What is the Great White Throne Judgment?

[Boy15Boy]

On 4/3/2022 at 5:30 PM, missmuffet said:

They will know what has happened to them when the day of the Great White Throne happens. That will be the sad part. 

I always have this image in my head of billions of unbeliever's kneeling before God with their heads bowed, grimacing and weeping as they hear their punishment and realising they got it so badly wrong. They will have all of eternity to regret their mistake.

The saddest thing is it will hurt God more than it will hurt them, he doesn't want to send them to eternal punishment but they leave him no choice. Its heart-breaking but my sympathy has to be with God not them. 

[missmuffet]

13 hours ago, Boy15Boy said:

I always have this image in my head of billions of unbeliever's kneeling before God with their heads bowed, grimacing and weeping as they hear their punishment and realising they got it so badly wrong. They will have all of eternity to regret their mistake.

The saddest thing is it will hurt God more than it will hurt them, he doesn't want to send them to eternal punishment but they leave him no choice. Its heart-breaking but my sympathy has to be with God not them. 

Yes, I can see that. Well said.

[Marathoner]

On 4/2/2022 at 4:01 PM, angels4u said:

What is the Great White Throne Judgment?

 

The great white throne judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15 and is the final judgment prior to the lost being cast into the lake of fire. We know from Revelation 20:7-15 that this judgment will take place after the millennium and after Satan is thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet are (Revelation 19:19-20; 20:7-10). The books that are opened (Revelation 20:12) contain records of everyone’s deeds, whether they are good or evil, because God knows everything that has ever been said, done, or even thought, and He will reward or punish each one accordingly (Psalm 28:4; 62:12; Romans 2:6; Revelation 2:23; 18:6; 22:12).

Also at this time, another book is opened, called the “book of life” (Revelation 20:12). It is this book that determines whether a person will inherit eternal life with God or receive everlasting punishment in the lake of fire. Although Christians are held accountable for their actions, they are forgiven in Christ and their names were written in the “book of life from the creation of the world” (Revelation 17:8). We also know from Scripture that it is at this judgment when the dead will be “judged according to what they had done” (Revelation 20:12) and that “anyone’s name” that is not “found written in the book of life” will be “thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

The fact that there is going to be a final judgment for all men, both believers and unbelievers, is clearly confirmed in many passages of Scripture. Every person will one day stand before Christ and be judged for his or her deeds. While it is very clear that the great white throne judgment is the final judgment, Christians disagree on how it relates to the other judgments mentioned in the Bible, specifically, who will be judged at the great white throne judgment.

Some Christians believe that the Scriptures reveal three different judgments to come. The first is the judgment of the sheep and the goats or a judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-36). This takes place after the tribulation period but prior to the millennium; its purpose is to determine who will enter the millennial kingdom. The second is a judgment of believers’ works, often referred to as the “judgment seat [bema] of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). At this judgment, Christians will receive degrees of reward for their works or service to God. The third is the great white throne judgment at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:11-15). This is the judgment of unbelievers in which they are judged according to their works and sentenced to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire.

Other Christians believe that all three of these judgments speak of the same final judgment, not of three separate judgments. In other words, the great white throne judgment in Revelation 20:11-15 will be the time that believers and unbelievers alike are judged. Those whose names are found in the book of life will be judged for their deeds in order to determine the rewards they will receive or lose. Those whose names are not in the book of life will be judged according to their deeds to determine the degree of punishment they will receive in the lake of fire. Those who hold this view believe that Matthew 25:31-46 is another description of what takes place at the great white throne judgment. They point to the fact that the result of this judgment is the same as what is seen after the great white throne judgment in Revelation 20:11-15. The sheep (believers) enter into eternal life, while the goats (unbelievers) are cast into “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:46).

