Friday, the sixth day of Revelation, is the day that Jesus Christ returns in power and glory as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to deliver his saints from their oppressors, to rule the nations with a "rod of iron," and to bring judgment upon all mankind. It is mentioned in six of the seven Accounts of Revelation.
The day begins as Christ appears visibly in the sky and summons his saints unto himself:
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IV REV 14: 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. |
VI REV 19: 1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. |
At first glance, these two passages seem to be describing different events. But the Harmony of Revelation clearly places them together chronologically so they must be talking about a single event which occurs immediately after the Day of Death and immediately before the final remnant of evil mankind is slaughtered by the One descending from heaven.
Furthermore, the symbolism of the two passages, although distinctly different from one another in detail, is perfectly parallel in character. For example, both passages describe a type of gathering ("reaping" or "calling") of the Church ("harvest" or "wife") out of the earth to be with Christ (on a "white cloud" or at the "marriage supper of the Lamb") after the Church has fulfilled its mission ("is ripe" or "hath made herself ready").
So there really is little doubt that both passages are referring to the same event, that this event constitutes the rapture of the saints, that it happens after the very last person is saved, and that it occurs simultaneously with the appearance of Christ in the clouds, immediately before the total destruction of sinful mankind.
Additional specifics about the event can be deduced by looking at information contained only once in these or other passages. For example, we can conclude that Christ will appear visibly in the clouds (1:7, 14:14); that the raptured saints will be united with those who previously had experienced the "first resurrection" (20:5-6); that they will be clothed in fine linen, clean and bright (19:8); and that this united "army" will follow their Lord as he descends upon the earth to "tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" (19:14-15).
In other words, the Harmony of Revelation paints a picture of the saints of God being joyously raptured out of the world to greet their victorious Lord and Savior as he returns in power and majesty to earth.
By integrating this information into what we have already learned, we can continue our detailed scenario of the end times:
You will recall that, prior to the rapture, the Antichrist has amassed the armies of the world at Armageddon and completely surrounded the Christian nation of Israel who by now has retreated to the immediate vicinity of the city of Jerusalem. With overwhelming military superiority, the Antichrist intends to prove once and for all that he is the lord of all the earth by totally annihilating the very last organized symbol of resistance to his recently reestablished United World Government.
Probably through a satellite-televised broadcast, the world, in anticipation, looks on as the inevitable slaughter approaches. Meanwhile, the newly converted nation of Israel (huddled in Jerusalem) and the few remaining Gentile Christians (dispersed throughout the world) are desperately praying for deliverance, and anticipating the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Then suddenly, without warning (like a "thief in the night") -- just as the Antichrist prepares to give the order to attack Jerusalem -- the heavens open and Christ appears in the clouds seated upon a white horse.
Probably through supernatural power (or possibly through the media of television) the whole world instantly becomes aware of the remarkable event (1:7). Non-Christians are astounded. And their amazement only grows as they observe Christians everywhere being transformed from their mortal to their immortal bodies and rising visibly into the sky to join the armies of heaven descending upon mankind.
The flavor of the event is similar to that commonly experienced in earthly warfare when an occupied village is liberated by advancing allied troops. As the oppressors retreat in terror the liberated citizens shout for joy, wave banners, and run to welcome their deliverers. But this time instead of running over the ground to meet their Deliver, the transformed Christians will levitate supernaturally into the sky. And instead of banners waving in the breeze, the hems of their transfigured garments will flutter in the air. And although the jubilant shouting, singing, and praising will be the same, even these will be demonstrated on an infinitely grander scale.
As the raptured saints join the advancing armies of heaven, they embrace their resurrected loved ones who previously had died in Christ; namely, those who had experienced the "first resurrection," who had been reigning with Christ in heaven during the previous millennium, and who are now accompanying him as he returns in triumph to establish his Lordship over all creation.
Although the rapture takes place throughout the world, it is probably most impressive when seen from the vicinity of Jerusalem. The whole nation of Israel will be seen to ascend as a body into the air, supernaturally delivered from the surrounding armies who had planned their total annihilation.
As these armies recall the similar ascension of the Two Witnesses who had been resurrected only a few days or weeks previously, the reality and the seriousness of the situation dawns upon their stunned minds and fear grips their innermost souls. No longer does Satan's veil of deceit blind their spiritual eyes. Suddenly they realize, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are hopelessly dammed.
