Revelation Chapter 20:11-21:8 Lesson 28 Christ Independent Methodist Church 4078 Silver Lake Drive, Palatka, FL 32177 August 3, 2011 Michael K. Hudson Sr. Senior Pastor Revelation 20:11 15 KJV 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Figure 17: The Mount of Olives at sunset, as viewed from the west. The southwest corner of the Temple Mount is visible at left, behind which can be seen the dome of the Al Aqsa mosque. Jerusalem; also Salem, Jebus, Zion, and Ariel, The Accordance Bible Lands PhotoGuide, n.p. book of life was cast into the lake of fire. In chapter twenty of Revelation are two of the saddest passages in all of the Scriptures. The first passage in verses seven through ten shows the depth of the depravity of man. How man could live in a world that is governed directly by the Lord, in a time of prosperity and peace, and still rebel against God after the devil tempts them. It is so sad that man cannot see past the lies and deceit of Satan. From the very beginning Satan has brought heartache, sin, rebellion, pain, and death. Man in thousands of years of living still rebels against the Lord, even in a time of great peace and prosperity. Man truly is a depraved individual. The second sad passage is found in verses eleven through fifteen. This is the final judgment of those who rejected the Lord s plan of salvation. They will stand before God and give an account of what they did with the life that they were given. And, their judgment will be separation from their Creator forever. I. Great white throne judgment A. One on the throne Revelation 20:11 KJV 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. Philippians 2:9 11 KJV Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. In Philippians, there is a prophecy that one day every person will bow before the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaim Him as God s Son. The Christians have already bowed before the Lord and proclaim Him as their Saviour. But, the unrighteous and unholy have not. Today, they are scoffing and ridiculing the name of Jesus. But the day of the Great White throne judgment, when the Lord is upon His throne, every knee will be bowed proclaiming Him as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. B. The unrighteous dead Revelation 20:12 13 KJV 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. 1 Corinthians 15:22 KJV For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Every person will one day face death because of sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, they brought death into the world. Sin is the reason that death exists. If man had never sinned, he would have never died. Sin has left a curse upon this world that the Lord will one day remove. 1 Corinthians 15:54 57 KJV So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:27 KJV And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: The writer of Hebrews tells that after death, there is the judgment. Every person will stand before God and give an account unto Him. The Christians will stand before the Lord at the Bema Seat or Mercy seat of Christ and give an account of how they built upon the foundation that Christ established. They will be judged for their works, not to determine if they are saved or not, but to determine the rewards they will receive or lose. 2 Corinthians 5:8 10 KJV We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. However, all those who have died without the Lord will stand before Him on that day. Those who have already died and are in hades will be brought before Him. Those who have died at the end of the millennial reign of Christ will be brought before Him. Every person who has ever lived and died without Christ will stand before the Lord and be judged. C. The judgment Revelation 20:13 KJV 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. The ungodly will stand before the Lord at the Great white throne judgment and give an ac- 2
count of what they did in this life according to their works. It is amazing that whether a person is a Christian or not, they will be judged according to their works. However, there is a great difference between the two types of judgment. The righteous will be judged in order to receive their rewards (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). The unrighteous will be judged in order to determine the degree of punishment they will receive in eternity. Some might argue that there are no degrees of punishment in the Lake of Fire, but Christ stated that those who would harm or discourage a child from coming to Him would have been better for him to have died before this happened. Christ also mentioned that those who reject the Lord s messengers would receive a greater punishment. Matthew 18:5 6 KJV And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 10:5 15 KJV These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. D. The books Revelation 20:12 KJV 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. In this passage, there are two sets of books mentioned: Lamb s Book of Life and the other books, which record the deeds of the individuals. The Book of Life is a special books that contains the names of all those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:3 KJV And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Revelation 3:5 KJV He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Revelation 13:8 KJV And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 21:27 KJV And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb s book of life. If a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ 3
as his or her personal saviour, then his or her name is found in that precious book. However, if one s name does not appear in the Book of Life, that person will not spend eternity with the Lord. In this passage, the person will stand before the Lord and his name will be check to see if it appears in the Lamb s Book of Life. When it is not found there, he will be judged out of the other books that are a record of what he has done in this life, the sins he has committed both of doing and failing to do. Matthew 12:36 KJV But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Each person will individually stand before God and give an account of their life. It will flash before their eyes the opportunities that they had to come to Christ. It will flash before their eyes the sins they committed, both open and secret sins. All will be revealed on that day. E. Final outcome of the unrighteous Revelation 20:14 15 KJV 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. All those who lived throughout the different centuries and times will stand before the Lord. Each one will give an account and each one will suffer a just punishment for rejecting the Lord. John 3:16 21 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 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. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. The ones who are thrown into the Lake of Fire made a choice to reject the Lord. They loved their sins more than holiness. They loved darkness more than they loved light. Therefore, they are forever removed from the Lord and cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, which will burn forever. The saddest part is that man did not have to be cast into the Lake of Fire, he could have received Christ as his Saviour and been redeemed. Man is without excuse; he cannot blame anyone else for his rejection of Christ. Romans 2:1 11 KJV Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon 4
