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Revelation #44

            Have you been peaceful in the Lord during the past week? It’s time to continue studying the last book of the Bible. Today we will study 20:12-15, word about the Great White Throne Judgment. 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 book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15 KJV) The dead are judged. Those who receive Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, will live even if they die, and those who live and believe in Jesus Christ will never die. The Bible says Christians do not die, but sleep. Jesus said Lazarus went to sleep. But in verses 12-15 are the dead. Resurrection from the dead is the first resurrection, as is also the raptured saints like us who are waiting to meet the Lord in the air. When the Lord died on the cross and resurrected, the resurrection of the Old Testament saints is part of the first resurrection, including those who are beheaded later during the Tribulation. Those who participate in the first resurrection have the blessing of being with Christ. Hence, (Hebrews 9:27 KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Christians are to be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ in heaven according to what they have done. Christians are not judged here at the Great White Throne because they have believed in Jesus Christ. However, the Bible says Christians will be judged by fire for what they have done after they received salvation, and those who are saved during the Tribulation and the millennium will be judged here. They are not part of the first resurrection. Those who have not been saved during the Church Age will face Judgment at the Great White Throne. There will be unsaved people who did not believe in the blood atonement or did not keep the commandments and died in the age of the law. Names found in the book of life will be those saved during the tribulation and the millennium, which occurs after the age of grace. So, please understand how wonderful it is to be saved just by calling on the name of Jesus in the current Age of Grace. Those who are not saved NOW will regret this forever and ever. That is why we must preach the gospel to even one more person now so that they can receive salvation. Even if it means to rebuke them, tearful intercessions will also be necessary for the sake of their salvation. Those who are saved during the Millennium will of course have a reward. Therefore, those who are saved in 20:12 are not the saints of the church age. Those who are saved in the church age are with Jesus Christ and will be judging with Him. This is clearly prophesied in (Daniel 7:9-10 KJV) ¶ I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. What we notice here is that not only are hundreds of millions standing before God with the books open for judgment but also millions serving Him during His Judgment. Regarding this, the Apostle Paul said in (1 Corinthians 6:3 KJV) Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Those who have been saved in the Church Age will judge even the angels at the White Throne Judgment. Those who are saved in the church age become sons of Godjudging the fallen angels found in Genesis 6, the sons of God. (Jude 6 KJV) says: And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Saved children of God will be judging. (2 Peter 2:4 KJV) says: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; then in (2 Peter 2:9 KJV) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: and (2 Peter 3:7 KJV) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

All of these words prove to support the final judgment in Revelation 20. So the great White Throne Judgment will be the final destination of the ungodly, the unrighteous, the fallen angels, the wicked and unsaved of all ages. Christians will become like Jesus Christ, serving Him and assisting in His judgment. All unsaved in this present age are now judging Christians. But then the day will come when Christians will judge the world. He is a righteous God. Our bearing of the cross, suffering, and persecution are the judgments of the world on Christians. People label us as fanatics. But it will be reversed on that day. You will know exactly how to live on earth today If you truly believe in the Lord not only rewarding people for decades of their hard work for a thousand years, but also using them as judges at the end of the Millennium. If you are a committed Christian in this day and age, the world will see you as a fanatic. You cannot please the world. Because what you do pleases God. When you live for the Lord, they will call you a fool. If you don’t live for the Lord, you will be called fickle. And you cannot satisfy the unsaved. According to 1 Timothy 4:1-3, they have already been seared in their conscience. Titus 3:10,11 says they cursed themselves and were chronic complainers and gossipers.