And since it is too late now for salvation, all they can think of is fleeing and hiding from the wrath of God so dramatically descending upon them:
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I REV 1: 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. |
II REV 6: 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? |
VI
REV 19:
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING Of KINGS, And LORD Of LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
In these parallel passages you can see that Christ, leading his mighty army of righteous saints and glorious angels, descends from heaven and decimates his enemies. Notice that it is Christ himself (and not his army of followers) who brings righteous judgment and destruction upon the enemies of God. Furthermore, this destruction is complete and the verdict is final.
Everyone who assembled at Armageddon to fight against Christ is annihilated. The "beast" and its "prophet" are cast alive into hell and their followers are killed by the word of Christ, their bodies left lying in the fields to be devoured by the vultures.
The following passage describes this great slaughter as the "gathering of the grapes" for the "great winepress" of God's wrath:
IV
REV 14:
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Although the details of this symbolism may be subject to debate, the overall picture is quite clear and quite horrible! Whether taken literally or figuratively, it is obvious that a lot of blood is spilt.[1]
Nevertheless, heaven rejoices over this destruction because God finally has begun to demonstrate his Lordship over all:
III
REV 11:
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
The return of Christ not only results in the extinction of the human race, it also brings about the end of the world:
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II REV 6: 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
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III REV 11: 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. |
V REV 16: 17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. 18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
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VII REV 20: 9b and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 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. |
These passages are depicting the complete annihilation of this physical universe accompanied by thunder, lightning, noises, earthquakes, great hail,[2] and fire descending out of heaven. Together they say that every island flees away, every mountain disappears, the sky recedes as a scroll when it is rolled up, and the earth and heaven flee away. In other words, this universe as we know it simply ceases to exist.
Immediately before, during, or after the end of the world Satan is "cast alive into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone" where he will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
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VI REV 19: 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. |
VII REV 20: 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. |
Notice that there are three and only three creatures that are cast into the lake of fire at this time, namely, the Beast, his Prophet, and the Dragon. As already mentioned, the Beast represents a government, a philosophy, an ideology, a world system or power. It is not a human being, but rather the evidence, the essence, the SPIRIT of evil. Similarly, the Prophet has been identified as the Antichrist, a human being who is also Satan incarnate. And, finally, the Dragon has been identified as Satan himself, the Father of all that is evil. Therefore, the Beast, his Prophet, and the Dragon are in reverse order symbolic of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit of all that is Evil. So this event is not so much the punishment of three distinct individuals as it is a judgment against Evil itself -- against Satan's total being, against the whole false Trinity of the anti-Godhead.
The contrast between the Trinity and the anti-Trinity is evident throughout the book of Revelation and helps explain the Seven Days of Revelation.[3] Christ, God in the flesh, came to reveal the truth and live the life of a suffering servant. Antichrist, Satan in the flesh, came to deceive the nations and impose his will upon mankind. Christ's kingdom was not of this world; the Antichrist's kingdom was. Therefore, when this world was destroyed, Satan's domain was ended and he was cast into Hell.
It is interesting, though not particularly surprising, to note that the Antichrist is the one and only human being cast into hell without ever dying. Like the Christians who experience the rapture, he is transformed from his fleshly body to a supernatural body without tasting death. This is just one other example of the contrast between Christ and the Antichrist: Christ died that all who were his would live; the Antichrist lived that all who were his would die.
Following the destruction of the satanic Trinity comes the Judgment of all mankind. This Day of Judgment is described in the following two parallel accounts.
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VII REV 20: 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. |
III REV 11: 18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. |
However, these are not the only passages in Revelation that refer to this judgment day. Some of the passages we have already read speak in the future tense of this time period. In order to refresh your memory about these passages and to assist our later discussions, I am repeating those passages here.
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I REV 2: 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. REV 2: 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. REV 3: 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. |
IV REV 12: 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. REV 14: 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. |
As you can see, this period of judgment is a time when Jesus Christ exercises total authority over both the righteous and the unrighteous. It is the one and only time in history that he will rule mankind with a "rod of iron." Prior to this time people are free to choose whether or not they will obey God. After this time, they have already made their choice. Since obedience to God is voluntary in heaven and nonexistent in hell, the only time God imposes his will upon a group of unwilling subjects is during this short period of judgment.
But during this judgment period, God will impose his will. And everyone will submit. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (ROM 14:10-12). No crime or misbehaving will be tolerated. Order will prevail.
