks to blind 2 Corinthians 4, 4. Satan will have success even though the resurrection saints likely, almost certainly would preach and warn against him. What a marvelous thing. They'll be no sky on in the governments of Christ in the millennial kingdom that would dare approve of anything that Satan would do. Not because of being conformed to the rod of iron, but because they've been transformed by regeneration of the Spirit of God. They're believers. They're not going to be tempted. And they'll herald out, having held a position for a thousand years of benevolence and goodness, they'll herald out against this diabolical serpent. but Satan will have great success. His strategy, found in 1 John 2, will be on full display. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. These tactics succeeded in the Garden of Eden. They remain in effect today, and they will continue to work in this future time. Masses will reject all established proofs. I think that one's the one that gets me the most. We talk about being saved by faith. And it can sometimes be a struggle for someone to believe that God could save them. But in the millennial kingdom, he's sitting on his throne. David used to reign prior to 922 BC. He's resurrected 3,000 years later and he's sitting on his kingdom. There's many infallible and argumental proofs. And yet the descendants of this millennial kingdom, a host of them, will reject the empirical evidence that is in front of their eyes. They'll reject even the history of the world. They'll reject the Word of God and they'll turn away from God as Savior. These rebellious humans will assemble a demonically influenced army. It's interesting to remember that all the formal strongholds of evil, like Babylon, And false religions have been destroyed for over a thousand years. I find that remarkable. You know, if we were to go in our mind, what's the most evil city in the world right now? What's the most evil cult in the world right now? Who's the most evil actor of history? I believe it was President Bush back in 2000 had the axis of evil. Who's the axis of evil in the millennial kingdom? What countries are allied against the destruction of the world? They won't exist in the millennial kingdom. They will not exist at all and haven't existed by the time that Satan returns for over a thousand years. There's no false doctrinal teaching and yet these evil crowds will eagerly gather and they'll be filled with an exclusive hope of overthrowing the king of kings. Although these different nations share the same God and King their offspring will give away to a mass of rebels from the four corners of the earth. What a tragedy that descendants of saints will ally themselves against the good Savior who has provided a means of eternal life. Yet, even in this era, we witness this same tragedy still present. And I want to end with these words here out of Romans chapter 2, verses 3. He said, And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgeth them which do such things thus the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impotent heart, treasureth up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deed." Yes, we witness this same tragedy still present today despite the longsuffering of God, the return of Satan. Thank you for listening. If you would like to contact us, please write us at P.O. Box 126-541-Harrisburg, PA 17112 and visit our website at www.svbcpa.org. Until next time,