“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books“
This section of Scripture presents the Great White Throne Judgment. This is a judgment against non-Christians only. This occurs immediately before God ushers believers into the eternal state. This is indeed a solemn and sad scene.
20:11
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it,
The Great White Throne judgment, occurring just after the Millennium, is the final judgment of the lost of all ages by Jesus Christ. No believer will stand before this throne. Everyone who rejected Jesus Christ will give an account for his or her rebellion against God’s will. Thus this is a “great” judgment in contrast to the other preceding judgments. This is also a “white” judgment, the insignia of God’s purity and righteousness.
from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.
The whole universe will flee away from the awesome Judge on the Great White Throne. They cannot tolerate the stark glory of God.
God will destroy the entire universe as we know it (Hebrews 12:25-27; 2 Peter 3:7-12). No one but believers will inhabit the new heaven and earth. God will replace the entire present order of the cosmos after the Great White Throne Judgment. This new order will suit those who believed while on earth.
And there was found no place for them.
In chapter twenty-one, God institutes new heaven and earth. The present heaven and earth will disappear (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 16:17; 21:33; 2 Peter 3:10-13).
20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,
The “dead standing before God” refers to the second resurrection of all non-believers. All those who rejected God’s plan of salvation throughout history will stand before God’s Great White Throne. These people are dead both physically and spiritually, that is, eternally. Death puts everyone on the same plane, the “small and great.” Both the President and the garbage collector will face eternal death.
The first resurrection is pre-millennial, and the second resurrection is post-millennial.
and books were opened.
God opens a number of books, including the “Book of Life.” The status will not influence this judgment because Jesus will judge the great as well as the small. First, God opens books other than the Book of Life. This is a book of works. These people stand on their inadequate works and not on the work of Christ on the cross. The Bible will be one of the books opened at this judgment.
And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.
The “Book of Life” is the record of those who received eternal life at some point in time. These are believers (Re 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:15; 21:27).
And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
God’s final judgment will be according to the evidence – works. The word “works” means deeds, whether good or bad. The issue at the Great White Throne Judgment is the degree of punishment.
We are justified by faith but judged according to (not by) our works. God’s final judgment vindicates God’s righteousness. The evidential test to decide their eternal state is their works. People’s deeds reveal what their heart is like. It shows what their true beliefs are. When people stand on their works, they expose themselves to the perfect and absolute righteousness of God.
Principle:
God wipes away the sinful record of the Christian.
Application:
Jesus takes away the sinful record of the believer. The government keeps a record of every crime a criminal commits. God wipes the slate of the Christian clean because Jesus paid for our sins.
Every shady situation, every dishonesty, God knows them all. There is no way to evade God’s judgment, apart from the gospel of God’s grace.
Dr. Richison
May you help me understanding when(or whether) the people who will return to God in Millennium time will be judged?
Thank you
Marian, I am in Africa and will respond when I return.
Marian, there is the Judgment Seat of Christ (for believers) that must be distinguished from the Great White Throne (for unbelievers). The judgment for believers (2 Co 5:10)will be for reward, not punishment.
Dr. Richison
The Question is:
When(or whether) the people who will return to God in Millennium time will be rewarded?
Thank you
Marian, there is no biblical evidence of your point but the probable answer is in the eternal state.
I am struggling with the resurrection events. Is the first resurrection at the rapture when Jesus raises the dead in Christ, the premillennial. The second resurrection postmillennial. I am confused because all the dead non believers (unsaved) will not be raised when Jesus raptures the church. Please explain to me these resurrection events in as simple terms as possible
Bonita, is this what you are looking for: http://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/rapture-vs-the-second-coming/
When God resurrects all sinners who have never known him, will they be given the opportunity to repent and live forever?
Tom, the Great White Throne Judgment is only for non-believers whereas the Judgment Seat of Christ is only for believers.
Please explain me Rev 20:13, who are the people to whom death and hell delivered up the dead.
What is the differance between Death and Hades.
Nishikant, did you advance to the next study by clicking on the next study? There you will find your answer.
James, I appreciate your comment.