The judgment day begins with a resurrection of the dead as the sea, death, and hell[4] deliver up the souls contained therein (20:13a). But this part of Revelation does not tell us who is resurrected on judgment day. In order to identify who is resurrected at that time, we need to look at other passages in Revelation.
For example, Revelation 20:4-5 tells us that during Tuesday, the Day of Salvation, Christians are immediately resurrected to reign with Christ. Revelation 6:9-11 tells us that on Wednesday, the Day of Sin, those who are martyred are immediately resurrected but without a sense of ruling with Christ.[5] And Revelation 14:13 tells us that those few Christians who die on Thursday, the Day of Death, are called blessed (a description hardly appropriate if they were not resurrected immediately). Therefore, the general truth implied by the Harmony of Revelation is that throughout all ages, Christians are resurrected immediately after death.[6]
In fact, the resurrection of the saints immediately after death is called the "first resurrection" (20:5-6). And those who experience this first resurrection are privileged to rule with Christ both in heaven during the Day of Salvation (20:4) and around the great white throne during this day of judgment (2:26-27). Furthermore, the second death has no power over them (20:6), so they also will enter the eternal kingdom where they live and reign with Christ forever and ever (22:5).
Although Christians are resurrected immediately after death, Revelation 20:5 tells us that non-Christians are not resurrected until later. And Revelation 20:11-15 implies that this second resurrection occurs immediately before the great white throne judgment.[7] Since there are no other resurrections mentioned in the book of Revelation, it would appear that throughout all ages those who die without Christ remain dead until the end of the world; then all are raised at once.
Why are non-Christians not resurrected immediately after death like Christians? Probably because there is no place for them to wait until the time of judgment, so God lets them "sleep" peacefully until that time. Why does Christ kill sinful mankind at the end of the age rather than simply transforming them into their supernatural bodies as he did the Antichrist? Probably because it is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment (HEB 9:27).
According to the Harmony of Revelation there is one and only one judgment. This judgment is based solely on works[8] and includes every person who ever lived, whether small or great, lost or saved.
This interpretation of scripture is in direct contrast to what many Christians believe. For example, many Christians are convinced that there are two judgments -- one for the saved and one for the lost.
According to this popular view, the judgment of Christians[9] is a type of "awards ceremony" where those who have worked the hardest, been the most faithful, and/or endured the greatest hardships in the name of Christ receive the greatest rewards. The judgment of the lost[10] is more of a "condemnation session" where those people who have practiced the greatest evil will receive the most severe punishment. Both judgments are based upon "works" but, in the final analysis, all who experience the first judgment inherit eternal life while all who experience the second go to eternal damnation.
One reason for believing in this double judgment concept is that, without two judgments, both Christians and infidels would have to be judged at the same time according to the same standards. And if that were the case, then certainly some sincere, selfless unbelievers would rank higher (according to their works) than many hypocritical, backslidden Christians. How then, could a just God give a greater reward to the one who is less deserving? In other words, how could a just God reward the unfaithful Christian with eternal life and condemn the more righteous unbeliever to hell? Obviously, he could not! Therefore, Christians and unbelievers must be judged at different times according to different standards.
Other reasons for believing in two judgments are scriptures that say that our sins are forgiven (COL 2:13, 1JO 1:9, 1JO 2:12), covered (PSA 32:1, PSA 85:2, ROM 4:7), blotted out (ISA 43:25, ACT 3:19), remembered no more (JER 31:34, HEB 8:12, HEB 10:17), made white as snow (ISA 1:18), removed as far as the east is from the west (PSA 103:12), never mentioned again (EZE 33:16), and not charged against the blessed (ROM 4:8). These passages and others in the Bible imply that Christians will be rewarded for their good works but never punished for their sins[11]. How then can the forgiven be judged on the same basis as the unforgiven -- those who certainly will be punished for their sins? Obviously, they cannot be! So there must be two judgments, one for the Christian and one for the non-Christian.
Perhaps there are other reasons for believing in two judgments, but in order to obtain Biblical support for such a belief, one must consider scriptures outside the book of Revelation.[12] This procedure presents no problem for people who admittedly derive their beliefs from the integration of ALL scriptures. But if Revelation is a complete description of the end times, as harmonism asserts, then there is a problem -- a major problem.
