Romans 1:18-32 is a passage which describes the downward spiral into which men plunge when they remove God from His rightful place. Though God has given enough proof of His existence, divinity, and eternal power by the material world He has created, some are bent on suppressing this evidence to pursue their own concepts of freedom. Though these individuals profess to be wise, in reality they become foolish. Their hearts are bent on fulfilling their twisted lusts. They applaud and approve of any lifestyle that shakes a defiant fist at Almighty God. Paul was describing the Gentile world in his time, but doesn’t Romans 1:18-32 sound like a fitting description of some aspects of today’s society?

What else should we expect when we remove the eternal God from our educational systems and the values that shape public policy? Not every atheist is immoral, but society in general becomes debased when people no longer feel accountable to God, no longer have eternal purposes in their lives, and live primarily for present pleasure. People talk about their rights, but give no undergirding reason for those rights. Unlike the founders of this nation who cited our Creator as the basis for our right to life and liberty, often today rights are assumed to belong to people based on what those in power deem to be equitable. This rationale has proved to be deadly many times in many nations throughout history.

However, Christians living in ungodly societies is nothing new. The Bible has very applicable instructions for how we should behave righteously when the world around revels in wickedness. Peter wrote, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Pet. 2:11, 12). Christians have escaped the corruption that is in the world because of sinful lusts and have become partakers of God’s nature (2 Pet. 1:4). We continue to give considerable effort to add righteous qualities to our lives such as faith, moral excellence, knowledge of God’s word, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection and love (2 Pet. 1:5-7). We give considerable effort to add these and make our calling sure lest we become blind and fall into our former ways. We do not want to become entangled again in the defilements of the world that pose such a serious threat to our eternal souls, knowing that if we did, we would be worse off than before our initial escape/salvation (2 Pet. 2:20-22).

When the world becomes darker in wickedness and sin, then the Lord becomes more noticeable as the light of the world (John 8:12; 1 John 1:5); and those who follow Him stand out and shine all the brighter in reflecting God’s glory (Mt. 5:14-16; Eph. 5:8; Phil. 2:15). Our ultimate goal is not to arrive at utopia by political success here on earth, but to point people to the treasure in heaven (Mt. 6:19-21) where our premier citizenship is (Phil. 3:20).

The devil has made it his aim to deceive people to sin and follow him to eternal ruin (2 Cor. 4:4; 11:3; 1 Pet. 5:8; Mt. 25:41). Yet, sin leading to death does not have to be our final end. Through His own death, Christ gained the victory over sin and eternal death for all mankind potentially (Heb. 2:14, 15). This victory becomes reality for the faithful of all ages—not only those who lived after His death, but also those who lived before (Rom. 3:25; Heb. 2:9; 10:11, 12).

The book of Revelation has a comforting message: those who remain faithful to Jesus by overcoming trials and persecutions are able to reign with Him for a thousand years (Rev. 3:21; 20:4). One thousand is a high power of ten, symbolizing the complete power God exercises over the devil in restraining him from deceiving the nations. It is not a literal number. A literal interpretation is not supported by the Scriptures. The book of Revelation is symbolic (Rev. 1:1). A thousand years is a symbol of the complete power (10 times 10 times 10) of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords (Rev. 17:14; 19:16; Lk. 1:33; Dan. 2:44). The actual length of time represented by these thousand years is unknown. This number was chosen simply for its symbolic significance. These one thousand years are not mentioned elsewhere in the Scriptures in literal contexts.

Revelation 20 is often used for proof of the teaching that Christ will come back to earth to reign on David’s literal throne in Jerusalem for a definite period of one thousand years (called the millennium). However, the passage does not mention Christ’s return. Nor does it mention the reign being on earth, David’s literal throne, or the city of Jerusalem. If the 1,000 years were literal, then when the 1,000 years have expired, these people would cease to live and reign with Christ.

But it is obvious that these are symbols as Revelation begins by noting that it is signified (1:1); it is highly figurative and symbolic. Ask yourself some other questions regarding elements in Revelation 20 and whether they are literal or figurative. Is the key literal?  Is the bottomless pit literal? Is the great chain literal?  Is the seal that is upon Satan literal? Are the thrones literal?  Were all these souls literally beheaded? Is the beast literal? Is the mark of the beast a literal mark on one’s forehead and hands? These are all figures.

Instead of giving us a timetable of events to happen on earth in the future, the chief concern of Revelation 20 is the devil meeting his end and the victory of the saints. Troubles and worries may abound for Christians trying to stay faithful to Jesus in the face of an ungodly world that persecutes them, but whether one it is the first century or the twenty-first, we know that complete victory is found in Christ. Do not let anything separate you from Him who gives you the victory. Jesus is King (Eph. 1:20-22; Col. 1:13). He reigns and will reign (Acts 2:22-36; 1 Cor. 15:24-26). Does He reign in your life?