Teaching Outline Title: The Final Judgment and the End of Evil
Primary Texts: Revelation 20:1-15 and Matthew 25:31-34
Setting: The close of the Millennium and the beginning of eternity
Theme: God’s ultimate triumph over Satan, sin, and death — and the final separation between the righteous and the wicked.
Purpose: To help believers understand the order of end-time events surrounding the Millennium, the Great White Throne Judgment, and eternal destinies.
I. The Binding of Satan (Revelation 20:1-3)
v. 1 – “And I saw an angel come down from heaven…”
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Possibly Michael or Gabriel, the mighty messengers of God.
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The angel comes with authority and power, holding the key of the bottomless pit (authority to open and close) and a great chain (symbol of divine restraint).
v. 2 – “He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent…”
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The same deceiver from Genesis 3 — now defeated.
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Titles: Dragon (power), Serpent (deception), Devil (accuser), Satan (adversary).
v. 3 – Satan is cast into the bottomless pit for 1,000 years, sealed and silenced.
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“Shut him up” — no more accusing the brethren.
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“Set a seal upon him” — divine finality; he cannot escape.
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Purpose: That he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years are fulfilled.
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Afterward, he will be released for a short season — proof that even after perfect conditions, the human heart still rebels without full surrender to God.
II. The Reign of the Saints (Revelation 20:4-6)
v. 4 – “And I saw thrones…”
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Those who suffered for Christ now reign with Him.
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Especially the martyrs — “beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the Word of God.”
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Modern relevance: persecution continues; even today believers are killed for their faith.
Revelation 20:5-6 – The first resurrection:
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Includes all believers from all ages who are raised to life to reign with Christ.
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“Blessed and holy” are those who take part — the second death has no power over them.
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The second death is eternal separation from God — spiritual death beyond physical death.
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They become priests of God and of Christ — serving and reigning in the Millennium.
III. The Loosing of Satan and the Final Revolt (Revelation 20:7-9)
v. 7 – After the Millennium, Satan is loosed from his prison.
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God permits this to reveal the truth of the human heart — even after 1,000 years of peace, some will still rebel.
v. 8 – He goes out to deceive the nations again — “Gog and Magog” (symbolic of worldwide rebellion).
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Represents the final global uprising against God.
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The number of rebels is “as the sand of the sea.”
v. 9 – The armies surround “the camp of the saints” and “the beloved city” (Jerusalem).
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But fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them.
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No battle — just divine judgment.
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This is the end of evil as we know it — the rebellion is over forever.
IV. The Final Defeat of Satan (Revelation 20:10)
Revelation 20:10 – “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone…”
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This is the permanent, eternal judgment of Satan.
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Already there: the Beast and the False Prophet (from Revelation 19:20).
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They are tormented day and night forever and ever.
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Hell (Hades, Gehenna, the Lake of Fire) — many names, one reality: eternal separation from God.
V. The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)
v. 11 – “And I saw a great white throne…”
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White = purity and holiness; throne = divine authority.
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This is not the judgment of believers (that’s the Judgment Seat of Christ, 2 Cor 5:10), but of the unsaved dead from all ages.
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Earth and heaven flee away — nothing can hide from His presence.
Revelation20:12-13 – “And the dead were judged out of those things written in the books…”
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Books opened:
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The Book of Works — deeds, words, and actions.
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The Book of Life — the record of those saved by Christ.
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Judgment is based on works — not for salvation, but as evidence of unbelief.
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Even the sea, death, and Hades surrender their dead — no one escapes.
Revelation 20:14-15 – “Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire…”
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This is called the second death.
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All who are not found written in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire.
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Final, irreversible judgment — eternal separation from God’s presence.
VI. Parallel Teaching: The Separation of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-34)
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Jesus’ own words parallel John’s vision.
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Matthew 25:31-32: The Son of Man returns in glory and gathers all nations for judgment.
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Matthew 25:33: The sheep (saved) are set on the right, the goats (unsaved) on the left.
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Matthew 25:34: To the righteous: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
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The test is faith revealed through deeds — compassion, obedience, service.
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Those without saving faith are cast away — same outcome as Revelation 20:15.
VII. Overview
1. Evil Has an Expiration Date.
Satan’s time is limited. God controls both his release and his restraint.
2. The Saints Will Reign.
Our suffering is temporary, but our reigning with Christ is eternal.
3. Justice Will Be Done.
Every sin, injustice, and rebellion will be accounted for — either under the blood of Christ or at the Great White Throne.
4. Salvation Is the Only Escape.
The Book of Life contains the names of those redeemed by Jesus. Make sure your name is written there.
5. Eternity Is Certain.
For the believer: eternal life and joy.
For the unbeliever: eternal death and separation.
Illustration / Example
A pastor once said, “When you stand before God, He will not check your résumé — He’ll check His Book.”
If your name is there, you’ll hear “Come, ye blessed of My Father.”
If not, there are no appeals, no retrials, no second chances.
Summary Outline (Chronological Flow)
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Satan bound for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3)
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Saints reign with Christ (Revelation 20:4-6)
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Satan released for final deception (Revelation 20:7-9)
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Satan’s eternal punishment (Revelation20:10)
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The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)
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The eternal separation of saved and lost (Matthew 25:31-34)