            Again from (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. There are two types of books. The first is the book of our deeds. Then there is the book of life in which the names are written. In this book, the names recorded in the Age of Grace will also be included. Those names cannot be erased because they were written by the One who accomplished the perfect redemption by shedding blood for them, and by trusting Him they became part of His body. The other book indicate there are names that will be blotted out due to lack of works during the tribulation period or during the millennium. and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. There is only one heavenly book that we know of, and that is the Holy Bible. There is only one book in which hundreds of names are recorded, and it is called the Living Book. The Bible uses more space for names of people than it does for creation. The Lord said this. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48 KJV) Meaning: every word of God will judge. That is why you have to read the word of God right now. (Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV) says the word of God discerns all thoughts and intentions of people’s hearts. 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. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

The Bible will be opened on that final day. Those who are not saved will be judged by the books, the Word of God, and those who are saved during the tribulation and the Millennium will have their names written in the Bible, the book of life. Of course, whose names are not in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire. Even the sea gives up the dead in it. Many people who died in Noah’s day. Also many fallen angels. This would be something we can’t even imagine. Not only the unsaved in hell will be handed over, but also the dead in grave who have not been saved during the tribulation period and the Millennium will also rise up. After the Church Age saints are raptured, those who die during the Tribulation and the Millennium will not ascend to the third heaven. Because Christ is no longer there. Only the saints of the church age wear the same body as Jesus Christ, and there is no word recorded in the Bible that those who are saved during the tribulation or the Millennium will be glorified. Therefore, Philippians 3 says if we are born again by the Holy Spirit in the present age of grace, our body will be transformed into the image of Christ. Our lowly bodies will transform into the glorius image of Christ. That is why it is precious to be saved in this age of grace. Please do not let this grace pass by. (Revelation 20:14 KJV) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. It does not say second resurrection, but instead the second death. Remember that the second resurrection is for the judgment of the dead in the grave. Verse 15 says: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15 KJV) Christ said the final condition of unsaved dead would have the same bodies as their father. The devil, that old serpent. The red dragon. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (Isaiah 66:24 KJV) In other words, those who believe in Jesus Christ and die will be transformed into the image of Jesus upon resurrection, but those who do not believe in Jesus and follow the devil will become great worms like the red dragon. They will become like big maggots. They are the souls of people who have been transformed into the image of the devil. The last reference to Satan and sin appears in Revelation 20:12-15. Both are doomed to eternal ruin. Be advised that God gives enough opportunities in the Bible for everyone to come to know Him. Let’s find two Bible passages on this. How much God wants to give everyone salvation. How much God loves everyone. For God so loved the world…

             (Psalm 51:4 KJV) says Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. This is the scene where David repents after being rebuked by the prophet Nathan when he commits adultery with Bathsheba and kills Uriah. He is saying all of God’s words are right. Then in (Romans 3:4 KJV) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. The words recorded in the Holy Bible, the words of God are given to be used on judgment day. That’s why I have to be judged and repent with all the given words now. Otherwise, these words will unfold before us in the final day. God will ask “Why didn’t you do this?” There are words of promise, words of exhortation. If we act according to these words, we will receive blessings, but unfortunately those blessings won’t come our ways because we do not obey these words. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV) The Lord commands us to seek the kingdom of God first and He will give us everything we need along the way. Failure to do so, not only the Lord shows His workings through us, but there are many cases of failure while chasing after materials of the world. If we seek the Lord’s kingdom first according to the Bible, material things will follow, and the Lord will do so, but the problem is faith. Lack of faith is because you have not read the Word, and not reading the Word is because you do not love God or because you do not have a heart to know God. However, those who have a heart to know God read the Bible with faith and develop a heart to pray. Therefore, you will receive blessings by practicing the Word and having faith. James says …that faith without works is dead (James 2:20 KJV) It doesn’t matter how many Bible verses you know and memorize, your faith is dead if you do not act according to them. Dead faith means that no blessings of those words will follow. Every unsaved person has a chance to judge God. People cursed our Lord too. You have the authority to do so while living on earth. However, the Bible says that when people judge and curse God, He overcomes them with the Bible and curses them. We have a wonderful illustration of the great truth in the Gospels. When the scribes and Pharisees questioned the Lord, Christ always won with the Word. No one can defeat the Lord. It may seem I am winning against the Lord with my words now, however no one will overcome the Lord because I am judged by the Lord against my spoken words. People going to hell will ask, “Why are you sending me to hell?” the Lord will reply, “Because you did not believe me” Because in (John 3:15 KJV) I said That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. but you didn’t believe it. Absolutely no one will be able to argue against Him when He says this. No one can prove his or her innocence. There is no one righteous, no not one. The Apostle Paul said this in (Romans 2:16 KJV) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. People may be able to lie and fool each other, but not God. (Romans 3:19 KJV) ¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Fearsome word. But if you obey now, there is nothing to fear. (Ecclesiastes 12:14 KJV) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. There’s a guest invited to a wedding feast without wearing a wedding garment in Matthew 22:12 “Why didn’t you wear the wedding garment? Why didn’t you accept Jesus Christ? Why didn’t you repent? So many people preached the gospel through radio, TV, and letters, telling you to be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ and put on the wedding garment, but why didn’t you?” When the Lord asks you these questions, you will definitely be speechless.

