Do you understand the true meaning of the “Kingdom parables” of Jesus?

Do you understand the true meaning of the “Kingdom parables” of Jesus?

Then he told them many things in parables, saying:..."The kingdom of heaven is like…”  Matthew 13

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record in their gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry seven parables which are known as the “kingdom parables.”  They are called “kingdom parables” because nearly all include the phrase “the kingdom of heaven is like…” and then go on to describe aspects of the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven” (basileia ho ouranos) exclusively in his gospel account.  His use of the phrase instead of the similar phrase “kingdom of God” is in an effort to not offend his primarily Jewish audience.  Both kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven are interchangeable and mean the same thing.  

The kingdom of heaven is one that is both present and future in scope.  The present kingdom is the one that resides within us as Christ followers.  “He (God) has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves...”  Col. 1:13-14.  This is the church, the body and bride of Christ.  The kingdom of heaven is also promised to all those in Christ as something that will inherited in the future.   “What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption”.  I Corinthians 15:50

The first thing to understand is that the kingdom parables in Matthew relate to the time period immediately following the church age, specifically the tribulation period and the millennial kingdom period. The church age deals with the body and bride of Christ, and is the period that begins at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit is given to the body of Christ, and ends when the church is removed, along with the indwelling Holy Spirit, from this world at the rapture.  Everything relayed in the kingdom parables relates specifically to the tribulation and millennial kingdom periods of the kingdom of God.  As a result, the parables apply mainly to the remnant of Israel, and not to the church.  This is an important distinction to keep in mind.

A parable is a story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson. Some have called them “earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.”  Jesus used parables frequently when teaching spiritual concepts to His followers and those who listened to his teaching.  While parables can be used to make hard concepts easier to understand, that is only true if the symbolism is explained and the story made plain.  But, Jesus did not use parables to make His teaching more understandable to the crowds at this point in His ministry.  Instead, the scriptures make clear that He used parables to obscure His teaching.  He did explain parables to His disciples, but did not provide explanations to the general crowds which came to hear Him speak.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke all make this same point. 

Then the disciples came up and asked him, "Why are you speaking to them in parables? "  He answered, "Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them.”  Matthew 13:10-11

Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, and he did not tell them anything without a parable, so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: I will open my mouth in parables; I will declare things kept secret from the foundation of the world. Matthew 13:34-35

He was speaking the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand.  He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, he explained everything to his own disciples.  Mark 4:33-34 

Then his disciples asked him, "What does this parable mean? "  So he said, "The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that looking they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.  Luke 8:9-10 

For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. That is why I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand. Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You will listen and listen, but never understand; you will look and look, but never perceive.  For this people's heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn back -- and I would heal them.  Blessed are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see the things you see but didn't see them, to hear the things you hear but didn't hear them.  Matthew 13:12-17

Here is the first kingdom parable of Jesus that Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record.

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "Consider the sower who went out to sow.  As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.  Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn't have much soil, and it grew up quickly since the soil wasn't deep. But when the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.  Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it. Still other seed fell on good ground and produced fruit: some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times what was sown. Let anyone who has ears listen."  Matthew 13:3-9

We know it is about the kingdom because Jesus later describes it as such when He explains the parable to His disciples in private:  So listen to the parable of the sower:  "When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path. And the one sown on rocky ground ​-- ​this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. Now the one sown among the thorns ​-- ​this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown on the good ground ​-- ​this is one who hears and understands the word, who does produce fruit and yields: some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown."   Matthew 13:18-23

So, this parable is explained to the disciples thankfully, and recorded by Matthew to benefit us all.  What is the topic of the parable?  Receiving the word about the kingdom of God (basically the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ), hearing fully, understanding it, and as a result producing spiritual fruit.  The word of the kingdom of God will be available to all people during the tribulation period.  Similar to now, some will receive it and some will not.

