Revelation 20:11-12 looks ahead to the Day of Judgment. In verse 11, John sees “a great white throne and him who was seated on it.” The one on the throne is Christ; the white throne reflects the holiness of Christ in the judgments he will render.
White is a prevalent symbol in Revelation. In chapter 7, the redeemed have white robes because they had washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. It is an important symbol for Christians to remember. It helps us remember that our sins were taken away by Christ’s death; the white robes were bought at a high cost.
Christ being seated on the throne means he has the authority to judge. Paul told the people in Athens (Acts 17) that God had appointed Christ to judge all men and proved it by raising him from the dead. Christ’s office as King of Kings will be glorified when he sits in judgment. If Christ is the great King, submit to him. He is not only great, but good.
Verse 12 reads, “I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according to what was in the books, according to what they had done.”
This is a verse worthy of your careful consideration because the judgment Christ renders on a soul is irreversible. We can observe important principles here. First, people will stand before Christ on different foundations. The unbeliever will stand on his own foundation; it will prove to be a crumbling foundation. Men will be judged by their works, and no sinner will be justified by his works.
There is another way, and that is to have your name in the book of life. This is the solid foundation. Those in the book of life will be declared righteous on the grounds of their participation in the righteousness of Christ through faith in him. Their deeds done in his name will be declared as evidence of their relation to Christ.
Another thing we see is that records are kept. God doesn’t need books of course, but the symbolism of books opened makes the point that everything is recorded. In this present world, there is no perfect retribution. Often the wicked prosper and we see oppression and depravity throughout the world. But nothing escapes the Lord; there is a place of justice in the universe.
We know from the Scriptures that there will be degrees of punishment. Jesus speaks of the punishment being more bearable for some than others. Each will be tried by the standard of God’s righteousness and law, not as they conceived of it, but according to their own exposure and response to what the Judge himself had revealed to them.
This means that those under the gospel will be judged according to the special advantages they have been given. The Lord knows what all people have heard and how they have considered it. The records include inward motives, as well as the actions themselves.
The judgment to come impresses on us the need we have for wisdom, to consider our ways, and to see if our hope is in ourselves or in Christ. The Scriptures assume that a man may be deceived as to his spiritual condition, so it is wise to examine yourself.
You should look at your convictions of the truth, that what the Lord teaches about the guilt and pollution of sin is true and you agree with the application of it to yourself; that you agree in your heart with what is said about Christ, the Son of God, have committed your body and soul to him, and bless his name; that you agree with the plan of salvation by grace; and that a gracious method through a righteousness and strength not your own suits your own case.
You should look at the purpose of your life, whether you fight against sin, seek to grow in grace, and are devoted to the glory and service of Christ, that he is the ultimate end of your life rather than the world or yourself. Judgment is inevitable, but perishing isn’t. Grace can open the book of life to you and close the book of sin against you. Make sure of Christ.
