Revelation 20:11-15

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.  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.  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.  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

This is one of the most sobering and horrific passages in all of Scripture.  These few verses describe the judgment and eternal destiny of all who rebel against God and reject Christ.  On this terrible day those who did not place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be condemned to an everlasting life of torment in the lake of fire.  There are three key elements to this final judgment that are important to understand.

THE WHITE THRONE-SECOND RESURRECTION: When the rebellion at the end of the Millennial kingdom is squelched by the supernatural power of God, a second resurrection will occur.  The first resurrection that occurred right before the Millennium, was the resurrection of the just.  All who were raised at that time were believers and they were raised to everlasting life.  Those resurrected to participate in the white throne judgment are unbelievers so this could be called the resurrection of the unjust.  These are unbelievers from every period of history that have rejected a relationship with God through faith and rebelled against His commandments.  Perhaps, during their lifetime they prospered, or their unbelief was not widely known.  At this judgment there will be no place to hide.

THE BOOK OF LIFE-SECOND BOOK: The book of Life is the book in which the names of all believers throughout the history of the world are recorded.  The other books that are opened before the book of life are apparently the records of the sins of mankind who rejected Christ.  All the rebellion and rejection of mankind throughout the history of the world is known by God and recorded in these books.  The things they have done will be used to condemn them as they will be judged according to their deeds.  All who have trusted Christ are recorded in the second book called the book of life.  We will not be condemned by our sin for it has been blotted out and covered by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE LAKE OF FIRE-SECOND DEATH: The first death is the separation of the body from the soul, and it is resolved by resurrection.  Spiritual death is the natural state of every person born on earth whereby man is sinful and separated from God.  This death is resolved by placing one’s faith in Christ as a means of being reconciled with God. The second death is the condemnation of unbelievers to exist in eternal torment apart from the presence of God.  There is no solution for the second death.  The lake of fire will never be quenched and after this judgment no one will ever escape from this eternal state of separation from God and condemnation.

APPLICATION: Praise God for His gracious provision of Christ through whom we can be saved from this horrific judgment.  Proclaim the Gospel of Christ to others who desperately need to hear how they can come to faith in Christ.  Warn those who have not trusted Christ of the judgment to come and urge them to respond to the Gospel.

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