The Great White Throne Judgment II

The Great White Throne Judgment II

In the first post of this series, we established from Revelation 20 and other biblical passages that the Judge before which all lost humanity must stand is the Lord Jesus Christ. As the supreme and ultimate Judge, He will correctly administer justice most judiciously. No unrepentant sinners will receive less than pure justice. Christ will not be influenced by the whimsical notions of a fickle society, nor will He legislate from the bench to circumvent bad laws. He will prosecute each case with the utmost integrity in full accordance with His absolutely righteous nature and the eternal Word of God.

While these observations for many are rightly anticipated, still we might ask at this point, “What is the judgment criterion for the lost?” They all are obviously unsaved, who appear at this trial of the millennia, so what is the reason for such a trial and what is the standard by which sinners will be examined? The Scriptures demonstrate that their failure to accept God’s provision for salvation and the content of their lives will decide the degree of their punishment in the Lake of Fire. The following thoughts from Revelation 20 will answer these concerns and unveil what will happen in the future.

What Is The Basis of Judgment? (Rev. 20:12-13)

As unsaved individuals, they will be tried at the Great White Throne judgment on the basis of their unbelief, and the quality of their lives. While it is implied, the first of these is not explained in great detail in this text. However this truth is clearly taught elsewhere with regards to this specific event. The second criterion, the works of sinners, set forth in the Word does appear here and demands our utmost considerations. Once again the Bible is the standard by which individual’s behavior will be scrutinized; God will not employ a standard that people are oblivious of, He will not make it up as He goes, and to some degree God’s moral law is written in the heart and conscience of people (Rom. 2:14-16). Therefore, no one can claim they did not know what God expects or requires—it is written in the human soul. Once again, these trials are designed to determine the degree of guilt to ensure an appropriate sentence is given. So, then what is the biblical criteria?

I.                  Their Failure to Trust the Savior!

This is NOT a Judgment of Guilt or Innocence! When the unbelieving stand before Jesus at the Great White Throne, it will not be a trial to determine guilt or innocence. Though this may be shocking for some, guilt has already been determined. Unrepentant people appear at this trial because they are guilty. But what are they guilty of?

John 3:18, tells us, “He that believeth on him [Jesus] 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.” Accordingly all sinners are condemned before God even before they die because they have failed to repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith is Christ clearly cancels all condemnation for sins because it is Jesus Christ who made the payment for all sin. The righteous sentence was executed upon Him at Calvary two thousand years ago. God’s method for delivering people from the condemnation of sin is through the full payment of sin through a Substitute. Our great and gracious Substitute is the Lord Jesus Christ! At the Great White Throne judgment, people will face Him not as the gracious Savior but as their holy Judge. There is absolutely zero chance of Him showing any mercy or grace on this occasion to anyone.

John 3:36, adds additional insight to this matter stating, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Here John rightly indicates that the wrath of God is presently upon and remains upon the person who refuses to believe on the Son, Jesus Christ. This means that unsaved people live each day under the condemnation of their sin and are in peril of Hell every single moment of every day! Each new day that God gives them life is another gracious opportunity to repent and trust Christ the Savior. It is not wise to take this for granted, because there is no guarantee that anyone will complete a day of life and no one is certain of tomorrow. The people who will stand before our Lord Jesus will receive their sentence because they have already been found guilty of unbelief.

Many people think that the unsaved are judged on the basis of their good works outweighing their bad works. Actually nothing could be further from the truth. This dangerous assumption is a mistake of colossal proportions! If we were judged as “saved” or “unsaved” based on our works, all of us would be lost (Romans 3:23; 6:23). This much can be guaranteed! There is zero hope of us performing well enough to impress a holy and perfect God. Any honest person will confess that we are not free of sinful thoughts, deeds, and aspirations. All of us must admit that we are not perfect within ourselves or with regard to our activities. It is not that we do not do good things with wholesome desires, it is more that we cannot do ONLY good thing with ONLY wholesome motives. This fact points to the reality of sin in us; so any good we do is still tainted with our sinfulness. Obviously, our bad actions are fully corrupted with sin! So can we ever hope to amass enough good works to outweigh our bad ones? This is a hopelessly gross misconception and it is only fit for rejection as a diabolical ploy of the devil to condemn souls for all eternity.

