Revelation 20:11-15 October 21, 2012 Church on the Brink The Message of Revelation-Part 15 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15 NIV Introduction: TEXT: Again, one of the most challenging, and at times controversial, frequently overanalyzed, but always sobering NOTE: With this vision-the theme of judgment on evil finds it final expression in Revelation When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth Gog and Magog to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Revelation 20:7-10 NIV After being bound for 1,000 years-satan is released Resumes active antagonism against the people of God Those deceived in his last attempt are devoured by fire from heaven Satan thrown into the Lake of Fire-already holding Beast and False Prophet Time for judgment to be meted out on all who rejected Christ This must happen before entering their eternal state Movements of Text (Review Text; Identify the Problem; Apply the Theological Implications) 1
I. Reviewing the Text of the Great White Throne Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. Revelation 20:11 NIV A. All agree the context is at the end of human history B. John sees the Great White Throne (Compare to ) At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. Revelation 4:2 NIV 1. In 4:2-Majesty emphasized 2. Here its judgment 3. This throne is the GREAT WHITE THRONE thronon megan leukon -only one in Revelation with adjectives a. Megan-something large or loud b. Leukon-white-speaking of purity 4. Father or son on Throne? a. Similar to Daniel 7 (Ancient of Days) Father b. Judgment in New Testament belongs to Son Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, John 5:22 NIV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Timothy 4:1 NIV c. In Revelation (here as well) it is the Father seen on Throne (4:2, 9; 5:1, 7, 13, 6:16; 7:10, 15; 19:4; 21:5) NOTE: More natural to see the Father but the case of the New Testament speaking of the Son as judge makes us want to quit quibbling. Lamb is seen in the midst throne throughout Revelation. Probably BOTH Father and Son involved in judgment. 2
5. Earth and Heaven flee from His presence a. Picture judgment b. Moses-can t look at God s face and live Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. Isaiah 51:6 NIV Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35 NIV But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 2 Peter 3:10-12 NIV Bottom-line: God is in charge-he will/must judge C. Recipients of Judgment and the Books And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:12 NIV 1. Both small and great-no exceptions NOTE: No one is so important or unimportant that judgment passes them-no one immune! 2. Judgment is not arbitrary-based on evidence of their works and actions "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jeremiah 17:10 NIV And that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. Psalms 62:12 NIV God "will give to each person according to what he has done." Romans 2:6 NIV 3
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 4:17 NIV 3. Book of Life also opened a. Old Testament-Moses pleads to be removed as he intercedes for Israel b. Deliverance promised to those in the Book of Life "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people everyone whose name is found written in the book will be delivered. Daniel 12:1 NIV Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:27 NIV D. All the dead will be raised for judgment The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Revelation 20:13 NIV E. Death and Hell consolidated in the Lake of Fire Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15 NIV 1. Those not in the Book of Life thrown into the Lake of Fire 2. Judgment of sin and evil is over II. Identifying the Problem A. Text: Certainly end times and speaks to judgment of the wicked B. Problem: Is judgment only wicked or believers too? 1. Argument for all humanity For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17 NIV a. Argues v. 12 is believers when Book of Life is opened b. V. 13, 14-unbelievers 4
You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. Romans 14:10 NIV a. Occurs before Millennium b. After catching away c. This is only unbelievers/2 nd resurrection NOTE: Both cases can be argued but only matters of chronology-something I have argued IS NOT central to Revelation: (ILL) Art Studio/Ancient Play III. Applying the Theological Implications (5 in all) A. Before the new age can begin (21, 22) the old age must pass away By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:7-10NIV B. Everyone will ultimately be judged Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, Hebrews 9:27 NIV C. Believers will be judged for their works but are saved by grace 1. Salvation For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV 2. Works For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27 NIV So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 NIV 5
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15NIV So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 NIV Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 1 Peter 1:17 NIV a. Still saved b. We will have to face our sin/failures/evil works But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8 NIV Reason this verse is necessary D. Unbelievers will be judged by their works but because they have rejected grace, will not be found in the Book of Life E. Those not found in the Book of Life will be tossed into the Lake of Fire Conclusion: No matter how metaphorical the description, the thought is awful to contemplate. If heaven is many times greater than the figurative portrait of Revelation 21-22, then eternal damnation is also many degrees worse than the portrait here. 6