THE GREAT WHITE THRONE
THESIS: THE SHOCKING REALITY OF AN ETERNAL HELL!
TEXT: Rev. 20:11-15
ILLUS.: The atheists, agnostics, evolutionists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientists, New Agers, intellectuals, scientists, and all other “no hellers” realize that what they perhaps thought was only a temporary “purgatory” is in reality, an eternal lake of tormenting literal fire! They will also realize that the one who deceived them has now become a permanent resident.
A. The Awesome Scene: vv.11,12a
1. A terrible force: v.11
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2. A terrifying Figure: v.11
a. While the galaxies explode and a universal conflagration is set in motion, this gigantic (Great) White (purity, holiness) Throne (sovereignty, omnipotence) appears, and along with it Someone even more awesome appears, and it is from His face that everything decides to flee!
b. Since we are told in several places in the N.T. that all judgment is given unto the Son, this is undoubtedly our Savior (with all the power and authority of the Father given unto Him), and now He is no longer manifest as the Lamb, but as He is in truth “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Col. 2:9
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son…
ILLUS.: 🔸Some say they will be disappointed if they don’t get to see the Father in heaven. Believe me, when we see the Son in all His majesty, glory, sovereignty, and awesome power and Person, it will be more than we can handle!
🔸Back in chapter 4 when a throne showed up, there was a rainbow surrounding it (speaking of God’s grace) and the One Who sat on it was like a Lamb in its gentleness, because there He was ministering to His own. Here He is about to judge all those who rejected Him and His love for them.
3. A tightening fear: v.12a
a. We have previously learned of a “first resurrection” which included the saved, but nothing was said then about this “second resurrection” of the lost.
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
b. They just suddenly show up to keep the 2nd part of their appointment with God.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…
c. You can only imagine the fear squeezing their hearts now that they see Him as Judge; they have already experienced something of His power in Hell, but now the truth about their wickedness and unbelief is about to be exposed and they will have to kneel before Him and agree with their eternal punishment!
4. A tragic fellowship: v.12b
a. We have all heard jokes of the unsaved about being with their friends in hell, but now God peels away the “humor” and the stark and devastating reality set in.
b. The “small and great” will appear together – there is no class, racial, or sexual distinction here.
c. People who would have nothing to do with each other on earth will appear together, stripped of all their social, financial, racial, and ethnic distinctions and stand naked before Him in their rotted “filthy rags” of the self-righteousness and good works which they were deceived into believing would keep them from hell.
B. The Awe-inspiring Scrolls: v.12b
1. The book of life: v.12 & 15
a. Some believe that at birth (or conception!) everyone’s name is recorded in the book of life and that after the age of accountability, and later, final rejection of the Savior, the name is removed.
b. One thing is absolutely certain – if your name isn’t found there – at the Great White Throne Judgment, your soul is irrevocably lost! No one’s name is inserted at that time! TOO LATE!
NOTE: It is possible that the believers still living on the Millennial earth along with any believers who have died during the Millennium may also appear at this time. Their names would be found in the “book of life” so they would not be judged out of the “books of works.”
2. The books of works:
a. Some have suggested that these “books” are the records stored in our own brains and now replayed for all the universe to view, so that God will be just in His judgment and men will be judged by the records they themselves have kept.
b. Obviously since God is omnipotent He doesn’t need books to remind Him of anything, so whatever these records are, they are for the universe, not for Him.
Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
QUOTE: Philipps, Exploring Revelation “Nothing can save the man who is determined to stand on his record; who insists, ‘I’m doing the best I can.’ Judgment is always according to works. Salvation is always by faith. The sinner can ask God for a free pardon or demand a fair trial based on his works. If he prefers a trial it will land him in the lake of fire! His works will send him there!”
C. The Awful Summons: v.13
1. A gruesome ‘resurrection’ –
a. Those in the ‘sea’ come out first, i.e., when the earth and heaven are blasted away the ‘sea’ goes with it, and there they are: those buried in Noah’s flood, those buried at sea, those drowned, etc. - out come their “bodies” to be reunited with their pitiful souls.
b. Then “death and hell” deliver up their corruption to stand before the Almighty Creator of the universe.
Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
D. The Abysmal Sentence: vv.14,15
1. The second death:
a. Death (the believer’s last enemy) is cast into the lake of fire, but unfortunately one death is only replaced by another or ‘second death’ for the lost.
b. Hell (the temporary holding place for unsaved souls) is cast into the lake of fire (the permanent place of torment for the unsaved dead).
NOTE: 🔸Though in His mercy for us now, the Lord doesn’t give any further details of this horrible place. He has given sufficient warnings throughout His holy record. Here is just the naked narrative, the bare sentence.
🔸Nothing is said about the location of this “lake of fire.” It is not located on planet earth, since the earth has “fled away.” It cannot be on the new earth for that will be the home of the Lord God Almighty (Rev. 21:22). Some have suggested the location of a distant star (stars are literal lakes of fire), and scientists tell us that some stars burn without giving off light in the visible part of the spectrum – eternal darkness.
