Question 44:
What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment?
Answer At the
day of judgment, the bodies of the wicked, being raised out of their graves,
shall be sentenced, together with their souls, to unspeakable torments with the
devil and his angels forever.
Introduction
In our discussion this week
concerning the wicked and the Day of Judgement, we will see some overlap with
last week’s catechism. Because of the length
of the first day’s lesson, I will limit our lessons to two this week. Note that Daniel 12:2 was covered last week
and will not be repeated this week.
Day
1: Overview
Revelation 20:11-15
Our discussion today deals with
the last words of prophecy concerning the wicked at the Great White Throne
Judgement. The majority of Revelation
deals with the seven-year tribulation period in Chapters 6-17. In Chapters 18-19, we see the downfall of the
Antichrist on Earth. Chapter 20
describes the Millennial Kingdom of Christ and the saints (verses 1-6). At the end of which Satan is released from
the bottomless pit to work his deception upon the Earth one more time (verses
7-8). He makes one last attempt to
defeat Christ and His saints, but fails in a flame of destruction (9-10). Note that the beast, false prophet, and Satan
will not be resurrected and judged. The
beast and false prophet will be cast alive into the lake of fire (Revelation
19:20) and Satan being an angel requiring no resurrection along with all of his
demons (reference Revelation 12:7-9).
What we see first in verse 11 is
the place of judgement being the Great White Throne. The expression in the Greek, “megas leukos thronos” shows the absolute
greatness, majesty, purity, glory, and authority of this judgement. Especially, leukos that refers to this great brilliant light that emanates the
glory of God. Further, we see that the
place of judgement is isolated. In fear
of judgement, the unredeemed try to flee (Greek is pheugo, to run from danger), but there will be no place (Greek is topos, space, area, or room) to hide.
Next, we see the Person of the
judgement as Him who sat (kathemai)
on the Great White Throne. We also see
in verse 12 that the judgement is “before (Greek is enopion, in the presence of) God.”
We know from several other passages of scripture that the judgement will
be handed out by God through Jesus Christ His Son (Acts 17:31, John 5:22-23,
among others). We see further that the
glory emanating from the throne is not of the throne itself, but of Christ from
whose face (Greek is prosopon, face,
countenance, appearance) all of the unredeemed flee. Christ will be displayed in all of His
splendor and glory, more than sinful eyes can behold. Certainly, it will be an event that the
wicked will not look forward to.
Thirdly, we
see those that are being judged before the Great White Throne. We see that these first are the dead (nekros).
Going back to verses 5-6, we see that these dead are resurrected at the
Great White Throne having missed the first resurrection, which of course is of
those who are “blessed and holy.” Verse
12 says that the dead will be both small and great. This second resurrection of the ungodly (2
Peter 3:7) will not be according to any ranking, political, position, or
socio-economic status. We also see that
there is no distinction to burial, including those buried at sea (verse
13). Even the ancient Egyptian kings
with all of their lavish burials will not be spared the judgement. There is simply no one who will slip through
the crack in the floor in front of the throne of judgement. Those still living (the earth and heaven,
verse 11), and those already dead apart from Christ (Death and Hades, verse
13).
Next, we see the standard of judgement wrapped up in the
writing of books. There are two distinct
judgements here. First, we see in verse
twelve that books (biblion) were
opened. Then end of verse 12 and the end
of verse 13 describe what is written in these books as being works (Greek is ergon, things accomplished, act,
deed). We will look at this judgement in
Matthew 25, but suffice it to say here that the wicked will be judged by their
works and found wanting. MacArthur
points out that works comprise all of our thoughts, words, and deeds. The second judgement relates to Book of
Life. The end of verse 12 leads me to
believe that the Book of Life is still a book of works. We see throughout the letters to the seven
churches that Christ “knows your works” (Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8,
15). He then characterizes each church
based upon these works. It is clear from
the description of the Dead Church (Revelation 3:1-5) that it is by their works
that they are found to not be perfect before God (verse 2). On the other hand there are a few who have
“not defiled their garments” and these will not have their name blotted out of
the Book of Life (verse 5). On the other
hand, a works salvation is not being taught here either. It is that one’s actions prove them to be
righteous (Matthew 25:31-46). Thus all
those who are not redeemed will not have their names written in the Book of
Life (Psalm 69:28, Revelation 13:8, 17:8) and they will be cast into the lake
of fire (verse 15, Revelation 20). See
also 2 Thessalonians 1:8.
