READING FOR DECEMBER 31, 2024: JOSHUA 8, REVELATION 20, PSALM 132:11-18 JOSHUA 8 Israel’s victory over Ai after their initial defeat.
- The main Israelite force of 25,000 advanced to a point north of Ai, well within sight of the city with a valley between them and the city.
- Meanwhile, an elite detachment of 5,000 gathered in the rear for executing an ambush, positioned west of Ai (between Bethel and Ai)
- The main body advanced seemingly for another frontal assault as before
- As the King of Ai delivered a spoiling attack, the Israelites feigned a retreat, as had happened in the earlier assault, and retreated
- This maneuver lured every Canaanite soldier of Ai and Bethel out into the open deep gorge (Wadi Muheisin) in pursuit of the retreating Israelite attack
- The rear ambush force entered the city and set it ablaze
- The two groups made up of the ambush force, and the main body turned around again towards the Aians, effectively trapping them in a vice
- Another detachment had been deployed to block any assistance sent from Bethel to help Ai.
The ambush described above was Joshua’s implementation of God’s command in verse 2: “Set an ambush for the city behind it.” This is an example of utilizing human creativity to implement God’s commands with God’s provisions. The subsequent setting up of an altar and the reading of the blessings and curses occurring in front of Mount Ebal and Gerizim implemented God’s commands from Deuteronomy 27. They didn’t forget to obey God after their victory.
Revelation 20: Three significant things are described in this chapter.
A Thousand Year Reign (20:1-6): Satan is bound for 1000 years during which Jesus reigns on the earth with the faithful saints who had patiently endured the tribulations described in the previous chapters of Revelation. The rest of those who have died in Christ are not resurrected in body until after these 1000 years. (20:5) Scholars have long debated the meaning and details of this millennium reign. Some suggest it is just figurative language while others insist it
READING FOR DECEMBER 31, 2024 CONTINUED: REVELATION 20, PSALM 132:11-18
will be a real 1000 years. For our purpose today, we read it and thank God that he has a plan for the future and will bring it about as he chooses.
Satan’s Doom (20:7-10): At the end of the 1000 years, Satan is released for a short time, and he quickly deceives the nations into one last battle against God. He is quickly defeated and is thrown into the lake of fire where he will be tormented forever. (20:10) Jesus made it clear that the lake of fire was created for this very purpose. “…the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) Often we picture Satan as the ruler of hell who enjoys tormenting poor souls in the heat, but that is far from the picture painted here. Satan is tormented not the tormenter.
The Dead are Judged (20:11-15): This is the final judgment, and everyone will appear before the great white throne. Paul said, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) Note we are judged for things done not just things believed. That is why the judgement depicted in Revelation 20 says each one is judged “according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” (20:12) This tells us that our lives are being recorded, and we will be judged based on what we have said and done. Jesus said, “…men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matt. 12:36)
But there is another book that is opened called the Book of Life. This book is about “things believed” and determines our eternal destiny. Our belief in Christ has placed our name in that book and has secured our place at the wedding banquet. In the next chapter our eternal home is described, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.” (Revelation 21:27) Billy Graham said, “The believer has his foundation in Jesus Christ. Now we are to build upon this foundation and the work we have done must stand the ultimate test; final exams come at the Judgment Seat of Christ when we receive our reward.” In summary: The Book of Life determines WHERE we spend eternity. Books of Records determines HOW we spend eternity.
PSALM 133:11-18 Verse 11 refers to one son on the throne, while verse 12 mentions several generations of sons to be taught by God. Even if this was not the conscious intent of the Psalmist, the singular son of verse 11 is best represented by Jesus, who self-identified as the Son of David. The latter seems to refer to the purely human line of kings descending from King David. The use of the word “Zion” also might have a duel meaning. It is described here as God’s desired dwelling place. Certainly, the immediate reference to Jerusalem is intended by the Psalmist, given that it was the location of God’s Temple and the ark, which was kept in the Temple’s Holy of Holies. Yet, the New Testament adds to this meaning of Zion the unending presence of Lord in Heaven: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb. 12:22). Some in our congregation have been blessed to visit the earthly Jerusalem. Let’s pray that all of our families will be ready to live with God in the heavenly Jerusalem by receiving Jesus by as Savior and Lord.
