The Great White Bema Judgment Throne of Christ

Revelation 20:11-15

It’s very easy to fake it in life. We do good, stay away from crime, and give the impression we’re respectable. And no one can see into our hearts - they don’t know what we’re really like. Same thing in church. We spend years in the church, attending, and serving. But there’s besetting sin in us that we're cultivating. But no one knows - it’s hidden. So we continue. But we all know, believer and unbeliever, in the depths of our hearts, that we’ll come face to face with God. Final judgment awaits. But most put such thoughts out of their minds. They don’t want to think. They cruise along saying it’s gonna be alright. And when they come to church and hear sermons confronting these sins, what do they say? Aiya, preacher’s gonna preach; haters’ gonna hate. They don’t repent. They don’t shake off sin and slumber. Instead, they shake off God’s gracious prompting to repent and live the gospel. This is the same for unbelievers. Despite the church’s preaching, and Christ calling his 7 churches to repent, there’ll be those who just refuse. But there’s a final reckoning.

In Matthew 25, Christ said he’d come again. He’ll gather all nations together and separate the sheep from the goats. And everyone will meet him in judgment. It’s universal, but it’s also specific. Romans 2:6 says that God “will render to every man according to his deeds.” Acts 17:31 - “He hath appointed a Day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained.” This is the event described in our passage. And there are 4 lessons to learn from it. Firstly, God is the judge that presides at that throne. Secondly, all believers and unbelievers will be judged. Thirdly, they will be judged by their faith and works. Fourthly, the will receive their just penalties and rewards.

Firstly, God is the judge that presides at that throne. Verse 11 - “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.” John already saw that throne in Revelation 4:2 - “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” Back then, the throne was surrounded by a rainbow and angels praising Christ. But now it was just a great white throne with nothing to complement it. Here, we see God’s sole supremacy. He’s sitting on the great throne - large, giant. But the size is symbolic of God’s ultimate and supreme authority. And it’s white - symbolizing purity and victory. Like how saints in heaven are clothed in white, or Christ conquering on a white horse, or the 7 angels wearing white linen, and believers receiving a white stone. White symbolizes purity and victory. Meaning, this judge can’t be bribed. His justice will triumph. But we also see he’s alone on the throne. From his face, earth and heaven fled away. This is commonly called the Great White Throne of Judgment.

Now, who’s on the throne? We know God has given all authority to Christ to judge. John 5 - the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son. So it must be Jesus, right? Our text says there’s one sitting on it. But then we get to Revelation 22:3, the throne is described as the throne of God and the lamb. Who’s on the throne? God and Lamb. But the very same verse says his servants serve him, not them! Also Revelation 20:6, we’re priests of God and of Christ, and we’ll reign with him, not them. So are there 2 or 1 on the throne? John’s point is not to do math. His vision simply tells us that Christ is doing his Father’s will in Judgment. God is on his throne, so his Son Jesus Christ. The purpose of this vision is not to teach the Trinity. This has a far greater significance. In the previous descriptions of judgment, God used people, demons, Satan, and angels to carry out his judgment. But at this final judgment, God has reserved it for himself. He will judge through his Son. Heaven and earth fled away, no angels there, but God alone. Sole supremacy.

But not only do we see his sole supremacy in judgement, we also see his dynamic destruction of all things. We see that earth and heaven fled from his presence and had no place to hide. Why? Because God’s presence is destructive. When Moses wanted to see God face to face, God told him no man could see his glory and live. And here at the judgment, heaven and earth fled from him. And this is not the first time in Revelation. When Christ opened the 6th seal, there was an earthquake; the sun turned black, the moon turned to blood, the stars fell to earth, and sky vanished like a scroll. Chapter 16 also described a violent earthquake where every island fled away, all mountains were leveled, and giant hailstones dropped from heaven. This is what happens when Christ comes in judgment. He resurrects the living and the dead to appear before him. And he destroys heaven and earth. Why? It’s the logic of theology. Because of sin, the universe is corrupted. So if Christ judges mankind, he must also judge the first creation. He destroys it to rebuild it. Now, if Christ does this to the first creation, what does he do to the souls of mankind?

