The Final Judgment
Revelation 20:11-15
(Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday morning, December 29th, 2024)
Several years ago I was invited to attend a Pastor's conference at the North American Mission Board. This trip involved an all expenses paid stay at an upscale hotel in the suburbs of Atlanta. When we arrived at the hotel Randy Hagan stepped forward and presented his information; the attendant said, "Welcome Mr. Hagan, here is the key to your room, enjoy your stay". After this, Sid Nichols stepped forward, presented his information and the attendant said, "Welcome Mr. Nichols, here is the key to your room, enjoy your stay". One by one, fifteen other pastors stepped forward and were welcomed and provided with a key to their suite.
However, when I approached the receptionist and she said, "name please", I stated my name and she searched her records and said, "I'm sorry, your name is not found in the system". I politely asked her to search again, she obliged and then said once more, "I'm sorry, your name is not found in our system". I was certain that my reservations were in order and I was devastated when I heard those words "name not found". In the end things worked out and I was able to enjoy a time of fellowship with some of my brothers in ministry.
Our selected text tells of a situation that is far worse than I experienced in Atlanta. Jesus gave John a glimpse of a time when an innumerable multitude of people will stand in judgement before Jesus Christ. There at the Great White Throne the Lord will open the Book of Life and many people who have lived their lives expecting to be welcomed into Heaven will hear those tragic words "I never knew you, depart from me, you who work iniquity!"
I would like to examine this horrific event and preach on “The Final Judgment". These verses describe the coming Final Judgment where all unbelievers will be punished according to the works they have done and ultimately for their rejection of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 2:5-6 that the lost are currently “storing up wrath against themselves” and that “God will repay each person according to what they have done”.
Every person here, those who are saved and those who are lost will stand before Jesus someday. Hebrews 9:27 says “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”. Knowing that this is a reality should cause us to assess our lives and ensure that our name is written in The Book of Life.
Some may be surprised to know that the judge who sits on the Great White Throne is God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He declared in John 5:22-23 that: “the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” The very One who came so that men and women could escape eternal damnation is the One who will proclaim "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41)
In Matthew 7, Jesus proclaimed that there is a path that leads to destruction. Here in Revelation 20, we see the destruction at the end of that path. Many have traveled this path throughout history and each of them will face this promised destruction.
- Consider if you will the first murderer recorded in the Bible:
1. CAIN - Genesis 4:1-15
Cain was the first-born son of Adam and Eve. He was a man who was angry, self-willed, vengeful, and proud. There came a time when Cain and his brother Abel offered sacrifices to the Lord. Abel's offering was of "the first fruits of his flock". His sacrifice was described as a "more excellent" offering and it was accepted by God. Cain became very jealous and angry and he killed his brother. God confronted Cain and judged his sin. In Genesis 4:13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear". Cain was speaking of the earthly consequences of his sin but tragically he would also face eternal consequences for his sin. Cain's greatest sin was not murder; his greatest sin was rebelling against a Holy God. One day Cain will stand before the Great White Throne and he will be condemned to an eternity in The Lake of Fire.
- The Bible also records the story of:
2. AHAB & JEZEBEL - 1 Kings 21 & 22
Ahab was the first Israelite king to marry a heathen woman. Her name was Jezebel and she worshipped Baal. She greatly influenced Ahab during his reign and together they lead the Children of Israel away from serving and worshipping the LORD.
Furthermore, Ahab and Jezebel were responsible for the death of a man named Naboth. Jezebel also caused great trouble for God's prophet Elijah. God informed Ahab that the dogs would lick his blood in the very location where Naboth had died. (1 Kings 21:19). This prophecy was fulfilled and Ahab died a gruesome death.
Many years later Jezebel was thrown from the window of her palace and she landed on the ground and her blood spattered against the wall. Jehu rode over to where she lay and trampled her body under his horses’ hooves. When the men went out to bury her all that was left was her skull, her feet, and her hands. Ahab and Jezebel lived very wicked lives, they died horrible deaths, and they are both in Hell today! Moreover, a day is coming when they will stand before Christ and face a fate more horrific than anything they have seen thus far. They will be cast into the eternal Lake of Fire.
- In the New Testament we are told of a man named:
3. HEROD THE GREAT - Matthew 2
Satan used Herod in an attempt to kill the Christ when He was just a baby. The king feared losing his power and prestige so he sent the Magi to go and find the baby. Herod’s intention was to kill Jesus when they found Him. When his initial plan failed he sent out an order to kill the male children in Bethlehem that were 2 years old and younger. Once again, Herod failed in his attempt to destroy the Christ. However, he continued to reign and lived a very wicked life. One day he will stand before that King that he tried to destroy and He will hear The King of kings say, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire".
- The New Testament also records the details concerning the life of:
4. THE RICH MAN - Luke 16
In Luke 16 Jesus told the story of a "rich man" who died and went to Hell. He was tormented in the flames and desired a single drop of water to cool his tongue. That man is still in hell today and one day he will stand at the Great White Throne and receive an eternal sentence that is worse than anything he has endured thus far.
