The Other Half of the Gospel

November 23, 2020

The Other Half of the Gospel

Revelation 20:11–15

Janet Pope

Central Truth

At the end of human history, all unbelievers will be judged for their deeds and face eternal punishment. Those who have been rescued by Jesus must go and rescue others from this terrifying scene.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

This is not the passage we will likely bring up at Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, it's one of those dreaded passages we avoid altogether. The image of a lake of fire terrifies us and makes God appear vindictive, unloving, and cruel.

But we forget that the coming judgment is one half of the gospel. If we accept John 3:16 as true, then the flip side of the verse is, whoever does not believe in Jesus will perish and will not have eternal life. If there is no coming judgment, we don't need a Savior to take our punishment.

The Apostle John describes the vision he was given—a final judgment of unbelievers at the end of human history. The Great White Throne is the culmination of all the warnings in Scripture that one day all will give an account for their life. And it is the answer to all the human cries for justice in the world.

When the books are opened, the record of all deeds will be exposed and examined (Ecclesiastes 12:14). The deeds of the dead reflect the choices they made—the true measure of their hearts. Each one deserves condemnation because each one stands guilty. All fall short of God's impeccable standard (Isaiah 64:6, NIV).

The Book of Life then opens as a final confirmation (Revelation 21:27). The names listed in the Book of Life are spared judgment because a substitute took their place. On the cross Jesus took the wrath of God, so that all who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life. The fate of all the others will be the lake of fire—the place of eternal torment.

We cringe at this horrific scene. We shudder. But let's remind ourselves that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). And He has commissioned us to go and snatch people from the fire (Matthew 28:18-20; Jude 23).

We trust that God will keep His promise of eternal life. And we should also expect that He will keep His promise of eternal condemnation. It's the other half of the gospel.

1. How can we fight the temptation to soften this unpopular teaching of eternal punishment? How can we encourage each other in this struggle?

2. Can we be certain that our name is written in the Book of Life? What Scriptures give us assurance?

3. What steps can we take this week to reach out to someone who seems to be headed toward the Great White Throne?