Eternity is a long, long time; and every person you meet will be spending it in one place or another.
In this message Pastor Richard uses the scene in Rev. 20:11-15 to awaken believers to the urgency of the Gospel. When Jesus issued the command to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15), He was not establishing a “live and let live” policy. Too much is at stake to take that stance. He was telling Christians to generously share their faith (Matt. 10:7-8).
This sermon examines
(1) the Nature of the scene in the text and
(2) the Necessity of this judgment.
It concludes with an appeal to receive the gift of eternal life in Christ and to share that message with others.
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Outline
Urgency of the Gospel Rev. 20:11-15
Rev 20:11-15. “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. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and 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. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
I. Nature of this Event
A. Overwhelming in its Majesty.
—a white throne, symbolic of splendor, radiance, glory, and most importantly purity. __Who sits on this throne? John 5:22-23, 26-30
B. Comprehensive in its Scope.
__ Rev. 20:12 “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God….”
__ Every idle word, every whisper, every secret event will be brought to light. Luke 12:2-3
C. Just in its Verdict.
__ Every mouth will be stopped when the books are opened.
__ The Book of Life (Rev. 21:27 calls it the Lamb’s Book of Life pointing to the atonement) __ Other books: God’s moral law as recorded in Scripture
Record of men’s deeds
Rev 20:12 “And the dead were judged according to their works….” D. Final in its Outcome.
__ No appeals; no second chance.
__ Everlasting punishment: 2 Thess 1:8-9; Dan. 12:2; Mark 9:48
II. Necessity of this Event
A. Required for the New Order to be fully realized.
__ Context between Rev. 20:1-10 and Rev. 21.
__ Evil, like cancer, cannot be ignored (1 Cor. 5:6)
__ Can’t have an everlasting heaven without an everlasting hell.
B. Required for the free will of rebels to not be violated.
__ Eccl. 7:29, “God made man upright but he has searched out many schemes (Matt. 25:41). __ God not willing that any perish (2 Peter 3:9; Ezek 18:23, 30-32)
__ The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis: What are you asking God to do?
__ John 3:16-20
__ We know hell is there because of divine revelation; not by human reasoning (Deut. 29:29).
Conclusion: Urgency this brings to our message
A. Hell is politically incorrect subject in our society; but Jesus didn’t avoid subject (Matt. 10:28). B. The Gospel message is not so much about hell as it is the way of eternal life.
__ Charlie Peace story
__ 2 Cor 5:11, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men….”
Questions
1. Do you believe there is a hell? Why or why not?
2. What determines whether a person goes to hell or not?
3. Do you believe when people are judged according to their works, there are degrees of punishment in hell?
4. Why would a loving God send people to hell?
5. How does the reality in our text bring urgency to the gospel message?
6. What hindrances to spreading the gospel do you see in our society/culture? How are they overcome?
7. How will you personally respond to this message?
