Why doesn’t God do something about evil? What does society think is evil? These are questions which come to mind when the subject of evil arises. The Scriptures see it as the worldwide problem of anything which is opposed to the rule of God.

God dealt evil a blow at the cross of Jesus Christ and, in this passage, there will be one last battle. The rider on the white horse is Jesus who is accompanied by his followers … but he does not need the help of them. It is not a battle between equals. He wins the battle all by himself. Judgement is presented as terrible in order to warn people not to become part of this but to trust in what Jesus has done in his death and resurrection.

The period of 1000 years is taken as symbolic, representing the period of the church’s sufferings in which we now live … gospel times. Satan is bound through the victory of the cross. He is then released but defeated instantly by Jesus … the King of kings and Lord of lords. The work which people need to do is to believe in the one God has sent, Jesus Christ. It is only works which flow from this faith which will be accepted … all from Jesus’ death and resurrection which has cosmic implications.