The twelfth chapter of the Book of Revelation contains some focal points in the vast role Satan has held in God’s government. In particular, verse 4 reveals the first rebellion of Satan and one-third of the angels who followed him (called “ruler of the demons” in Mark 3:22). This verse also clearly establishes the adversarial position of Satan against “the Child”—Jesus Christ—and “the woman.”

We stated the following about the “woman” in our free booklet, “Is That in the Bible? The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation,” page 78: 

“The woman is pictured as being clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and with a garland of 12 stars on her head (Revelation 12:1). In Genesis 37:9–11, Jacob and his wife Rachel, Joseph’s mother, are symbolized as the sun and the moon, and Joseph’s brothers are symbolized as eleven stars, bowing down to Joseph. It appears, therefore, to be very plausible that the TWELVE stars in Revelation 12:1 refer to the TWELVE tribes of Israel (including Joseph).

“Revelation 12:2–5 refers to the fact that Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ and that Satan attempted unsuccessfully to kill Christ through King Herod (Revelation 12:4; Matthew 2:13, 16).

“We understand that the woman is, first of all, symbolic for Eve (Genesis 3:15); then for the Old Testament Church which would evolve from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Jacob’s TWELVE sons, and which would become known as the Church of Israel in the wilderness; then for Mary, the mother of Christ; and—subsequent to Christ’s ascension—for the New Testament Church of God (compare Matthew 25:1; Ephesians 5:22–32; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Galatians 4: 26).”

Now carefully note the reason for Satan’s attempt to destroy the “Child”:

“She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and His throne” (Revelation 12:5).

The rule over all nations has been held by Satan. On page 41 of our booklet, “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World” (reprinted version from 2010), we state:

“Satan, the prince of darkness, is still ruling on this earth. Revelation 2:13 tells us expressly that Satan has a ‘throne’ here on earth. He holds the people of this world captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26). He has authority over all the kingdoms of this world (Luke 4:5–7). He is called the ‘ruler of this world’ in John 14:30. He is even called the ‘god of this age’ in 2 Corinthians 4:4. Satan is called ‘the prince of the power of the air’ in Ephesians 2:2.”

Even after the birth of Jesus Christ, Satan sought to cause His murder through influencing Herod the king (compare Matthew 2); he personally confronted Jesus in an attempt to cause Him to sin—thus disqualifying Himself (compare Matthew  4:1-11); and he possessed Judas in order to bring about the death of Jesus (compare Luke 22:1-6; John 13:27).

Before His death, Jesus said, “‘Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out’” (John 12:31); we also have this statement about Jesus: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God” (John 13:3); and, Jesus replied to Pilate’s question, “‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world…’” (John 18:37).

Following His resurrection, we find this testimony about Jesus Christ:

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

In the Book of Hebrews, it is shown that ultimate rulership will be given to the Family of God—which is why Satan also sought to destroy the “woman,” who is also representative of those who would receive salvation:

“For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: ‘What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.’ For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:5-9).

In summarizing chapter 11 of Hebrews, it is revealed that throughout the history of man, individuals were and are being prepared for the Kingdom of God:

“And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:39-40).

Jesus Christ, in His messages to the Church of God, as found in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, speaks of future rewards—note what is said to the church in Thyatira:

“‘But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—“He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels”– as I also have received from My Father’” (Revelation 2:25-27).

Satan seeks to destroy mankind (compare Job 1 and 2; 1 Peter 5:8), just as he sought to destroy the Son of God. Jesus Christ and those who are the “firstfruits” (compare James 1:18; Revelation 14:1-5) will establish the rule of the Kingdom of God on the earth, and this will mean the end of Satan’s authority, along with that of the demons (compare Revelation 20:1-3; 18:2).

Note that there is coming a very specific time in the future when Jesus Christ will return to this earth to assume the rule for which He has already qualified:

“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” (Revelation 11:15).

In the Book of Daniel, the establishment of God’s everlasting Kingdom under Jesus Christ is foretold:

“‘I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed’” (Daniel 7:13-14; compare Daniel 2:44).

