We all have a date with deity.

1 – The setting described (vs. 11)

• There is a court room.
• There is a throne. It is great and it is white.
• There is a sovereign sitting upon the throne.

Who is this judge in eternity? See Revelation 1:13-17. Jesus is the judge upon the throne. Jesus is the Saviour and the Judge. See John 5:22. It is not you or anyone else who will judge you. Jesus is a lamb and a lion. You cannot avoid this date with Jesus Christ. There is no hiding place.

2. The summons delivered (vs. 12-13)

God will send out a summons for people to attend. Jesus does not need extradition permission from death and hell. Death has the body. Hell has the soul. There are five groups of people who will be there

• The out and out sinner. They are opposed to Christianity.
• Self-righteous people. They think because they are not out and out sinners they are going to heaven. They think they don’t need to be saved.
• Procrastinators. These people know they need to get saved – some day. They keep putting it off till tomorrow.
• Duped by religion. They go to church but don’t have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life. The church is not the way to heaven. It points the way to heaven. Religion does not get you to heaven.
• Never heard the gospel. They are sinners and will be judged. Is this fair? See Luke 12:47-48.

3. The secrets displayed (vs. 12-13)

The books were opened. The dead are judged out of what is written. God is keeping books. He is recording the secret things that no one else knows about. See Ecclesiastes 12:14, Matthew 12:36 & Romans 2:16. We think if we forget about things that it will be forgotten about. It may be forgotten by you, but not by God. Every idle word will be brought to account and secret sin revealed. See Luke 12:2-3. All the skeletons will come out of the closet!

4. The sentence determined

• The sureness of it – You can’t bribe this judge. See Romans 14:11-12. There will be no slick lawyer to try and get you off the hook.
• The severity of it – You will be judged according to your works. There is no mercy. If you want mercy, forgiveness and grace then now is the time. See Hebrews 10:28-31. People have rejected the Law of Moses. It is a greater sin to reject Jesus Christ.

The evidence will be presented. Every lie, curse, lust, hatred, etc will be presented against you. You have the chance to make your defence. What excuse do you make? Will you mention the hypocrites in the church? Will you blame the church services for being boring? We are to believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved. What excuse can you offer if you are not saved?

Now is the time to get your name in the Book of Life. It is better to settle out of court! Those that are not in the book of Life are cast into the Lake of Fire. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. See Romans 8:1. The fires of judgment have already been laid upon Jesus and those who trust in Him are saved.

Categories: Revelation