The second kingdom parable of Jesus was again about sowing seeds, wheat to be specific.  He presented another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left. When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared. The landowner's servants came to him and said, 'Master, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from? 'An enemy did this,' he told them. 'So, do you want us to go and pull them up? ' the servants asked him.   'No,' he said. 'When you pull up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I'll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but collect the wheat in my barn.' "  Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus also later explained this parable to His disciples when they were together in private:  Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."  He replied: "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world; and the good seed ​-- ​these are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness. They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Let anyone who has ears listen.”  Matthew 13:36-43

Typically, this parable is explained as having to do with the rapture where the “good seed” (Christians) are gathered into the barn (taken to heaven) and the “bad seed” (children of the evil one-unbelievers) are gathered and thrown into the blazing furnace (lake of fire).  But, it should be noted that the parable describes the harvest occurring at the “end of the age” which would be after the tribulation period.  And remember, these parables are focused on the tribulation period, and during the tribulation the focus is primarily on the remnant of Israel being brought into God’s kingdom.  So, this gathering and separation of the good and bad refers to the unrighteous during the tribulation period being gathered for the blazing furnace (Hades/Sheol and then after judgement into the lake of fire), and the good being gathered into the barn (the millennial kingdom).

Jesus provides a description of this same event in Luke 17:26-37:  "And just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as in the days of Lot--they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.  On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out, and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding grain at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”  And answering they said to Him, "Where, Lord?" And He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered."  Luke 17:26-37 

In Jesus’ description, the evil are gathered, or taken, first and the righteous remain to be gathered together afterwards.  He clarifies to the disciples when asked where they are taken, that where they are the vultures will gather.  This is not a verse referring to the rapture of Christians as so many people assume, it is at the end of the age when the unrighteous are gathered first and taken to a place of death (the lake of fire).  In Luke 17, Matthew 24, and Mark 13 (end times prophecy by Jesus known as “The Olivet Discourse”), all these verses all pertain to the time after the rapture, specifically the tribulation period and millennial kingdom. 

The third kingdom parable discusses a mustard seed illustration.  He presented another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.  "It's the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it's taller than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches."  Matthew 13:31-32

This parable, again giving insight into the kingdom of heaven, is recorded in all three gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (chapter 13).  Typically, this parable is taught as meaning that the church will grow in size, from a small mustard seed to a large tree like plant.  But, notice what is nesting in the branches of this large unnatural plant...birds.  Remember the birds from the first parable?  The birds are representative of the “evil one”, or Satan.  These are Satan’s foot-soldiers, demons.  This parable refers to the institution of religion (not the church) during the tribulation period.  It has grown from a small seed (like a mustard seed) and when planted in the field (remember the field is explained as the world in the second parable) it grows into an unnaturally large tree.  The tree is so big that birds (demons) nest among its branches.  This is describing the religious system (the false religion of the antichrist specifically) that is prevalent during the tribulation period.  This false religion is so large and unnatural that it allows demonic forces to enter into its ranks and corrupt it from inside.  We know from the book of Revelation chapter seventeen that this false religion known as “Babylon the Harlot” is destroyed.

The fourth parable discusses the kingdom with an illustration using leaven.  The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.   Matthew 13:33

Similarly, the fourth parable giving insight into the kingdom of Heaven deals with the false religion of the tribulation period.  It is recorded by both Matthew and Luke (chapter 13). Typically again, this parable is taught as describing how just a little truth (leaven) can permeate the entire world and result in converting the entire world.  But again, remember the context, this refers to the tribulation period.  And recall what we have already been taught.  The woman can be seen as Babylon the harlot, the false religion of the antichrist kingdom.  She mixes (the word used is actually to hide or mingle) three measures of leaven into the flour (more specifically wheat flour).  Three measures of flour refers to Genesis chapter eighteen when Sarai was told to prepare three measures of flour as a meal for the Lord.  This was a type of thanksgiving fellowship offering, and leaven was not allowed.  Wheat as we saw in the second parable of the wheat and tares represents the righteous.  Leaven in the bible is always symbolic of sin, and never of anything good or righteous.  Leaven is forbidden in prescribed sacrifices, and Jesus refers over and over to the “leaven of the Pharisees”.  Leaven is not a good thing, it is always seen as representing sin.  

