" The Great White Throne ! "

 

Revelation 20:11-15  "And I saw a great white throne, and HIM that sat on it, from WHOSE face the Earth and the Heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before GOD; and the books were opened: and another book was opened which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and Death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire."

     One of the most majestic and, at the same time, the most terrible passages in all of Scripture is the one found in today's text. It is the scene of the Great White Throne judgement of all who died without trusting in GOD's message and offer of salvation. At that time, they are brought before JEHOVAH in order to learn their degree of eternal punishment. This is the judgment of the lost dead, and it follows the glorious millennial reign of the LORD JESUS CHRIST as KING over the whole Earth. The vast throng of all the lost dead of ages past are gathered before JESUS CHRIST, the RIGHTEOUS JUDGE of the Earth. Having rejected the blood of the LAMB (1st.Peter 1:18-19 pictured above) they are now facing "the wrath of the LAMB" (v.15; and Revelation 6:16 also pictured above), for HE it is WHO sits upon the throne with all judgment committed unto HIM by GOD the FATHER (John 5:22 pictured below, 26-27).

     Death, Hades, and the sea give up the dead who are in them, and these resurrected unbelievers are then consigned to the "Lake of Fire" (vv.13-14), which John says "is the second death." From this death is no deliverance. The "Book of Life" is opened so that it is without dispute whether one's name is written therein. Additionally, "the books" are opened in which are recorded all the deeds that every unbeliever has ever done; their punishment in the Lake of Fire will be according to what is written in those books. Two things immediately capture our attention as we contemplate the fate of these doomed souls. First, we should make certain that we, ourselves have believed the Gospel and put our trust solely in JESUS so we are safe "IN CHRIST" (Romans 8:1 pictured below). Second, we should be burdened to be faithful witnesses so that others may hear and be saved. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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