For those who believe in God and the Bible, realize that there will be a time when everyone who has ever lived will be judged. Some will be judged to live forever and others will be judged to die a second time. Once the church has been raptured and the end time is over, this will be the time that everyone receives judgment.

Revelation 20:11 – 15 – “And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

All who were not raised in the first resurrection, the non-believers, will be raised in the second one to stand at the Great White Throne Judgment and any who died sinners during the 1000 years will be there also. Jesus will judge them and this includes everyone from Cain to the 1000-year end. They will be judged and if their names are not in the Book of Life, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

Believers, having received the Holy Spirit, will have their names in two books. They will stand in judgment before Christ to receive a reward for their works, deeds or service. (I Corinthians 3:10 -15 and II Corinthians 5:10) In the Book of Life it has only believer’s names. The Book of Deeds, Scriptures say your deeds are being kept tract of and there is continual writing going on.

As the books are opened, every righteous believer will be judged by their deeds. Works do not save us but our works indicate our relationship with Christ. There is no indication that anyone standing before Christ’s Judgment, having their name in both books, will be cast into the Lake of Fire. Believers will be rewarded by how they handled their gifts, opportunities and responsibilities. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience and service. We must live each day knowing that God’s book is open. Each person will be judged by what they have done while alive on this earth.

We do not know when this will take place. Some believe it does not occur until after the 1000 years and the earth is destroyed by fire. Prior to that happening, those with their names in the Book of Life will be transferred to a new heaven and a new earth. Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” II Peter 3:7 – “And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.” Scripture says that the heavens and the earth would be consumed by fire on the Day of Judgment when ungodly people will perish.

Romans 14:12 – “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.”

Unbelievers who stand before Christ will find everyone whose names are not in the Book of Life will be tossed into the Lake of Fire and eternal damnation. This is that second death when their spirit dies. There will be no second chances, no appeals and no hope. The Lake of Fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked.

For believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, will stand before Christ and give an account of themselves. This judgment is for rewards for their deeds and their service to Christ. We will have to tell what we have done whether good or bad. Christians who have wasted opportunities to serve wisely will receive fewer rewards. Yet, they will still be saved. Any works or deeds for selfish reasons will not be counted. One should not be concerned at this judgment that a person might lose their salvation. But we must be warned that works and deeds will be judged and counted toward the crown the Bible say we may receive. It will be at this judgment that Christ will tell us how well we have done as a Christian. The motives of our heart will be exposed.

Romans 14:10b – 12 – “Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.”

Always keep in mind. For every decision or action we commit there is a consequence. Live according to God’s commands and His Ways and the consequences will be positive. What do you want Christ to say as you are bowed before Him giving an account?