“The Judgement of God” Miscellaneous Verses, Revelation 20:11-15

“The Last Four Things”

A Sermon Series

“The Judgement of God”

Miscellaneous Verses, Revelation 20:11-15

Introduction

(Review from “Death”) – There is a time while we are physically alive (we are born spiritually dead, the soul separated from God), that we can be made spiritually alive (to be born again) or remain spiritually dead, and in that state (while physically we perish) we transition on to eternal life (to be connected to God forever), or we transition to eternal death, the second death, where we remain apart from God forever. While we are alive physically we can choose spiritual life (eternal life) or remain in spiritual death, and upon our physical death we remain in that state for eternity (the second death).

Since the beginning of time, one of Satan’s lies, which he continues to tell to this day, is that there is no consequence for how you choose to live your life. Satan’s lie to Eve was, “you surely will not die!” (Genesis 3:4). His lie to us “you surely won’t have to have to stand before God and given an account of your actions.” Hebrews 9:27 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, . . .”

Defining Judgment Day

When Jesus returns it will begin a series of events (which theologians call eschatology) especially the great final judgement.[1] “The final judgement is not intended to ascertain our spiritual condition or status, for that is already known to God. Rather, it will manifest to make our status public.”[2]

 It will be Jesus who does the judging, because the Father has delegated this to the Son (John 5:22). No one is better qualified than Jesus for this task. “Having done all that could be done to save men, He is the One whom those who rejected Him must now face as their judge.”[3] And to some degree, “believers will sit on thrones and judge the world (1 Cor. 6:2-3; Rev. 3:21; 20:4).”[4]

All humans will be judged (Matt. 25:32; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 9:27). Paul says in Romans 14:10, “For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat” In his sermon in Athens Paul says, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but know he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” Acts 17:30-31.

The Romans 14 passage goes on to say, “. . .So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” So even while Christians have had their sins forgiven, everyone will have to give an account of how he lived his life.

We will stand before God in our resurrected bodies, “equipped for eternity.” Both saved and unsaved will receive their resurrection bodies, which is given to them for eternity.

For the believer, our sins are pardoned and forgiven but our work will be evaluated, “each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).[5] So, for the believer, this will be a time a reward for the faithfully lived Christian’s life. There also seems to be degrees of reward, depending on one’s faithfulness.

So for the Christian there should be no fear of God’s judgement. Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” There is no punishment (Jesus already took care of that on the cross), only reward for a life lived for Him. Our judgement will be the evaluation of our life lived for Him.

The basis of the judgement will be God’s Word. John 12:48 “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” Once God’s judgement has been given, it is permanent. The righteous and the unrighteous will be sent in different directions to their final places Matthew 25:46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

There will also be no grumbling or complaining or anyone saying that God is not just; once our lives are laid out in God’s righteous judgement it will be abundantly clear. 1 Peter 1:17 says that God “judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, . . .” No one will complain about how God has not treated them fairly, or has not given grace, or opportunities to respond to God’s Word.[6]

“There will be no debate over the guilt or innocence. There will be a prosecutor, but no defender; an accuser, but no advocate. There will be an indictment, but no defense mounted by the accused; the convincing evidence will be presented with no rebuttal or cross-examination. There will be an utterly unsympathetic Judge and no jury, and there will be no appeal of the sentence He pronounces. The guilty will be punished eternally with no possibility of parole in a prison which there is no escape.”[7]

This day of judgement will come suddenly, unexpectedly, and with disastrous consequences for the unprepared – the gospels describe it like a thief in the night. There won’t be time to prepare, and the opportunity to repent won’t be there once this day

The Great White Thrown Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15 )

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

This is what is often referred to as the Great White Throne Judgement. John’s vision of the GWTJ follows those of the Millennium (20:1-10), and the Second Coming (19:11-21), and immediately precedes that of the new heaven and the new earth (21:1ff.).

The universe as we know it has come to an end; the end of history has arrived. God’s power and the importance of the throne is seen by its size “great” and everything flees because of God’s righteousness and holiness, “From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.” The fallen world – the old heaven and the old earth—have no place, they are a thing of the past. It describes the “uncreation” of the universe. The reverse of creation takes place – and then there will be something new.[8]

As this is happening it will pass away with “a roar,” and this is word that sounds like what it means. It describes the loud, whistling, cracking, rushing sound that will result when the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up – down to the basic building blocks of matter – all of creation is destroyed. The scientific principle[9] that states that matter can neither be created or destroyed will no longer be in effect. All that was created (except humanity) is destroyed; there is a void, nothingness, and we will stand between the previous creation and the new creation that is to come.

