Who Will Be Judged?
 

It is true that the saved will be judged, but that judgment will be prior to, or at beginning of, the Millennial reign.
At this judgment, the saved will be judged for their works...
Man is judged at the Judgment/Bema seat of Christ for his works, the deeds he has done in his body...not for his sins.
At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed to wreak havoc on the saints. Satan and his dominions will surround the saints. At this time, God will rain fire down from heaven and devour them. Question: Who is being devoured at this point in time? Answer: Satan and the workers of unrighteousness.
After this event, Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone and "the dead, both small and great" stand before God to be judged. See question and answer above for who "the dead" are. It is obviously the unrighteous dead who are being judged and not the saved. One who faces judgment at the Great White Throne has NO hope of eternal life in Christ. That one is LOST eternally.
Jesus Himself said that the saved would not be judged at the Great White Throne judgment:
Those who reject Christ are judged at the Great White Throne judgment.

For a great sermon on this topic, I recommend Judgment is Coming by Dr. David Peacock (Bible Believers Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL)

Sister, I beg to differ.

It is not ‘obvious’ at all. It’s not stated that only the unrighteous dead will be judged.

When will the righteous from the Millenium be judged?
Here it says that the dead, small and great, would stand before God.

It does not say the unrighteous dead, it just says ‘dead’.

Then it says that the book of life was opened, as well as other ‘books’. The dead were judged out of the books.

And the verse you left out: “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15) ... which, by its wording, seems to indicate that some were found in the book of life.

So, I would not assume that ‘dead’ means ‘unrighteous dead’. It’s not there.

Yes, but it doesn’t say ONLY those who rejected Christ will be there.

To say otherwise, sister, is to add to God’s words, imho.

Who will be ruling and reigning in the Millennial Kingdom? Why, the Lord Jesus Christ! And what does the Word of God call Him? The Righteous Judge.

Christ, during the Millennial reign will judge during His reign on this earth. The righteous of the Millennial Kingdom will be judged during that Millennial reign.

At the end of that thousand years, satan will be loosed, Those who satan convinces to follow him will be devoured with fire from heaven. Then they (the dead small and great) will face judgment at the Great White Throne of God. It is the unrighteous who face that judgment, not the righteous. The unrighteous are raised to face God's wrath.

:) Isn't the key word here "dead"? You are not suggesting the dead, have a second chance at receiving the gift of eternal life, are you?

"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. 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. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15).

In the 34 years that I've been saved, this is the FIRST time I have ever heard that there will be some who will be going to heaven after the GWT judgment. When I first saw this teaching here, it did appear to me that what it was teaching was a "second chance" after rejecting Christ....all "new" doctrine to me.

Actually, it does not leave the possibility that some are in the book. I can walk into a police station and say 'whoever in here has ever been to prison step forward.' How many do you think would step forward?

These here in Revelation 20 are the dead that were devoured by fire from heaven sent from God. Read the Scripture again, it is the wicked who are devoured... it is the wicked who are dead, not the righteous.

Do you think God sent fire to kill both the righteous and the wicked in this passage? Scripture sure doesn't indicate it.

The dead being judged are the wicked ones who were encompassing the saints and the beloved city... not a single righteous person among them.

It seems to me there are key words and phrases that put this in context. I'll highlight them.

"...him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them....the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books....And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they [death and hell] were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [For many, the first death is physical death that occurs before ever receiving Christ. These people will experience the second death.] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15).

Since death and hell were cast into the lake of fire, we can only conclude that death and hell clearly represent the lost. This is narrow and exact teaching. Death and hell are those who are not found written in the book of life. The ones who stand before Him that sat on the throne, are specifically "death" and "hell". In my understanding, if "the second death" included the saved, God would have made a distinction somewhere in scripture.

If I might make an interjection...

A certain gentleman in Pensacola, commenting on Revelation 20:12-15, has this to say:

"There are saved people at this judgment also. (See Rev. 11:17-18.) The saved people that are judged at this judgment are people who were saved by faith and works in the Tribulation, and saved by works in the Millennium. They are judged 'according to their works,' and some of them are found 'written in the book of life.'"