This parable then describes the mingling or hiding of something sinful or bad into what is typically something holy until the whole thing is sinful or bad.  This is symbolizing the tribulation false religion of the antichrist, a predominantly gentile false religion called Babylon the Harlot.  She hides leaven (a corrupting influence of sin and untruth) into what was originally something meant to be holy and involve thanksgiving and fellowship (the institution of religion).  During the tribulation period it is mixed and ferments until the whole thing is completely (three is the symbolic number of completeness in the Bible) “leavened” or sinful and corrupt.  Again, this corrupted false religion of the tribulation is destined to be destroyed.

The fifth parable describes a treasure in a field:  The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.  Matthew 13:44

It should be noted that the last three parables were told only to the disciples after they had left the crowds of people and were gathered together alone.  This fifth parable deals with the kingdom of heaven and equates it to a treasure buried in a field.  Typically, it is taught as the man who finds the treasure is us, mankind.  The treasure is the kingdom of heaven, waiting to be discovered.  The man sells everything he has to obtain that field, and the treasure buried in that field.   But, the man is actually Jesus.  The second parable explains that the “man”, the sower, is the “Son of Man” Jesus Himself.  The treasure is His kingdom, His people.  The treasure is initially buried in a field (the world), meaning that mankind is dead in their sins. Jesus uncovers it, and then reburies it.  Jesus sells everything He has (gives His own life in sacrifice for us) and purchases (redeems) the field (the world) in which the treasure (His kingdom people) are buried.

This parable is symbolic of Jesus finding, but strangely enough then reburying, the treasure (His chosen).  Then, later after having purchased the field it was hidden in, obtaining that treasure once again for Himself.  Again, we are talking about the tribulation period which is primarily focused on the redemption of the remnant of the Nation of Israel.  Jesus finds them but reburies them for a time.  Israel being blinded for a period of time, and a remnant being set aside to be redeemed later is laid out clearly in Romans 9-11 by Paul.  Jesus, sells everything He has (His sacrificial death on the cross for all) and buys (redeems) the field (redeems all of creation) to obtain the treasure buried in the field (the remnant of Israel which returns to Christ during the tribulation period).

The sixth parable is similar in nature to the fifth:  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.  Matthew 13:45-46

It similarly discusses a treasure and describes the kingdom.  Again, this parable is typically taught as the “merchant” being lost mankind who searches for the “pearl of great value” (the kingdom of God) and they sell all they own to obtain that pearl (the kingdom or alternatively salvation).  However, again the “merchant” or man in the parable is Jesus.  He is the one who is searching for fine pearls (His chosen people, the kingdom of God).  He is the one that sells all He has (sacrifices Himself for us on the cross) to obtain (redeem) the pearl of great price (His chosen).  Pearls are unclean in Judaism, so most likely this is symbolic not of the Jewish remnant (as the fifth parable focuses on), but rather is referring to gentiles and His chosen ones in that group which will become part of His kingdom, again, during the tribulation period.  

Lastly, the seventh parable describes a large drag net thrown into the sea.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind of fish, and when it was full, they dragged it ashore, sat down, and gathered the good fish into containers, but threw out the worthless ones. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, separate the evil people from the righteous, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

Matthew 13:47-50

This parable compares the kingdom of heaven to a net full of fish being gathered and sorted.  This again is about the harvest at the end of the age (the end of tribulation period). The net is thrown into the sea and gathers every kind of fish (all are to be judged at the end of the age).  As in the second parable, the evil (unrighteous) are once again gathered and then taken by the angels and thrown into a fiery furnace (lake of fire).  The good (righteous) are then gathered into “containers” which is symbolic of the millennial kingdom of God into which only the righteous will be allowed entrance.

"Have you understood all these things? " They answered him, "Yes."   Matthew 13:51. Lastly, Jesus asks His disciples if they understood all the parables and their symbolism.  The disciples tell Him “yes” unfortunately for us, as we do not get further explanation from Jesus.   

Then Jesus says one more additional thing that is important to understand: "Therefore," he said to them, "every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom treasures new and old."  Matthew 13:52.  This is not normally considered one of the seven kingdom parables, but it is presented to the disciples in the form of a parable.  A “teacher of the law” is technically a scribe, someone who is well-versed in the Mosaic law and in the Old Testament scriptures, who can interpret them and teach them to others.  

