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1 I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon, the old serpent, who is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time. Rev. 20:1...3

8 But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8 & Ps. 90:4).

So those sentences are not limited to eschatological future only. Example it is understood that the day of the Lord (in a positive sense), the first great awakening around 1750 did end when Christians went to excessive distance on the other side of the Road. Like burning secular non offensive books in the middle of the town, actions they should not have done.

Same is relevant to the term of abyss. I think that the devil is instantly in agony being left alone without a way to direct his thoughts outside of himself. Killer’s escape is to kill more, being always thirsty.

Humans have alcohol, drugs, sex and high jinks as usual way to escape but in the devils case with a long history of misdeeds the case is much worse. We are condemned by our deeds.

In resurrected Christ by faith we can be sinless without consequences of misdeeds done by “the old me” in previous life; and now repented errors will continually be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. I had once an argument who will release the devil: God or humans. My point was that Satan came to steal, deceive and destroy as opposite of God desire us to have life and abundance. How can He then free the destroyer.

Opposite idea was more Calvinistic: If almighty God has bound devil how can small humans release him. “Great chain” was seen being more concrete form of bounding than my spiritual one the “word of truth” or “chain of evangelism”. I don't think that God likes to restrict the free will and choice.

First thing which came to mind was the case of Job.

Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Haven’t you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face.” 12 Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don’t stretch out your hand.” Job1.9...12

The common understanding among Christians is that if God lifts up His protective hand (because of sin), the devil will fill the vacuum very quickly. “Now we know that God does not hear sinners..” Sin of Job was proud (out of his spiritual performances). Basically we are condemned by our deeds but to have the wrong mindset without correction for a long time is a red clothe before God. When the “fruits” of Job came to present themselves before the Lord the adversary (Satan and proud) also came among them.

14 “To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning‡ of God’s creation, says these things:

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, … (Rev.3:14...18) Our faith tested by fire is compared to refined gold. (1Peter 1:7)

Faith comes by hearing (understanding) and hearing by the word of God. In the beginning there was the Word and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh (did change our mindset) and all things were made through Him. It is our new world (worldview, new existence and life) was made through Him.

Our names are written in the book of life from the foundation of the (new) world. (Rev.17:8) 24 “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgement, but has passed out of (spiritual) death into life. 25 Most certainly I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the (spiritual) dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live. (John 5:24,25 modified)

Calvinists believe that our names were written in the book of life at the foundation of the old physical world (before anyone hearing or believing). They do believe that after that God will not plot out or vomit anyone who is included in the book of life. On top of that they usually don't like to listen to anyone who disturbs or contradicts their belief system, peace of Sabbath. Jesus warned about this mental state: ”And pray that your flight may not be in winter (Being cold means to be distressed in the world instead being in Christ with peace) or on the Sabbath (meaning being stacked in denominational or personal regulations). (Mat 24:20)

It is hard to love more or less Calvinistic God who did at the start from planning condemn millions to misery into hell at the expanse of the few saved ones. That idea is the reason why very many are rejecting Christianity altogether. They think that Bible God is cruel.

It is obvious that the last vomited church hadn't eaten the proper word (Christ) or otherwise it wasn't naked whiteout white garment. It is comparable to majority of Jews at the time Jesus who did listen to authorities instead of Christ. Test everything and keep what is good. Do not take the mans word what is correct and what is not. There exist witness of Spirit, Water and Blood.

Devil is freed when Christians do not listen the proper witnesses but adopt the mixed word of the deceiver. 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavour, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. Matt. 5:13

God did make Sodom an example to those who afterwards would live ungodly. (2 Peter 2:6) 20 Yahweh said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 21 I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.” (Gen. 18:20) But Abraham pleaded for them: 32 He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten (righteous) are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.”

“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits” (Prov. 16:2 NKJ)

Out of different different spirits on offer: should we choose the Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, to be counted as righteous.

From christian perspective not only the different ideologies and religions of this world are devils inventions but he will penetrate into the church and thinking of its members as much as he can and is allowed. We have the free will (to choose) in this world and I understand in the coming world as well.

I (God) will harden Pharaoh’s (symbol of old I myself) heart (by my evangelical words). (Ex. 7:3) “But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also (by not receiving the word of God by Moses); neither would he let the people go.” (Ex. 8:32)

Not only the words of God will harden the peoples heart but His miracles as well. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the death: “Then, from that day on, they plotted to to put Him to death.” (John 11:53) Miracles of God are perceived to come from the devil.

In case of rebellious generation of millennium: God is considered to be too strict and even unjust and wrongful towards dissidents. Resentment against Christ’s rule will grow very quickly and Satan is freed in the minds of the people. And the created beings with limited experience consider themselves to be wiser than the Creator. So then history will repeat itself.

So you can say that both God and the people will release the devil, but it is not according to the will of God that evil is freed.

In the book of Mormon is it stated that “God hath created all things” “If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is not righteousness. And...happiness.” “If Adam had not transgressed he would have not fallen…they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery ; doing no good, for they knew no sin.” (2 NEPHI 2: 13,14,22,23 How I read this is like God has created sin for us to recognise holiness and goodness.

One of the main statements of the Faith movement is that God don't need the devil to teach us anything.

There is a big agreement among Christians that God did not create sin. Devil and man are the origin of sin.

Writer’s opinion is that even evil and sin are accidents resulting from free will, God can still sometimes utilise the existence of the devil to teach us lessons. 18 I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme. (1 Tim. 1:18...20)

When Christ is coming back He will cut off all “cursed into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels (messengers).” (Matt. 25:41 NKJ) The decisive factor who will stay and who will not is what the remaining people did do and did not do to the least of the brethren of the Son of man. (Matt.25: 31...46)

Christians are the spiritual brethren and Jews the natural brethren of Christ.

“Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray. 6 You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation (or ethnic group against ethnic group), and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are the beginning of birth pains (for Jews to turn to Christ, and “left behind Christians” to correct their faith). 9 “Then they will deliver you up to oppression and will kill you. You (brethren of Christ) will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s (name, personality, mindset, emotion, ideology etc, more or less) sake. (Matt.24:4...8)

“But I am a worm (least and not first), and no man. A reproach of men, and despised by the people.” (Ps. 22:6 NKJ) “Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you, says the Lord And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” (Is. 41:14 NKJ)

There was a case in my old church when a meths drinker came to the front to leave his life to Jesus. When asked to kneel he answered after thinking for a while: “I haven't gone yet so low” and walked away with pride.

There exist at least two major reasons for the coming seven years of agony. God has had His measure of patience exhausted because of the sin and downward trend of the world. The other is to humble “Jacob” and “The left behind church” to the point where they receive the Word of God.

From the writer’s point of understanding big enough revival will move the day of the Lord (seven years of famine) further into the future. In that case there will be found more than” ten righteous Christians” in the modern day Sodom. Period of “seven years of great plenty in Egypt” still continues. (Gen. 41:29)

7 But the heavens that exist now and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men. 9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:7,9)

Distress and pity of the Lord about the individual souls prevent Him to come too early as long as He has enough genuine evangelists left to spread the message.

29.06.2024 Erno Miettinen

Unless stated otherwise the verses in this bible are referenced from a public domain bible.