You see, Revelation clearly mentions two resurrections (20:5-6,12-13) and two deaths (21:8), but just as clearly it mentions only one judgment; namely, the great white throne judgment that occurs immediately after the resurrection of the dead following the end of the world (20:11-15). In one or the other of the parallel passages describing this event, Revelation says that the dead, small and great, stand in judgment (20:12), everyone is judged (20:13), and the saints, small and great, are rewarded. Therefore, the Harmony of Revelation indicates that both the saved and the lost are judged according to their works at the same time and place, while standing before the great white throne of God.
But how can a just God possibly evaluate both Christians and non-Christians according to the same standard without condemning some backslidden Christians to hell and admitting some non-Christians into heaven?
Actually, it is precisely because God IS a just God that he MUST judge everyone according to the same standard. To use a double standard at this time would be the epitome of injustice. And even though Christians may tend to overlook this fact, those individuals who are facing eternal damnation certainly will not.
Indeed, they will demand justice. They will insist that, if this judgment is based on works, then it must be based on ALL works, both good and bad, and it must apply equally to everyone, both Christian and non-Christian. They will say that no just God can ignore one person's sin while holding another accountable for the same sin, or reward one person for a good work while denying another the same reward for the same work -- not if the rewards are based upon works and if justice is to prevail.
And God, being a just God, will agree. In fact, the Bible states explicitly that Christians will be judged not only for their good deeds, but also for their bad deeds (1CO 5:10). It also says that everyone must give an account of both idle words and evil deeds when they stand before God at the judgment seat of Christ (MAT 12:36-37, ROM 14:10-12).
It is precisely because God is a God of justice that the judgment must be based on works and nothing else. Heaven knows there is no justice in this life. So if there be any justice at all under God's administration, it must occur after death. Somehow, some way, people simply must receive what they have earned, pay what they owe, get what they deserve, and be rewarded for their deeds.
To be honest, the first time I encountered this concept of judgment, I found it to be more than a little disturbing. Like many of you, I had been taught that the judgment of Christians was going to be nothing but a joyous occasion. So, naturally, I tended to look forward to the time of judgment. But now I'm not so sure.
Oh, I am sure that, even when judged according to both bad and good deeds, there will be some Christians who will shine like the stars as their rewards mount up to heaven. But I doubt very seriously that I will be one of those Christians.
I am also sure that the works of other Christians will be shown for what they really are: stubble, fit only to be consumed by the fire of truth (1CO 3:15). So I doubt very seriously that such unproductive Christians will perceive the judgment as an enjoyable awards ceremony, in spite of the fact that they are saved. To them, the judgment will be a humiliating experience in which they stand naked before God and all mankind with nothing to show for their salvation.
And I am also sure that my own righteousness is like filthy rags in the sight of God (ISA 64:6), and that any real good that I ever accomplish will be the result of Christ working through me (HEB 13:20-21). Therefore, when I think of judgment day all I can say is, "God help me not to be a totally unproductive Christian." I can only imagine what it would feel like to stand before a multitude of lost souls who, in their own strength, were able to live a life more righteous than I, even though I had the assistance of the Holy Spirit available for the asking.
Yes, I know that no one is righteous. But I also know that better men than I have condemned themselves to an eternity in hell by refusing to accept the grace that God has freely offered. So I hope that, by God's grace, I will be able to live a life that includes at least some works that will stand in this day of judgment.
Therefore, knowing full well that I must eventually give an account of my stewardship (LUK 12:42-48), I urge myself to work harder for the Lord and run a good race (1CO 9:24, HEB 12:1). Nevertheless, I am not overly concerned about judgment day because I know that on that day a lot of people, myself included, are going to be surprised at the result.
Those Christians who have served Christ with the proper motive will be surprised at the number of good deeds they have actually accomplished (MAT 25:37). Some professing Christians who have actually performed miracles in the name of Christ will be shocked to learn they never were saved (MAT 7:21-23).[13] And unrepentant sinners who have tried to earn their salvation will be shocked at the number of evil deeds they have done (MAT 25:44).
These surprises are a consequence of the fact that none of us today can judge ourselves properly (JOH 8:15-16). However, on judgment day every hidden secret will be revealed and God's righteous justice will be made manifest to all (1CO 4:3-5). Now we see ourselves only through a dirty mirror, but then we will understand even as we are understood (1CO 13:12). So, on that day, we all will know what true justice is and, one way or another, we will be rewarded for our deeds, both good and bad.
