“A Fearsome Scene”
Revelation 20:11-15
Sermon Series: “How To Survive The End Of The World”
Introduction: As we continue our series, “How To Survive The End Of The World,” we are coming to the part of the series where we talk about eternity. It is so important for us to understand that this world and this life are not all there are! This is only the beginning, and it is useless for us to navigate the challenges of this life and be unprepared for eternity.
We are going to look at the final judgment and hell this week and then examine the subject of heaven next week. This will be a hard message for some people to accept because we tend to believe all roads lead to God, and everybody goes to a better place. However, I invite you to take what Scripture says at face value and respond to it. For true Christians this message should bring sadness regarding those who do not know Jesus (and motivation to reach them) and rejoicing because we deserve to be in hell but Jesus took our condemnation and gave us mercy.
1. The Judge (v. 11)-Jesus is the judge (John 5:22, 26-27; Acts 17:31). Everyone who rejects Him will ultimately have to face Him and answer to Him. We are not looking into a mirror and judging ourselves.
2. The Judged (v. 12-13)
A. Judged justly-John wrote, “And I saw the dead, small
and great, standing before God.” God does not play favorites, and we all reap what we sow. The “small and great” are there. It does not matter who you are, what you have, or what you have accomplished on the earth. God does not accept bribes. He does not favor the rich over the poor. Celebrities do not impress him. Also, He knows everything so we cannot sneak anything by Him.
B. Judged by our works-For everyone who is present at this judgment, they are judged by their works, and their works conclusively demonstrate that they are worthy of judgment. God is keeping a record, and it shows that we are sinners who fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). We are not saved by works (or even faith plus works), but we are not saved without works because works demonstrate our faith.
C. Judged ultimately for rejecting Jesus-Verse 15 says, “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Our works show that we are guilty, but it is the rejection of Jesus keeps us from being forgiven of our sins.
3. The Judgment
A. The Verdict-Guilty: Everyone at this judgment is
declared guilty by Jesus because of their rejection of Him. No one who trusts Him will even be present at this judgment.
B. The Sentence-Hell: The Bible refers to this as “the second death” and being “cast into the lake of fire.” It is eternal separation from God with continual, conscious torment physically and the ongoing awareness of blessings and opportunities missed (Luke 16:19-31).
Why Believe in the Judgment of God?
-It is required by the fact that He is the Sovereign Creator of the universe.
-It is required by the fact that we are created in His image. -It is required by the fact that God is completely holy and cannot have sin in His presence.
-It is required by the fact that God is a just God.
-It is required by the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins. Sin is that serious. God would not pour out His wrath on His perfect and dearly beloved Son and then just forget about sin that we do not repent of.
-It is required by the fact that God is love and a loving God will not allow sin to have any victory.
-It is ultimately our choice. C.S. Lewis wrote, “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, „Thy will be done,‟ and those to whom God says, „thy will be done‟.”
4. The Judge is also the Savior. Jesus judges those who reject Him, but He saves those who trust Him. Those who are saved have their names written in the Book of Life, and they are not even present at this judgment. Jesus did this by taking our judgment upon Himself at the cross. In other words, the righteous Judge died in the place of spiritual criminals who have committed treason and rebellion against their Creator. When we trust Jesus, we are declared righteous in the sight of a holy God (Romans 3:21-26).
Conclusion: Have you repented of sin and trusted Jesus? When you stand before Him, will it be with Him as your Savior or your judge?