Whichever view one holds of the great white throne judgment, it is important to never lose sight of the facts concerning the coming judgment(s). First, Jesus Christ will be the judge, all unbelievers will be judged by Christ, and they will be punished according to the works they have done. The Bible is very clear that unbelievers are storing up wrath against themselves (Romans 2:5) and that God will “give to each person according to what he has done” (Romans 2:6). Believers will also be judged by Christ, but since Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to us and our names are written in the book of life, we will be rewarded, but not punished, according to our deeds. Romans 14:10-12 says that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and that each one of us will give an account to God.https://www.gotquestions.org/great-white-throne-judgment.html

I'll share my understanding of judgment.  

There are the dead. Who are the dead? Those who have not been given eternal life by Jesus Christ. The dead shall be raised, and they shall by judged by the Son of God upon the great white throne. This is the end of all things when the heavens and the earth flee before His face. The dead shall be judged according to their works and if their name is not written in the book of life, they will be cast into the lake of fire which is the second death.

There are the living. Who are the living? Those who have been given eternal life by Jesus Christ, whose lives are hidden in Him. Over these the Lord has declared that the second death has no power, so it is clear that the living are not judged after the end of all things. On the contrary, we are seated with Christ --- another promise of the Lord who declares that we shall be granted to sit upon His throne with Him. Consider the following: if our trespasses are forgiven of us, then why would we be judged according to our works? Is salvation in Christ a matter of works? Clearly it is not. 

But we are indeed judged --- here and now, for the Lord disciplines every son and daughter whom He receives. He judges us... He teaches us... and we are conformed to His image by the Holy Spirit from glory to glory while we sojourn upon this earth. And we shall be judged again in the manner of what reward we shall receive when we join the Lord in fullness. As for the great white throne judgment, we are not judged before His throne. We shall judge with Him! As the apostle says, we shall judge angels.  

Edited April 6, 2022 by Marathoner

[DeighAnn]

On 4/6/2022 at 9:39 AM, Marathoner said:

But we are indeed judged --- here and now, for the Lord disciplines every son and daughter whom He receives. He judges us... He teaches us... and we are conformed to His image by the Holy Spirit from glory to glory while we sojourn upon this earth. And we shall be judged again in the manner of what reward we shall receive when we join the Lord in fullness. As for the great white throne judgment, we are not judged before His throne. We shall judge with Him! As the apostle says, we shall judge angels.  

That makes it a little easier to share what I see as WRITTEN.  

Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

I went in search of what '144,000' could mean.  And here is what I personally have settled on FOR NOW until something better comes along and/or someone is given insight in 'what is written'.
  
12,000 from each tribe.  (Wouldn't it be weird if when we become Christs,  we are also assigned to a SPECIFIC tribe if we aren't by blood already? )
Anyway the SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBER 12 found in the book - Number in Scripture, Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance by E. W. Bullinger.  Disclaimer - I believe this man was GIFTED by God to do works that are nothing less than miraculous to me, especially in the time he did it,  but I don't agree with some of his beliefs.  That said here is what HE WROTE on the number 12, and 12 x 12 = 144.  

12 signifying PERFECTION OF GOVERNMENT  GOVERNMENTAL PERFECTION
IT has to do with rule.
product of 3 (the perfectly Divine and heavenly number) and 4 (the earthly, the number of material and organic)
7 = 3 + 4  while 12 = 3 x 4  
and as Bullinger writes - and hence denotes that which can scarcely be explained in words, but which the spiritual perception can at once appreciate, viz., organization, the products denoting production and multiplication and increase of all that is contained in the two numbers separately.  

12 Patriarchs, 12 Sons of Israel, Temple of Solomon 12 as predominating factor (Tabernacle number 5), 12 Judges or Saviours, 
New Testament - 12 Apostles, 12 foundations in the heavenly Jerusalem, 12 gates, 12 pearls, 12 angels.
THE MEASUREMENTS OF NEW JERUSALEM  12,000 furlongs square, while wall 144 cubits
12 tribes 12,000 from each tribe
12 stones in High Priest's breast plate, 12 stones taken out of the Jordan, number of spies sent....
12 persons Anointed for government positions besides all kings priests, prophets, lepers, 

Jesus 12 when first appeared in public
12 legions of angels 
 
Who is to rule and reign with Him?  

