Journey Through The Bible
 Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 10-12
 New Testament Reading: Revelation 20

Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books (Revelation 20:11-12).

Revelation 20 contains the most sobering description of the fate of unbelievers in all the Bible. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He warned the disciples, Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt 10:28). The Great White Throne judgment described here in Revelation is what Jesus referenced.

John describes a somber, serious scene. Heaven and earth will flee away and there will be no place left for sinners to hide. The Judge is Jesus Christ, for the Father has committed all judgment to Him (John 5:22-30). These lost sinners rejected Jesus Christ in life; now they must be judged by Him and face eternal punishment.

The Great White Throne Judgement is like no courtroom we have ever seen. There will be a Judge but no jury; a prosecution, but no defense; a sentence but no appeal. No one will be able to defend himself or accuse God of unrighteousness. What an incredible scene it will be!

Jesus Christ will judge these unsaved people based on what is written in the books (v12). Notice the plural of books. There are three books the lost sinners will be judged by. The first is the Word of God, the scriptures. Jesus said, The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day (John 12:48). Every sinner will be held accountable for the truth they have heard and applied to their life.

Another book will be opened, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books (v12). This does not suggest that a person’s works will be sufficient to enter heaven (Eph 2:8-9). The reason Jesus will judge a person based on their works and application of scripture is not to determine their destination, but their degree of punishment they will endure in hell.

Although the suffering will be severe and everlasting for all those in hell, there are degrees of punishments. (See Matt 10:15, 11:20-24; Rom. 2:6; Heb. 10:29) We are not told in scripture what the difference in punishments will be. Whatever punishment, it will be just, for God is a God of justice, and Jesus is a righteous Judge and He will assign each sinner the punishment they deserve.

The third and final book is the Book of Life. This will not determine their punishment but their place; anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire (v15). All of these people will be cast into hell because of their personal rejection of Jesus Christ has already determined their destiny.

God does not send people to hell; they send themselves there by rejecting the Savior. God has provided a way of escape, patiently waiting for sinners to repent. He will not lower His standards or alter His requirements. He has ordained that faith in His Son is the only way of salvation.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).