May 21, 2025
According to the Bible. “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews (9:27 NASB). Believers will face the Judgment Seat of Christ, a time of exposure, loss, and reward. Those who die without Christ can expect a separate judgment, the Great White Throne of God.
As we explore this time of judgment for the lost, note first that it involves a second resurrection, the first coming when the dead in Christ rise at the Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This second resurrection, reserved exclusively for the unsaved, will occur at the end of Jesus’ millennial reign.
It may come as a surprise that unbelievers will rise from the dead as well. Yet, the Lord clearly proclaimed that “an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth… those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28,29 NASB).
While before the Great White Throne of God, unbelievers will be judged for what they have done. This is not suggesting that salvation is based on works. The Word clearly states that we are saved by grace, not by any deeds of our own. Also, this is not a time of selection between heaven and hell. Salvation is determined in life, not at death.
What it does mean is that since unbelievers failed to receive Christ’s death on the cross as payment for sin, their insufficient deeds, otherwise known as filthy rags, are all they have to show for themselves.
Interestingly, at this time, books will be opened as well. One is the “Lamb’s book of life,” which contains only the names of those saved. The other book records the deeds of all who have ever lived
Although not stated specifically, it makes sense that such records would be a part of the Judgment Seat of Christ for believers. The deeds of the lost may have made an earthly impact. Yet, as already stated, they are insufficient for salvation.
As a result, unbelievers will be thrown into the lake of fire. I read about a man who left Chicago for a vacation in Key West. His wife was delayed and planned to fly down the next day to meet him. Upon arriving in Florida, the husband emailed his wife to let her know he had arrived safely. Unfortunately, when he mistyped her address, the message ended up going to a woman whose husband had just passed away.
Upon reading the message, the grieving widow screamed and then passed out. The woman’s daughter rushed into the room and read these words on the computer screen. “My darling wife: Just checked in. Everything is prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to being with you again. Your loving husband. P.S. Sure is hot down here!”
While we enjoy a chuckle over such a story, hell is no laughing matter. This place of eternal separation from God can be characterized by memory, misery, and agony.
Ultimately, the Great White Throne judgment, otherwise known as “the second death,” provides the backdrop for a complete destruction of the heavens and the earth. As the Bible says, “the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
While it’s important to have knowledge of what the future holds, the key is making adequate preparation in the present. As the old saying goes, “born once, die twice; born twice, die once.” Experience and enjoy the abundant and eternal life that only Jesus can provide.
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Todd Gaddis is a semi-retired minister living in Athens. He continues to serve as an interim pastor and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