- It was also Jesus who told us about:
5. THE RICH YOUNG RULER - Matthew 19:16-22
A wealthy young ruler came to Jesus and inquired as to how to receive eternal life. Jesus gave him the opportunity to be saved but that young man loved the things of this world and his possessions too much to turn from them. He came close to eternal life but in the end he rejected Jesus. One day he will stand before Him again and Jesus will reject Him!
- Even one of the Lord’s own Disciples will stand before Him and be cast into the Lake of Fire. I am referring to:
6. JUDAS ISCARIOT - Mark 14:10-11
Judas was a man who had some amazing opportunities. He was numbered with the 12 Disciples. He heard the message Jesus preached and He saw the miracles that He performed. He had every opportunity to be saved but he betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver. As a result of his actions he went out and hung himself. One day he will stand before his former Master and hear the words "I never knew you, depart from me!" Yes Jesus "knew" Judas during His earthly ministry but Judas did not know Jesus in the free pardon of sin. As a result Judas will spend eternity in the torments of the Lake of Fire.
- There is another villain of the New Testament that will stand before the Lord at the Great White Throne and his name is:
7. PONTIUS PILATE - Mark 15:15
Jesus was sent to stand before Pilate and after questioning Him, Pilate proclaimed "I find no fault in this man". However, because he feared facing the ire of the Jews, Pilate had Jesus scourged and crucified. One day he will answer for his rejection of the Savior. At the Great White Throne he will be sentenced to an eternity in The Lake of Fire!
- Along with Pilate will be the members of:
8. THE ANGRY CROWD - Mark 15:12-14
Before Jesus was crucified Pilate gave the crowd that was assembled a choice. They could have seen Jesus freed but they cried out “crucify Him!” They chose a robber and a murderer over the Sinless Son of God. But at the Final Judgment the members of that crowd will bow and confess that Christ is the Lord! They will receive the just reward of their deeds.
- Another example of one who rejected Christ is:
9. THE THIEF ON THE CROSS
Luke 23:39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
There were two thieves crucified on either side of Jesus. One was saved as he hung on his cross and He is in Heaven today. Tragically, the criminal on the other side of Jesus continues to reject Him and even blasphemed Him. He did not realize it then, but one day he will know that Jesus is the Christ! When he comes to such a realization it will be too late; Jesus will look at him and say, “depart from me!”
There are many, many other examples of men and women in the Bible who will stand before Jesus and be condemned at the Final Judgment. There are countless others throughout history who will be there as well.
I doubt that anyone would argue against Adolf Hitler being condemned throughout eternity. That evil monster was responsible for the deaths of an estimated 11 million people (including 6 million Jews). He was a man of great power an authority and one who desired to be worshipped and obeyed. Clearly he was one of the evilest people to ever live. On that great judgment day Adolf Hitler will stand before the Savior and he will see Who really is ALL POWERFUL and he will be cast into the eternal Lake of Fire.
The same could be said about Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden. But do not get the idea that only wicked kings, evil rulers and sadistic dictators will stand at the Great White Throne. Some of the greatest people in the history of the world will stand before Christ on that day! Some of our most and beloved Presidents will be there. Some of the most benevolent Kings from days gone by will be there. Good, moral, and charitable religious and political figures will be there.
Unrepentant Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees, and Herodians will be there. Catholics and Protestants will be there. Jews and Gentiles will be there. Cultists and Baptists will be there. Charismatics and Evangelicals will be there. Calvinists and Arminians will be there. Religious and non-religious will be there. Reprobates and respected people will be there. On that day there will be people from every nation, tribe, religion and denomination present at the Throne. All who die without Christ as their Savior will stand before Him at the Final Judgment.
Again I remind you that Hebrews 9:27 says that "it is appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgment". This is an appointment that you will not miss! If you die without Christ you will go to a place called hell. You will be tormented day and night until you are summoned to appear at the Great White Throne. When you arrive the books (including the book of life) will be opened. You will be judged according to those things that are written in the books, according to your works. Ultimately you will be condemned to an eternity in The Lake of Fire.
One of the saddest realities of the Great White Throne is the fact that many religious people, including people who professed to be Christians will be there! Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’.
Church membership, baptism, good works, clean living, ceremonies and rituals will not be enough on that day. The only thing that will matter is whether or not your name is written in "The Book of Life". The names recorded in that Book are the names of those who repented and believed in Jesus Christ!
There are people in this assembly who will approach this Holy Throne expecting to be received by Jesus. Imagine the scene as you stand before Jesus as He searches the Book. You are waiting for Him to smile and welcome you. You know that you were a “good person”, you prayed that prayer, you believed, and you served. Jesus looks up from the book and says, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’.” You beg and plead with Him one more time; because He is merciful He searches again. He looks up and you hear the words - “Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41)
You are still pleading, there must be a mistake; I am one of yours! Then you begin to feel the flames of the lake of fire at your feet. You are screaming and pleading. You know that this is the end and you are filled with regret. You are filled with the horror that the torments of this fire are eternal. The most horrible fact of this Lake of Fire is that it didn’t have to happen. The very one who is on this Great White throne made a way for you to escape this torment but you refused to surrender.
Knowing that The Final Judgment is a reality, are you certain that your name is written in the Book of Life? Or will you be one who hears the words "depart from me"? Never forget the sobering revelation that is recorded in Revelation 20:15, “anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Repent and believe in Jesus while there is still time.
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