THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

MEMORY VERSE: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

TEXT: Revelation 20:11-15

In every sphere of life, it is in the nature of all human beings to err.  It is common to see youths in our schools, houses and environment being caned, rebuked or punished. Some other youths are even tried in the Juvenile Courts for offences and sentenced to different kinds of punishment. Guilty youths in our world today are always given some punishments when caught. This shows that the subject of judgment is not strange to us. With God, things are not different. 

Question 1: What do you understand by "The White Throne Judgment"?

In God's plan for the world, He will judge all those who reject His words, love and mercy. This great judgment which will come upon the disobedient is called "The Great White Throne Judgment". This is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible which anyone who neglects, do so at his own peril. This doctrine opens our eyes to the time when all wicked and ungodly people (from the age of accountability)  including youths, who reject the salvation of God will be judged and sentenced to eternal, unending punishment. 

JUDGMENTS IN THE SCRIPTURES (Isaiah 53:4-11; John 3:15-18; 1 Corinthians 11:31, 32; 2 Corinthians 5:10,11; Jeremiah 30:3-7; Matthew 25:31-46; Jude 6)

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). From this passage, it is clear that judgment is certain for all men. However, contrary to general assumptions, saints and sinners will not be judged at the same time. The judgement of God will be separate for different classes of people. The Lord God has always been just in His judgments: condemning the guilty and acquitting the innocent. Examples of judgments in scriptures include those lived during the time of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah and Korah's company. God does not change.  His judgment remains the same today as it was in time past.  The guilty will be judged as God will keep to the same principle. "…For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous" (Psalms 125:3)

Question 2: Why will believers not be judged like the sinners?

At the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ became the substitute for sinners. Everyone who believes in Him, by virtue of His death have been judged for their sins (Isaiah 53:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 3:18). "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1,2).

Question 3: Mention the various judgments found in scriptures. Support your answers with references?

There are different forms of judgment in Scripture. The first type of judgment we have in scriptures is when the repenting sinner personally exercises saving faith in the sacrifice of Christ and accept Him as Saviour. That person becomes judged and declared justified. "Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after" (1 Timothy 5:24). Then, as the believing youth lives the Christian life, he daily judges (or examines) himself in the light of God's word (1 Corinthians 11:31, 32; 1 John 1:7). This is the second type of judgment. Failure in this type of judgment will result in suffering or chastisement (Hebrews 12:5-11). The third type of judgment will be experienced also by believers at the "Bema" seat of Christ (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10,11; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; Revelation 22:12).This will be after the Rapture and the purpose will be to distribute rewards for the works done by all believers while on earth. In this third type of judgment, none will be condemned since all will be believers, but all believers shall be rewarded based on how they have utilized their talents in the work of the Lord.

The other types of judgment will be with the intent of punishing sin. These include the judgment of Israel during the Great Tribulation (Ezekiel 20:33-44; Jeremiah 30:3-11; Matthew 24:4-25) and the judgment of the (living) nations at the Second Advent (Matthew 25:31-46). Israel will be judged (for her many centuries of rebellion against God) by the cruel hand of the Antichrist. At the end of the ordeal, "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26) as they shall "look upon me whom they have pierced" (Zechariah 12:10). The nations of the earth will be gathered before the heavenly Judge to be accepted or rejected depending on their attitude towards Christ now (John 1:11; Romans 9:5). That is the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46). The judgment of angels for rebellion against God is identifiable as a sixth type of judgment in Scriptures (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6, 7). The seventh is the final judgment and is known as the Great White Throne Judgment.

THE GREAT, TERRIBLE AND FINAL JUDGMENT (Revelation 20:11-15; Daniel 7:9,10; 12:2; Matthew 11:20-24; John 5:25-30; Act 24:15; Mark 9:43-48)

"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them" (Genesis 6:5-7). The world is corrupt and polluted. The fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden brought mankind to shame, guilt and condemnation. From Adam, sin came into everyone that was born into the world. God made provision for the salvation of man but humanity has generally preferred to turn away from God's call to repentance and pardon. Man has remained rebellious and disobedient. For a long time, it has repented God that He made man on the earth for every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart has been evil continually. God predetermined judgment and punishment for the wicked. His word declares that "the soul that sinneth, it shall die" and that "the wages of sin is death" (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23).