The “owner of a house” in the parable is therefore those, like the disciples themselves, who are considered scribes (teachers) within the kingdom of God.  They bring out of the “storeroom” (their knowledge as guided by the Holy Spirit) “treasures new and old” (scripturally-based truth and doctrine), both from the old testament (covenant) and new testament (covenant).  It is confirmation that the disciples in God’s kingdom have access to truths about not only the scriptures regarding the old covenant, but scriptures regarding the new covenant.

I understand  that this teaching is different from what is typically taught on the kingdom parables.  It is not something that I developed on my own, but is teaching that I have  examined for myself from several teachers that I highly respect.  These include such teachers as Arno C. Gaebelein, Alfred Edersheim, J. Dwight Pentecost, John F. Walvoord, Chuck Missler, and Thomas Ice.  I encourage everyone to be like the Bereans as Paul says and examine the scriptures for yourself to determine whether or not it is scriptural.

Fullness of the Gentiles and Times of the Gentiles. Is there a difference?

When studying eschatology, the study of last things, eventually you will encounter the phrases "times of the Gentiles" and "fullness of the Gentiles." Are these terms synonymous, or do they differ in meaning? They actually refer to two separate differing events involving the Gentiles. The phrases can cause confusion, and can cause you to inadvertently misapply scripture concerning the timing of last things in relation to Gentiles.

Here are the Bible verses:
"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, because these are days of vengeance to fulfill all the things that are written....They will be killed by the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." Luke 21:20-24

"I don't want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." Romans 11:25

Firstly, both phrases are discussing Gentiles. Gentiles are all those people-groups which are not Hebrew/Jewish. The Hebrew word for Gentile is Goy and is typically used as meaning heathen or nation, implying a people-group that is not Hebrew. So, the difference in these two phrases comes down to the meaning of “times” and “fullness” of the Gentiles.

“Times” as used specifically in the context of this verse is the Greek word Kairos, and means a fixed and definite time. “Fullness” as used in the context of the above verse is the Greek word Pleroma, and means the full number of something. So how are these phrases different, and what time-period are they actually referring to?

Times of the Gentiles refers to the period of human history where Gentile kingdoms dominate the world scene. Daniel prophesied about these kingdoms in Daniel chapters two and seven.  In chapter two, Daniel is given understanding to interpret the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar concerning a tall statue of a man made from different types of metals. The statue represents four successive kingdoms of Gentiles beginning with the Babylonian kingdom, and continuing through history culminating with the revived Roman kingdom of the antichrist in the last days. This kingdom is brought down by the “rock not made by human hands” striking the iron and clay feet of the statue.

In chapter seven, Daniel is given a vision of four beasts. The beasts represent the same four kingdoms as seen in the statue in chapter two. The last kingdom again is the kingdom of the antichrist which is destroyed by the coming of the “Ancient of Days.”

Luke chapter 21 is part of what is known as the Olivet Discourse where Jesus is telling His disciples about the destruction of the temple. They ask Him to tell them when this will occur, and what the signs will be of His coming and the end of the age. So, everything Jesus tells them during the Olivet discourse sections applies to the time after the rapture, specifically the tribulation period at the end of the age. The "times of the Gentiles" therefore refers to the last gentile kingdom of the antichrist and the fixed, definite time that kingdom is brought to an end by the return of Jesus at the end of the seven year tribulation period.

The "fullness of the Gentiles" used by Paul in Romans chapter eleven refers to the period of time known as the "church age". Paul is discussing the church, and when the "partial hardening" of Israel will come to an end. We know from other verses in the Old and New Testament that the remnant of Israel will be grafted back into the cultivated olive tree at some point during the last days. This will occur after the church is raptured to be with the Lord. The book of Revelation details the process of remnant Israel feeling remorse and mourning the Messiah they rejected, and the elect remnant being grafted back into the cultivated tree fed by the root of God's blessing. The “fullness of the Gentiles” therefore refers to the point in time when the full number of those who are to be added to the church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is achieved. At that moment, the rapture of the church will occur and the partial hardening on Israel will be rescinded by God and His focus will return to bringing in the remnant elect of Israel during the tribulation period.

