The Great White Throne Judgment

At the end of time as we now know it, unbelievers will stand before God to be sentenced to eternal punishment for their sins and their refusal to receive God's provision for sin.

One of Jesus’ followers, John, lived a long time and told many people about Jesus in various places. When he was old (about 95 years old!), people who didn’t believe his message put him in prison on an island called Patmos. While he was a prisoner, God gave John a peek into the future through a fascinating vision; it was as if he were taken to Heaven. He could see what was going to happen there and what was going to happen on earth—as if he were watching it happen right in front of his eyes! He wrote it all down in a book. Part of his vision included what would happen after Satan was thrown in Fire and Brimstone Lake. His book reads like this:

“I was in God’s throne room and saw an immense white throne and the risen Jesus—to Whom God had given all authority to judge—seated on it. Earth and sky ran from His presence but could find no place to hide.

“Then I saw Sea coughing up all who had died there. Death and Hell turned their dead over, also. I saw all who had died, important people and people of lesser stature, stand before that throne! Books were opened, including the most important one: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what they had done as recorded in the books.

“Then Death and Hell were thrown into Fire and Brimstone Lake which is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life (that book which contains the names of all those who received eternal life through the Lamb of God who takes away their sins) was thrown into that awful lake.”

All those who refuse to know God (by not believing the Good News of Jesus and trusting Him) will suffer for what they've done. Their sentence will be eternal separation from Jesus and His awesome power. If they refuse Him when they have the opportunity, they will be separated from Him forever.

Jesus Himself said, “This is important: anyone who believes me and believes the Father who actually put Me in charge, has real, lasting life and will not be condemned. These believers have passed from the world of the dead to the world of the living.”