FINAL JUDGEMENT AND THE GREAT WHITE THRONE

REV. 20:7-15

Lesson 25

The events that take place from the end of the millennium to the beginning eternity, the 1000-year reign of Christ on earth in Jerusalem has come to an end. The first resurrection has been completed, and the people on earth have lived in a perfect environment ruled by the Lord Jesus Himself.  Justice has been perfect, and peace has prevailed.  Satan has not been allowed to interfere, and time has come to an end.  Just as it started with a choice, man whom God created in His image will choose from a free heart whether to obey or disobey his Creator.  As Satan tempted Adam and Eve, so will he now go out to tempt those on earth again follow him once again in rebellion against God.  Those born on earth during the millennium will be given the choice as to whom they will follow and give allegiance.

         I.      Satan’s final day (Vs. 7-9)

a.       Satan will be loosed and once more exert his influence upon the earth.

b.       This will be his final intrusion into the affairs of mankind.

c.       He sets out to deceive and bring the people of the world together against God.

1.       We must remember that God does not want forced obedience from those He made in His likeness and image.

2.       In love He wants the sons of men to choose of their own free will to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

3.       For 1,000 years He has brought justice and peace to the people of the earth.

d.       Gog and Magog are not the same as in Ezekiel 38, 39 but represent the world as a whole.

e.       They will go against Jerusalem to do a final battle and will be utterly destroyed. (Vs. 9)

f.         God will destroy them with fire, and Satan’s efforts at receiving worship will reach their conclusion.

       II.      The place of Satan’s destiny (Vs. 10)

a.       Satan who began his career attempting to be like God meets his final doom.

1.       Satan’s two masterpieces of deceit and guile have preceded him to the place of final and eternal judgment.

2.       From Matt. 25:41 we learn that everlasting fire was prepared for Satan  and those who follow him.

b.       Satan is now cast where judgment is everlasting.

1.       No second chance, but eternal separation from God’ presence

2.       Notice carefully where the beast and the false prophet are.

a)    They have been there for a 1,000 years so the point is their punishment will be forever.

b)    “Gehenna” or lake of fire is not annihilation but judgment forever. (Mark 9:43-48)

3.       Satan will no longer be allowed to accuse the family of God or lay a snare for the child of God.

      III.      The Great White Throne (Vs 11-15)

a.       One of the most amazing events recorded in the Word of God

1.       This is the final judgment of God upon wickedness

2.       The fearsome reality of this event will bring man to stand before His maker.

b.       The throne itself (Vs 11)

1.       A throne is no stronger then he who sits upon it.

a)    We believe that here the Lord Jesus is seen in His role as judge (John 5:22 – Heb. 1:8)

2.       “At whose glance earth and heaven vanished”

a)    The Word of the Lord Jesus Christ is more sure than earth and Heaven

b)    (Matt. 24:35 – Mark 13:31)

3.       All who were not part of the first resurrection will be forced to appear before God.

a)    The dead in the graves

b)    Those from the sea

1)       Disintegration of the earthly body is no problem.

2)       Illustration of those who think they will escape because their body is burned and scattered to the wind.

4.       Death and hell

a)    (Luke 16:19-31)

b)    This makes it clear as to the present state of the unbeliever.

5.       The Books out of which the people are judged

a)    God is keeping record, and the people will be judged on the basis of that record.

b)    It would seem from this and other portions of the Word of God, there will be degrees of punishment in the Lake of Fire.

c.       Verse 14 makes it clear that people are not in the place of the second death today.

1.       For death and Hades are now cast into the Lake of Fire

2.       The tragic part of this is that forever they are separated from God.

3.       The second death may be laughed at or rejected by those who think they are intellectually about this, but that does not alter the fact.

d.       The Book of Life (Vs. 15)

1.       The Book of Life is viewed in verse 12 where those who weren’t found are brought before God’s bar of Justice.

2.       Verse 15 makes it clear that the Book of Life is important to all men.

a)    To be found in its pages is to enjoy the blessing of God throughout eternity.

b)    To not be found will result in being cast into the Lake of Fire forever.

Conclusion: The question then becomes does my name appear in the Book of Life?  The Bible says in Romans 10: 9-10, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”