            (Philippians 2:10-11 KJV) 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. Everyone including Buddhists, Confucianists, Roman Catholics, Bible-denying Protestants, Christ-denying Jews, and so on will all stand there. And the Lord’s judgment will be given by the word. As all will bow bow their heads and confess that the word of the Lord is correct. However the Lord will say, “Indeed, but it is already too late.” Now and today is the time to get saved and receive grace. You will miss your chance if you let this grace pass on by. The apostle Paul testified in (Romans 3:3-4 KJV) For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. All we can say in this case is indeed oh Lord! A truly spine-chilling scene. Souls will fall into the lake of fire by billions at the end of this judgemnt while screaming “Amen! amen!” as the infinite and Holy God will send them into the final just and righteous curse. If you take a closer look at the Bible, you will see that that day is right in front of us. 1 Thessalonians 5 says that we are not in darkness. Everyone who are in the Word of God are never in the dark. The day comes like a thief unto those who are in darkness. Do you realize that day is near? You will when you enter into the Word of Light. Daniel read the book of Jeremiah and realized that the Babylonian captivity would last 70 years. It’s the same thing. All the signs are there, but more importantly, we know that day is near because of the content in God’s Word. That is why the Bible says  when the Holy Spirit comes, he will guide us into all truth and teach us what will happen in the future. Have you read the Bible? Have you kept this scripture in mind? Do you engrave each verse in your heart as you read the Bible? God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. That is what the Bible means, as the Lord taught His disciples to pray like this in Matthew 6. Daniel 2 shows us the everlasting kingdom of Christ. such kingdoms as Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, Rome has come and gone ruled by many, but the kingdom of Christ will be everlasting. Folks, after the rapture, the Tribulation,  the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennial Kingdom ruled by Christ, and after the Great White throne Judgment has come and gone, the everlasting kingdom, finally eternity with our Home New Jerusalem, new heaven and new earth wll open before our eyes. Countless Christians will be weeping at the unsaved friends and families falling into the lake of fire after the Great White Throne Judgment. Revelation 21:4 tells us our tears will be wiped away. Why the tears? I have received salvation, but I will be weeping seeing the unsaved fall into the lake of fire all because I did not preach unto them.

            One more thing to take note, it is after the Great White Throne Judgment that all tears are wiped away from the eyes. We have already read in Revelation 7:17 that tears are wiped away after the Judgment Seat of Christ. The text here is the tears we Christians shed because we see unsaved people, loved ones, relatives, and neighbors go to hell on the final judgment day. We mourn that we should have brought them to Christ, or at least given them the opportunity to hear the Gospel, but we have missed that opportunity. In that day there will be groaning in agony among God’s people. There will no longer be tears when we finally go into Eternity. Now we know the Great White Throne Judgment takes place in Revelation 20:14. Do you know people around you who have not yet been saved? Please take moment and see if you can write them down on a piece of paper. And please pray for them. God wants you to do that. Do you remember Daniel’s prophecy that if you lead many people to the right place, you will shine like the stars in heaven? Please realise you leading a soul to the right place and shining like a star in heaven for ever is a tremendous blessing. This is the purpose for which we saved Christians live today. This is the life of First seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When we do this, the Lord has given us a promise to supply all our needs. I pray that you all do this without shedding many tears later, so that you can meet them with great joy and praise the Lord together for eternity. Amen.