The Last Days Session 9 - When Forever Begins

 

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now doing a study of the last days which we define as the days that started with the beginning of Jesus' ministry until His return. 

In Sessions 1 and 2   we looked at what is yet to come. and we concluded that the coming of Jesus Christ could be very soon and Rapture the Church which was our focus in Session 3. In Session 4 we took a brief segway into a discussion of Israel's restoration as prophesied by Paul in ‭Romans 11:25-27 In Session 5 we begin to look at the Tribulation period (remember the Church has been raptured) starting with the four horsemen of Revelation 6:1-8. In Session 6 we talked about the second coming of Christ to the earth and events that cause it. We also contemplated the fact that there is no apparent reference to the United States, anywhere in the Bible. In Session 7 we talk about what happened after Christ's Second Coming. Revelation 20;1-3 describe a time when Satan (the dragon) will be bound for 1000 years and Jesus will reign, with the saints (believers) before the Last Judgment.  There is nothing in Revelation that describes what happens during those 1000 years, however we can make some assumptions, using scripture, as to what is happening, as it relates to promises to and/covenants God made to Israel. In session 8 we talk about what happens after the millennium (1,000 year reign of Christ).

In Session 9, the last in our study we talk about what we as believers should be doing as we wait for the Rapture, the 1000 thousand year reign of Christ the final judgement and the eternal life promised to those of us that believe. We should be in a constant state of readiness we should be ever watching. We should be ready to go. We should not only be ready, but we should also be anxiously awaiting Christ’s return. Finally we should be working. Luke 12:43 says, “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” If watching is the evidence of faith, then working is the evidence of faith in action. Watching for the Lord’s return will help us prepare our lives, but working will assure that we bring others with us.

WHEN FOREVER BEGINS

There is a glorious future awaiting those who have accepted God’s gift of eternal life. We have heard the expression, “It is like heaven on earth.”        

In Revelation 21, we find a literal fulfillment of that statement. Heaven and earth come together.

‭Revelation 21:1-5 NIV‬ [1] Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. [2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” [5] He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

At this point, we will have passed from the realm of time into the realm of eternity.

While You Wait

During the course of his travels, a dignitary arrived in a small town, where he paid a visit to a one-room school. Of course, all of the students were greatly impressed that a person of such importance would come to visit them. As he was preparing to leave, the dignitary told the students that he would come again, but he did not tell them when that would be. When he returned, he added, he would bring a prize to the student with the cleanest desk.     

The dignitary left, and one little girl, who was known for her messiness, announced that she was going to win the prize. The other students laughed, because she always had a cluttered desk. There was always trash all over it, and it was disorganized on the inside. Everyone laughed at the idea that she would be ready when the dignitary returned. So she told them, “From now on, I will clean my desk every Monday morning.”

They said, “Suppose he comes on Friday?” “Well, then, I will clean it every morning,” she said. Someone said, “But what if he comes at the end of the day?” She was quiet for a moment, then her face lit up. “I know what I will do!” she said. “I will keep my desk clean all of the time.”

   

Clearly, we know that the Lord is coming back again. In the New Testament’s 260 chapters, the return of Jesus Christ is mentioned no fewer than 318 times. The New Testament speaks constantly about the Lord’s return.

We talked several weeks ago about the signs of the time that will proceed the Rapture. 

We started with the disciples' question after Jesus told them that the temple would be destroyed.

‭Matthew 24:1-3 NIV‬ [1] Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. [2] “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” [3] As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Then the Rapture 

The event itself is described by Paul.

‭1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV‬ [13] Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. [14] For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. [15] According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.

‭Matthew 24:40-42 NIV‬ [40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. [42]  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 

Then time of the Antichrist, the final war Jesus returns to the earth, locks Satan up for 1000 years, 

‭Matthew 24:22 NIV‬ [22]  “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 

‭Revelation 20:1-3 NIV‬ [1] And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. [2] He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. [3] He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

The main purpose of Jesus’ 1,000-year reign is to fulfill the prophecies given to Israel and the promises made to Jesus, the nations, and the whole earth. God’s covenants were voluntary and one-sided. He promised He would bless Israel and restore the world in specific ways, and He will. The millennium will really be paradise on earth.

Satan released for a short time the taken care of forever. 

‭Revelation 20:7-10 NIV‬ [7] 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—and 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. 

Then the White Throne of Judgment and Judgment Seat of Christ 

‭Revelation 20:11-15 NIV‬ [11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens 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 they had done. [14] Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. [15] Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

‭Romans 14:10-13 NKJV‬ [10] But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. [11] For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” [12] So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. [13] Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. 

‭2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV‬ 10] 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. 

How should we be living right now? What are we supposed to be doing while we wait for Christ’s return? 