Instead, people are lost because they rejected what they knew about God, either from creation or from the Bible (Romans 1:18–21). The reality of God is demonstrated and preached by all natural creation itself. Truly the “heavens declare” the glory and righteousness of God (see Psalm 19:1; 97:6). Furthermore, God was brilliantly revealed in Jesus Christ, and is still communicated through the pages of the Word of God. God can be known and His grace reaches out to us all to this very end, but if we fail to respond in repentance and faith…all that we know and have been afforded becomes evidence indicting our sinful hearts and minds! Once again, people appear before the Great White Throne judgment because they are guilty and they need to be sentenced for their unbelief.

Guilt does not Necessarily mean the Condemned were not Religious People.

I am personally convinced that pastors, popes, missionaries, Bible translators, priests, Christian college presidents, bishops, Christian university professors, deacons, Christian authors, Church workers, and faithful followers of religion from all times and places will be at the Great White Throne judgment. Buddhists, atheist, Hindus, secularists, Muslims, Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptist, Presbyterians, Methodist, Confucianists, scientists and on the lists of religionist go. Unfortunately, they all will be there! This is a painful reality….

Though many religious people will be judged on this occasion, they will be finally condemned because the Lord did not know them as His people. In their hearts they did not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. No matter how sincere and committed they were in the observance of their religion, they are sincerely wrong!

The same is true of people who are associated with Christianity! Consider the crystal clear words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23,

Not every one that saith unto me [Jesus Christ], Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The Lord did not know these religious people as His own. Look at His words carefully, “I never knew you” (v. 23). Not ‘I once knew you,’ or ‘I had forgotten you,’ but “I never knew you”! They had NO faith-relationship with the Savior! Jesus did not say these people were not religious! Evidently they were extremely religious people. They had preached, prophesied, taught, and written Bible lesson, messages, sermons, and books! They had performed miracles, cast out devils, healed the sick, and held great deliverance revivals! In fact they had performed works that caused people to marvel, they wild millions with their amazing antics, and enthusiasts flocked to their meetings by the thousands. They enjoyed popularity, fame, riches, grand audacious homes, luxurious cars, private jets, and on the list goes. This they all did in the Name of a penniless itinerant Preacher who came not to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for us sinners (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45)! It is painfully obvious…Jesus did not know them and they did not actually know Him. Do not be fooled by someone pretending to be Christian. Jesus said we can discern false teachers by their fruit (Matt. 7:13-20). This is a sobering reality unfolding before us. Think deeply and honestly about this…eternal souls are in the balance. Though these people were religious, they failed to trust the Savior for the forgiveness of their sin. They thought they could merely present their religious resumes, their good works, and amazing productions to demonstrate how worthy they are of salvation. They actually believed their positive contributions to society would impress God so much that He certainly would accept them. According to Jesus, they were wrong…eternally wrong.

II.               The Content of Their Lives! (Rev. 20:11-13)

Not only did the unsaved fail to trust the Savior, the only means of genuine salvation, but they also conducted themselves in a manner that is worthy of condemnation. Just one singular sin is a monumental violation of the holy law of God! It is His righteous majesty, which is reflected in his perfect moral law that demands such a conviction. The greater the offended authority the greater the condemnation! It is one thing to offend a bum on skid row, it is quite another to offend the president or prime minister of your country! God Almighty is the supreme authority, and all creation is answerable to Him. A supreme court is set to try high crimes against His Holy Majesty. Justice for supreme crimes like the sinful works of fallen humanity demand an official verdict.

Now carefully consider precisely what the Apostle John wrote regarding this ominous occasion,

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. 12 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. 13 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. (Rev. 20:11-13)

John foresees how all the unsaved dead will be summoned to the Great White Throne judgment. The old heaven and earth are no more, the unredeemed dead or raised-resurrected to appear before the Judge, the Book of Life and the other chronicles of Heaven are brought forth. Unsaved individuals will give an account for their “works” of sin and be condemned accordingly. William MacDonald summarizes this scene with brilliant clarity,

These are the unbelievers of all ages. Two sets of books are opened. The Book of Life contains the names of all who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. The other books contain a detailed record of the works of the unsaved. No one who appears at this judgment is registered in the Book of Life. The fact that his name is missing condemns him, but the record of his evil works determines the degree of his punishment (Believer’s Bible Commentary, 1995).

Two realities should be noted: degrees of punishment will be based on people’s works, and condemnation is certain without a singular exception!

Yes, there will be degrees of punishment for the unbelievers. Even though everyone who is lost is lost because they did not respond fully to the true light that is available to everyone ever born (John 1:9), there appears to be degrees of punishment of unbelievers based on the quality of their lives.

