The Return of the King

“Rich”… but not Righteous

“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. …. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.”
Revelation 20:12-13 (NIV)

In Luke 16:19-25, Jesus tells the story of two very different men, who lived very different lives on earth and these two men had very different after-life experiences.

One was a very rich man, dressed in the finest of fashion, he lived in luxury every day. Right outside his door, right under his nose, there was a poor man, named Lazarus. Perhaps Jesus picked the name Lazarus because it is the Greek form of the Hebrew name which means God, the Helper. Lazarus was not righteous because he was poor but because he depended on God. The text says Lazarus begged for food every day, that he longed to eat the scraps from the rich man’s table.

Then one day, both men died. The poor, terribly ill Lazarus was “carried by the angels to be with Abraham"— a place of after-life-paradise for Old Testament believers. Lazarus had trusted in God.

The rich man also died, was buried, and it says “his soul went to the place of the dead or Hades." While there in torment, he saw Abraham and Lazarus alive and at peace.

In desperation, the rich man shouted, “Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.”

But Abraham said to him, "Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.”

Then the great rich man stood before the throne awaiting judgment, according to what he had done and what he had not done … according to the books.

How we live matters to God, how we love others matters to God. God saw Lazarus and God saw the rich man.

James 4:17 says, anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

May we look for ways to do good, to love others, to see needs, share and serve. May we look more like Jesus day by day.

Donielle Winter
EFCC Member

by Donielle Winter

"We Better Tell Them"

“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the
book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:15

The impact of this last verse in Revelation 20 was powerful in the tender heart of an eleven year old girl. In the latter years of my service at EFCC in children’s ministry, we had developed a class for older elementary called ‘Truth for Life Believers Academy’ in which we taught foundational doctrines of Christianity. It was my blessing to teach some of these classes. Most of these students had heard the Bible stories for years and since we knew kids wanted to know the truth in a deeper way, the class was well received. I remember a student saying to me, “thank you for taking us seriously,” after a class.

Toward the end of the classes, we entered into Eschatology or the study of future things. On this particular Sunday, we were looking at Revelation 20. It became clear there are just “two destinies for the human soul.” We read about the books that judged the resurrected dead “according to what they had done” on earth. The book of life was opened at the same time as the ‘books’ were opened but this book does not have deeds recorded, only names written. Only the saved are in the book of life; those who trusted in God’s plan of salvation recognized it is through the righteousness of Christ that anyone gains entrance into the new heaven and new earth. “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15) There was a profound moment of silence as the students pondered these truths. An eleven year old girl stood and said, “Then we better tell them.” She got it! This is our mandate to tell the world near and far the gospel.

From The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Dr. John Walvoord of Dallas Theological Seminary is a statement about these verses and mandate:

“... as far as biblical revelation is concerned there are only two destinies for human souls; one is to be with the Lord and the other is to be forever separated from God in the lake of fire. This solemn fact is the motivation for carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth whatever the cost, and doing everything possible to inform and challenge people to receive Christ before it is too late.” p. 983

Do you get it? Do we get it? “We better tell them.”

Prayer: Dear Father, help all of us see the urgency of telling others about your gift of salvation. Please give us courageous hearts to tell others before it is too late for them. Please give us Your love to speak the truth. In the name of our Savior, Amen.

Francie Overstreet
EFCC Member

by Francie Overstreet

Monopoly

“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” Revelation 20:12

I’d argue that one of the most universal human experiences is getting sick. No amount of money or influence can buy your health. In a way, sickness levels the playing field in a unique way. This is a helpful lens as we zoom into this courtroom scene.

First, I think it’s valuable to make the distinction that those who are standing before this throne are those who believe they can save themselves by their own works, thus by their own works they will be judged. Those whose name is in the book of life are “judged” by this book instead. Our assurance is found in the promise that we are not condemned if we are in Christ (Romans 8:1) and just as Christ has crossed from death into life, (John 5:24, Romans 6:3-11) we will too. Our sentence has already been settled. Praise be to God.

The story for those whose names are not found in the book of life is not the same.