In addition, this timing includes the “saints”—those who will reign and rule with Christ for a thousand years (compare Revelation 20:4):

“‘I was watching; and the same [little] horn [a religious leader and power] was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom…

“‘Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him’” (Daniel 7:21-22, 27).

Right now, Satan is the ruler of this earth; however, he has already been disqualified and Jesus will remove him upon His return. Consider how in elections for President, Prime Minister and other offices, there is a time span between nomination and actual inauguration. A similar example can be found in the anointing of David as king over Israel. It occurred when David was still a child (compare 1 Samuel 16:1-13), but he did not ascend to the throne of Israel until the age of thirty (compare 2 Samuel 2:4; 5:1-5).

Now, with this background, let us examine Revelation 12:10:

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’”

From this verse, we understand that Satan has been able—for a long time—to find fault and to bring accusations against the saints of God. Even so, we know that Jesus Christ serves as our High Priest in these circumstances:

“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34; compare Hebrews 7:25).

However, Satan’s access to heaven or his right to appear before God will have ended just before the time of great tribulation. Revelation 12, verses 7-9, describe a final war in heaven in which Satan and “his angels” are defeated and “cast down” to the earth. Satan’s reaction is that of revenge:

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12).

We do not know the exact timing of the final spiritual war in heaven and Satan’s fall to the earth—whether these events will take place in the not-too-distant future; whether they are taking place right now; or whether they have already taken place. But we know for sure that the beginning of the Great Tribulation cannot be that far off (compare Matthew 24:32-33).

Until Christ’s return, Satan is still the ruler of the earth, but in any event, his time is short (compare Romans 16:20). Let this knowledge inspire us to more fervently pray to God the Father, “Your kingdom come!”

Lead Writer: Dave Harris

In the Authorized Version, Isaiah 45:7 reads as follows:

“I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I the LORD do all these things.”

First, let us briefly focus on the word, “create.” It is “bara” in Hebrew and means, “bringing something into existence which did not exist before.” The word is used in Genesis 1:1, revealing that God created the heavens and the earth. Hebrews 11:3 elaborates that the worlds (the universe as well as the earth) “were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

The Hebrew word for “evil” is “ra” and can have several meanings. In the Authorized Version, it is translated over 400 times as “evil,” but it is also rendered, among others, as “adversity” (Ecclesiastes 7:14; Psalm 94:13); “affliction” (Psalm 34:19; 107:39; Obadiah 13); “calamity” (Psalm 141:5); “distress” (Nehemiah 2:17); “grief” (Jonah 4:6); “harm” (Genesis 31:52; Numbers 35:23; Proverbs 3:30; Jeremiah 39:12); “hurt” (Genesis 26:29; 31:29; Psalm 38:12; 70:2; 71:13, 24; Ecclesiasts 8:9; Jeremiah 7:6; 24:9; 25:7; 38:4); “mischief” (Exodus 32:22; Nehemiah 6:2; Hosea 7:15); and “trouble” (Psalm 27:5; 41:1; Jeremiah 2:27-28; 11:12, 14; Lamentations 1;21).

Before explaining in detail how the word “ra” is to be understood in Isaiah 45:7, we need to consider the following:

We read that God created the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but He ordered man not to eat from it. He wants man to follow and believe Him as to what He tells man regarding good and evil; rather than man deciding for himself what, in his mind, is good and evil (compare Isaiah 5:20). God wants man to reject evil, but if man refuses, He will bring “evil” (Authorized Version) or “disaster” (New King James Bible) upon him (Jeremiah 4:6).

God did not create man as an evil being; instead, we read that after He had created man, He said that His entire work was very good (Genesis 1:31). We also read, however, that man has chosen evil “schemes” over good and upright behavior (compare Ecclesiastes 7:29), and that man’s heart is evil “from his youth” and “deceitful” (Genesis 8:21; compare also Jeremiah 7:24 and Jeremiah 17:9). This is largely due to Satan’s influence (2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:26; Ephesians 2:2). Satan, though, was not created as an evil personage either. He was created as a perfect being, called Lucifer–a bright shining being, a light-bringer or morning star–in whom was no evil and no sin (Ezekiel 28:14-15).  But both Lucifer and all angels, as well as Adam and Eve, were created with free moral agency. They could choose to follow good, or to reject it and follow evil. Lucifer and one third of all angels chose to become evil, and man, following Satan’s influence, chose likewise to follow the way of evil, leading to pain, suffering and death, rather than the way of good, leading to happiness, prosperity and, ultimately, to eternal life.

