Rev. David Holwick
Study Notes
March 15, 1992
Revelation 20:11-15
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I. Judgment in Bible.
A. Many verses speak of one final judgment of righteous and wicked. Rom 2:6-10. Cf. Heb 9:27
1) Final event is called the "Day" of Judgment. John 5:28-29, Acts 17:31, 2 Pet 3:7, Matt 7:22, 2 Tim 4:8, Rom 2:5.
2) Righteous and wicked judged together, then separated. Matt 7:22-23, 25:31-46, Rom 2:5-7, Rev 11:18, 20:11-15.
B. Most of Rev is concerned with judgments of God in history.
1) Theme of Rev 20:11 is judgment of God on history.
C. Although the world seems to run contrary to God's will, no event has run contrary to God's sovereignty.
II. The Judge. Dan 7:9; Rev 4:2ff; possibly Isaiah 6:1
A. Who is judge on throne in 20:11?
1) Jesus alone.
a) Jesus is the witness whose testimony determines the decision.
b) All judgment entrusted to the Son; the Father judges no one. John 5:22,27
1> Not absolute difference, for he goes on to say, "As I hear [from my Father], I judge."
2) God the Father alone.
a) He is normally the one seated on the throne. Rev 4:2-8
b) He is the Judge in Daniel 7:9.
3) Both Jesus and the Father.
a) They share the throne. Rev 3:21; 5:6; 7:17?; 22:1,3; 21:22-23
b) Judgment of Father and Son is coincidental. John 8:16; also see John 12:47-48.
c) Duality concerning the Judge is common in the NT.
1> God as Judge. Matt 6:4; 18:35
2> Christ as Judge. Matt 7:22-23; 25:31-46
3> Judgment seat of God. Rom 14:10
4> Judgment seat of Christ. 2 Cor 5:10
4) Symbolic language; relationship of Father and Son in judgment are not in view here.
III. The dead, great and small.
A. Who is in view:
1) Only wicked dead.
a) Christians (or martyrs) have "come to life" so are no longer considered dead. Rev 20:4
b) The second death has no power over those raised in the first resurrection.
1> Emphasis here is on second death, not salvation.
2> Only God's enemies are judged here. John 5:24.
c) In Revelation, Hades is abode of wicked.
1> But death is also cast in lake of fire, and even Christians die.
2> Death is common lot of all men, and Hades is where they stay till judgment.
2) Wicked and saved, but not martyrs.
a) This would be true if the "first resurrection" is limited to literal martyrs.
3) Inclusive language embraces all humanity, saved and unsaved.
a) Scene leaves no room for differentiation of order or location.
b) Rev 3:5 assumes believers appear before tribunal of God for judgment, as here.
c) There is no indication Church has already faced judgment.
IV. Method of judgment.
A. Books.
1) Records of deeds performed. Dan 7:10.
a) Evil only.
b) Evil and good. (cf. 4 Ezra 6:20; 1 Enoch 47:3)
1> Reflects ancient oriental (especially Persian) practice.
2> Establishes that people prepare their own destiny.
A> God's decision will conform with what people have willed.
2) Judgment always proceeds on the basis of works. Demonstrates God's justice.
a) Old Testament: Psalm 62:12; Jer 17:10
b) New Testament: Matt 25:41ff; Rom 2:6; 2 Cor 5:10; Heb 4:12-13; 1 Pet 1:17
3) However, does not teach that salvation is by works. (Contrast Jewish apocalypicists)
a) This judgment is not a balancing of good works over bad.
b) Works are unmistakable evidence of the loyalty of the heart and reveal belief and unbelief.
c) John's theology is in agreement with Jesus (John 5:29) and Paul (Rom 2:6ff).
B. Book of Life. cf. Exodus 32:32; Isaiah 4:3; Dan 12:1; Mal 3:6; Rev 3:5; 17:8; 21:27
1) This book alone seems to be decisive. 21:12,15; cf. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 21:27.
2) Belongs to the Lamb. 21:27
a) Suggests it is a register of those who belong to him. Rev 3:5.
b) Equivalent to Christ's bearing witness before Father. Matt 10:32-33, Mark 8:38.
3) Those in it have probably confessed that the Lamb has redeemed them. Rev 5:9-10, 7:9-10.
a) It is all by God's grace, who sovereignly works his will among men. Rev 17:8.
4) Presence of this book may indicate believers are present at the Great White Throne.
C. Significance of books.
1) Books give joint testimony.
2) Reflects sovereignty of God and freewill of humanity.
3) God's justice and his grace are harmonious, not in conflict.
V. Death and Hades.
A. Under control of risen Lord. Rev 1:17-18.
B. Both are thrown into Lake of Fire.
1) Since they are personified concepts, Lake of Fire is symbolic.
2) Meaning - death and Hades are as powerless as forces of evil.
C. The description of damnation is subdued.
1) In 1 Enoch 48:9 the wicked burn in the presence of the saints.
2) In 1 Enoch 90:26 they burn in a fiery abyss in full view of Jerusalem.
VI. Lake of Fire.
A. Lake of Fire.
1) Used as counterpoint to New Jerusalem.
2) Same reality portrayed as life outside the city. Rev 21:27.
a) Separation there is caused by city wall.
B. Those not in book thrown in Lake of Fire.
1) John sees a sharp division between saved and unsaved.
a) "If" in English translation of 20:15 may suggest uncertainty, but the Greek is very definite.
b) There is no universalism in Revelation.
2) Apparently none are saved by works. cf. Rom 3:10
3) Salvation is through Lamb alone, by faith on basis of grace.
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