The Final Judgment

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.