“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne…”

This phrase is all-encompassing. Rich, poor, weak, strong, celebrities, politicians, everyone who believes that they can save themselves will stand before the throne. Even those who hold significantly more power, authority, and wealth on earth, if their name is not in the book of life, they will stand before this throne. The throne of God is where all of the scales come perfectly into balance. The first time I read this, I almost felt a sigh of relief. The feeling that those who have spent their days wielding their power to exploit and oppress others, were going to get theirs. However, the more time I spent with this passage, the more my heart aches for people who believe what they have here on earth is going to be enough for them.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

The treasures of earth will not last, nor will they save anyone.

My encouragement for us today is that the gift of our salvation is not just a “get out of hell free” card. Salvation is freedom in life, and it’s a challenge to invite others into that same gift of freedom.

Kassie Lowe
Young Adult Women's Intern / Worship Leader

by Kassie Lowe

Cloud Storage

Not long ago, the idea of dying and resurrecting as yourself, but in a new and improved body, seemed a lot more magical or mysterious than it does today. Rev. 20:12 reads, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” According to Scripture, every life is recorded on books, or scrolls as the ancients would have known them. These records will be opened up at the final judgement. The idea that one’s life could be recorded in this way has been a special kind of mystery for most of time. But today, people see that process happening simply and quickly whenever they upgrade their phones.

Cloud storage makes it easy. Get a new phone with better features and longer battery life, log in, wait a few minutes, and there it is. Everything that was on the old phone gets brought over to the new model because every part of the old model was recorded and stored away in the cloud.

It will be like that for people too. The life, or soul, of each person is wirelessly recorded and stored waiting for its resurrection body. This new body will be different and improved, but the person will be the same. This is a beautiful promise and look ahead for believers whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Pastor John Riley

by John Riley

May Your Kingdom Come

Revelation 20:9-10

It’s almost anticlimactic, isn’t it? After all the buildup in Revelation 20, the armies of evil march across the earth for one final showdown against God’s people. They surround the “beloved city,” ready for battle, and then, in an instant, fire falls from heaven. The enemy is consumed, the devil is thrown into the lake of fire, and the rebellion is over before it ever really begins (Rev. 20:9-10).

That’s the power of the bridegroom, warrior-king, Jesus. He doesn’t struggle to win; he speaks, and victory is secured. It’s the ultimate answer to the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) In that moment, heaven’s rule will fully and finally wipe out all counterfeit and competing “kingdoms.” Evil will be restrained, justice will roll like a river, and peace will reign.

But what about now? We live in the in-between; after the cross but before the crown, we live in the kingdom of light, but the kingdom of darkness still rages. To borrow an image from modern history, it’s like living when the Berlin Wall still stood. There are boundaries and tensions, and every day we choose which side to live on. Will we live by the values of the kingdom of self, or will we live under the gracious rule of King Jesus?

One day, the devil will be bound forever, but until that day, you and I are not powerless. Scripture reminds us we can “resist him, firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9). We do this not with our own strength, but with the armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, faith, and the Word of God, protecting and guiding us.

One day, saints will reign with Jesus in glory, but today we already carry the dignity of that calling. Peter says we are “a royal priesthood,” (1 Peter 2:9) people meant to proclaim the goodness of the King wherever we go. And though the final judgment has not yet come, we can live as people of integrity, knowing Jesus will right every wrong and avenge every injustice.

One day, the deceiver will be unleashed, and the true condition of every heart will be exposed, but today, Jesus calls us to examine our own hearts and invite His kingdom to rule there first. The battle may not be over, but the victory has already been secured, and we are invited to live as if it has.

So as we wait for the day when Christ’s victory fills the earth, we live as people of the coming kingdom right now. May every wall within us, every trace of pride, fear, or compromise, come down. And may His kingdom come fully in us, as it one day will on earth.

Pastor Ryan Paulson

by Ryan Paulson

The End

Not every movie has a happy ending, but a lot do. Because many movies are not based in reality they can have the “and they all lived happily ever after” ending; at least an ending where the good guy wins, good conquers evil. Isn’t that the ending most of us prefer? I do. Sad endings or true stories that end badly don’t cheer us up, don’t encourage or uplift us. Sometimes stories with sad endings serve a good purpose though. They can be a warning of what might happen if . . . or they might teach a life lesson.