‭1 John 2:28 NIV‬ [28] And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

Either we will be full of courage or we will shrink back from Him in shame. The difference depends on the condition of those who are waiting. If you are in fellowship with Jesus right now, then you will be full of courage. When you see all the reminders that Christ is coming back, you will think, I am ready. But if you are not walking with God, you will dread Christ’s return and shrink back in shame.

If your life is where it ought to be, then you will be passionate and excited about the Lord’s return. You will eagerly anticipate it. But if your relationship with Christ is not what it should be, then you will be frightened, alarmed and ashamed at the idea of His returning, becauseyou will be afraid that you might be caught doing something you know you shouldn't be doing.

Your attitude should be such that whether the Lord comes today, tomorrow, a year from now or 10 years from now, it doesn’t matter. You are ready and looking forward to it.

God is precisely on schedule.  

‭2 Peter 3:8-10 NIV‬ [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. Instead 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 done in it will be laid bare.

We need to be in a constant state of readiness.

‭Luke 12:35-40 NIV‬ [35]  “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, [36] like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. [37] It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. [38] It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. [39] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. [40] You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Jesus was saying that in light of the fact that He could come back at any time, weneed to be alert, mobile and prepared. We need to be in a constant state of readiness,  even if He does not come as quickly as we would like Him to.

In the meantime, what should we, as Christians, be doing?          

1. Be Watching for Him 

First, we need to be watching for Him. Jesus said, 

(Luke 12:37) “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching” As Christians, we need to be paying careful attention to this world around us, and at the same time, keep the lightest hold possible on the things of this world.     

Obviously, we have to live in this world, but this doesn’t that mean we have to love this world. In other words, we should be careful that we don’t become so involved in the things of this life that we forget about what really matters. 

Colossians 3:1-2 tells us, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down hereon earth” (NLT).

Be heavenly minded. I’m aware of the old adage that says, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.” But that is not a correct statement. If you are truly heavenly minded, then you will be of great earthly good.

      

 Jesus said, “Don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you livefor him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern” (Matt. 6:31-33, NLT). We need to be watching for His return.     

     

2. Be Ready to Go

When I leave on a trip, I always pack my bags the night before. That way, I’m ready to go when it’s time to leave. That is the idea of what Jesus was saying. Be ready to go on a moment’s notice. we shall see Him as He is.”         

We should be living in such a way that we want to get closer to the Lord each and every day. This was the attitude of the apostle Paul, who said:    

           

(Phil. 3:12-14, NLT)  don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear friends, I am still notall I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven             

      

3. Be Anxiously Awaiting His Return

We should not only be ready, but we should also be anxiously awaiting Christ’s return.

         

Jesus said, “And you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately” (Luke 12:36).

      

Have you ever invited someone over to your house and were so anxious for them to getthere that you opened the door before they knocked? That is how we need to be in these last days. We need to be anxiously awaiting the Lord’s return.      

      

4. Be Working

Finally, we should be working. 

Luke 12:43 says, “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” If watching is the evidence of faith, thenworking is the evidence of faith in action. Watching for the Lord’s return will helpus prepare our lives, but working will assure that we bring others with us. Noticethat Jesus used the word “blessed” in connection with living this way. “Blessed” means “happy.” It is a happy thing to be a Christian. It is a happy thing to look for theLord’s return. It is a happy thing to have your sin forgiven. There is joy in this.      

In light of the fact that the Lord is coming back again, we ought to be living pure and blameless lives. Blessed is the person who lives this way. If you want to live a happy life, then live in such a way that you are constantly ready for the Lord's Return.     

     

Jesus is coming back. It could be at midnight. It could be at noon. It could be today or a year from now. No one knows for sure when He is coming. So keep your desk clean all the time. Keep your life right with Him. 

The Last Days Session 8- Two Judgements and Two Deaths

 

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now doing a study of the last days which we define as the days that started with the beginning of Jesus' ministry until his return. 

In Sessions 1 and 2   we looked at what is yet to come. and we concluded that the coming of Jesus Christ could be very soon and Rapture the Church which was our focus in Session 3. In Session 4 we took a brief segway into a discussion of Israel's restoration as prophesied by Paul in ‭Romans 11:25-27

In Session 5 we begin to look at the Tribulation period (remember the Church has been raptured) starting with the four horsemen of Revelation 6:1-8. In Session 6 we talked about the second coming of Christ to the earth and events that cause it. We also contemplated the fact that there is no apparent reference to the United States, anywhere in the Bible.

In Session 7 we talk about what happened after Christ's Second Coming. Revelation 20;1-3 describe a time when Satan (the dragon) will be bound for 1000 years and Jesus will reign, with the saints (believers) before the Last Judgment  There is nothing in Revelation that describes what happens during those 1000 years, however we can make some assumptions, using scripture, as to what is happening, as it relates to promises to and/covenants God made to Israel.

