The Great White Throne

INTRODUCTION

My name is Cory Cooper

Most of you know me and know my wife Chrissy, and i want to introduce you to the newest member of our family, our son CJ (show picture)

God is so good and we are seriously blessed. He’s the cutest.

This is the 4th week of our Name Above All Names series on Revelation. We are specifically focusing on Jesus in this series, who he is, his work, his attributes. Last week we learned that Jesus is the conqueror.

If i am spoiling the end of the story, I am sorry, but Jesus wins.

Tonight we will focus on what happens when jesus returns and sits on the

Great White Throne

First Let’s Pray

God please give us humbled hearts, eternal perspective, urgency to see your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven and as it will be for eternity.

Revelation 20:11–15 (ESV)

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Heavy Passage, as we look through these verses, Here are some

Statements to Consider

You are an eternal being

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Thessalonians 1:9 (ESV)

9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

Eternity is real. You are eternal. Whether with in Christ Jesus or away from his presence

You will be judged by Jesus Christ

Everyone one in this room, your parents, siblings, teachers, along with every person who has ever existed or will ever exist

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

GREAT Throne

Top 3 Thrones

Central African Republic

Iron Throne

Thanos

Great in verse 11 is the Greek Word “megas” and obviously where we get the word MEGA.

Big, Huge, Great, the Greatest

WHITE Throne

Perfect

Holy

Pure

Spotless

White is the absence of color

If i gave you 100 paints You cannot mix colors to create white. Therefore it is the absence of color.

We know this because if you mix even a drop of red in white paint, it starts turning pink right?

Perfect and Holy. Jesus is worthy to judge his creation.

Jesus is Seated on the Great White Throne

Jesus is the Judge

John 5:22–23 (ESV)

22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

Jesus is all powerful Conqueror as we learned last week.

He is also holy, without blemish, perfect

Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV)

The Rider on a White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Colossians 1:15–16 (ESV)

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Because he created all other rulers, he created you, he created the world and heavens and because he has conquered all his enemies...

Jesus is the only one worthy to sit on the great white throne.

Only one worthy to judge us

Jesus is the Judge

God is not the judge on the last day, He has given that job over to Jesus. Jesus is the judge

Jesus was given the task of Judge, to the glory of God the Father. Jesus came from heaven down to earth and was born a human, just like you and just like me. Flesh of my flesh and bone of my bones.

Possible illustration....

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus knows what temptation is like. Jesus knows what hangry feels like. Jesus knows what anxiety feels like. Jesus knows what being made fun of every day feels like. Jesus knows what being beat up feels like. Jesus was 12, he was 15, he was 17, he was 32 like me.

He was tempted by Satan himself in the desert while not eating for 40 days.

WHY MUST THERE BE A FINAL JUDGMENT?

Romans 1:18 (ESV)

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

If we once saw sin as God sees it, we would understand why a place such as hell exists.

What happens at the Final Judgement?

Focus on the majors, there are incredibly smart people who have different stances on when and how judgement occurs

FOR THE CHRISTIAN

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

For the Christian in the room, this verse says that we will appear before the bema, the judgment seat of Christ. Back in the day judges at games like the Olympics or the Isthmian games, they sat on the bema.

People being judged are in fact Olympians, they are not being judged on whether they are olympians, that has already been settled. Judged on what happened at the olympics.

Here we are not quizzed on whether or not we are saved or not. You are before Jesus at the Bema because your name is in the Book of Life. We will give an account of our lives, both good and bad.

Unbelievers

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

Parable of the Talents. Master is leaving, calls 3 servants. 5, 2, 1.

One with 5 doubles it and makes it 10

Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

One with 2 doubles it and makes it 4

The last servant, given 1 talent. Burries it and does nothing.

Master calls him wicked and slothful or evil and lazy.

Matthew 25:30 (ESV)

30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Difference is,

Every action is Seeking first the Kingdom of God or Seeking first the Kingdom of Yourself

Matthew 25:31–46 (ESV)

32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

How Do I know ?

I’m guessing in this room we have 3 groups. Those who know they have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Then I think there are some who know that Jesus has never been Lord of your life. And I think there are those in the middle. Maybe struggling with doubt, struggling because some days Jesus is Lord and a lot of days he isn’t.

I want to go through scripture to help make this clear and obvious. What it looks like to follow Jesus and what it looks like not to, ok?

Romans 10:9–13 (ESV)

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Galatians 5:22–24 (ESV)

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Matthew 10:37–39 (ESV)

37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Comes down to Faith and Surrender.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

IS Jesus the LORD of your life? Is His kingdom more important than your kingdom? Have you come to the conclusion that you are a sinner who needs a savior?

Jesus is our Salvation

What does this mean on the last day for those of us who are Christians? Jesus is our Advocate

1 John 2:1 (ESV)

2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Christian: you are not perfect. You will sin. I sin everyday. You will doubt. You will fail. But when you do, you have an advocate with the Father today, tomorrow, and at the final judgment.

You have nothing to bring to the perfect white throne that says you’re worthy, you have something better. Jesus Christ the righteous. He is our lawyer and our savior.

PROMISE FOR ETERNITY

John 6:37 (ESV)

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

Jesus is Interceding for us

Romans 8:33–34 (ESV)

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

At the Judgment Seat of Christ, no one can prosecute you and say “Don’t let them inot heaven, they did this and this and this!” Satan can’t bring charges against you, you can’t even bring charges against you. If you are in Christ, Jesus intercedes, he fights for you forever, and as we read in Revelation 19, he can’t lose. Conquerer, savior, redeemer, your lawyer.

Romans 8:1–2 (ESV)

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

To the Unbeliever

Romans 5:8 (ESV)

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus loves YOU.

Jesus died for YOU.

Jesus does not want you at the Great White Throne judgment, he wants you at the BEMA.

He made a way!

Romans 10:9–13 (ESV)

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 5:1–2 (ESV)

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

I hope and pray that everyone in here tonight, student and leaders alike, have been covered by the blood of Jesus christ and have made him lord of your life. If not,

I beg you to turn to Jesus. It’s not too late, and if you are feeling the conviction of the Holy spirit causing you t to cry out to God then Praise God.

Jesus can save to the uttermost, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done or what you haven’t done.

Jesus can fix the broken relationship and make us right with God.

Look at me, I am here to talk, to pray, to plead with you. Whatever it takes, because this is rreal. Everyone will one day stand before Jesus. He will either be Lord of your life or you will be separated from him because You chose to be lord of your life.