Revelation 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

women -  Harlot,  Whore,  Babylon - deception lies false teaching
 

Revelation 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

and in the mouth of them was found NO LIE

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

GOING FROM SPIRITUALLY DEAD TO DYING IN THE FLESH AND RISING IN THE SPIRIT  aka Born again

And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,
but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body. 

THOSE WHO NEVER DIE ARE NEVER FOUND AMONG THE DEAD.




When Christ returns, SOME OF THE DEAD rise.  THE DEAD consist of the JUST and the UNJUST but NONE OF THEM RISE up IN IMMORTALITY.  They didn't make the first resurrection HE THAT LIVETH AND BELIEVETH IN JESUS NEVER DIES, so the best they can hope for will be to be found in the book of LIFE at the END OF THE LORDS DAY WHEN
 

Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea  9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead,
(THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND THE UNJUST)

small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.



The REST of the dead lived NOT until the 1000 years were finished. 
THE 'SOME' OF THE DEAD THAT DIDN'T RISE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND UNJUST BECAUSE THEY ALREADY BLEW THEIR CHANCE TO EVER BE FOUND JUST AS THEY ALREADY CHOSE DEATH

Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

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

 

[Dennis1209]

The following is only an opinion piece of how I visualize and personal thoughts.

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Our Lord ordained human government, probably a pattern of heavenly government. It is too lengthy to detail the role of angels over the seventy nations, the divine council, God ordaining judges over Israel, and Israel decided they wanted a king instead. How old English law and procedures were adapted from the Bible, and how America patterned their law from Britain. It is history passed down from ancient biblical times.

Our Lord is a legalist, with God’s word, the Bible as the legal document. We cannot deny the laws and commandments, right vs. wrong, Heaven vs. Hell, and judgment.

In my limited capacity, the only way I can abstractly think and conceptualize the Great White Throne judgment is through a courtroom scene. Instead of placing the right hand on the Bible, the swearing-in will be every head and knee shall bow, acknowledging the Lord as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, fair and righteous.

Unlike the judgment (Bema) that preceded this judgment, there will be no advocate (lawyer) standing in and for them. No One that took their unlawful deeds and thoughts upon Himself in our place, that we so richly deserved. No, they will stand alone and receive their wages of sin (earned payment-2^nd death).

The prosecuting evidence, criminal history, premeditation, and thoughts of the mind and heart (books) will be open for close examination and scrutiny. This evidence is much better than video evidence and cannot be skewed or altered. It is perfect evidence and a detailed record of the person’s life. All parties will agree this is fact and truth and the defendant cannot challenge it. The defendant will plead for the mercy of the court (God).

As enemies of God, one final book will be opened just before final sentencing, the Book of Life. To verify and prove to the defendant that their sentence is righteous, just, and deserved because they rejected a free pardon from guilt.

Instead of receiving a prison sentence of life, they will receive a sentence of eternity in the Lake of Fire. Like our penal system, their “works” will be taken into account at sentencing. I believe there are different levels of pain and suffering currently in the jail of Hades. With the sentencing of eternal prison (Lake of Fire), a person who did good works and tried to live a moral life without Jesus. Will not receive the same punishment of the senses as, say, Hitler, Stalin, or Judas Iscariot.

However, it is still eternal separation from God. All good things flow from God; therefore, there will be nothing good, only misery, despair, hopelessness, and bad things.

Many times, in my life, I have heard someone say to another, I wish you would go to Hell. How many feel that in their hearts today? People who have said that or think that have no concept of enormity and gravity. In my opinion, one cannot say anything worse than that to another. We do not wish that on our worst enemy. We are to love our enemy and leave judgment to the One who created that life.

I STAND GUILTY when I stand before the Lord and give a complete account of my wasteful and sinful life in shame. I have no defense or excuse; I deserve eternal separation from a Holy and Righteous God.

In His love for me, the Lord made way for me to be with Him for all eternity. I accepted His gift and free pardon for my sins. He is my advocate standing with me that bore all my sins on His cross. When the Father looks at me, He sees His Son and what His Son did for me. My sins were cast away as far as the East is from West. I am eternally grateful the Lord saved my non-deserving soul from my wages of death.