In session 8 we talk about what happens after the millennium (1,000 year reign of Christ).

Review 

Revelation 20:1-3 NIV‬ [1] And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. [2] He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. [3] He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

The purpose of the 1,000-year reign millennium)  is to fulfill various promises God made to the world. Some of these promises, called covenants, were given specifically to Israel. Others were given to Jesus, the nations of the world, and creation. Jesus’ 1,000-year reign will be a time of promises kept.  The covenants that will be executed during the 1000-year r

The Palestinian Covenant, also called the Land Covenant (Deuteronomy 30:1-10).  The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)

God’s covenant with David was that his line would never die out and that David’s heir would sit on the throne of Israel forever.  Biblical scholars agree that Jesus is the fulfillment of this covenant.  They expected Him to be a military/political leader that would liberate them from the Romans and make Israel a great nation again. 

Jesus came into Jerusalem not to assert his sovereign rights to the throne of David’s political kingdom, but to declare his kingship in the hearts of those who would trust and follow him. But they didn’t understand the nature of Jesus’ work at the time was for the New Covenant, not the Davidic Covenant. The 1,000-year reign will be the beginning of Jesus’ reign over Israel and the  entire earth.

The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

‭Jeremiah 31:31-34 NLT‬ [31] “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. [32] This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. [33] “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [34] And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

This covenant does not mean that every Jew will be saved (“The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” says the Lord). But it does mean that Israel as a nation will worship their Messiah. The Old Testament prophets who spoke of this covenant, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and Ezekiel, all wrote that it will be fulfilled in the future. From the time  of the prophets, Israel has yet to be an independent nation that worshiped its Messiah but according to what we read in Romans a couple of weeks ago they will as a nation and this will happen in the 1,000-year reign of Christ.

Those are the covenants God made with Israel that are to be fulfilled in Jesus’ 1,000-year reign, but the Bible lists other promises that will be fulfilled, too. God promised Jesus He will make His enemies a footstool, and that Jesus’ followers will worship Him freely.

‭Psalms 110:1-7 NLT‬ [1] The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” [2] The Lord will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem; you will rule over your enemies. [3] When you go to war, your people will serve you willingly. You are arrayed in holy garments, and your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew. [4] The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” [5] The Lord stands at your right hand to protect you. He will strike down many kings when his anger erupts. [6] He will punish the nations and fill their lands with corpses; he will shatter heads over the whole earth. [7] But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way. He will be victorious.

God promised the nations of the world that they would live in peace with Jesus as their ruler.

‭Daniel 7:11-14 NLT‬ [11] I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire. [12] The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer. [13] As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. [14] He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. 

And He promised creation that the curse would be lifted, animals and the earth would be restored to peace and prosperity on the earth would be lifted, and people would be freed from disease. These, too, will be fulfilled during the 1,000-year reign.

‭Romans 8:18-23 NLT‬ [18] Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. [19] For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. [20] Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, [21] the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. [22] For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. [23] And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 

The main purpose of Jesus’ 1,000-year reign is to fulfill the prophecies given to Israel and the promises made to Jesus, the nations, and the whole earth. God’s covenants were voluntary and one-sided. He promised He would bless Israel and restore the world in specific ways, and He will.

The millennium will really be paradise on earth.  During the millennial reign of Christ will be universal justice and righteousness.  No more corrupt lawyers and judges. No more frivolous lawsuits. No more corrupt rulings by judges with agendas. 

After the Millennium

At the end of the millennium, Satan will be released, and one final battle will occur, which will rapidly be won by Christ.

‭Revelation 20: 7-10 NIV‬ [7] 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—and 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. 

Satan is then permanently consigned to the lake of fire. 

At this point there will be a second resurrection.  

‭Revelation 20:11-13 NIV‬ [11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens 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 they had done. 

Remember all the believers, the church will be resurrected in the Rapture.

‭1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV‬ [13] Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. [14] For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. [15] According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.

So believers only die once physically.  Scripture tells us that those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life so that must mean that there is a life that goes on that is not physical  but spiritual.

‭John 3:16 NIV‬ [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

‭John 11:17-26 NIV‬ [17] On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. [18] Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, [19] and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. [20] When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. [21] “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” [23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” [24] Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” [25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; [26] and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

That's for the believers but what about unbelievers?

Unbelievers will be resurrected too and they will be judged at what is referred to as the great white throne judgment.  

‭Revelation 20:11-13 NIV‬ [11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens 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 they had done. 

They will be judged based on their works, they will be assigned to the lake of fire.

‭Revelation 20:14-15 NIV‬ [14] Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. [15] Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

‭John 3:16-21 NIV‬ [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. [19] This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. [20] Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. [21] But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. 

