The Great White Throne Judgment is a future event described in Revelation 20:11-15 that will take place after the millennial kingdom and the final rebellion when God will judge all those who did not accept Christ as their Savior. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about this solemn event:
Timing of the Great White Throne Judgment
The Great White Throne Judgment will take place after the millennial reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:7-10) and after God destroys the enemies of Christ at the battle of Gog and Magog (Revelation 20:8-9). This follows the first resurrection of the righteous who will reign with Christ for 1000 years (Revelation 20:4-6). The rest of the dead are not resurrected until after the 1000 years are completed (Revelation 20:5).
Revelation 20:11-15 provides the timing and sequence of end time events:
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. 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. 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. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
So the Great White Throne Judgment occurs after the 1000 year millennial kingdom of Christ and after Satan gathers unbelievers for one final rebellion that is quickly crushed by God. This begins the final judgment of all the unsaved dead throughout history who are resurrected to face God’s judgment.
Purpose of the Great White Throne Judgment
The main purpose of the Great White Throne judgment is for God to judge all those throughout human history who rejected Christ as their Savior. Although believers have already been judged at the Cross and rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), the unsaved need to stand trial before God.
Every person who refused to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus will be resurrected to face condemnation by God. Although Jesus already paid for the sins of the world on the Cross, salvation is only applied to those who put their faith in Him (Romans 3:22-26). Those who reject Christ’s sacrifice for their sins will be found guilty and sentenced to the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:15).
So the Great White Throne judgment will be the final declaration of condemnation on the unredeemed who chose rebellion and independence from God. There will be no second chance of salvation. Their eternal destiny will be set.
Description of the Great White Throne Judgment
Revelation 20:11-15 provides vivid symbolic details of this future judgment scene. Here are some key aspects:
The Great White Throne – This represents God’s holiness, purity and authority to judge the world. White symbolizes righteousness and purity. The throne represents God’s sovereign rule over all creation. He has the right to judge sinful humanity.
The earth and heavens flee – This indicates the final destruction of the old sinful world and universe to make way for the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Nothing tainted by sin will remain in God’s presence.
The judge – God the Father will be the judge seated on the throne. Jesus said the Father “has given him authority to execute judgment” (John 5:27). So God will pronounce the final sentence on the unsaved.
The judged – All the unsaved dead from all time will stand before God. This includes “the great and the small” indicating people from all stations of life – rich, poor, famous, obscure. No one is exempt.
Books opened – These books contain the deeds of each person. God maintains perfect records of every thought, word and action of every person. The books represent God’s omniscience and accountability for all human behavior.
Book of Life – This book contains the names of all those who have received Christ’s salvation by faith. If a person’s name is not found in the Book of Life, they will be condemned to hell.
Cast into the Lake of Fire – The final sentence for the lost will be to join Satan, the Antichrist, and false prophet in eternal punishment (Revelation 20:10). This is the second death from which there is no escape or parole.
So the Great White Throne Judgment will be a solemn scene in which God pronounces the final guilty verdict and sentence upon the unredeemed of all the ages. There is no higher court of appeal.
Judgment According to Works
An important aspect of the Great White Throne Judgment is that people will be judged “according to what they had done” (Revelation 20:12). The works provide the evidence of whether a person accepted or rejected Christ in life. Works do not save anyone, but they demonstrate the reality of a person’s faith or lack of faith.
The Bible clearly teaches we are saved by faith alone, not by good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, works confirm whether a person’s faith is genuine or not. For example:
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified (Romans 2:13).
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?…Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:14, 17).
So works provide supporting evidence of the reality of a person’s faith or lack of faith. The unsaved will be judged according to their works, which reveal their hearts of unbelief. Believers have already had their works judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ for eternal rewards.
No Second Chances
Some people wonder if there will be any chance of salvation for those condemned at the Great White Throne Judgment. The answer is clearly no. Scripture states there are no second chances after death:
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
God’s Word makes clear now is the day of salvation:
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).
Jesus made it clear that after death comes the fixed state of reward or punishment with no crossing over between heaven and hell (Luke 16:19-31). All people have adequate opportunity during life on earth to repent and believe (Romans 1:18-20). God is just and merciful to save those who call upon Him (Romans 10:12-13). But after death comes certain judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
So the Great White Throne Judgment confirms eternal condemnation upon the unbelieving dead from all ages. Their defiant rebellion against God seals their fate for eternity.
Who Will Be Judged at the Great White Throne?
The Bible indicates several broad categories of the unsaved who will face God’s judgment:
Those who openly rejected Christ – This includes atheists, agnostics, those of other religions who refused to believe in Jesus to be saved. They will have no excuse for their unbelief.