We see secondly, all believers and unbelievers will be judged. Verses 12-13 - The sea, and death and hell gave up the dead. All, great and small, appeared before God and were judged on the basis of 2 kinds books. They were judged according to their works. Who are these? They’re all the wicked dead. Now, the fact they’re standing before the throne means they’ve been resurrected. How do we know? Revelation 5, the Lamb that was slaughtered, now stood before the throne. He was resurrected. The 2 witnesses in Revelation 11 were killed but suddenly stood on their feet. Resurrected! So these dead were resurrected for judgment. And it’s all the dead. Verse 13 says the sea gave them up, death and hell delivered them up. Now, to be sure, death, hell, and the sea are not three geographical locations; but three literary ways to describe the place of the dead. You see, these were the wicked. How do we know? It says the sea gave them up. Sea in apocalyptic language refers to the place of God’s enemies. The false prophet came from the sea to deceive people on earth. That’s why, in the New Heavens and Earth, there’s no more sea. And the phrase “great and small” also refer to the wicked. Revelation 19, during the last battle, birds came to eat the flesh God’s enemies. Who were they? Kings, captains, the mighty, free and slave, the great and small. Also, great and small can speak of different kinds of wicked people. They’re every person from every class. The rich and poor, criminal and philanthropic, the arrogant and humble; the important and unimportant; the old and young. But importantly, they’re those who refuse to repent and trust Christ.

Is anyone else here? The text doesn’t say specifically, but believers - the righteous are also here. They’ve also been raised to life and are being rewarded at this judgment seat. Paul said to believers in 2 Corinthians 5:10 - “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” The word judgment seat is bema in Greek. It was the raised platform on which judges would sit to view sports competitions. They’d hand out awards based on how well athletes performed. It wasn’t a place to punish. Now, this detail is not in our text. Why not? Because it wasn’t John’s ambition to say everything. His focus was on the final destruction of God’s enemies. But I preach it here because it is in the context of the whole book. In Revelation 2 and 3, Christ told the 7 churches many times to repent and obey, because he was coming to reward them. To Ephesus, he’d give the tree of life to over-comers. To Smyrna, he assured over-comers they wouldn’t be hurt by the second death. To Pergamos, he promised over-comers a white stone - a symbol of citizenship. You get the idea. There’d be rewards for over-comers. And this was repeated at the end of the letter. Revelation 22:12 - “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” So he’d give his reward at his second coming - at this throne. He’d judge the wicked and reward the righteous at the same throne - called the Great White Throne to unbelievers and the Judgment Seat of Christ to believers. Listen to Christ in Matthew 25:31-33 - “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

So what happens at this judgment? Thirdly, all mankind will be judged for their faith and works. Verse 12 says books were opened and also the book of life - and the dead were judged out of things written in the books, according to their works. What are these books? They’re are the basis of judgment. By now, we know they’re probably not literal books but metaphors describing God’s comprehensive knowledge. The content of the books was a record of each person’s life - his works, thoughts, and words. Nothing’s missing. This means that the judgment is completely just - it’s not based on feeling but facts. It’s not arbitrary, but based on information. This is described in various places. 1 Peter 1:17, God is completely just - “…[he’s] the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work.” Psalm 62:12 - “for thou renderest to every man according to his work.” Jeremiah 17:10 - “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Similarly, Paul in Romans 2:10 says that God will give to each according to his works. God judges believer and unbeliever based on their works.

But there’s another basis for judgment. People are judged on whether they believed in Christ. Now, perhaps election is a better word, rather than faith or belief. We see there’s another book. Not many books, but one book. Verse 15 calls it the book of life and in it are written names. We saw this in Revelation 17 - a book where names were recorded before the foundation of the world. Which names? Revelation 13 - those belonging to the Lamb who was slaughtered. Meaning, these are believers for whom Christ died. Those who trust him for salvation. The elect. Because of that, Christ’s works become their works. But those whose names are not written, who do not trust him? Their own wicked works and are judged accordingly.

And to what extent will evidence be gathered for judgment? To the uttermost. Books are opened. Matthew 12:36-37 says “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” But it’s not just words. The verse before says, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” It’s also the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, and the works we do. Article 37 of the Belgic Confession says that the secrets and hypocrisy of men will then be publicly uncovered in the sight of all. Dearly beloved, everything will be known. A person’s thoughts, words, and deeds will be played back on technicolor, dolby surround sound, with 4D experience. Everyone who has ever lived will see. What you did will be played back in front of your parents, children, spouses, bosses - everyone - even that driver you blocked from filtering into your lane - he will see what went through your head, what words you used. There’s no hiding. Everything will be known one day. What you’re desperate to keep secret now will be known. And what you thought you saw, or heard, or believed about others; one day you’ll realize how absolutely wrong you were about them. And they’ll know how much you had misjudged them. But for believers, as the books are opened, yes, our works and sins are recounted. They will be found to be insufficient! But Christ’s works are sufficient. Our faith will be found to be weak! But Christ’s faith is enough. We shouldn’t think that we will be exempt from judgment. All will be known. But because of Christ, our works are accepted by God.

And lastly, all mankind will receive their just penalties and rewards. In verse 14, we see that death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. Verse 15 says - “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” So 2 things happen. The temporary place of the wicked is now cast into a permanent, final, and eternal lake of fire. Anyone who’s not found in the book of life is also cast into the lake of fire. Now, we know the wicked are there. But who else? Sure not believers. No, not believers - fake believers. Remember what Jesus told the 7 churches? Remember, hold fast, repent! If you don’t, I come as a thief in the night. You’re lukewarm, I’ll spew you out of my mouth. Repent, or I’ll fight you with the sword of my mouth. These were warnings against the hypocrites of the church, against fake believers. This was relevant to them in the letter. You see, the judgment would be so public that as Christ separated the sheep and the goats, some from the visible church were directed into the goats pen. Not to green pastures, and still waters, not even to the valley of the shadow of death; but to outer darkness - to death itself. Perhaps on that day, many, maybe some here, would say as they’re ushered into the line for goats - “Lord, Lord, didn’t we preach in your name and do great signs?” “But I knew the 5 points of Calvinism and I read my Bible faithfully!” “I was baptized!” “I never did anything that sinful!” “But I confessed my faith!” “I led Bible study!” And he will say, “I never knew you - depart from me, you workers of iniquity.” Their so called faith didn’t show itself in works founded on Christ. You see, true faith produces good works. It causes us to flee from the devil, from the philosophies of this world, to grow in holiness and godly affections and service, despite all the struggles. We aren’t justified by our knowledge, but by our works that follow our faith. This public judgment weeds out the hypocrites. And they take their rightful place with their rightful people, in their rightful eternal fiery home. And while heaven will be an eternal bliss of fellowship with one another and Christ, those in hell will be forever separated from each other, alone, with no friends, seething in their rebellion toward Christ forever in unrepentant sin - that’s why there’s gnashing of teeth out of anger and rebellion. There, they will be the greatest sinners ever. What they wanted in life, will be their eternal punishment.

But what true believers want in Christ will be theirs - they’ll have eternal joy. In Matthew 25, when God’s servants came, having served him with many or few talents, he said - “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” What’s this joy? It’s not just the joy of heaven, which we’ll see next time, but it’s vindication. As the Belgic Confession says, “…this judgment is horrible and dreadful to the wicked…but…a great joy and comfort to the righteous and elect. For then their full redemption will be completed and they will receive the fruits of their labour and of the trouble they have suffered. Their innocence will be known to all and they will see the terrible vengeance God will bring upon the wicked who persecuted, oppressed, and tormented them in this world.” All your suffering, your pursuit of holiness when others are giving into the beast, all your struggling to be content rather than giving into your lusts, all your denying self and taking up the cross; but also all your Christian pursuits that others said were a waste of time, all your cultivation of Christian disciplines, all your setting affections on things above and not on things below - on that day, you’ll be vindicated. You chose the better thing. You repented when you could. You over-came.

Beloved, how can we apply these 5 verses? In fact, how can we apply Revelation? It’s not an academic exercise. Christ’s words to the 7 churches are words to us. Among God’s people are those who are lukewarm and loveless. You’re worldly. You’ve been seduced by the false prophet. Your works don’t match your confession of faith. When you appear before God, will you find yourself a goat rather than a sheep? You see, some of you don’t want contentment in Christ - you want more from this life. And you’re willing to set aside Christ to achieve it. And like the rich fool, you can have plenty here, but you’re not rich toward God. You can have, like Esau, the companion of your choice, but you may not be a fit bride for Christ. And while you have all you want here, you will be terribly alone in hell. But Christ calls to you his covenant people - believe, repent, overcome, love. These are the works that show your faith in him. And don’t think I’m teaching salvation by works. No, it’s always by faith. But what I’m teaching here is condemnation by works. Your works must match your faith. And if you’re truly a Christian, your words, thoughts, affections, will be less and less worldly. How’re you pressing on in holiness? How’re you spending time with the Lord? How’re you serving him? Will he reward you for your works? Or will whatever you do here be burned up? Dead works. Loveless works. Worldly works? How are you works of thankfulness?

And how does this great judgment cause you to reach lost sinners with the gospel? Alone forever, in their corner of hell, angry and rebellious against God despite his mercy? What compassion do you have? Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. And the Lord Jesus calls us to do nothing more than what he had done - he loved the lost, knowing his judgment; and told 3 stories about God’s heart - the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Each of us were each of these things. But we’ve been found.

1. God Is the Judge that Presides at the Throne

A. His sole supremacy

B. His dynamic destruction

2. All (Un)Believers Will Be Judged

A. All the wicked dead judged

B. All the righteous living rewarded

3. They Will Be Judged for Their Faith and Works

A. The basis of the judgment

B. The extent of the evidence

4. They Will Receive Their Just Penalties and Rewards

A. Cast into the lake of fire

B. Enter into the joy of the Lord

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