TEXT: Rev. 20:11-15
ILLUS.: The atheists, agnostics, evolutionists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientists, New Agers, intellectuals, scientists, and all other “no hellers” realize that what they perhaps thought was only a temporary “purgatory” is in reality, an eternal lake of tormenting literal fire! They will also realize that the one who deceived them has now become a permanent resident.
A. The Awesome Scene: vv.11,12a
1. A terrible force: v.11
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2. A terrifying Figure: v.11
a. While the galaxies explode and a universal conflagration is set in motion, this gigantic (Great) White (purity, holiness) Throne (sovereignty, omnipotence) appears, and along with it Someone even more awesome appears, and it is from His face that everything decides to flee!
b. Since we are told in several places in the N.T. that all judgment is given unto the Son, this is undoubtedly our Savior (with all the power and authority of the Father given unto Him), and now He is no longer manifest as the Lamb, but as He is in truth “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Col. 2:9
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son…
ILLUS.: 🔸Some say they will be disappointed if they don’t get to see the Father in heaven. Believe me, when we see the Son in all His majesty, glory, sovereignty, and awesome power and Person, it will be more than we can handle!
🔸Back in chapter 4 when a throne showed up, there was a rainbow surrounding it (speaking of God’s grace) and the One Who sat on it was like a Lamb in its gentleness, because there He was ministering to His own. Here He is about to judge all those who rejected Him and His love for them.
3. A tightening fear: v.12a
a. We have previously learned of a “first resurrection” which included the saved, but nothing was said then about this “second resurrection” of the lost.
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
b. They just suddenly show up to keep the 2nd part of their appointment with God.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…
c. You can only imagine the fear squeezing their hearts now that they see Him as Judge; they have already experienced something of His power in Hell, but now the truth about their wickedness and unbelief is about to be exposed and they will have to kneel before Him and agree with their eternal punishment!
4. A tragic fellowship: v.12b
a. We have all heard jokes of the unsaved about being with their friends in hell, but now God peels away the “humor” and the stark and devastating reality set in.
b. The “small and great” will appear together – there is no class, racial, or sexual distinction here.
c. People who would have nothing to do with each other on earth will appear together, stripped of all their social, financial, racial, and ethnic distinctions and stand naked before Him in their rotted “filthy rags” of the self-righteousness and good works which they were deceived into believing would keep them from hell.
B. The Awe-inspiring Scrolls: v.12b
1. The book of life: v.12 & 15
a. Some believe that at birth (or conception!) everyone’s name is recorded in the book of life and that after the age of accountability, and later, final rejection of the Savior, the name is removed.
b. One thing is absolutely certain – if your name isn’t found there – at the Great White Throne Judgment, your soul is irrevocably lost! No one’s name is inserted at that time! TOO LATE!
NOTE: It is possible that the believers still living on the Millennial earth along with any believers who have died during the Millennium may also appear at this time. Their names would be found in the “book of life” so they would not be judged out of the “books of works.”
2. The books of works:
a. Some have suggested that these “books” are the records stored in our own brains and now replayed for all the universe to view, so that God will be just in His judgment and men will be judged by the records they themselves have kept.
b. Obviously since God is omnipotent He doesn’t need books to remind Him of anything, so whatever these records are, they are for the universe, not for Him.
Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
QUOTE: Philipps, Exploring Revelation “Nothing can save the man who is determined to stand on his record; who insists, ‘I’m doing the best I can.’ Judgment is always according to works. Salvation is always by faith. The sinner can ask God for a free pardon or demand a fair trial based on his works. If he prefers a trial it will land him in the lake of fire! His works will send him there!”
C. The Awful Summons: v.13
1. A gruesome ‘resurrection’ –
a. Those in the ‘sea’ come out first, i.e., when the earth and heaven are blasted away the ‘sea’ goes with it, and there they are: those buried in Noah’s flood, those buried at sea, those drowned, etc. - out come their “bodies” to be reunited with their pitiful souls.
b. Then “death and hell” deliver up their corruption to stand before the Almighty Creator of the universe.
Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
D. The Abysmal Sentence: vv.14,15
1. The second death:
a. Death (the believer’s last enemy) is cast into the lake of fire, but unfortunately one death is only replaced by another or ‘second death’ for the lost.
b. Hell (the temporary holding place for unsaved souls) is cast into the lake of fire (the permanent place of torment for the unsaved dead).
NOTE: 🔸Though in His mercy for us now, the Lord doesn’t give any further details of this horrible place. He has given sufficient warnings throughout His holy record. Here is just the naked narrative, the bare sentence.
🔸Nothing is said about the location of this “lake of fire.” It is not located on planet earth, since the earth has “fled away.” It cannot be on the new earth for that will be the home of the Lord God Almighty (Rev. 21:22). Some have suggested the location of a distant star (stars are literal lakes of fire), and scientists tell us that some stars burn without giving off light in the visible part of the spectrum – eternal darkness.