The Great White Throne Judgment

Revelation 20:7–15
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Satan will be released at the end of the Millennium. He will find plenty of followers (v. 8) and produce a worldwide rebellion against Christ. Those who enter the Millennium in their natural bodies will be saved, but they will have children who themselves will grow up to live unusually long lives having children of their own. All will be required to give outward allegiance to Christ who reigns on the throne, but as in every age, He will not compel them to believe in their hearts. Therefore, many will have never turned to Christ for salvation, despite having made an outward profession. Once Satan returns, they will eagerly follow him into rebellion, revealing the true state of their hearts. A perfect environment with proof of God’s existence is not enough to change man’s heart. Satan’s host will converge on Jerusalem, the capital of Christ’s Kingdom. God will act swiftly, sending fire from heaven to devour them. The devil will be cast into the lake of fire to join the beast and false prophets.

Then comes “Great White Throne Judgment“, the purpose of which is to judge the wicked dead. All the righteous dead (Old Testament Saints, the church, and those slain in the Great Tribulation) have been raised before this time. This throne is located neither in heaven nor on earth but in space, as suggested in verse 11, “earth and heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” The judge is Jesus as John 5:22 says the Father has given all judgment into the hands of the Son. The basis for judgment concerns the works of the people (vv. 12-13). The book of life will be opened to show that no name of anyone standing before the throne is written in it. Their crime is rejection of the Savior. Their sentence is to be cast into the lake of fire forever. The death on earth is only temporary. All men will either be resurrected to life eternal or to the lake of fire.

Application

The facts presented in this Scripture are a great motivation for me to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth before it is too late, regardless of the cost.