Part 8/9
Series: Will the Church Be On the Right Side of History
Read: Revelation 20, Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 14:10, II Corinthians 5:10
Warning: you might want to open a window or turn on the AC while reading this sermon manuscript. We are going to be talking about fire and brimstone.
Teaching through the Book of Revelation is difficult. There are a lot of different viewpoints with every passage. If a picture paints a thousand words, then a vision in Revelation paints a thousand opinions. It is impossible to do justice to all of the opinions while also teaching the plain meaning of the text.
Chapter 20 is probably the most controversial. Why? Because it talks about the Millennium. The reason this is so confusing is that it is the only passage in the entire Bible that even mentions the Millennium. The text seems pretty straightforward, Jesus comes back, establishes a reign on earth for a thousand years where Satan is bound, and then let’s Satan loose again to wreak havoc on the earth before the final judgement. However, there are three major theories on what this all means.
The first theory is called Amillennialism, which suggests that the thousand years are symbolic and not literal. There is no Millennial Kingdom, per se, but a literary flourish to further a deeper point. The second theory is called Premillennialism. This suggests that Jesus will come back before His Millennial reign and all of the events will carry out as straightforward as they are presented. The third theory is called Postmillennialism, which suggests that Christianity will rise to such significance that it prepares the way for Jesus to return.
All of these views are vastly different from each other and each has their pros and cons. You might be inclined to take the more literal route, but then again, it’s very difficult to determine what is meant to be taken literally in Revelation and what is apocalyptic. So you might just want to look at it as symbolic, but then, why would John describe it as playing out in this particular order. And if we are currently in the Millennial Kingdom, does that mean that Satan is bound, or is he roaming around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour? Trust me, the more critically you think about it, the more questions you’ll come up with.
Most teachers would just choose one of the theories and teach it without paying any attention to the other two. It often involves a lot of arguing and visiting texts outside of Revelation for explanation. However, what is often lost is the intention behind this vision and why John was writing it to the early Churches facing persecution. To get to the point, let’s examine the last five verses of the text.
Approaching the Throne
This passage is not without its controversy. The question comes from two different descriptions of the final judgment in the New Testament. The first is called the Judgment Seat and this one is called the Great White Throne Judgment. Some of those who believe that the Church will be raptured before the Tribulation period think that they are separate events and happen at different times.
When I was in Bible college, I had to give a verbal defense of my theology with one of my professors. It was contingent on my graduation. He could ask me about any doctrine that they taught at the school. At one point he asked me about the Judgment Seat and the Great White Throne Judgment, “Which one comes first?” I told him I didn’t know. He didn’t like that answer and so he asked me again, but I told him that I really didn’t know. He was clearly bothered by this so I told him, “I know what several scholars think, I just don’t know what I think.” Even after all of these years, I’m still not sure.
However, what we can say with certainty is that everyone will come before God Himself and give an account for everything they have done in this life, good or bad.
The theme of the throne has been prominent throughout Revelation. Whenever God is described, He is depicted as a stormy fury. He’s not the kind of judge you want to go up against. He’s scary, and He should be. He’s pouring out judgment and wrath over all of the earth. Even John, the beloved disciples, fell on his face as though dead when he saw the glory of Jesus. All of the angels and the 24 elders bowed down and worshiped God continuously. If you think that you’ll have your head held high when you go into the throne room, think again. This is a serious matter.
The Books are Opened
This isn’t just any throne room ceremony, this is a courtroom trial. The books are opened, the evidence of our guilt and shame is read. This is the record of everything we have ever done. Nothing will be overlooked. Back in chapter 12 we were told that the devil stands before God accusing us. He’s the prosecutor and he has a personal vendetta. You’re not going to be able to cut a deal with him.
This courtroom is an individual process. We are not graded on a curve. We stand before God and have to acknowledge every sin we have ever committed. We might think that they are small now, but we won’t be feeling that way when everything comes to light. Just think about how embarrassed we would feel if everyone knew our deepest indiscretions. We would feel a lot of guilt and shame.
I’ve got a confession to make. When I was in high school, I lied to my parents and I got away with it. You might be saying, “No harm, no foul. It’s water under the bridge.” I mean, it was two decades ago, but just because I got away with it then, doesn’t mean I’ll get a pass when I’m standing before God. By the way, Mom and Dad, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry. There. It’s settled, right? I apologized. Now it can’t be brought up against me again. Wrong. I may have apologized to my parents, but what about God. After David committed adultery and murder, he said, “Against you (God), and you only have I sinned.” This isn’t to suggest that he didn’t also sin against Bathsheba and Uriah, but God was the one who was ultimately offended. And now, He’s our judge. It’s bad enough to go against a righteous judge when you know you’re guilty, now you’re going up against a judge who you have outright offended. The chances are not looking good.
You Better Call Your Lawyer
What can we say to defend ourselves when the evidence of our sin is true? Do any of us think that we would be able to stand there and make excuses or plausible explanations for our sin? One of my favorite authors, A.W. Tozer says, “Those who will defend themselves will have themselves for their defense, and they will have no other. But those who come defenseless before the throne of God will have none other than God Himself as their defender.”
Here’s a little piece of advice, if you’re ever arrested or taken into police questioning, don’t talk without a lawyer. In this case, we don’t have to defend ourselves. We have a court appointed advocate. We have Jesus Christ as our defender. He doesn’t deny any of the wrongs that we’ve committed, instead, He points out that the penalty has already been paid. Jesus Christ has died in our place. He bore the punishment for our sins. He suffered the wrath of God so that we could be forgiven.
Jesus opens another book, the Lamb’s Book of Life. In it is written the names of everyone Jesus has saved. And whoever’s name is written in that book will not be punished. So, how do you get your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? You have to request it. You admit that you’re a sinner, you acknowledge that Jesus has already paid the price for your sins, and you ask Jesus to forgive you. Repent and call upon the name of the Lord.
The Sentencing Phase
Chapter 20 is really about two alternate destinies. We will either spend eternity in glory with Jesus, or we will be condemned to hell with the devil. This is what is called the second death. Many scholars have tried to describe the reality of hell, but most of them have a hard time because it is going to be far worse than anyone can comprehend.
It’s not a popular subject today. In fact, many contemporary authors have tried to erase hell from our Bibles. However, you cannot escape this reality. Jesus talked about hell more than He mentioned heaven. It is a serious subject and we shouldn’t ignore the warning.
Those who live for themselves will suffer the consequences. The Book of Revelation is describing the wrath of God and if reading it doesn’t scare you, then you’re reading it wrong. But you don’t have to remain afraid, because Jesus has already borne the wrath of God, the only reason we will end up in hell is if we reject His perfect gift.
We might be thinking, “But I’m really not that bad. I’m a good person and I’m sure that my good deeds will outweigh the bad ones.” Really? Is that going to be your line of defense when you stand before God when all of your sins are being brought into light?
Everyone sins and everyone falls short of the glory of God. No one will be able to stand in their own strength before the fury of a holy and righteous God. I am pretty good. I’m a pastor. Yet, I’m not the cut off for getting into heaven. If I were, then why would Jesus have had to die? In the garden, when Jesus was wrestling with giving up His life, He asked God if there was any other way that the cup of God’s wrath could pass from Him. If I were the standard on who could get into heaven, that would have saved Jesus from having to die. But there was no cut off. Jesus had to die because all of our sins had to be paid for.
So, here is the question, what will you say in your own defense? How will you feel when the books are open and everything you’ve ever done is brought into question? Will your name be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
Adam Miller is the president and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church. This article is a condensed version of one of his sermons.