God has been judging sinners over the ages. He judged the world in the days of Noah, when He destroyed all the living by the flood with the exception of eight persons (Genesis 6:17,18; 7:10-13, 21-24). He poured out His wrath and indignation upon Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed all that were in them except Lot and his two daughters (Genesis 19:13, 24-26). On other occasions, He brought judgment on Korah, Dathan and Abiram with their supporters. He punished the Egyptians for refusing to let God's people go. At various times, He brought judgment on Nadab and Abihu, on Uzzah, on Sennacherib and his 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (Isaiah 37:36-38) and on Annanias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10). However, in the Great White Throne judgment all those who were destroyed in all those cases will still be judged.

What then is this judgment? It is the last and final judgment. It is the judgment that concludes the affairs of this present evil world. At the end of the millennial reign of Christ, the devil will be released from the bottomless pit for a while (Revelation 20:3, 7). He will go out to deceive people again and will gather multitudes to fight against Christ and His saints. This is referred to as the Battle of Gog and Magog. Satan and his people will be defeated. Fire will come from God in heaven to devour them. After this, Satan shall be cast into the lake of fire. With Satan finally sentenced to eternal torment in the lake of fire, the stage then becomes set for the final judgment of all sinning people.

Question 4: Describe in details, the make-up of, and proceedings at the Great White Throne Judgment.

The details of the judgment are as follows:

a. The Throne: The great God of heaven and earth shall sit on a great throne. It is white showing the purity of God. The setting of the throne is magnificent and of great splendor and glory that befits the eternal King.

b. The Judge: The Judge is God Almighty, the Omniscient and Omnipresent. He knows everything and so there will be no miscarriage of justice. He is everywhere, so all things are open to Him. His sight will be so terrible because it is judgment time.

c. Those to be judged: (verses 12,13). All those who died in sin from the time of Adam till the time of the Great White Throne Judgment will be resurrected (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15). They will all stand before God for judgment including: (i) All categories of sinners, living and dead; small and great; rich and poor; educated and uneducated; male and female; rulers and ruled will all be judged for neglecting the salvation of God (Hebrews 2:3). (ii) All backsliders who denied the faith of God who once bought them (Exodus 32:33; Hebrews 10:26-30,38, 39). (iii) All those who deny the deity of Jesus Christ (John 3:18,19). (iv) All religious hypocrites (Matthew 23:27). This judgment cannot be avoided by any sinner. The sea, death and hell will give up the dead in them. The bodies of all the dead will be united with their souls and spirits to stand before God to receive the just reward for their ungodly lives. It will be a very great and sobering gathering.

d. The Judgment: Everyone of these sinners will be judged according to his works (verses 12,13). It will be done in righteousness. It will be open and everyone on trial will know why he or she is going to the lake of fire. It will be to judge (i) All unrighteous deeds of youths (1 John 5:17). All unrighteousness that was not cleansed by the blood of Christ before then will bring condemnation; it includes unrighteous feelings and imaginations. (ii) The secret deeds of youths which others may not have known of, done in darkness: examination malpractices, immorality, pornography, secret cults, abortion and malice. (iii) The words of men: every idle word, gossip, backbiting or slander will be brought to judgment; all foolish and unedifying words; corrupt, graceless, defamatory1 and abusive words will be judged (Matthew 12:36,37; Ephesians 5:4). God's judgment will be fair, just and without partiality or respect of persons. No one can influence nor bribe God. "For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward" (Deuteronomy 10:17). 

e. The books: (verse 12) "…and the books were opened". These are the books of records that will contain everything done by sinful boys and girls while on earth. It is according to the records written in these books that judgment will be delivered. This will remove all possibilities of arguments. There will be no room to say the sentence given was based on hearsay or guesswork. All things will be documented and these in many books.

f. The book of life: Only one book (verse 12). "…and another book was opened, which is the book of life:…" This is the book that contains the names of all those who are born again, washed in the blood of Jesus. Their sins had been judged earlier at Calvary when they repented of their sins, confessed them and received Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour. We must endeavour to make sure our names are in this book. All saints in all ages, from the time of Adam to the time of the judgment have their names written in the book of life. Those whose names are in the book of life will be spectators at the scene of the White Throne Judgment.

Question 5: Where will those whose names are not in the book of life be?

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15).  An awful end awaits all those that have to appear before God in the Great White Throne Judgment for "God is a consuming fire" and "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 12:29; 10:31).