Commenting on Rev. 11:18, he says:

"Now,you've been taught (if you've been taught at all) that there are no saved people at the Great White Throne Judgment. You've been taught that this is the judgment of the unsaved dead only, and there are no saved people there. This is an error. You can see it immediately by the fact that there are 'rewards' passed out at the White Throne Judgment. Rev. 11:18 is not the Judgment Seat of Christ where New Testament Christians are rewarded; it is the Great White Throne Judgment where 'his servants the prophets' are rewarded ... The judgment of Church-Age saints takes place in Heaven, during the Tribulation. But this judgment (Rev. 11) takes place at the end of the Millennium, yet there are saved people there. (The word 'saints' throws the expositors into a panic; they think the word 'saints' applies to Church-Age saints, as Paul uses the word in Romans 1; 1 Corinthians 1; etc.)"

I agree with him, and with Here Am I. I'd give you a lengthier quote, but I'm not very adept at balancing a book on my lap while typing; I blush to admit that I have to look at the keyboard to type!

(The Bible-Believer's Commentary on Revelation, Peter S. Ruckman.)

Re: Re: "Who will be Judged"
 

Aloha sister Here Am I,

A word of warning sister: - the comments of BC and LindaR are not to be relied on. However, brother Forrest is asking a legitimate question. And I think your statement covers the issue.

This "problem" stems from the teaching that "Salvation has always been the SAME" from the creation of Adam up until the Great White Throne Judgment (in every Dispensation and under every Covenant of God.).

If BC's and LindaR's supposition ("that Salvation has always been the same") is right then their judgment on this issue is correct. HOWEVER, if "Salvation" in the Millennial reign of Christ is dependent on "works", then you are correct!

Revelation 20:11 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.
12 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.

{What are the "books" for - if everyone is going to the Lake of Fire? What is "the book of life" doing there - if everyone is going to the Lake of Fire i.e. "The Second Death"?} Salvation today is dependent upon one thing: Have you believed on and received the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? If the answer is YES - your as good as "in the DOOR"; if the answer is NO - your as sure to go to hell as you are that the Lord Jesus Christ lived and died for your sins. WORKS have NOTHING to do with us. BUT, what about the Millennial saints?

In the Millennium, where does FAITH come into play when the Lord of Glory is ruling and reigning on the throne of David, and you have millions of glorified saints all over the world, ruling and reigning with Him? [Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.] Where is the "Faith", when millions of carbon copies of Jesus Christ are going to be present on this world, ruling and reigning with the Lord of Glory, who will rule and reign from His Throne in Jerusalem?

If the people in the Millennium can SEE the Lord Jesus Christ (and millions of glorified saints) Just exactly where is FAITH if: [Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.]

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Why is the Lord looking in the "book of life" - looking for someone, if they ALL are already condemned? "Whosoever was not found" - can we except the concept that the Lord is looking in the "book of life", and all that He is going to find is DEATH? I trow not.

Now, if a fellow Christian believes like BC and LindaR, I am not going to fight with him (or her). However, if someone insists that I am "wrong", then I might take issue with them and present my side of the issue and defend my belief.

I do not believe that this issue is a "Fellowship" BREAKER - unless someone becomes belligerent and obnoxious over it. :)

[quote=Vendetta Ride;9378]If I might make an interjection...

Aloha brother Vendetta Ride,

Amen brother to all that you and brother {dare I say his name} Ruckman) say.

Sad to say I labor under the same "handicap" (not a "touch-typist"). Perhaps we can apply for a "handicap sticker" for when we shop at Wal-Mart! :D

I am watching this thread very closely. I will not comment because Linda and BC have been shared this in another thread.

I too am a sight based typist (handicapped) I was much better before but lost it somewhere and never picked it up again.

