Learn what will happen during the tribulation period from beginning to end
Your comments and questions are always welcome. To send comments and questions please click here to go to our main page September 4, 1999 Revelation 20:12 describes a time of final judgment for those who are lost. "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."
Here, each person who has ever lived (who is lost) will be judged individually based upon his or her works. It will not be to determine if they are good enough to get into heaven. Those how have accepted Christ have already received their rewards and are in heaven. This judgment will determine the severity of eternal torment for those who did not receive Christ. You may ask, can anything be more severe than eternal damnation, and to be cast into a lake of fire? I don't know, but I do know that everyone who does not know Jesus as Lord will be cast into the lake of fire and their torment will be determined by the degree of their wickedness. Take a look at the following verses: "Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." (Matthew 11:20-24) This clearly states that at the judgment there will definitely be those who will receive a more severe sentence then others.
As stated in an earlier article, there will be at least three books that will determine the severity of punishment. The Book of Life is the book that records everyone who has ever lived or ever will live. When one dies in their sins, he/she is blotted out of the book of life. The Book of Standards, which is The Bible, is the book that they must all measure up too. Of course, that will be impossible without Jesus. The Book of Remembrance will be opened and will bring to remembrance every evil deed one has done. The blood will not cover their sin's therefore they will be remembered and they will not measure up. All their evil deeds will be held against them.
"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15)
Scenario Here's the scenario that I see. "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." (Revelation 20:11) Christ will be the final judge because all power has been given unto Him in heaven and in earth from God the Father. We as Christian's will be present, but will not pass sentence at this judgment. Although we will judge the world and angels (I Corinthians 6:2-3) during the millennium, we will have no part in this judgment. "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." (Revelation 20:12-13) Everyone will be judged at the same time and simultaneously (Revelation 20:12). There won't be anyone cursing God or telling Him how unfair He is. I have heard many say that they will give God a piece of there mind or accuse him to His face. But on that fateful day everyone will stand silent and guilty as charged. The knowledge of Christ and His sacrifice will be revealed to them and they will at this time realize the horrible mistake they have made. They will have a change of heart and mind, but it will be to late. Those in hell will be delivered up. They will already know the truth and some for thousands of years. How do I know this? You only need read Luke 16:22-31, the story of the rich man and Lazarus, to realize this truth. When the rich man died and lifted up his eyes in hell, he immediately realized he had made an awful mistake. He made no excuses to try to persuade God to let him out or that he did not belong there. I believe the truth was immediately revealed to him upon entering hell leaving him without excuse or hope. You may ask, how do you know this to be true? Let's look at Luke 16:27-31. "Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." This passage tells me that immediately following the death of the rich man, he found himself in hell being tormented and burning in the flames that surrounded him. His immediate desire was that Lazarus dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, for he was in torment. Strangely enough, he did not plead his case, nor exclaim his innocence or declare how unfair God was for sending him to this place. He knew he was guilty and without hope. Realizing his irreversible fate, he then requested that Abraham send Lazarus back from the dead to warn them of this horrible place. Abraham's reply was that they have Moses and the prophets. Then the rich man states something that leads me to believe that his eyes were opened at this time. "And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent." How did he know that the only way to heaven was to repent? I believe that the truth was revealed to him the minute he entered hell, as it will be revealed to those who stand before God at the final judgment. Of course, many will stand before God who have rejected the Gospel, but at the judgment they will have full and complete knowledge. There will be those who will still claim that their works should entitle them to get into heaven (Matthew 7:21-23), but as religious as they maybe, Christ will command them to depart without explanation. I find it peculiar that no explanation was afforded them. This leads me to believe that they were given full knowledge of the truth but still tried to make a case before God. And "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11) "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." (Revelation 20: 12-13) What a horrible moment in time it will be for billions of people. Lost, without hope, and without excuse. There will be much weeping and pleading before the throne for mercy, but the time for mercy will be over. "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15) Yes, judgment will start with the lake of fire. To be cast into a lake of fire is indeed a horrible and final end to anyone's life, but unfortunately, that will only be the beginning of woes for those who do not accept Jesus as Lord. All will suffer in varying degrees beyond the anguish of the lake of fire. What degree I do not know. I do know they will still possess their five senses, as the rich man did in hell, and will still be enslaved to their hang-ups, addictions, and lust without fulfillment. And worst of all their state will be eternal. If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior you can right now! Don't make the same mistake the richman made over two thousand years ago and many others have made since. Don't let satan, the god of this world, fool you any longer. Don't wait another second, for it might be your last. Pray this prayer with me. Jesus, I give to you my life, my worries and my doubts (name them all). I confess my sins (name them) and believe that you have forgiven me of those sins. I believe that you died and rose again to pay the price for my sins. I now turn my life and all areas that continue to entangle me over to you totally and completely. I put my trust in you that you are the author and finisher of my faith. In your name I believe and pray Amen. If you prayed this prayer of salvation and faith please email me or call me at 810-239-8570. I would love to hear about your new life in Christ. And of course, if you have questions, I am always happy to answer them. Pastor Malone