Don Stewart :: What Is the Last Judgment? (The Great White Throne)

When the Bible speaks of the last judgment, it is not similar to taking a final test to see whether we pass or fail. That type of judgment has already taken place. This last judgment is the public recognition of decisions long-since made.

Great White Throne

The last judgment is also known as the Great White Throne judgment. Jesus spoke of the eventual judgment of all humanity.

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28, 29).

Who Will Be Judged?

The following will be judge at the Great White Throne Judgment.

1. The Unsaved Dead Of All Time

2. Satan

3. The Fallen Angels

4. The Millennial Believers

1. All Of Wicked Humanity

The Book of Revelation speaks of a final judgment of all the wicked who have ever lived. After the thousand years of peace upon the earth, there is a final rebellion of Satan which will be stamped out by God.

Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. . . And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them (Revelation 20:7-9).

Great White Throne

After this event there is a final judgment of the wicked.

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who 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, standing before God, and the books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books (Revelation 20:11,12).

The people judged at the Great White Throne will include all those who have rejected the message. of God. They are raised at this final judgment. The last judgment will not occur until death and Hades give up their dead.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds (Revelation 20:13).

2. Satan

Satan is also judged.

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).

3. Angels

Although the Bible does not specifically say that the evil angels will be judged at this time, Jesus said the lake of fire was prepared for them.

Then He will say to those at His left, 'You that are accursed, depart from Me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

Their judgment will come some time, most likely at the Great White Throne.

4. Believers

There will be those who have aligned themselves with God during the thousand year period. These people will also be judged at the Great White Throne. There will be many believers living through the end of the Millennium who also will be judged. They will enter into God's eternal kingdom.

Judgment Final

The Great White Throne is the final judgment. Those who are judged are assigned to their final state. The Bible does not indicate any chance for belief after this final judgment.

Results Of Final Judgment

The following are the results of God's final judgment upon His creation.

1. God Accomplishes His Plan

God's plan for time and eternity will be finally accomplished. All things that He planned and purposed for humanity on this earth are now completed.

2. Justice Is Finally Served

Every wrong will now be righted. The justice that did not take place here on earth will finally occur.

3. Christ's Ministry Is Complete

The ministry of Jesus Christ will have been completed. All things which He set out to do are now accomplished. When He came the first time, He completed the work that God the Father had gave Him. There are still things that are to happen before this final judgment. All these are accomplished at the Great White Throne.

4. The Goal Of History Is Met

Paradise lost in Genesis will be regained. Sin will be eradicated and righteousness will flourish. History will reach its goal.

5. All Humans Are Held Responsible For Their Actions

Humans will be held responsible for the deeds committed in this life. Everyone will be fairly judged.

Summary

We can conclude the following about the Great White Throne, or final judgment.

1. After the thousand year period of peace the Millennium there is a final rebellion against God. Once the rebellion is crushed there is a final judgment of the wicked.

2. Those at the Great White Throne judgment include all the unbelievers from the beginning of life here on the earth.

3. Satan will be judged at this time as well as his fallen angels.

4. There will be believers who have trusted Christ during the Millennial period. They will enter eternity with Him.

5. The final judgment will culminate God's plan for this earth.

6. After this judgment eternity begins.