Final Judgment

Bottom line

Is you name written in the book? Will your deeds stand up to judgment?

Opening Line

Have you ever done something that you were going to be judged on?

Introduction

I can’t remember how old I was, and I can’t remember what the event was even called, but I remember when I was in high school being signed up to recite a poem for a competition.

There were a couple of things that I was going to be judged on. I had to recite the poem by memory without any prompting. I had to maintain a good volume, not so loud that I was screaming and lost control of my voice, but not so quiet I couldn’t be heard. Believe it or not, when I was younger I was a fairly shy kid. Look at the good work Jesus has done in my life. I also had to be expressive, again not over the top, but just enough to invite the audience into the poem.

There were a few things I can remember about the experience. I remember that the reason I was signed up for the event was because I was an overly shy kid and this was supposed to push me to be a little more confident. I also remember being incredibly nervous. Forget the whole judging thing, I was just nervous about being in front of people, I was sure I was going to forget something. Sitting in the crowd, waiting for my name to be called, hoping that maybe they would forget to call it.

I think it went well. I just remember sweating like crazy.

Main Point

Remembering the experience makes me wonder what it is going to be like on Judgment Day. Unlike the competition when I was hoping they would forget to call my name, on the Day of the Lord, when humanity stands before the great white throne, you want your name to be called. We’re going to see a moment in the scripture where books are being opened, including the Book of Life. On that day, you want your name in the book.

Why it matters

As we dive into the passage this morning, I would say that it is important for you as a believer to keep the picture of the great white throne in your mind. One of the things that is lost when Revelation is not preached is you forget that all of us will be judged. Just because you are a disciple of Jesus does not mean you escape judgment, it just means that judgment looks differently for you. But if you truly believe that Jesus is coming back soon, then you also have to believe everything associated with that reality, including judgment. But, if you live in light of that truth, and live a life that is honoring before God, as scary as it may seem, it is actually something to look forward to, and I’ll show you why.

Scripture

We are going to pick up where we left off last week. If you have your bible, head to Revelation chapter 19, and we are starting at verse 11.

Revelation 19:11–16 NLT

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

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So for clarity sake, this rider on the white horse is different from the one in chapter 6. In chapter 6, it says the seal is opened, and the rider is summoned by one of the living creatures.

This rider on the white horse is summoned by no one because this rider is the King of all kings and the Lord of all Lords. This rider is the supreme authority. Who is this rider? Jesus

His title ‘the Word of God’ comes from John’s gospel. John 1:1

John 1:1 NLT

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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Now I want to point out something significant. In the Old Testament, when Israel went to war, where was the king supposed to be? In the front. He was to be the leader, and leaders lead from the front. They were first into battle. Not something that continues today. The president of the United States, though he is the commander and chief, is not leading the army into war. He may decide where they go, but he is not leading the charge.

Jesus is leading the charge, and by his word, which is the sword coming from his mouth, he is able to strike down nations. As is typical when it comes to all things in God’s kingdom, though he could easily handle things on his own, he invites his people into the process. Jesus could wipe out his opponents with a word, but he is going let the army share in the victory.

Revelation 19:19–21 NLT

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.

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The armies of the world who oppose God are eradicated, and the beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire.

Now this feels like the final victory, but there is still a victory to be won.

Revelation 20:1–10 NLT

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them. Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

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Now I need to revisit something I said near the beginning of the series. Along the way, I would present the interpretations of the scripture in the fullness, and I would suggest which I believe is the most biblical. I recently heard a pastor, whom I greatly respect, say that it is important for the church to put its flag down on theological things. If we don’t stake our claim on the little things, then what right do we have to stake a claim on the big ones?

So when it comes to the thousand year reign, I want to present the three most popular interpretations, and I will present the one that OneChurch aligns itself with. I don’t have time this morning to unpack it fully, but if you would like to have an extended discussion, I’m always open to such talks. It is not to say that you have the agree, but I want you to understand where we are coming from and how we are interpreting scripture.

So the three interpretations. The first is what is called Premillenialism. This view holds that what we read is how things will play out. Jesus will return, defeat the armies of the beast, and Satan will be locked away for 1000 years, until he is released for a little while and ultimately defeated.