The lake of fire is the eternal abode of the devil and his angels (Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41). The lake of fire was not meant for man but all those who rejected God and be on the side of Satan, by committing sin, will have no choice than to share in their master's destiny. Death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophets had originally been cast (Revelation 19:20). The fire will never go out, it cannot be quenched. It will burn forever and ever. The worms do not die. The fire does not destroy but continuous torments. It will be a terrible thing. Whosoever was not found written in the book of life will suffer forever in the lake of fire. His companions and neighbours will be Satan, the beast, the false prophet, demons and evil spirit. However, there is the possibility of escape from this judgment. This is through repentance from sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

ESCAPING THE FINAL JUDGMENT (2 Peter 3:9-14; 1 Peter 4:7; John 3:3,5,16; Mark 1:14,15; 1 Timothy 4:16).

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16,17). 

Question 6: How can one escape the Great White Throne Judgment?

The will of God is that  all should repent and believe the gospel and be saved. To escape the Great White Throne Judgment, you need to repent of all sins, confess them and receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Genuine salvation through repentance and faith in Christ is demanded from anyone who hopes to escape. Other conditions include living a holy life everyday, making your restitution, following peace with all men, preaching the gospel and avoiding every appearance of evil. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"

(Source: DCLM Youth Search the Scriptures - Vol 38, Lesson 493)

EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

MEMORY VERSE: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).

TEXT: Jude 3-13

Christian youths are called out of the world and the evil practices into the righteousness of God. It is a call to higher and better things. It is also a call to the heavenly things, unseen and eternal. It is a call from sin to Christ, from uncleanness to holiness. This is according to the Divine purpose and grace. The moment a youth gives his life to Christ, he has some forces to contend with, such as the Devil, sin, the world, and the flesh. Faced with all these odds, the Church is always contending, struggling, fighting and resisting oppositions. Generally, this struggle is not against flesh and blood or over the temporal, perishable things of life like money, land, possession or material things. The fight is one organised by the Devil and designed to take from us our great pearl, our treasure, the imperishable word, will, mind and revelation of the Almighty. This is refered to in the Scripture as the faith - the totality and entirety of all that we believe.

OUR CALLING: FOUNDATION FOR CONTENDING (Jude 1-3; Acts3:19; John 8:30-32; 2 Timothy 1:6-9; Hebrew 3:1-6; 1 Corinthians 7:23,24)

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). This epistle is addressed to all believers, those who had repented of their sin and accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. 

Question 1: What qualifies a youth to be able to contend for the faith?

At conversion, Christian receives "the power to become the son of God" and to "go and sin no more" (John 1:12; 5:14). The strongest of men without conversion is a prey for the Devil in the contest for faith. The weakest of men, with conversion, is a terror to the Devil and his host. Peter, the Apostle, in his message on the day of Pentecost, alerted his audience: "repent and be converted". 

"Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away" (Isaiah 41:9). God calls men because He is not willing that any should perish but that all should have eternal life. Christ came to call sinners to repentance. It is only after we have taken heed to that call that we can start contending for the faith. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Believers are called and chosen by the Lord to show forth His praise in any environment they find themselves.

Question 2: In what ways does the Bible describe our calling?

The Bible describes the calling God gives Christian youth in these ways. First, it is described as a high calling - one higher than any other calling we could ever have on earth. It is higher than a call to serve in government, foreign service, school organisation or to enjoy an overseas' scholarship. The highest call we can ever have is one coming from heaven above. Paul the Apostle puts it this way: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).  Second, it is described as a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9). Why? It is a call that only the Holy Spirit can explain, interpret and impress on you. It is a call that has to do with holiness, because God, our Father is holy (Matthew 5:48). Third, it is a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1). It comes from heaven and opens the gate to us into the presence of the Father.  

Our call is further pictured in different ways in the Scriptures. Each of the description shows detail of the benefits accruing to us as a result of our response to the call of God. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Corinthians described our call as one to the fellowship of His Son (1 Corinthians 1:9). If you profess partaking of the redemptive grace of God, know that we are called into the great riches of Jesus and we are to get into partnership with Him. In this relationship, we drop our poverty, destitution, want, dryness and get into the riches, prosperity, power and grace of God. Jesus, by the fellowship of sonship is lifting us up to His side on His throne (Ephesians 2:6). He is the Master of angels and all creation. His is the glory and majesty of heaven. He is calling us - suffering, sorrowful and sad ones - to come and share in fellowship and enjoy His glory, majesty and joy.

