Sermon Central
-
Revelation Study Series 26b - God's Mysterious Plan Fulfilled (Chapter 20b) Series
Contributed by Clayton Beck on Oct 13, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus came! He died! He resurrected! He is coming back!
Revelation Study Series 26b - God’s Mysterious Plan Fulfilled (Chapter 20b)
06.12.22
Things Everyone Hates:
Losing Things
Bills
Liars (Cheaters, Quitters)
Bad Wifi Service
Bad Attitude
Wrong Order
Traffic
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/things-nobody-likes/losing-things
You could add to that list High Gas Prices, Politicians, etc. I’m sure this list could get quite lengthy…but at some point there will be a five letter word added…Death!
No one wants to die! Everyone wants to live forever!
But, Death is not the worst thing that can happen to you! What comes after death could be!
11 And I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from His presence, but they found no place to hide.
There are two judgments specifically talked about in scripture:
the Judgment Seat of Christ
the Great White Throne Judgment
the Judgment Seat of Christ is for believers, and the Great White Throne Judgment for unbelievers.
Paul wrote about the Judgment Seat of Christ to all NT believers…
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.
The Great White Throne Judgment for unbelievers comes after the Millennial reign…
12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.
“the dead” are unbelievers. They are “dead” never having received the Way, the Truth, the Life!
13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.
14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.
27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
This “lake of fire” is hell. Hell was not made for mankind. (Matt. 25:41). It was made for satan and his demonic followers.
God created heaven for all mankind.
However, when a person chooses to reject Christ, they will have no place/home in Heaven. They will live forever in torment in hell!
“Hell is a witness to the righteous character of God. He must judge sin. Hell is also a witness to man's responsibility, the fact that he is not a robot or a helpless victim, but a creature able to make choices…” —Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament
Immortality - often man’s ultimate goal…will become reality, for everyone. However, where and how you will spend that immortality will depend on if you chose to put your faith in Christ.
To those who choose Him, life awaits after the first death. But, to those who do not…they will die, and then they will experience a second death. They will be immortal in hell…but, that will not be life…it will be worse than death!
15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
the Book of Life…
It is possible that there will be more than one book at the Great White Throne Judgment.
9 "I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;
10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.
What are the “books”? God’s Word will be one of those books…
John 12:48 But all who reject Me and My message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.
There may also be books of unbelievers' words…
36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.
37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
The term, “Book of Life” appears at least 8 times in scripture, and is referred to even more.