Final Judgment

Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and all were judged according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. ~Revelation 20:11-15

This passage is a particularly vivid description of the events on the coming Judgment Day. For many, this is a terrifying scene ... and rightfully so. Being cast into the lake of fire is surely not going to be pleasant. Look carefully at the description of the Judgment and the contrast that is outlined.

First, it says "books" (plural) were opened. Next a "book" (singular) is opened. We find the content of these books as the passage moves on. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books...the "books" contain the deeds of the individuals and are the basis of their judgment. ...and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire... the "book" is here further described as the "book of life" and it is made clear that this "book" contains names. The dead are judged based on their deeds, and if their name is not in the book of life, they are then cast into the lake of fire.

It's interesting that the text declares that everyone being judged is cast into hell, except for the individuals whose name is written in this "book of life." It's not on the basis of deeds that they are spared, but on the contrary, it's on the basis of deeds that they are damned. Whoever has their name written in the "book of life" is spared in spite of their damnable deeds.

Many attempt to paint the God of the Bible as some sort of monster ... but if He didn't have a "book of life" then all would be cast into the lake of fire on Judgment Day. It is only by God's grace that any are saved from this fate. But why only some? Well, Scripture declares God's desire.

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. ~ 2 Peter 3:9

God doesn't want you to perish, that's why He made a way for forgiveness and why He has warned you in advance.

"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." ~ Luke 13:3, 5

He has commanded you to repent.

Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent ~ Acts 17:30

The results of unrepentance are clear.

He who believes in Him [Jesus] is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God...He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. ~ John 3:18, 36

The Day of Judgment is rightfully a terrifying thing for any who have not repented and trusted Jesus for their salvation. The good news is:

...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." ~ Romans 10:9-13

If you've never done this, it's not too late. If you refuse, understand that your sentence is already defined and the result will be your desire...not God's.