Revelation 20:11-15 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 Hadesgave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then deathand 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.
With Satan out of the picture, the next thing on the agenda is judgment of humans. The scene is the great white thrown with God upon the throne. This is similar to Daniel 7 and other throne scenes in the Bible. This passage describes what is known as the General Resurrection in verse 12. In verse 5 only the martyrs are raised. In this passage, all believers are raised along with nonbelievers. Two books are opened: 1) the “Books” or records of one’s life, what they did, how they lived, and 2) the Lamb’s Book of Life. People are judged by what they did not did not do. The lesson is that judgment is unavoidable; everyone is included. The basis for judgment is one’s activities in this life (see Psalm 62:12; Jer 17:10; Rom 2:6; 1 Pet 1:17). We are not saved by works but works show one’s relationship with God. Another word for works is obedience, which is very important in the Bible. Obedience proves our faith. We are judged by our obedience.
The punishment is being thrown into the Lake of Fire, which is called the second death. There is no resurrection from this death. Verse 13 is a reflection back on the general resurrection and judgment. Verses 14-15 describe the destruction of death (see 1 Cor 15:26). Death was the curse in the Garden of Eden. This is now the beginning of the reversal of the fall of Adam and Eve. From now on, death will be no more.
This is the hope we have as believers. It is also a warning. This passage shows that how we live much match what we believe and profess. We must not let sin have victory but through faith in Christ we obey Christ’s commands. Holiness of heart and life and two inseparable entities.
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