"Howdy" Brother George (as they say in Texas). :)

Works did not have anything to do with whether they were cast into the lake of fire, did it? I thought they were specifically cast into the lake of fire because their names were not written in the book of life.

Furthermore, isn't the judgment seat of Christ also a judgment based on works whether they be good or bad? Yet, we know a person receives eternal life by simply believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, not based on good works.

My question, brother, is why is the Lord looking at all? He is all-knowing, and in my opinion, is not looking to see who is saved and who is lost.

Now, that's a terrific idea! And maybe we can even get the Feds to give us some "Disability Payments" every month!

I'm going to write my Congressman immediately. Maybe they can write an "earmark" for us!

:)

Okay, brother. I'm open to learning. :) First, I've heard of this.

People are judged according to their works at the GWT, yes.

But people's works are also judged at the JSoC a thousand years prior to that.

And it is not their works that save them in either case. Paul wrote we are saved by grace through faith... not of works lest any man should boast.

Just as works will not save now, works will not save during the Millennial Kingdom.

Brethren. Absolutely no offense taken. I'm laughing. :) But perspective is everything. Cheer up you old timers! I can barely sit up in my "wheelchair". And I really am "pecking" like a "drunk". I have Multiple Sclerosis.

what people's will be judged at the JSOC? Christians only? Christians and righteous Jews? Christians, righteous Jews, and righteous men who died before Abraham? Christians, righteous Jews, Righteous men who died before the Law? Christians, Righteous Jews, rihgteous men before Abraham and the Law,and righteous men died before the flood?

Where does the heathen who is judged by his conscience get judged? the Bible says that they will be judge for the things they know and if they lived a righteous life in fear of God though they never heard of God or Jesus by what the world around them that was revealed to them. the Bible tells us they will be excused or condemned by what they know, so when do they get judged if not at the GWT some going to hell some going to heaven.

forrest, works are always done in faith or not in faith. when works done by faith prior to the cross or during the Tribulation it would get them written in the Lambs book.

works during the Millennial Kingdom wil be by works alone because they cant have faith in that which they can see, Jesus sitting on His throne. remember Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. you cant have faith in Christ int eh Millennial Kingdom only works. if the works are done with pure motive they will be written in the lambs book of life. if not they will face judgement right on teh spot for He is a righteous judge. you don't dare come to Jerusalem in the millennial Kingdom with your oblation with a wrong motive or inpure heart in the work. it will get you judged and executed.

It came as a shock to me, too; but, dispensationally, I think it makes perfect sense.

God bless you, brother. I have been spared your difficulty, but when I mentioned "disability payments," I did so with a rueful smile. I received SSI for about ten years, for a different problem! That's one of the reasons I chose my signature quote.

I have understood that the JSoC is for those who specifically believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jew or Gentile.

I will search the scriptures, however, with these comments in mind.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10

The operative word is "we". Paul was writing to Christians.

My question was to BC. and Vendetta is correct the we tells us it is only Chrisitans

Is 1 Corinthians 3 also a reference to the JSoC?

If so, who is being judged?

Forrest they are the same JSOC. it is Christians only in all verses in Corithians and Romans

Okay.

Are individuals ever given eternal life in Heaven apart from believing and receiving Jesus Christ? regardless of the dispensation?

Yes.

Christians. Remember how the book opens:

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours (1 Cor. 1:1, 2).

:)

Okay. I'll ask you too. (I asked Brother Chette this question.)

Are individuals ever given eternal life in Heaven apart from believing and receiving Jesus Christ? regardless of the dispensation?

There is no way for man to have eternal life in heaven without faith in Christ.

Even those before Christ came to earth had to witness Him. Scripture declares when He died on the cross He went and ministered to souls in prison and that He set the captive free. Even the Old Testament patriarchs had to witness the Son.

I think your asking th wrong question?

if they died before Jesus Christs first adavent, never given a chance to believe on or even hearing or knowing about Jesus Shed blood are they dammed to hell?

Nice dodge.

Thank you, brother. I was trying to explain my position, what I understand about the GWTJ, but I'm not terribly eloquent, er, rather, literate?

There are several passages in Revelation, alone, that refers to needing works for salvation, as in Matthew 25. We are in a period of grace, but those in the Tribulation and Millenium will not be.

I had a pretty good Sunday School teacher at my old church. However, he also got stuck on that 'OT salvation by looking forward to the cross' stuff, which does not make sense when you study Scripture. It's easy to just accept what some teacher tells you...it's a lot more work to search the Scriptures yourself...and often open yourself up to ridicule and scorn by those around you that prefer to believe what they are told, without checking it out for themselves.

Good point.

Also a point I have made in the past, it might have been here or it might have been elsewhere...if you see the Lord Jesus, then you don't have faith, you KNOW He is, just like Adam and Eve didn't need faith, they walked with the Lord daily!

So, they were saved by .....works.... by not eating the fruit...

That's a point I was trying to make, earlier, but I wasn't able to get it across as well as you have here. Thanks.

Not for me, either. If someone insists that there are only damned people at the GWTJ, it doesn't affect my salvation, nor theirs.

I love it when someone gives me a tidbit, and I chew on it a bit, and realize that the Lord has used them to give me something good, and important, and profitable!

But I don't mind people disagreeing with me, if they show me with Scripture, why they think they are right and I am wrong. I'm no scholar, just a very inadequate student, wanting to cram as much as I can into this inadequate brain in as little time as possible...I want to understand it all, now! LOL!

Amen, brother.

And also, thank you VR, for explaining what I was thinking a lot better than I could, making clear what I was trying to convey. :)

Aloha brother Forrest,

Good questions.
The point is; The Lord opens more than one "book" (at least three books are opened - maybe more) "and the books were opened:" {at least two (2) books} "and another book was opened, which is the book of life:" {and the "book of life" would be the third book - at the very least). What is the purpose of the "other books"?

The Bible says: "and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Which "books" is He referring to? I believe it's the "other books" - NOT "the book of life". Then the "other books" contain a "record" of all of the "works" of "the dead", and "the book of life" contains the names of some saved people - unless it's BLANK! Why have a "book of life" if no one's name is recorded therein? And if there are some names recorded therein - WHO are they?

If all of the above is true, then, when the Lord goes through the books with the record of the "works" of "the dead" - there are going to be some of "the dead", who's names are going to be written in "the book of life" - because of their works. {Now this teaching would be HERESY if I were to teach that what I have said is true and applies to this Dispensation (more properly the "New" Covenant).

WORKS have NOTHING to do with SALVATION {in this Dispensation and under the "NEW COVENANT"}; BUT, when the church is translated a new Dispensation (under a different covenant) is going to begin, i.e. The Tribulation, and then the Millennium. And the $64,000.00 question is: WHO gets saved in the Tribulation and the Millennium? And the corresponding question is: HOW do they get saved?

Do they get "saved" the same way that we do? [Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. - Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.]

Lets look at some of the "churches" in the Tribulation shall we:

The "church" of Ephesus:

If they get "saved" in the same way as we do, in the Tribulation, why then does the "church" at Ephesus have to worry about: [Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."] ?

Are you concerned about "overcoming" in order to "eat of the tree of life" - when it was our Lord that "overcame" for us and we have "eaten" of Him (the BREAD of life), and have NO NEED of the "tree of life"?
[Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.]
If we accept the Scriptures (as written) - something else is going on here other than "Paul's Gospel"!

And what of the "church" in Smyrna?
Let me ask you: Are you concerned about being "faithful" so you can get a "crown of life"? Or even more importantly: are you concerned about "overcoming", in order for you not to "be hurt of the second death"? I'm not! But those saints in the Tribulation better be! :(

And what about the "church" in Pergamos?
Again, are you concerned about "overcoming" so that you can "eat of the hidden manna"? I don't think so - but there may be some saints in the Tribulation who may "NEED" that manna! (Just like the Israelites who were in the wilderness with Moses in the past!)

And then there is the "church" in Thyatira:
Have you noticed the emphasis on the "WORKS" of each of these "churches"? Can you see the clear "implications" that this "church" at Thyatira is NOT New Testament church (under the New Covenant)? But a "church" in the "GREAT TRIBULATION"; that must "hold fast" till Christ comes; that must keep His "works unto THE END"? Which end? The end of the Great Tribulation.

And how about the "church" in Sardis?
Here we can see a "church" that must "watch", hold fast, and repent - because Christ is going to come "as a thief in the night" (at the end of the Tribulation). If they don't defile their garments, they will be "worthy" to walk with Christ in white. Is there any thing that we can do today to be "worthy" and earn the white garments of a saint - that the Lord Jesus Christ hasn't already done for us already? Do you get the Picture? These churches definitely are NOT New Testament "churches" under the "New Covenant".

And now we have the "church" in Philadelphia:
This "church" is going to be kept "from the hour of temptation , which shall come upon all the world," (The Final hour (or days?) of the Great Tribulation?). But it also must "hold fast" that which it has, in order that "no man" will take its "crown. Are you worried about some man taking your "crown" from you? I'm not!

Notice the overcoming (again) in order to obtain a blessing? Under the "New" Covenant we "overcome" in Christ, these saints are "overcoming" on their own.

And finally we have the "church" of the Laodiceans:
Is there any chance that God would "spue" us out of His Mouth? Not on your life! What is this about "buying" something from God - hasn't He already freely "given" us all things?

Again, Christ "overcame" for us, here we have someone overcoming in order to receive a blessing.

Do you notice the emphasis on all of these churches "OVERCOMING"? How about God's emphasis on "I know thy WORKS"? Those of us under the "New Covenant are concerned about "FRUIT". But these churches have to be concerned about "WORKS"!

I know this is difficult, but I believe that the Tribulation saints must have faith and "works" in order to make it through the Tribulation; and that the saints in the Millennium must live by their "works" or else they will be lost.

This Post is already too long, but I will close for now and try to deal with the rest of your questions soon.

Aloha nui loa :)

that is my point HIA. BC and Linda have al righteous people Judged at the JSOC. but that Jusdgement seat is only for Christians.

if the works done before by righteous men are done in faith of God and pure in heart they will have their works sacntified by Christ finished work and be written inthe Lambs book of life.. but they wont face judgement until the GWT not at the JSOC

Why did He need to preach to those in prison? To set them free!


Christ had to descend before He could ascend. When He descended, He preached to the souls in prison. Upon His resurrection, those saints He preached to were seen alive again in the cities. He had indeed liberated them!

Great work George,

the context of the first chapters of the book of Revelation should show who is judged at the premillennial judgement Rev 20(which looks like Christians sitting of the thrones judging) and those who were slain for their testimony are resurected enter the Millennial Kingdom. the rest of the dead have towait until the GWT to enter heaven or the Kingdom of God.

that is something Linda and BC keep leaving out the CONTEXT!

What 'spirits' did He set free? Where were they? Who were they?

It's not people in Hell, because it is souls that are in Hell, not spirits. When a person dies, their spirit goes back to God:

"All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?" (Ecclesiastes 3:20, 21)

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

So, who did Christ preach to? The verse you did not quote sheds some light:

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." (1 Peter 3:18-20)

The spirits were disobedient, in the days of Noah. Who could they be? Could he be referring to the sons of God, the spirits that married the daughters of men back in Genesis 6?

It's certainly not referring to the souls of men.

Okay, the Matthew passage refers to bodies of SAINTS.

Christ descended and preached to SPIRITS according to the 1 Peter passage you quoted above, not 'souls'.

And while Matthew says that many bodies of SAINTS arose, you seem to think that those Christ preached to were SAINTS?

I am confused by what you are saying here. A soul is not a spirit, which is not a soul. A spirit in prison is not a saint.

Maybe you could clarify this.