[angels4u]

On 4/6/2022 at 12:14 AM, Boy15Boy said:

I always have this image in my head of billions of unbeliever's kneeling before God with their heads bowed, grimacing and weeping as they hear their punishment and realising they got it so badly wrong. They will have all of eternity to regret their mistake.

The saddest thing is it will hurt God more than it will hurt them, he doesn't want to send them to eternal punishment but they leave him no choice. Its heart-breaking but my sympathy has to be with God not them. 

 

1 hour ago, Dennis1209 said:

The following is only an opinion piece of how I visualize and personal thoughts.

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Our Lord ordained human government, probably a pattern of heavenly government. It is too lengthy to detail the role of angels over the seventy nations, the divine council, God ordaining judges over Israel, and Israel decided they wanted a king instead. How old English law and procedures were adapted from the Bible, and how America patterned their law from Britain. It is history passed down from ancient biblical times.

Our Lord is a legalist, with God’s word, the Bible as the legal document. We cannot deny the laws and commandments, right vs. wrong, Heaven vs. Hell, and judgment.

In my limited capacity, the only way I can abstractly think and conceptualize the Great White Throne judgment is through a courtroom scene. Instead of placing the right hand on the Bible, the swearing-in will be every head and knee shall bow, acknowledging the Lord as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, fair and righteous.

Unlike the judgment (Bema) that preceded this judgment, there will be no advocate (lawyer) standing in and for them. No One that took their unlawful deeds and thoughts upon Himself in our place, that we so richly deserved. No, they will stand alone and receive their wages of sin (earned payment-2^nd death).

The prosecuting evidence, criminal history, premeditation, and thoughts of the mind and heart (books) will be open for close examination and scrutiny. This evidence is much better than video evidence and cannot be skewed or altered. It is perfect evidence and a detailed record of the person’s life. All parties will agree this is fact and truth and the defendant cannot challenge it. The defendant will plead for the mercy of the court (God).

As enemies of God, one final book will be opened just before final sentencing, the Book of Life. To verify and prove to the defendant that their sentence is righteous, just, and deserved because they rejected a free pardon from guilt.

Instead of receiving a prison sentence of life, they will receive a sentence of eternity in the Lake of Fire. Like our penal system, their “works” will be taken into account at sentencing. I believe there are different levels of pain and suffering currently in the jail of Hades. With the sentencing of eternal prison (Lake of Fire), a person who did good works and tried to live a moral life without Jesus. Will not receive the same punishment of the senses as, say, Hitler, Stalin, or Judas Iscariot.

However, it is still eternal separation from God. All good things flow from God; therefore, there will be nothing good, only misery, despair, hopelessness, and bad things.

Many times, in my life, I have heard someone say to another, I wish you would go to Hell. How many feel that in their hearts today? People who have said that or think that have no concept of enormity and gravity. In my opinion, one cannot say anything worse than that to another. We do not wish that on our worst enemy. We are to love our enemy and leave judgment to the One who created that life.

I STAND GUILTY when I stand before the Lord and give a complete account of my wasteful and sinful life in shame. I have no defense or excuse; I deserve eternal separation from a Holy and Righteous God.

In His love for me, the Lord made way for me to be with Him for all eternity. I accepted His gift and free pardon for my sins. He is my advocate standing with me that bore all my sins on His cross. When the Father looks at me, He sees His Son and what His Son did for me. My sins were cast away as far as the East is from West. I am eternally grateful the Lord saved my non-deserving soul from my wages of death.

I believe there are different levels in hell also and studied it a bit awhile back:

[OneLight]

I know, I'm late to the discussion, but I want to throw out something I have not seen mentioned yet about how long the GWT Judgment will take.  Some seem to think this will take a very long time because there is only one Judge and millions of people to judge.  Just as there is only one Holy Spirit who speaks to millions at the same time (concurrently) without having to go from one to the other, why can't this be the same at the GWT Judgment?   Why does it have to be one at a time?  Why can't God speak to each person at the same time, being able to show them their past concurrently?

Just a thought I had ... back to reading.