Theme: Resurrection and Rewards
Text: Revelation 20:11-15
Introduction:
We are in the last week of this month and the third Sunday from the resurrection Sunday. We are thinking more about the purpose and aftereffects of the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus Christ affects everyone who believes in Him or not. All were dead and gone. No one rose from the dead except Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:23). So, we are looking into the concept of resurrection. We have seen how Jesus predicted that He would be the “Judge of All” in John 5:22. Job had declared his unquestionable faith in God, “My Redeemer Lives”. Prophet Daniel taught how those who are involved in the mission of redemption with Christ are shining like “New Stars” in the Sky.
Today we are going to see “Resurrection and Rewards for all'' as a Mystery of New Life.
Text: plain reading of this text reveals the following words: John had a vision. Great White throne, All the Dead, great and small, stood before the throne. Books kept open before the throne. Book of Life was kept open. Dead judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Dead was from Death, Hades, and Sea. Lake of Fire.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ has assured all of us new life after death and resurrection. Death is not the end of human life, but it is the beginning of the new era. New life has two dimensions, such as eternal bliss or eternal lake of fire. Earlier this month, we have meditated that there is a day of Judgement, and there is a judge. The Resurrection of Christ has brought a complete turn in the history of the world. Humans thought that they would exist on the earth forever and ever. But the birth of Christ, his crucifixion, and His resurrection have fixed an endpoint to world history.
This morning we will see three things from this passage:
1. People before the White Throne (v. 11-12. a)
2. Books before the White Throne (v. 12. b.-15)
3. Rewards and crowns based on records (v. 12. c. – 15)
Let us see one by one:
I. People before White Throne (v. 11-12. a)
The words "great" and "white" express that it was highly elevated (Isaiah 6:1), "splendid or shining" (1 Kings 10:18-20). The great white throne means the Majestic, glorious appearance of the seat of Judgement. It is the fulfillment of Matthew 25: 31-32 Jesus Christ will come back and will be seated on the White throne. The white throne represents the justice, righteousness, and holiness of God. White throne makes us understand the person who is an Impartial judge.
He is also known as the lamb of God (Revelation 6:16). The Advocate Jesus Christ became the Supreme Judge. This white throne represented the throne of the kingdom of God and the throne of David, of which Peter spoke on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:29-36).
The dead people stood before the Throne of God. The living and the dead have to stand before the throne, whether they are small or significant men, young or old, low and high rank on the earth, poor or rich based on economic status. ‘None are so mean, but they have some talents to account for, and none so great, as to avoid having to account for them’ (Matthew Henry).
II. Books before the white throne (v. 12. b.-15)
The heavens and the earth passed away. All the stars of the sky disappeared and completely vanished. All great things Rolled away from the great white throne. All-natural creation shrinks back with awe at the presence of God. They burnt and dissolved (2 Peter 3:10-11, Psalm 18:7-15, Psalm 77:16-1, Psalm 114:3-5, Habakkuk 3:6, 10-11).
1. Book of Formation: Psalm 139:16 reveals that there is a book which is with God, in which he wrote and designed the formation of the human beings. God inscribed in that book about our creation from the first day to the completion (Psalm 139:13-16).
2. Book of Life: It makes us understand that there is a book that has the names of all the dead. It is also called the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). Rejoice for your names are written in the book of Life (Luke 10:20). All will be delivered if their names are found in the book of Life (Daniel 12:1). The sinners and the trespassers' names will be blot out (Exodus 32:33, Revelation 3:5).
3. Book of Remembrance: Devotions and every holy conversation of saints are recorded in the presence of God (Malachi 3:16–18), every good deed noticed by God (Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41; Luke 6:23; Revelation 22:12). We need to store up treasures of good works in heaven (Matthew 6:20).
4. Book of records or book of Judgement: This book has a record of the sin of men. God marks our iniquities in this book (Psalm 130:3). This book has both good and bad deeds. This book of the sinner's conscience, no more secret but be opened to all. Dead will be judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the heavenly books (Revelation 20:12).
5. Book of the Law/Scriptures: The Torah, Gospel, is the rule book of life for all. It has the Lord's knowledge for his people, and his declaring their repentance, faith, and good works; showing the blessings of the new covenant (Deuteronomy 31:26, Joshua 1:8, 2 Kings 22:8, 2 Chronicles 17:9, Nehemiah 8:8, Galatians 3:10).
III. Rewards based on records (v. 12. c. – 15)
Bible says that there is judgment and rewards according to the deeds. Judgment will be based first on the record of their works, secondly as per the list of names in the book of life (Bridgeway Bible Commentary). “Eternal happiness shall be the reward of the faithful, and everlasting destruction the punishment of the wicked” (Benson Commentary, ref:biblehub.com). By their works men shall be justified or condemned; he will try their principles by their practices (Matthew Henry).
Everyone will appear before Christ at the judgment seat of God and would receive a sentence according to their good and bad deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10). Every man will recollect all his past actions, though he had long forgotten many of them. Where we are going to be, is dependent upon the grace of God. If we are clothed with Christ's righteousness, one day, we will receive rewards for every good work we have accomplished in His name. The Bible lists at least five crowns that will be awarded in heaven.
Rewards/ Crowns:
1. The Victory Crown: which is incorruptible, is awarded for all those who had disciplined their body, mind, emotions, and tuned their senses according to the rule of the Word of God. They are slaves to the love of God than to the love of money and the world (1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Revelation 3:11).
2. Crown of Rejoicing: which will be given to those who have led others to Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19, Philippians 4:1).
3. Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) is given to all those who do good deeds and righteous deeds on the earth. Matthew 10:42 rewards for giving a cup of water to the servants of God. Love your enemies do good to them, then your reward will be great (Luke 6:35). Glory, honor, and peace will be the reward for those who do good (Romans 2:10).
4. Crown of Life: Placed upon those who have endured and triumphed over trial and temptation and persecution, even to the point of martyrdom. They are overcomers (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).
5. Crown of Glory: awarded to the faithful shepherds of the people of God and Christian leaders (1 Peter 5:4).
Conclusion: The resurrection of Christ. Preaching of the Gospel assures there is a judgment day, reward, and eternal life.
