Judgment Day
Revelation 20:11-15
INTRODUCTION
Judgment. Our world today is fascinated by judgment. Judgment is even considered to be entertainment. We have numerous T.V. court shows, sitcoms about judges and judgment, court T.V., and movies galore that feed off of the theme or subject of judgment.
Judgment is something we all will have to endure sooner or later. As humans there are two appointments we will be unable to get out of: death and judgment. The Bible says that it’s appointed unto men once to die, after that the judgment. This does not exclude any one.
If we’re saved then we will undergo the judgment of Christ in which our works are tried by fire, but if we leave this world without Christ then we must face judgment before God at His great white throne.
THEME: WHAT WILL BE INVOLVED IN GOD’S JUDGMENT?
I. IN GOD’S JUDGMENT THERE WILL BE A JUDGE Revelation 20:11
A. There Will Be A Throne
NOTE: This is the throne referred to as the great white throne of judgment.
1. A judge sits on this throne
NOTE: The throne is the symbol for a king or ruler. In times past when there was a legal dispute, the matter would be brought before the king or ruler for judgment.
2. The judge is mighty
a. The earth fled at His presence
b. The heavens fled at His presence
B. A Man Will Not Judge Himself
NOTE: He will think too highly of himself and would not judge fairly
C. Loved Ones Will Not Be The Judge
NOTE: Loved ones will overlook a lot of faults. Proverbs tells us that love covers all sin.
NOTE: A man went over to his neighbor’s house and found him beating on his wife. When he saw the bruises and blood he rushed inside and hit his neighbor saying, “I can’t believe you can treat your wife like that!” The wife then ran into the kitchen, grabbed a broom and said’ “Take your hands off of my husband and leave him alone!” Love can cause blindness.
D. Enemies Won’t Be The Judge
NOTE: He would be prejudiced and would be too quick to condemn no matter what the evidence was.
E. God Will Be The Judge
1. He is infinite in His knowledge
NOTE: There is nothing God does not know. Nothing has ever nor ever will be unknown to God.
2. Nothing can be hidden from Him
T.S. WHAT WILL BE INVOLVED IN GOD’S JUDGMENT?
I. IN GOD’S JUDGMENT THERE WILL BE A JUDGE
II. IN GOD’S JUDGMENT THERE WILL BE THE JUDGED Revelation 20:12-13
A. The Dead Both Great And Small Will Be Judged
B. The Dead Of The Sea Will Be Judged
C. The Dead Of Death And Of Hell Will Be Judged
NOTE: These would included those who went through life as if there were no God; the murderers, the thief, the whoremonger, the liar, the sorcerer, and the plain old out and out sinner.
The one who is a “good person” and feels like God is good for some, but he doesn’t need Him. He’s okay by himself; he doesn’t need God to forgive him will be there.
The “professor of religion, but not possessors of Jesus” will be judged. These are the unsaved church members who played Christian instead of living Christian.
The prideful will be there; those who allowed pride to keep them from receiving Christ. They were too worried about what others would say or think.
And the procrastinators will be there. These are the ones who know they are lost, know they need Jesus, believe in the truth, but kept saying ”next week” until there were no more weeks.
T.S. WHAT WILL BE INVOLVED IN GOD’S JUDGMENT?
I. IN GOD’S JUDGMENT THERE WILL BE THE JUDGE
II. IN GOD’S JUDGMENT THERE WILL BE THE JUDGED
III. IN GOD’S JUDGMENT THERE WILL BE THE JUDGMENT Revelation 20:12-15
NOTE: In a courtroom trial there are always three things present: the evidence, the defense, and the verdict.
A. The Evidence verse 12
1. The books will be used for evidence
a. The book of works
b. The book of life
2. The evidence will be there and will be used to judge
NOTE: Recorded in the books will be every lie told, every evil thought, every act of fornication and/or adultery, thievery, and every other wrong ever been done.
B. The Defense
NOTE: There will be no outside defense available. Every person will stand alone. There will be no accepted alibis. The evidence will be so overwhelming that it will eclipse any defense.
C. The Verdict verses 14-15
1. It’s a verdict of condemnation
2. Whoever’s name is not in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire
NOTE: The Lake of fire is a literal place where the worm dies not and the fire is never quenched. There will be weeping and wailing, gnashing of teeth, and an eternity of torment.
CONCLUSION
God’s judgment is real. It’s appointed unto men once to die then cometh judgment. If you fail to receive Christ as your savior then you will face judgment at God’s great white throne.
At this judgment there will be the judge. This is a righteous judge. There will be no partiality, there will be no more second chances; just honest, righteous judgment.
There will be the judged. These are those without Christ in their life.
There will be the judgments. No alibis will be accepted here. The evidence will be so overwhelming and stacked that it will cause speechlessness. There will be no viable defense. The verdict is condemnation and eternal torment.
There is good news however. The most wonderful news in the world is that Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. The good news is that you don’t have to be judged and sentenced to Hell. You don’t have to remain lost; you don’t have to be condemned. You can be saved right now.
Allow Jesus to come into your life and into your heart tonight. Don’t think you can get by without Him, don’t allow pride to keep you from him, and don’t wait until next week because it may be too late.