Here are some verses referring to the elect of Israel being grafted back into the cultivated tree:
“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Or don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah -- how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and they are trying to take my life! 4 But what was God's answer to him? I have left seven thousand for myself who have not bowed down to Baal. 5 In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace.” Romans 11:1-5

“On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on the one who struck them, but they will faithfully depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. 21 The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. 22 Israel, even if your people were as numerous as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction has been decreed; justice overflows. 23 For throughout the land the Lord God of Armies is carrying out a destruction that was decreed.” Isaiah 10:20-23

"Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at me whom they pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for him as one weeps for a firstborn." Zechariah 12:10

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 "See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 "For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'! " Matt 23"37-39

"So this is what the Lord GOD says: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name. 26 "They will feel remorse for their disgrace and all the unfaithfulness they committed against me, when they live securely in their land with no one to frighten them. 27 "When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the countries of their enemies, I will demonstrate my holiness through them in the sight of many nations. 28 "They will know that I am the LORD their God when I regather them to their own land after having exiled them among the nations. I will leave none of them behind. 29 "I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 39:25-29

Who are the Beast and False Prophet of Revelation?

Everyone speculates about the identities of the “Beast” and “False Prophet” in the book of Revelation.  But, did you know the Bible tells us exactly who, or maybe more precisely, what they are?  According to the Bible, the Beast and False Prophet are angels, fallen angels to be more specific.  

Fallen angels are also known as “demons.”  Let’s discuss what a demon is first.  God created heavenly beings which we call “angels”.  They are classified as different types in the Bible, and even into rank and order with specific duties.  The Bible refers to several different types of angels.  There is of course what we could call the common angel.  Additionally, scripture mentions three other types of heavenly beings; cherubim, seraphim, and “living creatures”. It also differentiates common angels from “archangels” who appear to be angels with assigned authority.  There are two archangels mentioned by name: Michael and Gabriel.  There is also another angel mentioned by name:  Lucifer.  Lucifer, also known as “Satan”, is described as a covering cherubim in the book of Ezekiel.  A covering cherubim, also called a living creature by Ezekiel, is an angel with a specific function to accompany and cover God.  We see them described more fully by Ezekiel in chapters 1 and 10, and by John in Revelation chapter 4 as well.

Note:  this verse is addressed to the “king of Tyre” but appears to actually be directed at Satan.  "Son of man, lament for the king of Tyre and say to him, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.  You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone covered you: carnelian, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold; they were prepared on the day you were created. You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones.  From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you. Through the abundance of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud because of your beauty; For the sake of your splendor you corrupted your wisdom. So I threw you down to the ground; I made you a spectacle before kings.”  Ezekiel 28:10-17.

When Lucifer was cast out of heaven by God, he convinced a third of the other heavenly beings to follow him.  We are not told what types of angels sinned along with Satan, but it is possible that cherubim, seraphim, and living creatures in addition to common angels and possibly archangels all joined in the rebellion and were cast out along with Satan.  John refers to this event in the book of Revelation, and Isaiah describes the same event referring to Satan as “Star of the Morning”.  

“Then another sign appeared in heaven: There was a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven crowns.  Its tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and hurled them to the earth….”  Revelation 12:3-4

"How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations!  But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’”  Isaiah 14:12-14 

These fallen angels (demons) are also referred to as "evil spirits," "unclean spirits," and "angels of Satan" (Matthew 10:1; Mark 1:27; Revelation 12:9).  Most roam free on the earth.  Jesus encountered demons regularly in the scriptures.    

“And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.”  Mark 1:34

“And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," for many demons had entered him. And they were pleading with Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.”  Luke 8:30-31

The Bible also tells us that some demons are kept in “eternal bonds” in a place known as “the abyss”, “the bottomless pit”, and “Tartarus”.  This place is described as a pit, perhaps a place located in the depths below Hades/Sheol.  There is apparently a “king angel” of the abyss named “Abaddon”.  Satan himself will be bound there for one-thousand years during the millennial kingdom period on earth.  

