This is the fourth article in the series on eschatology and it is one I labor to write. The Great White Throne Judgement at the conclusion of the millennial reign is the appointed time for the unsaved dead of all time to be judged. In Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV, we find the basis for this judgement.  

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who 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, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades (Hell) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Those who have not received the redemptive work of the cross will gather before God for judgment. The reason I have difficulty with this judgement is because I don’t want anyone to be there! I want everyone to understand and receive the gift of salvation through the cross of Calvary.  

According to 2 Peter 3:8-10 NKJV, God feels the say way. “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But all do not repent and there will be a day of reckoning called the Great White Throne Judgment.

At the Great White Throne judgement all who have died without Christ as Savior will stand before God to discuss their life and actions on the earth as recorded in what is called “the book of life.” There will be no excuses for rejecting Christ, only judgement for what a person did using his own intelligence, power, and intellect. How he treated others and how he conformed to the word of God will be considered.

Then he will be judged by his works and will receive punishment in various degrees during eternity. Luke 12:47-48 NKJV, “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”

Revelation 20:11-15 also speaks of death and hades being cast into the lake of fire. This is the result of the Great White Throne Judgement and is often referred to as the second death. Hades is a place or state of departed spirits, often referred to as the dark region of the dead. The grave also refers to the departed spirits awaiting judgement.  

2 Peter 2:4 NKJV, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) — then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.” Once judgement occurs for those who have rejected Christ, God’s plan for redemption, the grave and hades will be cast into the Lake of Fire. According to scripture, the Lake of Fire is the place of eternal separation from God.  

Eternal separation from God is not God’s choice for you.  Reconciliation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is God’s plan for all. Skip the Great White Throne Judgement if at all possible! It’s up to you!