Great Expectations

The Judgments, Heaven, and Hell

Dr. Keith G. Edwards

3/19/2008

Video – “The After Life”

The Descriptive Language

A. How are we to understand the descriptive language about heaven, hell, the New Jerusalem, and the lake of fire?

B. Unless there is a clear contextual reason, the language of Scripture should always be taken literally and be viewed from its plain and simple meaning.

But human language is inadequate to describe either heaven or hell. The realities of both fall well beyond our most imaginative dreams. It is impossible to describe the glory and splendor of heaven and the terror and torment of hell.

C. Whether taken literally or figuratively, the meaning is the same: Hell is a place where one will experience total separation from God; heaven enjoys the total presence of God.

D. We are strongly motivated to win the lost before it is too late.

The Final Judgment

A. There is a judgment for every person, but a different kind for Christians than for those who have willfully rejected Christ as Savior.

There is a reward for the righteous

There is punishment for sinners

B. "Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

C. A Christian is judged to be righteous when he or she accepts Christ as personal Savior and receives forgiveness for all previous sins.

D. A future judgment also awaits every Christian. The judgment seat of Christ, for Christians only, comes after the rapture of the Church, when rewards to be enjoyed throughout eternity will be determined on the basis of faithfulness and dedicated service.

E. The Bible teaches clearly that all men, both living and dead, saved and unsaved, must give an account to Christ. The Apostle Peter, in his great sermon in the house of Cornelius, said “that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead” (Acts 10:42). Later, in his First Epistle, Peter wrote that the saints “shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick (the living) and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5). Those who were dead, those who have died since or will have died, and the living must give account to Jesus Christ who is ready to judge all men.

The Great White Throne Judgment

A. Revelation 20:11-15

B. These verses describe the final event of all of human history. God is putting the last period on the last sentence of the last paragraph of the last page. This is the final judgment of all who die lost, never having repented and never having received Christ as their Savior. This is serious, and we need to give our full attention to this matter.

God takes no pleasure in it either…God never made hell for people…hell was created for the devil and his angels, and the people who end up in hell will be those who reject God’s way of escape, and never get saved. God doesn’t send people to hell…sin does…and so we must accept His salvation from sin!

C. 7 Aspects of the Great White Throne Judgment: The Courtroom, The Judge, The Accused, The Evidence, The Defense, The Verdict, and The Sentence.

1. The Courtroom - v. 11 “great white throne”…stop right there. These 3 words represent 3 things:

“Great” = speaks of power

This is the supreme court of the universe!

The lost standing before this throne will be overcome w/ the incredible sense of power, awe, and fear. Some talk flippantly about what they’re gonna tell God when they see Him face to face…oh no they won’t! The person who never got saved will not be able to do anything but weep and tremble.

“Hell for company, and Heaven for climate…I always did prefer company to climate!” How dare we think we could ever stand before God and be anything but speechless?!

“White” = speaks of purity

This speaks of the unapproachable purity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is this important? Because many on that day will stand before God and want to say, “I’m a good person.” But that will mean nothing compared to His unapproachable purity.

“Throne” = speaks of the Potentate

God Himself will be in charge on this day. He has allowed them a free will to choose for years and years, but on that day God sits on the throne as the Mighty Potentate.

2. The Judge “Him that sat on it”

Who is this Judge of the Universe? It’s not the Father…

John 5:22, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son”

Notice the last phrase of v. 11: “there was found no place for them”

Literally means, “no place to run, no place to hide.”

In the garden of Eden, Adam sinned and tried to hide behind a tree

That is the Courtroom…

3. The Accused - v. 13 This is the 2nd resurrection…the resurrection of the lost.

This isn’t about whether they are guilty or innocent…it is clear that they are guilty. This is not a trial to see whether they go free or not. This is not about allegations…this is making it clear WHY they ARE going to hell for all eternity. They have already been in hell, awaiting this judgment.

Death gives up the body, hell gives up the soul, then both body and soul are cast into Gehenna, the eternal lake of fire. There is no appeal and no parole.

4. The Evidence, The Defense, The Verdict, and The Sentence.

The book of works—a lost person’s life. “acc’d to their works”

Every word and deed will be answered for…God’s candid camera is running!

Luke 12:2-3, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. [3] Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

Rev. 20:15, And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

This is the final nail in the coffin. If you’ve been saved, your name is written there, and if not, then it’s not!

