Judgment: Who will be at the last one?
The Bible clearly states that there will be a final judgment.
Revelation 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. [Emphasis added]
Although there are other divine judgments in Scripture, it is this judgment that we’ll address in this study.
Hebrews 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [Emphasis added]
The last judgment described in the Revelation 20:11-15 passage is for unbelievers only. If you’ve accepted the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the sole basis for your salvation, you’ll already be enjoying Heaven when this judgment occurs. Therefore, this judgment should be of no concern to you all. However, you probably know people who will be there if they’ve not correctly prepared to step into eternity after their physical death. Hopefully this article will produce a sense of urgency for you and others to present the gospel [the good news] which speaks of what God has done through Jesus Christ to provide a way for people of every generation to be saved from this judgment. No one need ever question the love of God concerning this.
Romans 5:8-10
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Yes, God has done everything that needed to be done so that anyone can be saved from this judgment and all that follows it.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled [having accepted His provision for our reconciliation and salvation], we shall be saved by his life. [Emphasis added]
What’s stated above does not teach what is called universal reconciliation. Everyone is not going to Heaven, only those who’ve accepted what Christ did to save them. Probably the most famous passage of all concerning God’s love to provide this is known to most people who will read this article.
John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [Emphasis added]
This passage certainly emphasizes the importance of accepting God’s provision for one’s salvation. To refuse to accept it leads only to everlasting misery in a place of torment. All who reject His gracious provision will suffer forever for it. Even though people die, and their body is destroyed, there will some day be a resurrection for all, even unbelievers.
John 5:28-29
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. [Emphasis added]
It will be in this resurrection body that unbelievers will be tormented forever. Was Jesus lying when He uttered these words of warning? No way!!! We have other passages providing God’s warning about this.
Acts 24:14-15
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. [Emphasis added]
Here he speaks of those who’ve been justified [having received the righteousness of God] by faith and those who have not. Where do you stand in this?
It has always amazed me how people will ignore the clear warnings God has provided about hell and the Lake of Fire. A final judgment of the unsaved is surely going to come. Justice will be administered. Rejection of God’s provision for one’s salvation has severe consequences. Perhaps the clearest one is the story of Lazarus and the rich man. I’ve written articles about all this that you’ll find on this website. Here are the names of some of them.
Heaven & Hell: Do these places exist?
Heaven & Hell: Are they both forever?
Heaven & Hell: How can a person qualify to go to Heaven?
Hell: Will the punishment last forever?
Hell: Does God pick and choose who’s going there?
Hell: How can a loving God send people there?
Hell: Are there degrees of punishment?
Hell: What does the apostle Paul teach about it?
The Bible gives us everything we need to know about all this. Certainly, there will be no legitimate excuses for someone to miss out on Heaven. But wherever someone ends up, it will be because of their own choice.
Always remember that the greatest threat to your eternal future is “religion.” False teachers are plentiful in every generation. In America today, although we have some wonderful ones, you’ll find most of the worst in buildings with steeples and stained-glass windows. They are responsible for deceiving many people.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Please notice that he said light, not darkness.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. [Emphasis added]
These people always promote some configuration of righteousness as one’s means to salvation. But notice what the Bible tells us about man’s righteousness and his good works.
Isaiah 64:6
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. [Emphasis added]
We can do nothing in the form of works that’ll save us. Either we accept God’s work, His grace provision for our salvation, or we will face God’s judgment. Each person must make this choice.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. [Emphasis added]
Numerous passages of Scripture point this out to us.
Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [Emphasis added]
It is in the writings of the apostle Paul that we find the details of God’s provision for our salvation explained for our time. That’s why we are to focus on his writings for this.
Romans 11:13
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [Emphasis added]
To some the cross of this Jesus was just another Roman crucifixion, but the reality is that it was there that God was doing the work that needed to be done to provide us with a way for our salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:19-21
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Here we see that God is not holding our sins against us because they were all held against Christ on the cross. What good news this is for us all!
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
This gives us all a ministry as ambassadors, personal representatives of Christ, exhorting people to accept His work as the basis for their salvation.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
This is justification he’s speaking of here. As I’ve said before in other articles, we’re not forgiven by faith; we are justified by faith. It is because Christ paid the penalty for the sins of all mankind that this was made possible.
1 Timothy 2:5-6
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [Emphasis added]
It is when personal faith is applied to what Christ did that salvation occurs.
1 Timothy 4:10
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. [Emphasis added]
Even the apostle John and the apostle Peter talk about this.
1 John 2:1-2
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. [Emphasis added]
I Peter 3:18
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: [Emphasis added]
This RIGHTEOUSNESS of God that’s needed and essential for salvation is provided for all who believe IN Jesus as their Savior.
Romans 3:21-26
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [satisfying God’s just demands] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [Emphasis added]
When we have the righteousness of God applied to us when we believe, we then never have to concern ourselves again about being good enough to qualify for Heaven.
Romans 10:3-4
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. [Emphasis added]
Some sort of blend of grace and works does not provide salvation. We must choose one or the other as to what we’ll depend on for our salvation.
Romans 11:6
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. [Emphasis added]
Probably the main reason God is rejected by so many is the principle of accountability. But all people are accountable to Him.
Romans 14:11-12
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. [Emphasis added]
Unbelievers foolishly think that physical death brings everything to an end for them. Not true! It marks a beginning of suffering as they’ve never known. Believers will all someday receive a resurrection body in which to enjoy the blessings of eternity. But unbelievers will all receive a new body in which to suffer. Note the words of Jesus about this in the time of His earthly ministry.
John 5:28-29
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. [Emphasis added]
The “good” spoken of here are believers who have received the righteousness of God, the goodness of God by faith. The ones who have “done evil” are all those who have rejected or ignored His provision for their salvation. There will be a time of final judgment when they will all be shown that any good works they’ve done are inadequate for their salvation. Their sins were all judged in Christ on His cross, but their works will be judged at what is spoken of as the Great White Throne judgment.
Revelation 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face [that of Jesus Christ] the earth and the heaven [the atmosphere and space] fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Man foolishly thinks he can be saved from this judgment by his works. But his works will only serve as evidence to condemn him because they are no substitute for that one work of Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection, by which he could have been saved.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. [Emphasis added]
This time has a beginning, but it has no end. Never let yourself be fooled by those who would explain all this otherwise.