Scoffers and mockers of Christianity – Those who ridiculed Christ, the Bible and Christians will have no defense for rejecting truth. Their rebellion will bring condemnation.
The willfully ignorant – Many people turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the gospel even though they have abundant opportunity to believe. Their apathy will merit judgment.
False Christians – Some claim to be Christians but in reality are not born again because they trust in their own good works instead of Christ’s finished work on the cross. They will be exposed as frauds.
Rebellious and disobedient – Even people churched from youth who knew the gospel but rejected it to live in open sin will be judged for spurning Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf.
The wicked – Those who live selfishly, practicing gross immorality, violence, deception, greed, hatred and all sorts of evil will stand guilty before the judge of all mankind. They chose depravity over redemption.
The righteous – There will be one category of the righteous at the Great White Throne – saints from the tribulation period who became believers after the rapture of the church. They will be welcomed into the kingdom as the sheep (Matthew 25:31-46).
So people from every category of life throughout history who died without trusting in Christ will stand before God for their final condemnation and banishment to hell.
Principles About the Final Judgment
Here are several key truths we can gain about God’s final judgment from Revelation 20:11-15 and related Scriptures:
God is perfectly holy and righteous – His final judgment demonstrates His unwavering holiness and justice. He cannot overlook sin or tolerate wickedness in His presence.
God’s judgment is inescapable – No one will be able to avoid facing God’s judgment seat. All must give account to the Creator.
There are no second chances after death – The Bible is clear that once we die, there are no do-overs. The choice we make about Christ during our lifetime is eternally fixed at death.
The standard is God’s moral law – The holy character and commands of God provide the standard all will be judged by. None can claim innocence apart from Christ.
The evidence is each person’s works – Works confirm or condemn the presence or absence of true, saving faith in people’s lives. They reflect inward belief or unbelief.
Christ’s sacrifice is the only hope – No person has kept God’s perfect law. Our only hope is receiving Christ’s payment for sin on our behalf by faith.
Hell is eternal with no reprieve – The lake of fire is permanent torment with no escape. There is no annihilation or second chance.
So the Great White Throne judgment will put God’s justice and holiness on full display. All the unredeemed will finally bow before the Lord of heaven and earth before being sentenced to eternal punishment for their sins.
Why Must There Be a Great White Throne Judgment?
Since God knows everything, including the hearts of all people, why does He need this final judgment scene? Here are some key reasons:
To fulfill prophecy – God said through His prophets there would come a final day of reckoning for all manking (Jude 14-15). God keeps all His promises.
To demonstrate God’s righteousness – The judgment proves God is completely holy and just. He does not overlook or tolerate any sin and rebellion. All evil will be punished.
To testifies to man’s guilt – No one will be able claim innocence or ignorance. They chose to reject the truth that was plainly visible in creation, conscience and Christ.
To show the exceeding sinfulness of sin – The final judgment confirms how heinously evil sin is in God’s eyes. The terrible misery of hell shows the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.
To punish evil, rebel angels – Not only unsaved people will be judged, but also the devil and his demons who have worked evil since their initial rebellion (2 Peter 2:4).
To vindicate God’s saints – The judgment makes clear that God’s people were justified by grace to stand in righteousness before Him and escape His wrath.
So the Great White Throne judgment completes God’s total victory over evil and rebellion in the universe. All beings will acknowledge Jesus as Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).
Preparing for Eternity
The sobering reality of the coming Great White Throne judgment should motivate us to prepare for eternity and seek to persuade others to get right with God while there is still time. Here are some ways we can prepare:
We must make sure we are born again now – Jesus said we must be born again to enter God’s kingdom (John 3:3). Have you confessed your sins and trusted in Christ as Savior?
Repent daily to maintain fellowship with God – We should keep short accounts with God, confessing sins daily so nothing hinders our relationship with Him (1 John 1:9).
Live holy lives that prove our faith is genuine – Our good works, though not the basis of our salvation, confirm that our faith is real and not counterfeit (James 2:14-26).
Use our spiritual gifts to serve God – We have each been gifted by the Spirit to serve Christ. Are you using your gifts so they don’t go to waste? Give account to God (1 Peter 4:10-11).
Make sure others know how to be saved – We need to be faithful witnesses sharing the gospel with urgency so no one we know faces God’s eternal judgment (2 Corinthians 5:20).
The reality of God’s final Great White Throne judgment should make us soberly examine our lives. We must make sure our faith is solidly in Christ alone and that we are living in obedience to Him. We should plead with anyone we know to turn from sin and trust in Jesus as Savior before it is eternally too late.