Lesson 41: The Desolation of the Earth
Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scatterth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
Isaiah 24:1
Introduction
God's wrath is poured out upon the earth. The wicked are in awe over the destruction and turn on each other. The earth is utterly laid waste and left desolate. Satan and his angels are left to their own devices for a thousand years meanwhile the righteous in Christ are in heaven enjoying rest and given a special work.
What are the elements of this chapter?
Daughters of Babylon Weep
The wicked weep because they realize where their sins have led them. They gnash their teeth over the loss of their riches but are unrepentant.
(Revelation 18:3-17)
False Ministers Punished
(Jeremiah 23:1-2; GC 654.4; GC 655.3-4)
False ministers finally see the errors of their ways. Their own followers blame them as the cause of their destruction. Fully united with Satan they turn on their former leaders and they destroy one another.
The Earth Desolate
Christ's coming destroys all human life remaining on earth and it becomes a desolate wasteland.
The Scapegoat Released
Satan = Scapegoat
The sins of the world are laid on Satan and he is bound to the earth to wander for a thousand years
Concept: THE MILLENIUM
Satan and his angels are imprisoned on earth for one thousand years, forced to see the destruction that they were responsible for. (Revelation 20:1-3)
Bottomless pit = Abyss = Earth (Genesis 1:2)
They are unable to tempt humanity as there is no one left on earth to tempt.
Judgment of the Wicked
(Daniel 7:22; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Revelation 20:4,6; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3)
At the end of the millennium, the wicked are raised from the dead to appear before God to receive the execution of judgment. (Revelation 20:5, Isaiah 24:22)
What does this have to do with me today?
How will the wicked be destroyed?
Who is going to get the worst of the punishments from the God?
What will happen to the earth?
What will happen to Satan and his angels?
What will God’s people be doing in Heaven?
Who judges Satan and his angels?