every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. II. The new heaven and earth Revelation 21:1 8 KJV And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. A. New Heaven and Earth After the wicked are removed at the Great white throne judgment, John sees a new heaven and a new earth. God makes heaven new again; He removes the curse of sin from His creation. The old is destroyed in the fire that God sends and a new heaven and earth appears. No longer cursed with the stain of sin. No longer cursed with the sorrows that sin brings. No longer cursed with the deception of the devil because the Lord has removed all of the former things that defile. 2 Peter 3:9 14 KJV The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. B. New Jerusalem Revelation 21:2 3 KJV And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. After the new heaven and earth, John sees the New Jerusalem come down out of heaven, beautiful as a bride adorned for her husband. When a bride comes down the aisle, dressed in white for her husband, it is a beautiful picture. The New Jerusalem is a beautiful picture coming out of heaven. It will be the place where 5
the saved can come into the Lord s tabernacle and dwell with Him. It is a place of great communion and fellowship. C. No mores Revelation 21:4 KJV And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. For New Jerusalem to be the perfect place for eternity, God must remove the former things. These former things are those that came about because of sin. Before sin entered into the world there were no tears, sorrow, death, pain, or crying. All of these are a result of sin. When God removes the curse, stain, and effects of sin, these things disappear. Man shall live forever with the Lord. He will no longer suffer pain or death. He will no longer shed tears of sorrow. He will no longer feel the pains that sins have caused because God has removed those things. No only will those be removed, but all those who do such things will be removed from earth. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Because the curse and stain of sin has been removed, there are things that exist in cities today that will have no place in the New Jerusalem. Ghettos there will be no poverty in that city. There will be no houses in disrepair. There will be no other side of the railroad tracks. There will be no food banks, soup kitchens, or rescue houses because poverty will be eradicated. Hospitals and doctor offices there will be no need for a hospital or doctor s office. There will be no diseases, sickness, accidents, or needed surgeries. Prisons police officers there will be no crime, no criminals, no gangs, etc. There will be no reason to lock any door. There will be no reason to incarcerate any individual because all that dwells there is holy. Cemeteries funeral homes this world is one big cemetery plot. Millions upon millions have lived, died, and been buried. But, since there is no more death, there is no need for a cemetery or funeral home. Just imagine what is so common today that in that day will be a thing of the past, no longer necessary, no longer in existence. But, God has removed all things associated with sin. D. Final completion Revelation 21:5 8 KJV And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Here is the proclamation of truth from the very one that has the authority and power to accomplish it. God Himself says that these words are true and faithful. He has accomplished His plan for man s redemption. It truly is finished totally. Three different times in the Scriptures does one see the phrase, it is done or it is finished. John 19:30 KJV When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The first time is when Christ was on the cross of Calvary when He said, it is finished which 6
means that He has fulfilled the Law and paid the price for man s redemption. Revelation 16:17 KJV And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. The next time is when the seventh angel pours out the final vial of judgment on the world during the Tribulation period and the voice from the temple says, it is done. Revelation 21:6 KJV And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely The third time is when the entire plan of God is complete. Eternity begins and redeemed man enjoys sweet fellowship with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. III. Lessons A. Pay day some day This was the title of an old sermon preached by Dr. Robert G. Lee. The great white throne judgment is that day when man will finally stand before God and receive the judgment for his sin and rebellion. Men and women believe that they are escaping the judgment of God because they are living in sin and nothing seems to be happening to them. But, there is a payday some day and it is that day which will come. Psalms 73:1 28 KJV Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. B. Joyous future awaiting the redeemed Romans 8:18 KJV For I reckon that 7
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. The suffering of this world cannot be compared to the joy that awaits those who love the Lord. There is coming a day when the old things of this world will be no longer even be a memory because God will remove them. The curse of sin will one day be gone. What a glorious day that will be when God finishes His beautiful plan of redemption. If a person knows Christ as his or her Saviour, he or she will enjoy an eternity of joy, peace, and blessing being in the presence of God in the New Jerusalem, which is situated in a new heaven and new earth. If you do not know Christ as your saviour, you need to come to Him in faith and receive Him as your Saviour. Do not delay because the hour of judgment is at hand; it will soon be here. Be ready to meet your Lord! 8