We are also called to eternal life and holiness (1 Timothy 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:7). The call of God on us not only brings us into the Kingdom, it also sanctifies us and preserves us in the Kingdom (Colossians 1:13). The translation that comes from our calling is one to a realm where Satan, witches, wizards and powers of darkness cannot reach us or operate. This preservation touches our soul, spirit and body. There is a hedge, an impenetrable wall around all the redeemed of the Lord who have responded to the call of God. Are you among the redeemed? Have you responded to the call of the Lord? Why not come today? (Matthew 11:28; 1 King 18:21).

REASONS FOR CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH (Jude 4-13; Acts 13:8; Jeremiah 5:31; 1 Timothy 1:9; Galatians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 2:17)

The epistle was written to guard believers against the false teachers who had begun to creep into the Christian church, and to scatter dangerous tenets, by attempting to lower all Christianity into a merely nominal belief and outward profession of the gospel. Having denied the obligations of personal holiness, they taught their disciples to live in sinful courses, at the same time flattering them with the hope of eternal life. The vile character of these seducers is shown, and their sentence is denounced, and the epistle concludes with warnings, admonitions and counsels to believers.

Question 3: In what ways is the devil deceiving youths into compromise today?

Compromise is an agreement with an opposer or something that somebody accepts because what was wanted is (seems) unattainable. There are some areas today where some Christian youths who were once fervent in the Lord compromised their faith, they build again those things they once destroyed (Galatians 2:18). They compromise in their: (1) faith - going after false prophets and doctrines; (2) fellowship - getting involved in modern Christianity, unequal fellowship; (3) friendship - unequal relationship, immorality and filthy communication, (4)fashion -worldly, carnal, indecent dressings; (5) their feasting - extravagant1 and sensual; (6)  faithfulness - dropped out, started giving excuses; (7) fervency - abandoned for coldness; (8) fruitfulness - no more good report and evangelism; (9) the fear of God- no longer retain God in their mind.

Question 4: What are the reasons they give for their compromise?

Some of the reasons are: intimidation: some youths yield to peer pressure because they want to be accepted, or because other youths may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. They feel intimidated and then try to impress others or gain their approval by compromise. Another reason is their inquisitiveness. They are curious to try something new that others are doing. They are inquisitive to experiment with evil. The idea that "everyone is doing it" may influence some youths to leave their better judgement, or conviction and copy others contrary to what they know to be right.

"For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:17). False teachings always lowers the standard of righteous living, lightens the demand of God's laws, removes fear for the damnation of the soul, sears the conscience and takes away responsibility to both God and man. Those who love false teaching to create some comfortable spiritual environment for themselves are compromisers. The Lord surely frowns on any fellowship, partnership or relationship with agents of spiritual contempt and compromise. We should avoid the agents of the Devil who make believers to compromise and backslide. Their goal is to make standing believers make a shipwreck of their faith. "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck" (1 Timothy 1:19). 

CHRISTIAN YOUTHS CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH (Jude 3; Nehemiah 13:23-27; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Timothy 6:12-14; Jeremiah 35:5-10,18,19)

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3). To earnestly contend is to strive manfully, tenaciously laying hold and keeping something Satan is labouring to take from us. 

Question 5: How should Christian youths contend for the faith?

Christian youths are commanded to contend for the faith earnestly, diligently, courageously, boldly, constantly, gainfully and honestly. Our strength, life, and our all must be involved in the struggle against anyone or anything who wants to take the faith away from us. As we contend for the faith, we must effect a clean separation from all those who compromise the faith even if it would result in persecution, deprivation or misconception. Nehemiah set an example of such a position as he contended for the faith (Nehemiah 13:23-27). We must also watch and pray - Wait on the Lord; Abide in Christ; Trust in the Lord for supply of strength; Continue in the faith; Hold fast the sound doctrine to the end. Preach the gospel earnestly; Refuse invitation from the camp of compromiser; Avoid self management; Yield yourself fully to God.

We must take these seven pledges as our commitment: (1) I pledge my loyalty to the law of Christ, (2) My labour to His commission, (3) My liberty under His control, (4) My lips to speak for Christ, (5) My looks under His control, (6) My league with others for Christ, (7) My life as hope for Christ and in support of those who hold on to the truth and holiness.

The whole Church must rise and contend for the faith, conquer and subdue the enemy and raise up an enduring standard in the church to save the church from the atrocities1 perpetrated all around us today. Join the army of the Lord.

(Source: DCLM Youth Search the Scriptures - Vol 38)