Before the Great White Throne

 Some look forward with "fearful anticipation" at the prospect of appearing before our Lord Jesus Christ as he sits upon the throne of Judgment, 

and sadly even some Christians are fearful as well.

In the Book of Revelation: 20: which was written during a time of great stress that had come upon early Christians in the 90's A.D. The Book of Revelation  it is written in a highly symbolic style of writing developed by the Jewish people around 280 B.C , called "Apocalyptic." 

The early Christians began to utilize this Apocalyptic style of writing, which the Holy Spirit inspired St. John to use in the writing of  the Book of Revelation.

In Revelation, we are shown, through eyes of the aged Apostle St. John, a vision of what is commonly called the "General Resurrection”, "Final Judgment" or the "Great White Throne Judgment". 

 When?

Many have wondered at the timing of "when" this takes place. There are many views as to "when”. It is natural for us to wonder about the specific timing of those things we read in Scripture. 

I would like to ask, if for but a moment, that we set "when" aside, and see that, if we read the Scripture through "Who Jesus is” and also look at the "when" of its original writing, that is, what the early Christians were facing, then we see a message emerges of great comfort and encouragement for us all, not one of fear or dread, but one that speaks to us in any and all ages in which we might live.

 In Johns' Life

We should look at what was happening at the time St. John was inspired to pen these words.  Many Christians at that time, had thought that Jesus was going to soon return, they saw the events and conditions that were in the world and they truly believed that the end was soon upon them. 

Many were sure, that Jesus would return in the lifetime of the Apostle St. John, this was due to a misunderstanding of the words of our Lord Jesus as commented about St. John in responses to a question from the Apostle St. Peter after Jesus' resurrection.

"Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
 
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” Jhn: 21:20-23

This belief, that St. John would live to see our Lord's return fueled anticipation   that the end was near. During this time period the Roman Emperor Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus, demanded to be worshiped, and to be addressed as "dominus et deus" which means "lord and god".

Miscarriage of Justice   

As Christians who looked to Jesus as their Lord and God refused and to bow in worship of   Domitian,  they began to face difficult times. Christians great and small, high and low were arrested and brought before the Roman courts to face judgement.

Christians were giving up everything for their worship of our Lord Jesus. Christians were being falsely accused, slandered, labeled as seditious, accused of engaging in "unnatural" practices, all for their worship of Jesus. 

Christians were the victims of great miscarriages of justice, and as a result they suffered the loss of many things, homes, estates, position, wealth, reputation, family and even their very lives and many things all for Jesus and all to be faithful to their Lord, because they would not worship the Domitian.

The Great Question

"Who will you worship?"  is the great historic question which frames the entire Book of Revelation. 
 
The Holy Spirit asked all humanity this question, "who will you worship? who will you, and I , call Lord? Will it be Caesar Domitian the Emperor of the World System manifested at that time in Rome, or will it be Christ Jesus the King of the Kingdom of God?" This is the great eternal question that is being asked of  all humanity.

 Throughout the Ages

Recall again, the time in which the Book of Revelation was written; a time of strife and persecution. Christian then, and throughout the ages have faced, and have continued to face injustice; not just injustice leveled at them by the "state”, but in every area of their lives there have been injustice. 

Now , in vision we see the ultimate source of all true justice. We see Jesus who sits upon a Great White Throne. That is in sitting Jesus has authority.

"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." Rev: 20:11

We also see that at the very center of this white throne is Jesus. White in the ancient world represents righteousness, purity and victory. This tell us that the judgement and reign  of our Lord will also be characterized by these qualities as well. Recall again, the early Christian's experiences with the Roman court systems were noted for just the opposite toward early believers.

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders." Rev: 5:6
 

These verses are important to understanding the point for all Christians, we see that Jesus is at the center of it all as a "slain lamb" , the very lamb who has taken away the sins of the world and who has taken away the penalty of human sin. Jesus resides at the center of Gods' power and rule over all things, it also places Jesus as the focal point of God's redemptive purpose in eternity, that it is all about His Holy Son, and it is his Son who there in this Throne.

All Judgment is bestowed upon Jesus to administer it as judge. He will discharge this role as it is in accordance with the will of the Father, and all humanity will at some "moment" face Jesus as judge.

"Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has  entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

 Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." Jhn: 5:22-30

 Not to Be Feared

In Revelation:20 we see in the all humanity coming to face Jesus, here at the Throne there is no doubt as to whom it is who now sits before them in Glory. When humanity is faced to face with our Lord  there will be  no obstructions in seeing who Jesus is. All the fog of misunderstanding will have has been driven away, they will know who sits in majestic glory, it is Jesus.

"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."(12-15)

This is the judgment that Jesus had been referring to in Jhn 5:22. Now humanity faces Jesus, the books are opened, that is word of God plainly shows us all to be in need of God's grace and mercy and that we all have fallen short.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Rom: 3:23

We are all declared to need Jesus; however, we are to be encouraged for the one who sits glorified before us as judge, is also our Greatest Advocate who stands with us and for us.

Jesus, who is fully one of us, knows the weakness of our humanity, yet, at no time sinned. Jesus is there to be for us , being both our Judge and our defenses. The one who Judges us is with us and for us. Jesus is both just and is merciful and gracious and will freely extend grace and mercy to any and all who will but freely receive it in that moment of seeing our Lord without obstructions.

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One".1 Jhn:2:1

We also have here the assurance of the Justification and validation that Christians, who have given up all for their Lord, will be publicly validated, rather than suffer the humiliation of defeat.

St. Paul now speaks of this assurance that any who will receive can have.

"As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame." Rom: 10:11

For any, who come to see clearly who Jesus is, who and will be freely receive it, will be themselves will be justified. Christians can face our Lord without fear, knowing that this Great White Throne is not a place of condemnation but of accommodation, that is seeing Jesus and knowing our need for him, we will find blessings which defy description. 

For those who, when they have a clear view of our Lord, still refuse to receive his Grace, then Our Lord will simply give them what they themselves have willed, they will excluded themselves from an eternal relationship with our Lord.

C.S. Lewis a writer who became a somewhat proficient Theologian, wrote of this very judgment when he said:

"in the final judgment there will be two kinds of people, those who say to God, "your will be done” and they will enter into eternal life. There will also be those to Whom God will say "your will be done” and they will depart into outer darkness."  God will give them what they have chosen.

Consider again, the ancient Church, how this assurance would have lifted their view above the suffering and injustice which they face, above strife, pain, above loss, above even false accusations, above even the prospect of death, these Christians, and even we in our age, would and can find comfort and peace knowing that Jesus is that one who will, in his providence openly Justify his people, and bring justice to us all. We his people need not fear being before the Great White Throne.

Benediction: May we each and all look forward to the moment in Eternity when we will stand before our merciful and gracious Judge, our Lord Jesus who will pronounce his glorious judgement over each and all of us, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.

Rev.Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma