Conclusion of The Great Evening Meal Of God

After the pouring out of the sixth bowl of Jehovah's wrath, John reported that "the kings of the earth and of the whole world" were gathered by demonic propaganda to "the battle of that great day of God Almighty." This is fought at Armageddon-not a literal location, but the global situation that calls for the execution of Jehovah's judgment. (Revelation 16:12, 14, 16Kings James Version) Now John sees the battle lines. There, ranged against God, are all "the kings of the earth and their armies." They have stubbornly refused to submit themselves to Jehovah's King. He gave them fair warning in the inspired message: "Kiss the son, that [Jehovah] may not become incensed and you may not perish from the way." Not having submitted to Christ's rule, they must die. -Psalm 2:12.

The seven-headed, ten-horned wild beast out of the sea, representing Satan's political organization,. is tumbled into oblivion, and along with it goes the false prophet, the seventh world power. (Revelation 13:1, 11-13; 16:13) While still "alive," or still functioning in their united opposition to God's people on earth, they are cast into "the lake of fire." Is this a literal lake of fire? No, not any more than the wild beast and the false prophet are literal animals. Rather., it is a symbol of complete, final destruction, a place of no return. Here is where, late, death and Hades, as well as the Devil himself, will be hurled. (Revelation 20:10, 14) It is certainly not an inferno of eternal torture for the wicked, since the very idea of such a place is detestable to Jehovah. -Jeremiah 19:5; 32:35; 1 John 4:8, 16.

All others who were not directly part of government but who were nevertheless an irreformable part of this corrupt world of mankind are likewise "killed off with the long sword of the one seated on the horse." Jesus will pronounce them deserving of death. Since in their case the lake of fire is not mentioned, are we to expect that they will have a resurrection? Nowhere are we told that those executed by Jehovah Judge at that time are to be resurrected. As Jesus himself stated, all those who are not "sheep" go off "into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels." that is, "into everlasting cut-off." (Matthew 25:33,41, 46) This climaxes "the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men." -2Peter 3:7; Nahum 1:2, 7-9; Malachi 4:1.

In this way, all of Satan's earthly organization comes to an end. The "former heaven" of political rulership has passed away. The "earth," the seemingly permanent system that Satan has built up over the centuries, is now utterly destroyed. The "sea," the mass of wicked humanity opposed to Jehovah is no more. (Revelation 21:1, 2; 2 Peter 3:10) what, though, does Jehovah have in store for Satan himself? John goes on to tell us.

Next time: Crushing The Serpent's Head.

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988.