Job 34-36; Revelation 20
December 25th
Elihu raises several points of contention with Job:
• First, Job is wrong to accuse God of injustice:
“Far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to commit iniquity” (Job 34:10).
This is because God is the Sovereign Ruler of all and establishes the “rules of the game.”
• Second, Job is mistaken in thinking that there is no value in being righteous or sinful since God allows such suffering. Our righteousness benefits us, not God. He is not dependent on human actions (Job 35:3-8).
• Third, God is so far above humanity that no one can instruct Him on how He should act (Job 36:22-26).
From this, Elihu concludes:
“One ought to say to God, ‘I have borne chastisement; I will not offend any more; teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’” (Job 34:31-32).
Revelation 20
This chapter contains the most detailed mention of the Millennial Kingdom. Several factors presented here strongly support a literal interpretation:
• The phrase “a thousand years” is repeated six times.
• Satan will be bound during this period, something that has never occurred in history.
• Even without Satan’s influence, Adam’s descendants remain sinful.
The Great White Throne Judgment
This is the ultimate eschatological event awaiting unbelievers. Key details include:
• Basis for judgment: Each person’s deeds will be recorded in God’s “books” and evaluated (Revelation 20:12). These actions, done in unbelief, will confirm their guilt.
• Universal accountability: No one will escape this judgment. Even death and Hades will surrender their dead to stand before the throne.
• Eternal consequences: Those whose names are not found in the Book of Life—God’s record of those saved through faith—will be thrown into the lake of fire, the second death (Revelation 20:14-15).
This chapter highlights the sobering reality of eternal judgment and the necessity of salvation through Christ, whose sacrifice ensures one’s name is written in the Book of Life.
Elihu raises several points of contention with Job:
• First, Job is wrong to accuse God of injustice:
“Far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to commit iniquity” (Job 34:10).
This is because God is the Sovereign Ruler of all and establishes the “rules of the game.”
• Second, Job is mistaken in thinking that there is no value in being righteous or sinful since God allows such suffering. Our righteousness benefits us, not God. He is not dependent on human actions (Job 35:3-8).
• Third, God is so far above humanity that no one can instruct Him on how He should act (Job 36:22-26).
From this, Elihu concludes:
“One ought to say to God, ‘I have borne chastisement; I will not offend any more; teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’” (Job 34:31-32).
Revelation 20
This chapter contains the most detailed mention of the Millennial Kingdom. Several factors presented here strongly support a literal interpretation:
• The phrase “a thousand years” is repeated six times.
• Satan will be bound during this period, something that has never occurred in history.
• Even without Satan’s influence, Adam’s descendants remain sinful.
The Great White Throne Judgment
This is the ultimate eschatological event awaiting unbelievers. Key details include:
• Basis for judgment: Each person’s deeds will be recorded in God’s “books” and evaluated (Revelation 20:12). These actions, done in unbelief, will confirm their guilt.
• Universal accountability: No one will escape this judgment. Even death and Hades will surrender their dead to stand before the throne.
• Eternal consequences: Those whose names are not found in the Book of Life—God’s record of those saved through faith—will be thrown into the lake of fire, the second death (Revelation 20:14-15).
This chapter highlights the sobering reality of eternal judgment and the necessity of salvation through Christ, whose sacrifice ensures one’s name is written in the Book of Life.
Posted in Reading Bible Together