Exactly how this is to be accomplished, the Bible doesn't say. But it does say that the consequences of our actions will follow us into eternity. In fact, Christ himself said the righteous will not lose their reward (MAT 10:42, MAR 9:41) but have treasures and rewards in heaven (MAT 5:12, MAT 6:19-21, LUK 6:23). He also said there will be various levels of condemnation in hell (MAR 12:38-40).
Perhaps the reward or punishment is simply a matter of our newly found awareness. During the judgment process the books will be opened, the facts will speak for themselves, and every hidden secret will be revealed (LUK 12:2-3). Deeds, motives, circumstances, attitudes, and actions all will be taken into account. And EVERYONE will see and EVERYONE will understand. Excuses will be empty. Self-delusion will be impossible.
Those who have been faithful servants of Christ will hear him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." And this awareness that a Christian has pleased his master is a treasure he can prize forever. Conversely, the Christian whose works are nothing but stubble (1CO 3:11-15) will have no such memories to cherish.
Similarly, those sinners who were most evil will remain aware of that fact and regret that awareness forever, while those who have committed fewer sins will have fewer such memories and hold fewer regrets.
But whether the rewards and punishment we take with us are a consequence of our expanded sense of awareness or something entirely different, one thing is certain: By the time the judgment is over no one will wonder about the quantity or quality of his works. Everyone will know exactly the worth of his works in the sight of God. And everyone will understand that no one, absolutely NO ONE, is worthy of salvation based upon his works (EPH 2:8-9). All will understand that no amount of extra effort in doing good can compensate for past attitudes of rebellion against God (ROM 3:23).
They will also understand that everyone, without exception, deserves to go to hell and spend eternity separated from God. And they will fully understand that everyone has sinned (ROM 3:23), that the wages of sin is death (ROM 6:23), that justice demands the sin-debt be paid[14], and that Jesus has already paid the debt of sin (1JO 2:2) for everyone who would trust and obey him (JOH 3:16, MAT 7:21).
In short, Christ went through hell so we would not have to. His substitutionary payment for our sin-debt fulfilled the demands of justice. And because justice has been fulfilled, grace can be bestowed. God can freely give to those whom he chooses a better life than they deserve.[15]
Therefore, the only question remaining at the end of the Day of Judgment is whether or not a person has been chosen by God to inherit eternal life. The answer to this question is found in the book of life.
The book of life is different from all the other books used to judge mankind. All the other books contain records of good and bad deeds. And all the other books are used to administer justice by rewarding people according to the works they have accomplished in this life.
But the book of life contains no record of deeds accomplished nor of works performed. It simply contains names -- the names of those who are destined to inherit eternal life.
There is no semblance of justice or moral evaluation associated with the opening of the book of life. Therefore, there is no correlation or connection between the rewards one receives for his works and the destiny one receives from the book of life. There is no arbitrary line drawn in the good-works continuum such that everyone judged above that line goes to heaven and everyone judged below that line goes to hell. If there were, then without a doubt, some moral sinners would enter heaven before other immoral saints.
But the criteria for entering heaven is not how your good works stack up against others', it is whether or not your name is written in the book of life. And according to Revelation 3:4-5 a person's name is contained in the book of life if he is a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. This means that he has acknowledged his sin, repented of his rebellion, and voluntarily submitted to the Lordship of Christ[16].
Therefore, those people who do not voluntarily submit to the tugging of the Holy Spirit -- those who are too concerned about themselves and this life to seek the will of God, who refuse to listen even to their own conscience, who reject the testimonies of others, who are too proud to repent, or who continue to rebel against the truth revealed in the Bible -- those people will not find their names written in the book of life when it is opened on judgment day.
By refusing to submit voluntarily to God in this life, they shall have demonstrated that they would not voluntarily do so in the next. By rejecting God in this life, they shall have condemned themselves to an eternity without God in the next. Therefore, they will go to the only place in the eternal universe where God does not abide -- the place prepared for Satan and his angels -- the lake of fire -- hell.
Of course, almost everyone condemned to hell would rather submit to God in heaven than to Satan in hell. But they have already demonstrated in this life that if they were allowed any freedom of choice in heaven they would choose their own will rather than God's. So the only way good could prevail in heaven with such people present is for God to spend eternity ruling with a "rod of iron" just as he is doing during this period of judgment.