Revelation 20 is kind of like that. It recounts a roller coaster of emotion provoking events like some really good movies that make us laugh and cry. We see an anonymous angel come down and bind up Satan, so it seems Satan is not allowed to exert his normal influence on the world. Next we see Jesus reign for 1000 years on a peaceful earth, hooray! Relief. THE END. Nope.

The story continues when Satan is released and a rebellion results, a sad commentary on man's limitless ability to reject God and follow his own stubborn pride. (Not again!) Even after ten centuries of peace and righteousness, led by Christ Himself, so many people will be willing to follow Satan that "their number is like the sand of the sea.”

Once again, those who oppose God will be soundly defeated—this time, however, Satan is cast forever into the lake of fire. (Rejoicing) There will be no escape or temptation from the Devil any more (Revelation 20:7–11).

At this point in Revelation, every person who followed God has been restored and rescued. Satan is finally gone forever. (Great sigh of relief) THE END.

But wait, there is more in Revelation 20 coming next week, stay tuned.

What warning did you see in Revelation 20 this week, if any? What life lesson?

Deb Hill
EFCC Member

by Deb Hill

First or Second Resurrection?

Revelation 20 describes a first resurrection and a thousand year rule of Christ on the earth with some or all of his saints. A lot of pastors and theologians promote the idea that this thousand year rule will include all Christians and righteous Old Testament saints who have lived or died up until that time.

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. – Revelation 20:4-6

Does this first resurrection and thousand year rule with Christ include all previous saints, including the Old Testament saints? That thought is inferred into the passage and hoped for by many. The specific words used there could indicate the only ones reigning and ruling with Christ for that thousand years were those “beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.” Would that include me if I died of natural causes tomorrow because I never worshiped the beast or received its mark? Or would I be with “the rest of the dead” who “did not come to life until the thousand years were ended”?

I feel like correctly portraying what is described to come at the end is a bit like being in line for a roller coaster the first time. As you wait, you see parts of the ride, but usually not the whole thing. While you wait, it is difficult to imagine what it will actually feel like, what you will really see and experience once you are actually on board. You can be sure the ride will be scary. You also have promises and assurances from the ride’s maker, that as a believer, you will make it through. Let’s trust the Lord and all his promises with whatever ups and downs come our way.

Pastor John Riley

by John Riley

Blessed are Those Who are…..Beheaded

Revelation 20:4 “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

Kenny and I began serving at Emmanuel Faith high school ministry as “core group leaders” in 2011. For the next 12 years we made dear friendships and had the privilege of knowing some incredible teens through Sunday mornings, mission trips and camps/retreats. So many faces, so many memories over the years.

Spring of 2015, the youth group staff tried something . . . instead of meeting at the church building each Wednesday night, we met one week of the month in small groups, divided by grade, in local area homes. The goal was to foster a stronger sense of community within each class—seniors, juniors, etc. A group of 16-17 year olds crowded onto our couch and living room floor one evening.

There was bible study, discussion, and ample time for the kids to share prayer requests and pray together. Typical high school prayer requests were made: a sick family member, an upcoming test, tryouts for sports teams. And then, one young man hesitantly raised his hand. I’ll never forget where he sat, nor the words that came out of his mouth that evening,

“It’s been on the news; four days ago some Egyptian Christians were killed, ISIS kidnapped them and beheaded them . . . for their faith in Jesus. Two of the men were my Dad’s cousins.”

I struggled to process the teenager’s words. Two of his family members had just been BEHEADED——FOR FOLLOWING JESUS.

So we did the only thing that made any sense at that moment. We prayed aloud to God Most High, who sits on His throne, but who was also present with 21 disciples, faithful men in orange jumpsuits, on a sandy desert ridge, killed ruthlessly that February Sunday. They had not renounced their faith, they had not denied their Lord. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. God pulled back the curtain and showed the Apostle John a picture of hope. John’s big brother James had also been beheaded! (Acts 12) I bet John clasped his hand over his mouth and tears sprung in his eyes at the sight of his brother James, alongside 21 Egyptian Christians, as they “came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

Donielle Winter
EFCC Member

by Donielle Winter