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Reward and Loss in Millennium.
The question of reward or forfeiture in the Gospels and Epistles has much to do with
position and glory in this kingdom. Those being found faithful in small things are
rewarded by being made responsible for great ones. Those who hid their talent in the
earth are deprived of glory in the Lord's presence.
Returning to Rev. 20:, we take notice of one further item. We have seen Satan
loosed, and the nations that were deceived suddenly devoured by fire. We now notice
what is said of Satan himself:--
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where
the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for the ages of the
ages" (Rev. 20: 10).
The expression "for the ages of the ages", eis tous aionas ton aionon, occurs in the
Book of the Revelation 13 times, and is distributed as follows:--
"For the ages of the ages."
A | 1: 6. The kingdom of priests ascribe glory and dominion to Christ.
B | 1: 18. Christ. Living for the ages of the ages.
C | Worshippers of God (fourfold).
a1 | 4: 9. The living creatures.
b1 | 4: 10. The twenty-four elders.
a1 | 5: 13. Every creature.
b1 | 7: 12. All the angels.
A | 10: 6. The mighty angel. The mystery of God finished.
B1 | 11: 15. He shall reign.
C | Worshippers of Satan (fourfold).
a2 | 14: 11. Smoke of torment.
b2 | 15: 7. The seven angels.
a2 | 19: 3. Smoke of torment.
b2 | 20: 10. The Devil, Beast and False Prophet.
B2 | 22: 5. They shall reign.
The passages which are specially connected with our present subject are the two
groups of four, lettered C, C. In the first set we have all creation, including the four
living creatures, the twenty-four elders, and all the angels joining in praise to God and to
the Lamb. It is important to notice the universality of the scope of 5: 13. What words
can convey to us the sense of the universal better than these?
"And every creature
which is in heaven
and on earth
and under the earth
and in the sea
and all that are in them."