The second is Amillenialism. This view maintains that the 1000 years is not a literal thousand years, that we are in the thousand year reign right now, that Satan has influence but it is restrained.

Postmillenialism is the final one, and it suggests that the church is will have significant influence on the earth before Christ’s return and eventual defeat of the devil.

As a church, we are premillienial. We believe that Jesus is going to return, which will spark the 1000 year reign of Christ and the saints with him, and at the end of the 1000 years, Satan will be released and defeated. There are a lot of reasons for this stance, but as I read Revelation and Daniel, which is another very eschatological book, the premillienial view seems to be the most true to scripture.

Chapter 20 closes with this:

Revelation 20:11–15 NLT

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. 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 sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

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There are 2 judgments being described here, and it is important as believers that you understand both. The first is the judgment from the Book of Life. If your name is written in the book of life, then heaven awaits you, resurrection is yours. If it is not, then you will experience the second death, and you will be thrown into the lake of fire. It is called the second death because the first death you experience is physical, and the second is spiritual.

The second judgment is for the believers, and it is described in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 NLT

Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

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I talked about this last week. The bride of Christ is dressed in white linen, which is the good deeds of the saints. Paul describes a situation where people may be saved, but everything they worked for is destroyed.

Now some may argue, “Ya, but you’re in heaven!” True, but Jesus and the New Testament writers talk about storing up treasure in heaven. There is going to be a very different experience for the one who stores up treasure in heaven, and the one who gets in by the skin of their teeth, or as one author puts it, smelling of smoke.

Then there is this little reminder from Jesus.

Matthew 7:21 NLT

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

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On top of that, look at chapter 21.

Revelation 21:1–4 NLT

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

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The old heaven and earth are done away with as part of God’s eradication of all sin from creation.

Revelation 21:7 NLT

All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

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Last week I said that in order to be victorious you need to persevere, you need to overcome. You need to endure.

Revelation 21:8 NLT

“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

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I don’t know about anyone else, but this verse makes me uncomfortable. Most of this verse I’m OK with. Murderers, the immoral, witchcraft, idol worshipers. Ya those are all obvious fronts to the kingdom of heaven.

But the cowards? Why are they included? Because there is a lot scripture where God’s people are told to be strong and courageous. Because 1 John tells us that perfect love casts out all fear.

Transition to Application

So what are we to do with these passages?

Main To Do

This is an opportunity for some self reflection. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit within us assures of our salvation. So for you, all of this is good news because you know you have a reward waiting for you in heaven. You get to look forward to the end of all sin, death and grave.

But there are some who have been coming to church for a long time, some who have all the right answers and know about Jesus, but deep down you know that you don’t really know Jesus. When you read passages about the Book of Life, the judgment, and the idea of doing the will of the Father, there is an uneasiness that springs up. There is a fear that makes you wonder, but because of how long you’ve been coming to church, you don’t want to admit it. Pride is holding you back.

Why it matters

This morning, I implore you. If you are uneasy about eternity, and you don’t know if your name is written in the Book of Life, then do not miss the opportunity to respond to the message. Today is the day that the Lord has made, and Jesus’ return is imminent. If you are not sure and want that reassurance, then I invite you to prayer this simple prayer with me.

Church, I invite you to bow your heads, close your eyes to respect those who may want to respond. I’m going to ask everyone to say this prayer with me.

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen."

 With every head bowed, if you prayed that prayer for the first time, I want you to put your hand up or wave. If you’re online, let us know that you prayed with us.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, or if you prayed as a re commitment, I want you to know that heaven is rejoicing over you, and we as a church are rejoicing with you. As a church we have something for you to get you started on your journey and life with Jesus. You just made the best decision of your life.

Everyone else, do good deeds, store up treasure in heaven, and live in light of eternity. Heaven awaits, and Jesus’ return is a lot closer then you think!

Closing Line

Discussion Questions

What stood out from the message?

Have you ever felt nervous or anxious about being judged? How does this relate to your relationship with God?

Why is it important for you to know whether your name is in the Book of Life? How does that affect your confidence?

What does it mean for you personally to have your name written in the Book of Life?

How does understanding the concept of judgment influence the way you live your daily life?

How can you support a friend who is uncertain about their faith or relationship with God?

In what ways do you think being a Christian impacts the way you handle challenges and judgments in life?