You see, ultimately, there’s only 1 sin that will send to hell…the sin of unbelief…the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, rejecting the promptings of the Spirit to put your faith in Christ for Salvation! If you fail to get saved, your name isn’t written there, and on that day it will be way too late.

That’s the evidence…then comes the opportunity for a defense.

There will be no defense! What can you say? I mean, there it is in black and white…there’s no denying the evidence. You’re guilty!

Some may say, I’ll throw myself on the mercy of the court, and say, I believe now, Jesus, please forgive me and save me now!

Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

I see no mercy there or in Revelation, only judgment!

The Verdict - Guilty! The lost will hear these words,

Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Hell

A. The Second Death

The Bible calls this final separation from God “the second death.” In the Book of Revelation the lake of fire is so described (Revelation 20:14).

Jesus also identified Gehenna as a second death when He warned: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell [Gehenna]” (Matthew 10:28; see also Luke 12:4,5).

This clearly refers to another death after the physical death of the body. It is also clear that this death is different in order and in kind. As physical death is separation from the body and from the environment of this life, so the second death is a final and eternal separation from God and from the life to be enjoyed in the new creation. Among those consigned to this second death will be all who take the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:9–11).

These will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the angels and Christ. That is, though shut off from the new creation in the lake of fire, they will be able to see the Lamb of God they rejected, just as Lazarus was able to see across the great gulf between Hades and Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:23).

They will not be annihilated, for “the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night” (Revelation 14:11). They will be forever denied the rest promised to the saints. None of these passages indicates any promise of rehabilitation or restoration once the final judgment is pronounced. No sanctifying agent is revealed in connection with the lake of fire or Gehenna. The fire is parallel to the “worm” of Mark 9:44,46,48 (KJV). It is looked at as punitive, not purifying. There will be no second chance. This should stir the Church to proclaim the message, “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

B. The Bible makes it clear that the lake of fire was not intended for people but for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). God’s purpose and desire for humanity has always been good. The first heaven and earth were created good (Genesis 1:31). The Law was given for the good of humankind (Deuteronomy 6:24). God does not will that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). In fact, God works in all things for the ultimate good of those who love Him and respond to His call (Romans 8:28). Nevertheless, God will not allow Satan to spoil the new heaven and the new earth which are to come. God will shut him off in the lake of fire. Those who follow Satan must share Satan’s doom (John 16:8,11), for they have Satan, not God, as their father (John 8:44).

C. Some teach that hell is not eternal torture, but rather eternal cessation of existence.

This false teaching grows out of inability to understand how a loving God can mete out such a painful punishment. Others ask, "How could a God of love send people to hell?" The answer is that He doesn't. Only those who willfully turn from His Son Jesus as their source of salvation go to hell.

D. Jesus also referred to the same fire as a “fiery furnace” (Matthew 13:42,50) where there will be terrible remorse shown by weeping and gnashing of teeth. But remorse is not repentance. The remorse of Judas did not save him from eternal loss as the “one doomed to destruction” (John 17:12; Acts 1:16–20). Jesus identified this weeping and gnashing of teeth as taking place in “outer darkness” (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30, KJV et al.). This darkness indicates a final separation from God and from the Lamb who is the light of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:23).

E. Eternal Separation

1. Another New Testament passage refers to eternal punishment as “eternal judgment,” that is, a judgment that is valid eternally (Hebrews 6:2). Still another passage speaks of “ruin” (literally, “death,” “separation”) and “destruction” (eternal loss) (1 Timothy 6:9). This “everlasting destruction” (or separation) is “from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). In these passages the word “death” is thus used in the sense of spiritual death or separation from God. The sinner is even now dead in trespasses and sins and therefore without Christ, or separated from Christ (Ephesians 2:1,12). Eternal judgment brings a final and eternal separation from God and from Christ.

2. Matthew 25:46—uses the phrase “everlasting [Greek, aionion] punishment.” Some have denied that this means eternal in the sense of absolutely unending. In the same verse, however, Jesus used the same word of life “eternal” (aionion) in a manner that is directly and exactly parallel. In other words, the punishment will be as eternal as the eternal life. This leaves no room for any later restoration of the wicked. In Matthew 25:41 the punishment is defined as “everlasting [Greek, aionion] fire.” Jesus characterized the intermediate state of the wicked after death (hell, Hades) as one of fire (Luke 16:23,24), but this is to be distinguished from the eternal fire.

