As many of you are aware, I started a short two part sermon series this past week at Wildwood entitled, “M+”. In this series, we are looking more in depth at the events that will occur in the first 1,000 years after the return of Jesus Christ to the earth, as described in Revelation 20-21. I have had a lot of dialogue with many of you about this short series, so I have decided to post the audio from the sermons here on my blog, as well as write a few questions for further reflection in case you or your small group are interested in exploring the idea further. May God bless your study of His Word!
Here is the link to the audio from the sermon: M+ part 1
or, you can listen to the audio online via the player below:
Discussion Questions:
- Read Revelation 20:1-10
- When it comes to the problem of evil, what questions do you struggle with? (For instance: why does God allow it? Why is there so much pain and suffering, etc.)
- In these verses, Satan is described as a deceiver. In what ways have you seen Satan be a deceiver? Your answers can include biblical AND examples from your own experience.
- When Jesus returns, He quickly imprisons Satan and establishes a kingdom on the earth for 1,000 years. Do you think this is speaking of a literal 1,000 year Kingdom? Why or why not?
- After the 1,000 years, Jesus lets Satan out and he promptly returns to the business of deception . . . and he is successful! What does this tell you about Satan? About humanity?
- In 20:7-10, Jesus swiftly judges Satan permanently casting him into the lake of fire. This shows the elimination of evil (and will be followed by the “recreation of the world” into an idyllic state in chapter 21). Evil exists and negatively impacts us only for a season (even if that season is thousands of years). Compared to eternity (time without end) evil’s day is very short. How does this reality help you answer the questions you have about evil?
- Why do you think God allows Satan and evil to have so much swing in the world today?