Revelation 20:11-15 (NIV) Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
The Second Resurrection is uniquely different from the First Resurrection. The First Resurrection focuses on Christ giving life back to Christians who were slain during the seven-year tribulation period. These martyrs were not only given the gift of life again but were able to live with Jesus during his 1,000-year reign on earth known as the Millennium! So, what is the Second Resurrection?
The Second Resurrection is more widely known as Judgment Day and takes place after the Millennium! The day when those who accept Jesus as their savior will be excited to hear Christ say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (ref. Matthew 25:21). But it is also the day that non-believers fear because they will be “judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown in the lake of fire.” So, who will be judged in the Second Resurrection? The answer may surprise you so let’s review the scripture one verse at a time.
Living Christians
Christians are not exempt from the judgment in the Second Resurrection, but God’s grace will absolve them of any sin allowing them to hear the phrase “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Christians will also receive the gift of eternal life with Christ which can be found in multiple scriptures. An abbreviated list includes John 3:16, John 3:36, John 10:28, 1 Timothy 6:12, and Jude 1:21.
Living Non-Believers
Any non-believers still alive on earth when Christ’s 1,000-year reign ends will need to be recognized and judged. The end of the Millennium does not mean the earth will be void of inhabitants. The living must be judged like the dead. The book of life is all-inclusive, and everyone will be judged to determine who will spend eternity with Christ.
Death and Hades
Everyone who has ever died (death) and all demons and evil spirits who have actively engaged in spiritual warfare against Jesus and earth’s inhabitants (hades) will need to be judged for what they have done. This is an interesting verse because it says, “death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them.” So, the dead and hades are brought forward for judgment at the same time. Again, based on Revelation 20:11-15, it does not look like we get judged immediately after death, but instead we “sleep” in the ground waiting for the Second Resurrection. Hmm?
Fallen Angels Chained in Hell
Yes, there are some fallen angels that are so powerful and evil that God has to keep them chained and imprisoned. 2 Peter 2:4 states, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;”. These fallen angels seem to have committed unmentionable atrocities against God for which repentance may not be possible.
Satan, the Beast and the False Prophet
Finally, God will be sure to throw Satan, the beast and the false prophet into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:10 goes as far to state these beings “Will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” This is the only verse that references who will be tormented for all eternity in the lake of fire. Maybe sinners, as many believe, do not burn in hell forever? Hmm?
It should be noted there is no mention in any scripture about judging those in heaven. Why is this? According to Revelation 20:12 the dead all seem to be gathered in one place to be judged. “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne.” Why would the souls in heaven be ignored during the Second Resurrection? Did God overlook this key point, or could it be something else? Maybe because no one has yet to be judged, therefore nobody has entered heaven yet? Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 states “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.” According to this verse the dead seem to “sleep” and have nothing to do with anything on earth while waiting for the Second Resurrection. Hmm?
It should be clear that God will be judging everyone who ever lived as well as other creations, such as Satan and angels during the Second Resurrection. The Second Resurrection will be comprehensive and final. It will not be a debate. Those who are righteous and holy will be granted everlasting life while those who rebelled will be cast into the lake of fire. Where do you stand?