But God has no desire or intention of spending eternity imposing his will upon a multitude of unwilling subjects.[17] Furthermore, heaven would not be heaven if he did!
What makes heaven heaven is not its location, but the love and harmony that permeates the beings that live there. Such cooperation and compassion could not prevail among beings who are reluctant to submit to the will of God; therefore no one who rejects the wooing of the Holy Spirit can be admitted. Such people must go to the only place left -- hell -- where they can spend eternity submitting to Satan, the master they have chosen in this life to obey.
During the Day of Judgment emotions, undoubtedly, will run high, ranging from indescribable joy to unbearable sorrow. For example, when faithful Christians receive their eternal rewards, the rejoicing is certain to mount up to the limits of ecstasy. But when the lost are condemned to their eternal fate, sorrow will surely plunge down to the depths of despair.
Since Judgment Day ends with the second death, as hopeless souls are cast alive into the lake of eternal fire (20:14-15), I doubt seriously that anyone is going to leave the scene with a truly happy heart. Certainly, the lost will not be happy about going to their fate. Nor will God be happy about sending them there (2PE 3:9). Nor will Christians be happy to see their relatives, friends, and neighbors cast into hell -- especially if they have failed in their responsibility to witness to them.
Oh, the Day of Judgment will end with weeping and gnashing of teeth, all right. And no one with a compassionate heart will leave the scene with dry eyes.
[1]1600 furlongs corresponds to about 180 miles or almost 300 kilometers!
[2]Revelation 16:21 says that every hail stone weighs about a talent. Depending upon which ancient unit of measurement was intended, this means that each hail stone could weigh anywhere from about 40 pounds to 108 pounds, or have a mass of about 20 kg to 50 kg.
[3]You will recall, for example, that the Antichrist is associated with two of the days of Revelation (Wednesday and Thursday) just as Christ is associated with two days (Monday and Friday), while the other three days are associated with God the Father (Sunday), God the Spirit (Tuesday), and the Triune Godhead (Saturday). All of this will be discussed in greater detail when we get to Chapter 11.
[4]The Greek word translated "hell" in this passage of the King James Version of the Bible refers to Hades, the place of the dead, not to Gehenna, the place of eternal torment. Therefore, this passage simply says the dead were brought back from wherever they had been waiting for judgment. It does not say that some of the dead are sent to a place of torment, then brought back to be judged, and then returned to a place of torment.
[5]They are given white robes like other Christians but impatiently await God's Judgment upon mankind.
[6]In Matthew 22:31-32, Christ himself asserts that immediate resurrection also includes the Old Testament saints when he said, "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
[7]Actually, Revelation never mentions by name any "second resurrection". But it does say that the resurrection of the lost occurs after the "first resurrection", so it seems only appropriate to call this second resurrection the "second resurrection."
[8]More than once Revelation states that the great white throne judgment will be based upon WORKS. This means it will not be based upon BELIEFS, FAITH, LIP SERVICE, or GOOD INTENTIONS. The criteria will not be what you THOUGHT, what you FELT, what you BELIEVED, or what you INTENDED TO DO, but simply upon WHAT YOU DID.
[9]The Judgment of Christians is sometimes called the "Bema-seat Judgment."
[10]The Judgment of the lost is usually called the "Great White Throne Judgment."
[11]Indeed, Christ is the one who bore the punishment for the sins of Christians when he died on the cross (ROM 8:31-36).
[12]Actually, there is not a single scripture in the Bible that mentions two judgments. Therefore, proponents of the two-judgment theory must use multiple scriptures and indirect arguments to justify their beliefs.
[13]Such people should not be surprised because the Bible tells people how they can know for sure whether or not they are really saved. See Chapter 14 Footnote 12 for a further discussion of this topic.
[14]If there had been any other way to pay our sin-debt, Jesus would not have had to die on the cross (MAT 26:39).
[15]Notice that no one, not even those going to hell, are deprived of the good rewards they have earned. Everyone receives all the blessings they deserve. But Christians receive more blessings than they deserve because God has the right to bless whomever he chooses however he chooses (MAT 20:1-16).
[16]Yes, during the judgment period everybody, including the lost, will admit their sins, be sorry they rebelled, and submit to the Lordship of Christ. But these admissions, sorrows, and submissions are not voluntary acts, they are simply statements of undeniable facts.
[17]That's Satan's character, not God's.