What is this book of life?

‭Revelation 3:5 NIV‬ [5] The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 

‭Philippians 4:3 NIV‬ [3] Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 

‭Revelation 13:8 NIV‬ [8] All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

‭Revelation 21:22-27 NIV‬ [22] I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. [23] The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. [24] The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. [25] On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. [26] The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. [27] 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.

 Once your name is written in the Book of Life, it is never erased 

‭Revelation 3:5 NIV‬ [5] The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 

‭Romans 8:38-39 NIV‬ [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

‭John 10:28-30 NIV‬ [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. [30] I and the Father are one.”

Everyone who rejected God’s offer of forgiveness through Christ will be present at the Great White Throne Judgment—the rich and famous, as well as the poor and unknown.

No matter who they were on this earth, no matter how many albums they sold or how many movies they made or how many billions of dollars they were worth, everyone who did not put their faith in Jesus Christ will be there.

Once a person reaches the Great White Throne Judgment, there is no turning back. It could be compared to being arrested, charged and put in jail for a crime of which you are guilty. After a period of time, you will make an appearance before the judge for sentencing. This is what this judgment will be like for unbelievers. There is no getting out of it. The sentence will be handed down.

      

On what basis will a person be judged? The issue at the Great White Throne of Judgment will not be how good you are, nor will it be how bad you are. The big question at this judgment will be, “What have you done with Jesus Christ?” That is what God will want to know from you.

The fact is, a person could live the worst life imaginable and then repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ on his or her deathbed. Amazingly, because of the grace ofGod, that person would go to heaven. Then again, a person could live a relatively good and moral life, but if he or she did not repent and trust in Christ, that person would go to hell. 

      

We might wonder what the purpose of the Great White Throne of Judgment would be if unbelievers have already been condemned. Why even put them through this? The purpose of this judgment will be to clearly demonstrate, to anyone who would want to know,

the reason why they are condemned. 

Some may think this doesn’t seem fair. But who are we to determine what is or is not fair? Throughout Scripture, we see that God is good.. God is the One who determines what right and wrong are. He determines what is fair and what is not, not you or me.

‭Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV‬ [22] Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. [23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Judgement Seat of Christ 

The Bible does teach that Christians will be judged in what is called the Judgment Seat of Christ (see chapter 3). The Judgment Seat of Christ will take place in heaven and has to do with rewards. 

‭Romans 14:10-12 NIV‬ [10] You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. [11] It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ” [12] So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

The judgment seat of Christ is different from the Great White Throne Judgment.

The judgment seat of Christ does not determine our salvation; that matter was settled by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf and our faith in Him

‭1 John 2:1-2 NIV‬ [1] My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. [2] He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 

‭John 3:16 NIV‬ [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

All our sins are forgiven, and there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. 

‭John 5:24 NIV‬ [24]  “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 

So, believers are secure in Christ, but they still must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. It will be a time of examination and a time of reward. Jesus will inspect our works. What did we do with the resources God gave us? How faithful were we? Were we yielded to the Spirit, seeking to honor Christ and further His work in the world? If so, we will have reward

‭2 Corinthians 5:6-10 NIV‬ [6] Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. [7] For we live by faith, not by sight. [8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. [9] So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. [10] 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. 

Did we neglect our opportunities to serve the Lord? If so, we will suffer loss of reward. 

‭Matthew 10:40-42 NIV‬ [40]  “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. [41] Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. [42] And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

In the Greek, a single word is used for “judgment seat” in 2 Corinthians 5:10—the word is bema. A bema was a raised platform on which judges sat to view athletic games. Their job was to make sure contestants followed the rules and to present awards to the victors (see 1 Corinthians 9:24–27). The bema was never a place to reprimand the athletes or to punish them in any way. It was a place of testing and reward. In the same way, the bema of Christ will not be a place of condemnation or censure.

Paul likens our Christian service to erecting a building:

‭1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV‬ [10] By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] their 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 person’s work. [14] If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. [15] If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Note, in the above passage, that our works subsequent to Christ’s salvation are of two different types—good and bad. The “fire” of God’s scrutiny will reveal the quality of our works. “‘Gold, silver, precious stones’ are of intrinsic value, whereas ‘wood, hay, stubble’ are a natural growth” Rewards are distributed to those whose works withstand the test. Those whose works have a natural source will “suffer loss.” Their works will be burned up, but they themselves “will be saved.” The judgment seat of Christ, then, does not confer or rescind salvation.

The judgment seat of Christ is also not a time to punish sin. Jesus took our punishment once and for all. The judgment seat of Christ is a time when we will be called on to report, to render an accounting of what we did for Jesus. It will be a serious and necessary time of reckoning, but, as God’s redeemed, we will never be condemned with the wicked.