3. This fire is not only to be eternal, but is also said to be of such a nature that it can never be quenched (Mark 9:43). This clearly indicates that there can be no possible end to the fire or the punishment. The punishment is as eternal as the fire. If the fire brought an annihilation of the wicked, there would be no reason for the fire being eternal.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

A. The Judgment Seat of Christ. The first of these will be the judgment of the believer’s works, called “The Judgment Seat of Christ.”

B. This judgment cannot be confused with either of the other judgments because the Holy Spirit used a Greek word to describe the Judgment Seat of Christ that is peculiar and different from the Greek words used in connection with other judgments.

C. Here the word used is bema. It appears in classical Greek to identify the judge’s seat in the arena of the Olympic games. The bema was the seat whereon the judge sat, not to punish contestants, but to present awards to the victors. When Christians stand before the bema of Christ, it will be for the express purpose of being rewarded according to their works. There is no idea of inflicting punishment.

D. The Judged.

For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10).

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Only believers will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. In both verses where this judgment is mentioned (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10), the words are addressed to Christians only.

“It is possible that this judgment of the saints will be instantaneous, and that each Christian will rise into the air to enter at once into his proper place and appointed rewarding.” If there are problems regarding the exact location and the manner of this judgment, there are none regarding its certainty, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”

E. The Christian’s Works Will be Tested

1 Corinthians 3:9-15)

When Jesus comes each believer will receive his or her just reward for service according to the measure and motive of our works. No rewards will be given by political preferment, but only in exact proportion to the genuine effort put forth. Other parables of our Lord which should be studied in connection with Christian service are the Unprofitable Servant (Luke 17:7-10), The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 10:1-16), and The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30).

Saints Will Differ in Heaven

F. The Crowns or Rewards

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown (Revelation 3:11).

And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be (Revelation 22:12).

The Judgment Seat of Christ will be a crowning day for those Christians who will receive rewards for their works. The New Testament teaches that these are called “crowns.”

The “crowns” to be given.

1. The Incorruptible Crown. (1 Corinthians 9:25). Here Paul has in mind the athlete in the Roman arena. Before the contest each participant practiced self-discipline, being temperate in all things.

2. The Crown of Rejoicing. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20).

3. The Crown of Righteousness. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto them also that love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

4. The Crown of Life. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12). “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). The Crown of Life is reserved for those who have given all their lives for the sake of the Gospel.

Heaven

A. A brief tour of what scripture says:

1. Created by God. Ge 1:1; Re 10:6

2. Everlasting. Ps 89:29; 2Co 5:1.

3. Immeasurable. Jer 31:37.

4. High. Ps 103:11; Isa 57:15.

5. Holy. De 26:15; Ps 20:6; Isa 57:15.

6. God’s dwelling-place. 1Ki 8:30; Mt 6:9.

7. God’s throne. Isa 66:1; Ac 7:49.

8. God

a. Is the Lord of. Da 5:23; Mt 11:25.

b. Reigns in. Ps 11:4; 135:6; Da 4:35.

c. Fills. 1Ki 8:27; Jer 23:24.

d. Answers his people from. 1Ch 21:26; 2Ch 7:14; Ne 9:27; Ps 20:6.

e. Sends his judgments from. Ge 19:24; 1Sa 2:10; Da 4:13,14; Ro 1:18.

9. Christ

As Mediator, entered into. Ac 3:21; Heb 6:20; 9:12,24.

Is all-powerful in. Mt 28:18; 1Pe 3:22.

10. Angels are in. Mt 18:10; 24:36.

11. Names of saints are written. Lu 10:20; Heb 12:23.

12. Saints rewarded in. Mt 5:12; 1Pe 1:4.

13. Repentance occasions joy in. Lu 15:7.

14. Lay up treasure in. Mt 6:20; Lu 12:33.

15. Flesh and blood cannot inherit. 1Co 15:50.

16. Happiness of, described. Re 7:16,17.

17. Is called:

A garner. Mt 3:12.

The kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph 5:5.

The Father’s house. Joh 14:2.

A heavenly country. Heb 11:16.

A rest. Heb 4:9.

Paradise. 2Co 12:2,4.

18. The wicked excluded from. Ga 5:21; Eph 5:5; Re 22:15.

19. Enoch and Elijah were translated into. Ge 5:24; Heb 11:5; 2Ki 2:11.

B. 53 Quick Facts about Heaven: (The description of the New Jerusalem that comes down to earth at the end of the Millennium gives some vivid details about the heaven of eternity (Revelation 21,22)).