When God created angels and men as free moral agents, He knew of course that they might choose to reject good and follow evil. God is interested in character development—the free choice to reject evil and adopt and apply what is good. But He does not force anyone to do so. In giving free choice to Lucifer and the other angels, as well as men, He allowed for the possibility that they would turn to evil.

But God is ultimately in charge. Although God permits Satan to stay on the throne of the earth until his successor—Jesus Christ—returns to replace him, Satan and his angels—known today as devils and demons—can only do what God allows them to do. The book of Job shows us that Satan can only operate within the parameters which are granted to him by God. That made God ultimately responsible for the “evil” (Authorized Version) or “adversity” (New King James Bible) that Satan brought upon Job (Job 2:10, first two sentences). When Job said that he was receiving “evil” or “adversity” from God, he told the truth and did not lie (Job 2:10, last sentence). God allowed Satan to afflict Job so that Job could finally recognize his self-righteousness and his wrong feelings of superiority, and that he could realize instead his inferiority and inabilities in comparison with the almighty God.

God wants man to choose good over evil, but when man makes the wrong choice, he will have to live with the “evil” consequences, since God has set in motion laws that regulate the results of good and of evil conduct. Sometimes, in order to drive lessons home, God Himself brings “evil” upon man for man’s ultimate good, either directly, or by allowing Satan and his demons to afflict man with “evil.” God does this, so that man can better understand how and what he is and that he has to repent and change, allowing God to replace man’s evil heart of stone with a heart of flesh that is upright and good.

The question remains, what kind of “evil” is it that God may bring upon man, and which is referred to in Isaiah 45:7?

The New King James Bible renders the word as “calamity,” and most translations use similar wording. In Joshua 23:15, we read that God will bring “evil” (Authorized Version) or “harmful things” (New King James Bible) on those who do not repent.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary says, in regard to Isaiah 45:7:

“There is no God beside Jehovah. There is nothing done without him. He makes peace, put here for all good; and creates evil, not the evil of sin, but the evil of punishment. He is the Author of all that is true, holy, good, or happy; and evil, error, and misery, came into the world by his permission, through the… apostacy of his creatures… We must not expect salvation without righteousness…”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible adds:

“‘I make peace, and create evil’; peace between God and men… ‘evil’ is also from him; not the evil of sin… this is of men, though suffered by the Lord… but the evil of punishment for sin, God’s sore judgments, famine, pestilence, evil beasts, and the sword, or war, which latter may more especially be intended, as it is opposed to peace; this usually is the effect of sin [and] permitted by God; moreover, all afflictions, adversities, and calamities, come under this name, and are of God; see Job 2:10…”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary states:

“Isaiah refers also to the Oriental belief in two coexistent, eternal principles, ever struggling with each other, light or good, and darkness or evil, Oromasden and Ahrimanen. God, here, in opposition, asserts His sovereignty over both… create evil—not moral evil (James 1:13), but in contrast to ‘peace’ in the parallel clause, war, disaster (compare […Amos 3:6]).”

This is an interesting comment in light of the fact that there is really no war going on between God and Satan, as if they were both of equal power; rather, God is most powerful, and Satan can only do what God especially allows.

The Amplified Bible writes:

“I make peace [national wellbeing. Moral evil proceeds from the will of men, but physical evil proceeds from the will of God], and I create [physical] evil…”

The distinction between physical evil and moral evil is further emphasized by Dummelow who writes in “The One Volume Bible Commentary”:

“Evil… not moral evil, but misfortune or calamity, the opposite of peace.” The Soncino Commentary agrees with this evaluation.

The new Scoffield Reference Edition says:

“God is not the author of sin [Habakkuk 1:13; 2.Timothy 2:13; Titus 1:2; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5]. One of the meanings of the Hebrew word ‘ra’ carries the idea of ‘adversity’ or ‘calamity,’ and it is evidently so employed here. God has made sorrow and wretchedness to be the sure fruits of sin.”