“For if God did not spare angels who sinned, but cast them into the pit (Tartarus) and delivered them to chains of darkness, being kept for judgment…”   2 Peter 2:4

“And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,”  Jude 1:6-7

“And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," for many demons had entered him.  And they were pleading with Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.”  Luke 8:30-31

“He opened the shaft to the abyss, and smoke came up out of the shaft like smoke from a great furnace so that the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the shaft. ...  They had as their king the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he has the name Apollyon.”  Rev. 9:2,11

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven holding the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand.  He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.  He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the thousand years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time.”  Rev. 20:1-3

In the book of Revelation, John is told that the Beast and the False Prophet come out of the abyss.  This confirms for us that both of these entities are in actuality demons.  These demons are then given power and authority by Satan (the dragon) for forty-two months (1260 days) the last three and a half years of the tribulation period.  The Beast is a demonic spirit that comes out of the abyss in the middle of the tribulation and inhabits the body of the antichrist.  His first act is to kill the two witnesses of Revelation, most likely Moses and Elijah.  The Beast’s next act is to desecrate the Holy Place in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.  Jesus speaks about this act, and points out that Daniel prophesied about this “abomination of desolation” committed in the temple during the last days.  The False Prophet is a demonic spirit that comes out of the abyss at the same time and is described as looking like a lamb but speaking like a dragon (Satan).  The False Prophet causes everyone to worship the Beast, and exercises the authority of the Beast.  An interesting thing to note is the Beast is described as coming “out of the sea” and the False Prophet out of “the earth”.  This may possibly be a hint that the Beast inhabits the body of the antichrist who is a gentile, and the False Prophet inhabits the body of someone who is Jewish. 

"Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),  then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. ... For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.”  Matthew 24:15-16, 21

“When they finish their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war on them, conquer them, and kill them.”  Rev. 11:7

“And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads. On its horns were ten crowns, and on its heads were blasphemous names.  The beast I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority.  One of its heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but its fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.  They worshiped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against it? "  The beast was given a mouth to utter boasts and blasphemies. It was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It began to speak blasphemies against God: to blaspheme his name and his dwelling -- those who dwell in heaven.  And it was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. It was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.  All those who live on the earth will worship it, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.”  

Rev. 13:1-8

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.  It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf and compels the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.  It also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in front of people.  It deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that it is permitted to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.  It was permitted to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And it makes everyone -- small and great, rich and poor, free and slave -- to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,  so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast's name or the number of its name.”  Rev. 13:11-17

It is appointed for mankind to die once, and then judgement. Every person ever created will be resurrected bodily we are told...some to life and some to death. The wicked will face judgement at what is known as the Great White Throne of judgement. Those whose names are not found in the Lamb's Book of Life will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, which is the second death. 

"And just as it is appointed for people to die once -- and after this, judgment" Heb. 9:27.

"Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come out -- those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of condemnation." John 5:28-29.

"Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:11-15.

But, in Revelation chapter 19 we are told about the Beast (antichrist) and False Prophet being defeated at the battle of Armageddon by the Lord Jesus Christ at His second coming, which occurs at the end of the tribulation period.  Both are "thrown alive" into the lake of fire. No judgement at the Great White Throne is mentioned.  There is no mention of checking for their name in the Lamb's Book of Life.  They are simply thrown directly into the Lake of Fire, created for Satan and his demons.  After one-thousand years, we find they are still there when Satan is thrown into the Lake of Fire too.

"Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. ... then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against his army. But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with it the false prophet, who had performed the signs in its presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur." Rev. 19:11, 19-20.

"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels…”  Matthew 25:41

”When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea. They came up across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed them.  The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  Rev. 20:7-10

Why is this?  Why are these two individuals handled differently than everyone else ever to exist in mankind who are included with the "wicked" according to God?  What makes them different in that they are not sent to Hades/Sheol to await judgement like every other wicked person?  Why are they not held until the Great White Throne of judgment and then condemned to the lake of fire after their names are not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life like the rest of mankind?  I believe it is because, as we have seen in scripture, they are both demons, more specifically, men who have been totally possessed by the demons known as the Beast and the False Prophet, filled with power and authority directly from Satan himself.

“And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sits upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.  Then I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them, and they were judged, every one [of them] according to their deeds.  Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”  Rev. 20:10-15