1. Heaven is being prepared by Christ himself. John 14:3

2. It is only for those who have been born again. John 3:3

3. It is described as a glorious city, likened to pure gold and clear glass. Rev. 21:11, 18

4. The name of this city is the New Jerusalem. Rev. 21:2

5. It is in the shape of a cube, with the length, width, and height being equal. Rev. 21:16

6. Its size is 12,000 furlongs, roughly 1,400 miles long, wide, and high. Rev. 21:16

7. The city rests upon 12 layers of foundational stones, with each layer being inlaid with a different precious gem. Rev. 21:19–20

8. Each foundation has one of the names of the 12 apostles on it. Rev. 21:14

9. The wall around the city is made of pure jasper. Rev. 21:18

10. The height of the wall is approximately 216 feet. Rev. 21:17

11. The wall has 12 gates, three on each of the four sides. Rev. 21:12

12. Each gate is made of solid pearl. Rev. 21:21

13. Each gate has on it the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Rev. 21:12

14. An angel stands guard at each gate. Rev. 21:12

15. The gates will never be shut. Rev. 21:25

16. The palaces may possibly be made of ivory. Ps. 45:8

17. The River of Life is there, to insure everlasting life. Rev. 22:1

18. The Tree of Life is there to insure abundant life. Rev. 2:7; 22:19

19. It will bear its fruit each month. Rev. 22:2

20. The throne of God will occupy the central palace. Rev. 4:2; 22:1

21. It is likened to wheels of burning fire with an emerald rainbow canopy. Dan. 7:9; Rev. 4:3

22. It is surrounded by 24 small thrones. Rev. 4:4

23. Near it stands the brazen layer, described as “a sea of glass, like crystal.” Rev. 4:6

24. Beside the throne are four special angels who worship God continually. Rev. 4:8

25. The golden altar is there, with bowls of incense. Rev. 5:8; 8:3; 9:13

26. The menorah, or seven-branched lampstand fixture, is there. Rev. 1:12; 4:5

27. The holy Ark of God may be there. Rev. 11:19

28. The main street of the city is composed of transparent gold. Rev. 21:21

29. The city will shine with and be enlightened by God’s glory. John 17:24; Rom. 8:18; Rev. 21:11, 23; 22:530.

30. It is a place of holiness. Rev. 21:27

31. It is a place of beauty. Ps. 50:2

32. It is a place of unity. Eph. 1:10

33. It is a place of perfection. 1 Cor. 13:10

34. It is a place of joy. Ps. 16:11

35. It is a place for all eternity. John 3:15; Ps. 23:6

36. There may be a tabernacle. Rev. 15:5; 21:3

37. There will be no temple. Rev. 21:22

38. There will be no sea. Rev. 21:1

39. There will be no tears. Rev. 7:17; 21:4

40. There will be no sickness. Rev. 22:2

41. There will be no pain. Rev. 21:4

42. There will be no death. Isa. 25:8; 1 Cor. 15:26; Rev. 21:4

43. There will be no more thirst or hunger. Rev. 7:16

44. There will be no more sin. Rev. 21:27

45. There will be no more judgment upon sin. Rev. 22:3

46. There will be no need for the sun or moon. Rev. 21:23

47. There will be no night. Rev. 21:25; 22:5

48. The city will be the Bridegroom’s gift to the bride, Christ’s Church. Rev. 21:2, 10

49. It will be shared by saved Israel. Heb. 11:10, 16

50. It will be shared by the holy angels. Dan. 7:10; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11

51. The Father will be there. Dan. 7:9; Rev. 4:2–3

52. The Son will be there. Rev. 5:6; 7:17

53. The Holy Spirit will be there. Rev. 14:13; 22:17

C. The heaven that awaits the faithful Christian is so wonderful it cannot be described for the human understanding.

This fact has led some non-Christians to think of heaven as a mythological idea originating in primitive minds trying to construct a brighter future.

D. Revelation 21-22: The Holy City

Revelation 21 begins with John’s view of new heavens, a new earth, and the holy city (the new Jerusalem that comes down from God out of the new heavens to rest on the new earth). Peter tells us, "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (2 Peter 3:10), thus making way for the new heavens and earth. The glorious description of this city is found in Revelation 21 and 22. Whether symbolic or real, the description introduces us to the excitement and magnificence of eternity. The Lord God Omnipotent finally claims the full victory He purchased at Calvary.

E. “I Can Only Imagine”