The Life Application Bible summarizes the essence of the meaning of Isaiah 45:7 in this way:

“God is the ruler over light and darkness, over good times and bad times. Our lives are sprinkled with both types of experiences, and both are needed for us to grow spiritually. When good times come, thank God and use your prosperity for him. When bad times come, don’t resent him, but ask what you can learn from this refining experience to make you a better servant of God.”

Indeed, as God said to Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7, New King James Bible).

And Moses was inspired to communicate God’s words to the nation of Israel, as follows (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, 19-20, New King James Bible):

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live, that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…”

But Moses also said this in Deuteronomy 29:4 and 31:29 (New King James Bible): “Yet the LORD has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day… For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the works of your hands.”

May God give so that you do not belong to those people who are sowing and doing “evil” and reaping “evil” in return.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

Here are Christ’s words, in context, quoted from Matthew 5:17-19:

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

First, we would recommend that you read or re-read our Q&A on the issue as to what Christ meant with His statement that He came to fulfill the Law. We point out that Christ did NOT come to abolish the Law—referring to the spiritual Law of the Ten Commandments and the statutes and judgments which explain the Law. Rather, He came to magnify the Law and fill it up with its intended spiritual meaning.

But what did Christ mean when He said that those who break one of God’s least commandments and teach men to do likewise will be called least in the Kingdom?

Literally, the wording is: “least shall be called in the kingdom of heaven…”

In other words, those in the Kingdom of God will call them “least.” The Kingdom of God is the Family of God. So, the Family of God will call someone least who practiced and taught the abrogation of the Law—although he knew better. This is not to be understood in the sense that he will be in the Family, but that in the Family, he is viewed as the least. In fact, as there are many who teach the abolishment of God’s Law, all of them would have to fall into the category of “least.” If they were all in God’s Kingdom, then they would all be “least” in the Kingdom. But only one could be “least” among all the others. Rather, as we will see, he will not enter the Kingdom or Family of God, but Christ explained that the Family of God will look down on such a person as being the least of all teachers. This conclusion also follows from Matthew 5:20, where Christ says that we will NOT enter the Kingdom of God if our righteousness does not exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees.

Many commentaries agree with this understanding.

Vine, “Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words,” explains that “called the least” describes an estimation of the person. He will be the least-esteemed or regarded as the least.

The New Jerusalem Bible states that he “will be considered the least…” The German Pattloch Bible translates that he will be viewed as the least.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible points out that “he shall not be in the least esteemed, but shall be cast out as a worthless man… he shall not enter [the Kingdom]…”

The Geneva Study Bible adds:

“[Christ] begins with the true expounding of the Law, and sets it against the old (but yet false) teachings of the scribes: He is in no way abolishing the least commandment of his Father. [The one who teaches against it] shall have no place [in the Kingdom].”

Matthew Poole’s Commentary points out:

“Whosoever shall in his practice violate but one of the commandments of God, which the Pharisees judge of the least, and which possibl[y] are so compared with others, and shall teach men that they may do as he doth, making such false interpretations of the law as may warrant such a practice, he shall be accounted of the least value and esteem… and shall never come into the kingdom of glory…”

This commentary makes an interesting and important point. It explains that Christ is addressing the PRACTICE of living and teaching wrong things—not an occasional slip-up. As we will see, this practice must be fully understood; that is, the person doing and teaching wrong things knows better; he does it willfully and in complete rejection of God’s Word.

As Christ continues to point out in Matthew 5:21-30, the Pharisees might have taught that it was wrong to kill, but Christ went much further and explained that it was already wrong to hate—and the Pharisees had most certainly a big problem with THAT understanding. Some might want to conclude and teach that the commandment against hate would be one of the “least” of God’s commandments, if at all. But Christ responds by saying that no one will enter the Kingdom of God with that kind of a perception and conduct. Paul later lists hatred as a deed of the flesh, excluding one from entry into the Kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21, especially verse 20).

