Revelation 20 — We can choose our verdict before we get to the day of judgment!
Am I at peace with the scenario painted of the day of judgment in Revelation 20?
Am I at peace with the Judge of Revelation 20?
Am I now “found written in the book of life”?
Have I purposed to be faithful to Jesus and His Word?
No devilish deception for 1000 years! What a strange world in which to live!
Give your life “for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God” (Revelation 20:4)!
Do the books of Revelation 20:12 contain a record of their works? Perhaps. Or they could contain the code by which those works will be judged. We just aren’t told what’s in the books that aren’t the book of life. Whatever the content of those books, we know this for sure: all people will be judged “according to their works” (Revelation 20:12, 13). God judges both evil and good (2 Corinthians 5:10). One way to look at this is that we can choose our verdict before we get to that day! Let us purposefully and deliberately choose good. Let us choose God. Let us choose the blood and life of the Lamb.
No defeat for “the camp of the saints” and “the beloved city” (Revelation 20:9)! The Almighty easily consumes their archenemy!
Central truths of the Revelation
- God is in control of all events.
- Satan and all evil will be defeated.
- The world will be judged for its rebellion and evil.
- Those who faithfully follow Jesus will share in His triumph.
God’s triumph
- God will triumph and remove evil from His presence and from among His people.
- When the day of God’s wrath comes, evil men will try to hide from His judgment.
- Servants of Jesus will inherit everything glorious and godly.
Satan’s defeat
- Unbelievers will be separated from God and feel His wrath forever.
- Satan and all who are associated with him will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.
What are some truths in today’s Scripture that give hope to the believer?
- Nobody can succeed against our God.
- The “defeat” of martyrdom is no loss.
- The second death will not touch the Christian.
- Those who have the Son, have life…and their names written in the book of life.
- Whenever God chooses to do so, He can take Satan out of the picture.
(I excerpted much of the above from material I submitted for the CLE Bible 800 Teacher Guide)
How Much Sin Does It Take to mess up my verdict on the day of judgment?
Do you think that a single “little” sin, unconfessed, would doom someone to eternal death in the lake of fire?
You needn’t live in fear and insecurity. I do not believe in unconditional eternal security. But I do not believe that the lot of the Christian is to live in constant fear of losing his salvation. I do not think God wants us to be insecure until we finally reach Heaven. I believe in conditional eternal security. The assurance of Scripture is clear: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). What does this have to do with the subject at hand? “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments” (2 John 1:6). Do you see the relationship?! LOVE = OBEDIENCE = SECURITY
Consider the seriousness of all sin. All sin is an assault on the character of God. Therefore, all sin is a threat to our standing before God and to our eternal bliss. You would think these facts would make us less inclined to excuse, justify and explain away even the smallest sin. You would think. Since all sin is so serious, we should be quick to repent of and apologize for our failures. (There are some people from whom I don’t ever recall hearing a heartfelt apology.)
Excerpted from Eternal Destiny of the Lost
Does God care about our attitude toward the day of judgment?
The Israelite people of God in Jerusalem had an attitude and a manner of living mirrored by many of God’s people today. They may not announce it with their lips in plain language, but the declaration of their lives really could not ring forth any more plainly: God doesn’t care! Or as the Israelites said in their hearts: “The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil” (Zephaniah 1:12).
What do you think? Will God truly do good to those who seek peace and demonstrate love to their friend, their neighbor, and their enemy ? Is it true that God will allow evil to come on those who follow after railing, revenge, and lust? Does it matter to God whether I’m faithful or treacherous, covetous or content, cheerful or cranky? Does God care if I drive over the speed limit, ignore the code a little, or honk disgustedly at that driver?
You and I could both declare (perhaps even indignantly), “Of course God cares!” We would be right, of course. But I wonder if my children would agree, “Yes, Dad lives as though God cares.” And I wonder if your family and friends would express similar sentiments about you. I also wonder if the unbelievers who know us (as well as those who interact only briefly with us) conclude that we believe God cares.
Ultimately, what we believe and what others think we believe will not change reality. That reality is in the following two verses.
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12).
Excerpted from God Will Reward His Servants
Additional Reading about The Day of Judgment
"The Day of Judgment" is the CLP Sunday School lesson for February 3, 2019, and uses Revelation 20 as the Scripture passage.
Learn more about Sunday School quarterlies by Christian Light Publications.
Unless noted otherwise, the material above is copyrighted by CLP and/or Mark Roth.
Mark's first ebook: Panting (Faith Works 1) (available on Amazon via this affiliate link)
1 thought on “The Day of Judgment”