Wednesday, May 21, 2014

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE AND THE BOOK OF LIFE


The last post ended with the judgment of Satan and this post opens with the judgment of the wicked dead.

Revelation 20:11–13 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”

This must be an amazing sight to John; heaven and earth are not in the picture.  John sees Jesus sitting on God’s great white throne of judgment positioned in a dimension outside the confines of our universe.  We know it is God in the person of His Son Jesus because He has delegated all judgment to the Son.

John 5:22–23 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

The dead referred to here are those who could not participate in the first resurrection.  Though they are “dead,” they are “standing” before God; their destiny is certain.  Still, each one is going to have his/her time of reckoning before God. 

“The books were opened” – It would seem that it required many books to record the deeds or works of the dead.  Twice John records that these people are judged according to their works, and scripture reveals that will result in eternal condemnation.

John 6:28–29 “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

John 3:17–18 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 “… the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power….”
  
“according to their works” – Small comfort though it be to those eternally damned, there does seem to be an indication that there are different levels of eternal punishment just as there will be different levels of reward for the believers.

Matthew 11:21–24 “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” 

Though the reference is to the cities, it is obvious that the message is intended for the people of those cities.

The other book used is the Book of Life.  It is called the Book of Life, so it stands to reason that every “life” be recorded there until he/she has rejected God and the eternal life that He has provided for each and every person.  God has provided for our salvation, our eternal life; but He has sovereignly decided to allow us the choice of accepting His gift or not.  Those who reject Him have their names blotted out of the Book of Life.  Only those whose names are missing will be judged based upon their own works.  Those who have placed their faith in the Savior are judged based upon His work on their behalf.

Romans 5:1–2 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”

Through Christ the believer is “justified”—declared righteous, innocent—just as if I’d never sinned.

No one who has rejected God’s gracious gift of salvation escapes judgment.  ALL those who have died through the ages who have rejected God as LORD will be present.  It is important to remember that God is not willing that any should perish.  His desire is for every human being to accept His provision through His Son Jesus Christ and choose eternal life by placing their faith in Him.  That is the whole reason He has waited as long as He has to send Jesus back to set up His kingdom.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

After the final judgment, every person not recorded in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire along with death and hell.

Revelation 20:14–15 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

The fact that “death” is thrown into the lake of fire speaks to the truth that death will no longer be allowed to affect God’s creation.  “Hell” only served as the holding place for the souls of the wicked dead until judgment; it will no longer be needed. 

(to be continued…)

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