Then all of the dead (no one at this point is “living”) are called to appear before this great throne to face judgement. This judgement is for everyone, “great and small.” No one is forgotten. For the believer, the lady who taught a first grade Sunday School class for twenty years, that no one remembers from generations ago – she will be remembered. The man who took a life, the murder never solved on this side of eternity – his brutality will be remembered. No one is so big to avoid judgement; no one is so small to be forgotten.

(v. 13) John says that the sea gave up its dead, and Hades and Death gave up their dead – showing that everyone in every place that has ever died, now appear before this great throne.

The basis of each person’s judgement are “books.” John tells us “the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” So the books are accounts of each person’s life.

(v. 12b) “another book was opened, which is the book of life.” (v. 15) “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”[10] This phrase “connotes the careful search of the records to be sure that no mistake is made.”[11] Everyone’s name who have faith in God is found in this book. Moses knew his name was in God’s book, In Exodus 32 when the Israelites had sinned against God by making the golden calf said, “But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” So every person of faith has their name recorded there.

Grace and works are in tension at judgement. It is only by God’s grace that one’s name is added to the Lamb’s book of life. But there is also works recorded in the other books – our actions in this life do matter. Grace and works go hand-in-hand. When our lives are read, the sin is blotted out, remembered no more, and our works remain (which are tested “as though by fire.”) Our works “is (are) the test as the fruit of the tree.”[12] “When the time of eternal judgement comes, men will stand in two classes: redeemed and unredeemed.”[13] And all will have works – or deeds that they have done.

(v. 14) “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.” Jesus has defeated these enemies of creation and finally their reigns are done. Death will not be a part of eternal life. Matthew describes the place of punishment as a “fiery furnace,” a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42, 50). John also makes it clear that the wicked suffer torment forever; they will never enjoy rest (Rev. 14:9-11). Mathew confirms this same idea for the righteous will enjoy “eternal life” while the wicked will suffer “eternal punishment” (Matt. 25:46).

Genesis describes how paradise was lost, and how the cunning and power of the devil brought sin into the world. The final judgement shows how paradise will be restored, and how the evil one will be bound and hurled into the lake of fire. Genesis pictures man fleeing away from God and hiding himself from God’s presence. Revelation shows us the close relationship between God and those who have been redeemed, “Behold, the tablernacle of God is with men, and he shall tabernacle with them.” Genesis show how man was kicked out of the garden, and angels with fiery swords prevented them from having access to the tree of life. Revelation restores to man access to eternal life, Revelation 22:14 “that they may have the right to come to the tree of life.”[14]

 Moral Applications: The Final Judgement . . .

 Satisfies our inward desire for justice.[15] God keep accurate records, and the great judgement reveals that God is fair, and just, and wrongs will be punished. No one gets away with injustice, there will be a day of judgement. Revelation 20:12 discusses books being opened, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.”

Our forgiveness and mercy play a part in God’s judgement against us. Matthew 7:10 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

Matthew 18:32-35 is Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant, “Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Gives us a motive and incentive for righteous living. When we understand that being faithful and doing good works don’t earn us salvation, but they are a means for earning greater eternal rewards. Matthew 6:20 “. . . lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” The books are still being written. Until Jesus returns or you die, you have an opportunity to change what judgement day looks like for you.

 Encourages us to remain faithful in our sharing of the gospel. While a person is still physically alive, there is still hope that they will give their lives to the Lord and seek His grace – that they may receive the gospel. There is no softening the phrase, “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Let us be faithful to keep as many from this awful destiny as possible because we have shared the hope of salvation with them.

 Bellevue Baptist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

 The beginning of every person’s discipleship process is to give their lives to Jesus, to have their names added to the Lamb’s book of life.

 The Bible only gives us two states of being after death; one of blessedness in the presence of the Lord, the other of eternal punishment. We are either laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven, or building up the wrath of God against us.

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[1] See Matthew 25:31-46.

[2] Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Academic, 2007) 1207.

[3] Lehman Strauss, The Book of Revelation (Neptune, New Jersey; Loizeaux Brothers1979) 341.

[4] Erickson, 1208.

[5] See also 2 Corinthians 5:10

[6] See also Psalm 9:7-8; Romans 2:5

[7] John MacArthur, The John MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 12-22 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 2000) 247.

[8] See also 2 Peter 3:10-13.

[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_of_mass

[10] See also Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8

[11] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1966) 309.

[12] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures In The New Testament, Volume VI (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1933) 464. See also Matt. 7:16, 20; 10:32f.; 25:31-46; John 15:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Rom. 2:10; Rev. 2:23; 2012; 22:12.

[13] Ray Summers, Worthy is the Lamb, An Interpretation of Revelation (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1951) 209.

[14] W. Hendrikson, More Than Conquerors, An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Book House, 1978) 237.

[15] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1994) 1147.