Some might say that persons violating and teaching against God’s Law will be in the Kingdom, but that they will have a lesser reward than others. But Christ did not say that they will be called “lesser” or that they will have a “lesser” reward; rather, He declared that they will be called “least” or, as some put it, “THE least” by comparison.

Such a person won’t be there; he is going to be looked down upon and esteemed by the Kingdom of God—the Family of God—as the least… or less than nothing. If we are not trustworthy in the least, we will not be given the true riches (Luke 16:10-13).

What Christ is talking about is a wrong Way of Life—a continuing practice of sin and rebellion against God. Unless somebody repents of such conduct, He will not enter the Kingdom of God. God will not allow willful rebels to become part of His Family. Christ is referring to persons who commit the unpardonable sin by rejecting God’s Law—including commandments which are regarded by them as less important—and who teach men to behave likewise (Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:26-31).

For example, some may think that it does not matter to God whether we observe the Fourth Commandment and keep the weekly Sabbath (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), and that we can worship Him instead on Sunday or just about any day—or no day in particular. If someone is ignorant about these matters, then God will forgive him upon repentance. But Christ is warning us that once we understand the truth and subsequently fall away from it, practicing evil and teaching men so, we will never enter the Kingdom of God.

(For more information on the unpardonable sin, please read our free booklet, “Do We Have an Immortal Soul?,” pages 28-36.)

Even though Christ addresses in Matthew 5:19 mainly those who sin willfully against God, it is also true that as long as people—especially “ministers”—practice sin and give man a “license” to sin by their wrong teaching, they will not enter the Kingdom, until they repent of it and live and teach God’s Way of Life. But they can be led to repentance (while those who commit the unpardonable sin have fallen away from the truth which they had understood, and refuse irrevocably to repent). But even after repentance, belief, proper baptism and receipt of the Holy Spirit, God’s true disciples will still slip up in word and deed.

When generally living and teaching the truth, they will again obtain justification and forgiveness for their sins upon repentance (1 John 1:5-10). So, Christ was not referring to a person in Matthew 5:19 who does not know the truth, or if he does, who sins occasionally in deed or in word (James 3:2, 5-6, 8, 10). Rather, He is addressing people who knew the truth and fell away from it, never willing to return to God. And He says that God’s people will “call” or “esteem” those as the very least.

1 Corinthians 6:4 explains too that outside judges are ESTEEMED “least” by the Church. Also, Luke 16:15 states that “what is highly ESTEEMED among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Finally, kings of the Gentiles and world authorities are “CALLED” benefactors (Luke 22:25), but they are not viewed in such way by God (compare verse 26). But Christ’s disciples will be great in the Kingdom, even though they are “called” least today (Luke 9:48).

Some may look at Christ’s statements about John the Baptist and conclude that those who teach against the Law will be in the Kingdom, even though they might be called least. But this is not what Christ meant. Christ said that there was no greater prophet than John the Baptist, but that the one who is least IN the Kingdom will be greater than he (Luke 7:28; Matthew 11:11). That is, as long as John was in the flesh, anyone in the Kingdom—even if looked on as least—will be greater than the human being, John the Baptist. This is the case as everyone entering the Kingdom will be a Spirit being and an immortal member of the God Family. Here, Christ is just drawing a comparison: Anyone in the flesh, including the greatest of all prophets, will not be as great as the “least” immortal member in God’s Kingdom.

But John the Baptist will be in God’s Kingdom too, and he will not be the least of the least, below every other member in God’s Family. He was the “Elijah” to come to prepare the people for Christ’s first coming. He was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. To conclude that he would be the least of all in God’s Kingdom—less than the least—would truly be ludicrous. In addition, this passage cannot be used to conclude that the ones who teach against God’s Law and encourage people to do likewise will still be, as the least, IN the Kingdom.

In our free booklet, “Is That In the Bible? The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation,” we explain who will not be in the Kingdom of God. We say in Chapter 26 (“Outside Are Dogs and Sorcerers”):

“Revelation 22:14–15 states the following: ‘(14) Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. (15) But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.’

“This passage describes a time AFTER the heavenly Jerusalem has descended to earth (described in Revelation 21)—AFTER ‘anyone not found in the Book of Life’ had been ‘cast into the lake of fire’ (Revelation 20:15). ‘Death and Hades,’ that is, all physical humans not written in the Book of Life, had already been ‘cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death’ (Revelation 20:14).

