September 26, 2022 -- Revelation 20:11-15 -- The Day of Judgment

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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.
Revelation 20:11-15 ESV

What a powerful and sobering passage! A few days ago, I was listening to a podcast, Steve Lawson preached on this passage. He explained verse 13, and his explanation was so helpful. Here was the issue I had. Why does God wait with judging the dead who are to be cast into hell? Lawson noted that Death and Hades hold the enemies of God until the Day of Judgment and at that terrible day the full extent of their deeds will be made known. You see, sin affects more than just the man who commits it. Sin may ripple through a generation or two. When the Sovereign LORD declares the end of history and Jesus returns to Judge the Living and the Dead, then the full effects of one’s wickedness will be traced through his life and the tentacles of evil will be revealed wherever it is they reached. That too will be judged, and the wicked man held to account.

Look at the passage, verse 15, there at the Judgment is the Lamb’s Book of Life. The names of the saints are written therein and the same have been sealed for salvation by the work of the Holy Spirit. Oh sinner, confess your sins. Ah, Christian, you too, as you recall your evil deeds and waywardness, repent and confess. Trust in the full mercy of the LORD. Deny yourself and follow Jesus Christ. I wonder, by way of contrast, do the deeds of the godly, those directed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, have an impact for good that flows from one generation to the next? Will we rise up and praise the Lamb of God at the Throne, blessing the Father and adoring the Spirit for the ways in which the Triune God directed our lives to have an influence for His glory while we lived and even to a generation or two beyond?! What an exciting thought.

Father in heaven, Yours is the Kingdom and the power and glory now and always. Blessed Jesus, thank You for your great work of salvation which lifts sinners from death to life. Spirit of the Living God thank You for Your mighty presence in the life of every believer. Father of Love, so direct us by Your Spirit that the Word will be for us living and precious, and our life’s goal will be to live for the glory of the Triune God and to enjoy You forever. Amen

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