Those who were kind and good will be judged less severely than those who were cruel and evil. We see this idea established in Revelation 20:12, 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 addition, The Lord Jesus strongly indicated the same idea, regarding some cities that had rejected Him. Read carefully His words in Matthew 11:22-24,

But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. [23] 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. [24] But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

This is another reference to a grand and final day of judgment and clearly Jesus teaches various degrees of guilt and liability based on our behavior.

The concept of varying levels of liability and culpability is also expressed in Luke 12:47-48, we read:

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. [48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

While this passage does not relate to the Great White Throne judgment event, it conveys the Lord’s concept of justice, fairness, responsibility, accountability, and justice. This same Lord will preside over the trial of the ages and here we have a sense of how He views justice respecting degrees of punishment and culpability.

Their entire lives will be scrutinized carefully to determine the degree of guilt. It seems evident, then, that different degrees of punishment await those who are unsaved, punishment based on their thoughts, motives, words, and deeds here on earth. John shows us with transparent clarity how lost humanity will be judged on the basis of their works (v. 12, 13). Really this accounts for all facets of the human experience; all will be brought under the scrutiny of an all-wise and all-knowing Judge. Many other passages agree with this basic conclusion.

Concerning thoughts and motives, we find in Hebrews 4:12–13 that the word of God is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart, and that all things, without exception, are uncovered and open to the examining eyes of a holy God. Hebrews 4:12-13, says, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him [God Whom we must give an account to] with whom we have to do. Not only what we did or did not do, but why we did or did not satisfy divine requirements. All of this will also be given serious consideration. While the deception of gullible people is often obtainable for many deceivers, God knows the intentions, motivations, and desires of our hearts. We cannot deceive Him. Many have done right deeds for the wrong reasons and the Lord routinely discerns the difference. There is no possibility of a mistrial, the submission of tainted evidence, a hung jury, a miscarriage of justice or getting off by beating the system!

Concerning our words, Matthew 12:36–37 reads, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. [37] For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” That is every idle word will be brought into judgment by God. The very words of the sinner will condemn him. Every time our Lord’s Name is used in blasphemous ways, each occasion when His holy character is abused in profane utterances, and all times when careless and meaningless references are made of Him will be accounted for. In addition the words that hurt needlessly, criticize unjustly, spread lies mercilessly, gossip vengefully, or kill brutally will not go unchallenged! In additional, this Judge will not bargain with criminals, cut a plea deal, nor pervert justice to secure justice!

Concerning our actions, Revelation 20:13, states that “they [unrepentant sinners] were judged every man according to their works.” Who would fall into this category? Everyone actually, but we can be more specific. The promoters of false religions, God-haters, God-deniers, lawless, rapists, adulterers, counterfeiters, extortioners, money mongers, thieves, idolaters, addicts, prideful achievers, workaholics, liars, those who neglected their families, and those who made children, but were too lazy to raise them. These condemned 'workers' of sin include those who sleep around from weekend to weekend, homosexuals, those who cohabitate, corrupt police, judges, mayors, presidents, senators, lawyers, doctors, murderers, anarchist, dictators, and witches will all be found guilty of sinful 'works.' Even sweet little grand mothers who refused to repent and believe on Christ will be found guilty of sin on that day. For all of them, the principle reason for guilt is the rejection of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This action and decision can never be forgiven!

Therefore, we see justice is satisfied, in that all sinners will receive fair judgment when they stand before God with nothing but their own merits. Condemnation is the only possible outcome! Listen to me carefully; no one in their right mind wants to appear before God to be judged for their sin!

Will you be judged and condemned at the Great White Throne Judgment? Beloved, if you have not yet acknowledged to God you are a sinner living in rebellion against Him then the time is upon you to do so now. If you have failed to recognize and accept the full payment for your sin then now is the time to place your trust in Jesus’ complete payment for sin. Turn away from any notions of saving yourself, or earning your own way to God—these approaches are absolutely useless. Religion is not the answer; it only exacerbates the problem making things worse. Turn now to Jesus Christ the Son of God and Savior; ask Him to save you and become the Master of your future. Believe the truth that He died in our place, was buried to prove He really did die, and He rose again the third day exactly as the Scriptures predicted He would (1 Cor. 15:1-8). As a living Savior, He can rescue all who turn to Him for the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning in God. While you are not guaranteed tomorrow, you do have now. Trust Jesus Christ as Savior today.