In the Book of Revelation:20: , which was written during a time of great stress that had been coming upon early Christians in the 90's A.D, it is written in a high symbolic style of writing developed by the Jewish people around 280 B.C , called "Apocalyptic." The early Christians began to utilize this style of writing and the Holy Spirit inspires John to uses it as well to write the Book of Revelation.
We are shown ,through eyes of the aged Apostle John a vision of what is commonly called the "General Resurrection" , "Final Judgment" or the "Great White Throne Judgment".
When?
Many have wondered at the timing of "when" this takes place. There are many views as to "when" . It is natural for us to wonder about the specific timing of those things we read in Scripture, but I would like to ask, if for but a moment that we set "when" aside, and see that if we read the Scripture through "Who Jesus is" and also look at the "When" of its original writing ,that is , what the early Christians were facing, then a message emerges of great comfort and encouragement for us all, not one of fear or dread but one that speaks to us in any and all ages that we might live.
In Johns' Life
If we look at what was happening at the time John was inspired to pen these words. Many Christians at that time had thought that Jesus was going to soon return, they saw the events and condition that were in the world and they truly believed that the end was soon upon them. Many were sure that Jesus would return in the lifetime of the Apostle John, this was due to a misunderstanding of the words of our Lord Jesus as commented about John in responses to a question from the Apostle Peter after the Resurrection.
"Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Because
of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would
not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” John:21:20-23
This belief that John would live to see our Lord's return fueled anticipation that the end was near. During this time period the Roman Emperor Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus, demanded to be worshiped and to be addressed as "dominus et deus" ( lord and god).
Miscarriage of Justice
As Christians who looked to Jesus as their Lord and God refused and to bow to Domitian , that is they refused to worship him, they began to face difficult times. Christians great and small , high and low were arrested and brought before the Roman courts.
Christians were giving up everything for their worship or our Lord Jesus. Christians were being falsely accused, slandered , labeled a seditious , accused of engaging in "unnatural" practices, all for their worship of Jesus.
Christians were giving up everything for their worship or our Lord Jesus. Christians were being falsely accused, slandered , labeled a seditious , accused of engaging in "unnatural" practices, all for their worship of Jesus.
Christians were the victims of great miscarriages of justice and as a result they suffered the loss of many things. Homes, estates, position, wealth, reputation, family and even their very lives many things all for Jesus all to be faithful to their Lord all because they would not worship the Domitian. "Who will you worship?" is the great historic question which frames the entire Revelation.
The Great Question
The Holy Spirit asked all humanity this question "who will you worship, who will you call Lord? Domitian the Emperor of the World System, manifested at that time in Rome, or Jesus the King of the Kingdom of God?" This is the great eternal question that is being asked of all humanity.
Recall again the time in which the Book of Revelation was written: a time of strife and and persecution, Christian then ,and throughout the ages faced , and have continued to face injustice; not just injustice leveled at them by the "state" but in every area of their lives there has been injustice, now in vision we see the ultimate source of all true justice. We see Jesus Who sits upon a Great White Throne. That is in sitting He has authority.
Throughout the Ages
Recall again the time in which the Book of Revelation was written: a time of strife and and persecution, Christian then ,and throughout the ages faced , and have continued to face injustice; not just injustice leveled at them by the "state" but in every area of their lives there has been injustice, now in vision we see the ultimate source of all true justice. We see Jesus Who sits upon a Great White Throne. That is in sitting He has authority.
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face
the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for
them." Revelation:20:11
We also see that at the very center of this white throne is Jesus. White in the ancient world represents righteousness, purity and victory. This tell us that the judgement of our Lord will also be characterized by these as well. Recall, the early Christians experiences with the Roman court systems were noted for just the opposite. They were now facing what they were because of unrighteousness, corruption which produced a condition of loss or defeat.
"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders." Revelation:5:6
"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders." Revelation:5:6
These are verses are important to understanding g the point for Christians, we see that Jesus is at the center of it all as a "slain lamb" Who has taken away the penalty of human sin, He resides at the center of Gods' power and rule over all things, it also places Jesus as the focal point of Gods' redemptive purpose in eternity, that it is all about His Holy Son, and His Son is there in this Throne.
All Judgment is bestowed upon Him to administer it as judge. And He will discharge this role as it is in accordance with the will of the Father, and all humanity will face Jesus as judge.
"Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." John:5:22-30
All Judgment is bestowed upon Him to administer it as judge. And He will discharge this role as it is in accordance with the will of the Father, and all humanity will face Jesus as judge.
"Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." John:5:22-30
Not to Be Feared
In Revelation:20 we see in the all humanity coming to face Jesus , here there is no doubt Who sits before them in Glory .Those who are faced to face with Our Lord have not obstruction to seeing Who Jesus is. All the fog of misunderstanding has been driven away , they will know who sits in majestic glory, it is Jesus.
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and
books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life.
The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the
books.
The
sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the
dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what
they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."(12-15)
This is judgment that Jesus had been referring to in John 5:22. Now as Judge humanity faces Jesus,the book are opened, that is word of God plainly shows us all to be in need of God's grace and mercy and that we all have fallen short - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans:3:23
We are all declared to need Jesus, and we are to be encouraged that the one Who sits glorified before us as judge is also our Greatest Advocate Who stands with us and for us. Jesus, Who is fully one of us , knows the weakness of our humanity , yet , He at no time sinned. Jesus is there to be for us both our Judge and our defenses. The One Who Judges us is with us and for us and is merciful and gracious and will freely extend it to any and all who will but freely receive it in that moment of seeing our Lord without obstructions.
"My
dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if
anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the
Righteous One".1 John:2:1
We also have here the assurance of the Justification and validation that Christians who have given up all for their Lord will be publicly validated, rather then suffer the humiliation of defeat. Paul now speaks of this assurance that any who will receive can have "As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame." Romans:10:11
For any ,who come to see clearly Who Jesus is and will be freely receive it will be themselves will be justified. We can face our Lord with out fear knowing that this Great White Throne is not a place of condemnation but of accommodation, that is seeing Jesus and knowing our need for Him we will find blessings which defy description.
For those who, when they have a clear view of our Lord , still refuse to receive His Grace, then Our Lord will simply give them what they themselves have willed , they will excluded them selves from an eternal relationship with Him.
C.S. Lewis a writer who became a somewhat proficient Trinterian Theologian , wrote of this judgment when he said, "in the final judgment there will be two kinds of people , those who say to God, "your will be done" and they will enter into eternal life. There will also be those to Whom God will say "your will be done" and they will depart into outer darkness." God will give them what they want.
Consider again the ancient Church , how these assurance would have lifted their view above the suffering and injustice that they face, above strife, pain, above loss above even false accusations above even the prospect of death, they would find comfort and peace knowing that Jesus is that One Who will in His providence will openly Justify His people, and bring justice to us all. They need not fear being before the Great White Throne. Amen
Rev.
Todd Crouch, Pastor
The
Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
Washington,
Pennsylvania. http://www.youtube.com/user/IfItIsNotAboutJesus
www.gcfountainoflife.org
The
Fountain of Life is heard on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in
Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM in the Arden Fair Grounds area
of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela,
Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
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