“Revelation 22:19 adds that ‘if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book [better: Tree] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.’…”

“… we read in an earlier passage, in Revelation 21:8, that those who have committed the unpardonable sin will have been thrown into the lake of fire, to be burned up and destroyed. [Revelation 21:8 reads: ‘But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’]

“The lists of sins in Revelation 21:8 and Revelation 22:15 are very similar, indicating that these passages address the same kinds of people…”

We see that those who take away from God’s Word in deed and word (“whoever loves and practices a lie” and “all liars”) will NOT be in the Kingdom of God. God does not say that they will be there, but just as the least. Continuing:

“The Commentary on the Whole Bible by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, states: ‘As all the filth of the old Jerusalem was carried outside the walls and burnt there, so nothing defiled shall enter the heavenly city, but be burnt outside (cf. ch. 22:15).’

“The Broadman Bible Commentary explains Revelation 22:15, as follows: ‘The blessedness of the righteous is seen more clearly in John’s contrast with those outside. Outside does not mean that the wicked are milling around the exterior of the walls of the holy city. It means that they will never be inside the city; they are [or better: were cast into] the lake of fire (20:15). The term could have some reference to life in the present world; the righteous already know a habitation with God; the wicked are already outside.’

“In fact, the Bible speaks repeatedly about those who are ‘outside’—who are not a part of the Church. We read in 1 Corinthians 5:12–13: ‘For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.’ Compare, too, Colossians 4:5 and 1 Thessalonians 4:12.

“The Greek word for ‘outside,’ ‘exo,’ which is used in those passages and in Revelation 22:15, can also mean ‘without.’ In Matthew 13:47–48, it is translated as, ‘away’: ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to the shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad AWAY.’

“The meaning is clear: Those who are ‘bad’—those who practice the sins described in Revelation 22:15, as a way of life, without a willingness to repent—will be ‘outside’ or ‘without’ or ‘away from’ the holy city and the Kingdom of God. Many Scriptures show that those people will not inherit or enter the Kingdom (compare 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 5:19–21; and Ephesians 5:5). Note that the lists of sins, as set forth in 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Ephesians, are very similar to the sins mentioned in Revelation 21:8 and 22:15, including sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery and murders. All of these lists address the same kinds of people.”

We need to remember that sin is the transgression of God’s Law (1 John 3:4, Authorized Version). All the Scriptures, quoted above, list different categories of sin—all in violation of God’s Law—and those who practice these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. In addition, those who teach those things to others—that it is alright to behave in that way—will not inherit the Kingdom of God either. Especially the list in Galatians 5:19-21 addresses sinful teaching—sins which one commits with his mouth, including dissensions and heresies. To preach that we do not have to keep the Law today is heretical. And Paul says very clearly that those who engage in such teaching will not be in God’s Kingdom. Continuing:

“Christ said in Luke 13:28: ‘There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out [and thrown into the lake of fire, compare Matthew 13:41–42].’…

“Moffat translates Revelation 22:15 in this way: ‘Begone, you dogs, you sorcerers, you vicious creatures, you murderers, you idolaters, you who love and practice falsehood, every one of you.’ Other translations render the Greek word ‘exo’ (i.e., ‘outside’ or ‘without,’) as ‘excluded.’ Those who refuse to repent will be EXCLUDED from access to the Kingdom of God and the holy city. They will be destroyed in the lake of fire, which is the second and final death, from which there is no resurrection back to life.”

Those who commit the unpardonable sin will not be in God’s Kingdom, but they will be burned up. Remember that the examples of wrongful conduct include liars—those who teach wrong things, including the false doctrine that Christ did away with the Law, and that we are under no obligation to keep it. 1 John 2:4 explains that the one “who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

Those who willfully practice the way of sin by rejecting God’s Law and teach men to violate God’s Law will not be in God’s Kingdom. They will be outside or excluded. In the Kingdom or Family of God, those people will be called or esteemed least, as everyone committing the unpardonable sin is viewed by God and His Family as the least of all people.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link