Lastly, we see the sentence that is rendered to those whose
names are not written in the Book of Life.
They are cast into the lake of fire (verses 14-15). These are cast (Greek is ballo, to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls)
as if they are thrown away. We see in Revelation
19:20 that this lake of fire is burning with brimstone. Brimstone was a type of incense that gave off
a noxious scent, thus if the fire by itself is not enough a never-ending aroma
will exist in the nostrils of the wicked.
Further, we see in Revelation 20:10 that along with Satan, the beast,
and the false prophet that the wicked will be tormented (Greek is basanizo, to torture) day and night
forever and ever. The second death is
not just an end to life, as we know it today, but an eternal torment for the
wicked. Finally, it is all of Death and
Hades. This is to say that none
escape. All the inhabitants of Hades and
all of those of the second death will be cast into the lake of fire. Also, there is no longer any use for these
two holding places for body and soul for Death and Hades has been conquered for
the elect by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:26, Revelation 1:18). The fact that this is a resurrection implies
that it will definitely be a bodily resurrection for the wicked. This is seen perhaps more clearly in John
5:28-29 that it will be bodies that are resurrected out of the graves. This
also seems to make sense with Death and Hades mention here as Death having the
body of the wicked and Hades having the soul.
I know of no scripture that describes this body, but we can gather that
it is nothing like the glorified body of the redeemed that we looked at
Philippians 2:20-21 and 1 Corinthians 15:42-50.
It will be an eternal body suited to suffer pain and torment
forever. This is the second death that
is well described in 2 Thessalonians 1:9, “These shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His
power.” Ultimately, Hell is a place that
God does not exist in presence, glory, or work.
The only One who could intervene will not because this is just payment
(Geek for punished is dike, avenging
justice, combined with tino, to
recompense) for the sins of the wicked.
1.
You may again have to discuss with your
children the nature of a God who would “send” men to hell. Remind them again of man’s sinfulness and its
penalty along with God’s perfect nature of justice.
Day
2: He Will Separate the Sheep from the Goats
Matthew 25:41
Going back to Matthew 24:1-3, the
disciples were curious, as anyone would be concerning the destruction of the
temple. They were prompted to ask Him
when these things would occur. Out of
this discussion Jesus gives a series of parables dealing with end times
events. Today’s verse is at the end of
these parables, which is a more direct discussion (not a parable) of God’s
standard of judgement.
This passage begins in verse 31
(Matthew 25) with the coming of Christ flanked by His holy angels to sit on His
throne. MacArthur characterizes the
events described here as those that take place during the
In verses 32-33, we see that the
Son of Man separates the sheep to His right hand and the goats to His left
hand. Of course, His sheep are those who
are His and secured by His blood (John 10:1-21) who gain the place of favor
(right hand, reference Hebrews 1:1-4 where Jesus is at the Father’s right
hand). And the goats on the left hand of
Christ are those who have not been redeemed and do not have God’s favor upon
them.
In verse 34, He renders judgement
to the sheep as the Blessed of the Father who are welcomed to inherit the kingdom
“prepared for them from the foundation of the world.” We see that God knows who the elect will be
and thus has specifically prepared the kingdom for them (Hebrews 11:16, John
14:2-3). In verses 35-36, Christ shows
them the evidence of their redemption by the works that they performed. Their works do not save them, but merely show
that they truly have faith unto salvation (James 2:14-26). In verses 37-40, it is as if the righteous
did not realize the full impact of their works.
Jesus clearly teaches in Matthew 10:32-33,42 that a confession unto
righteousness will naturally include works of righteousness as part of the new
nature born into us (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Now we get to our focal verse,
41. Those on the left will suffer
everlasting punishment. His command will
first be “depart (Greek is poreuomai,
imperative mood) from Me.” The point
here is that they will be thrust out of the presence of God (2 Thessalonians
1:9). Compare to the command of “come”
in verse 34 (Greek is deute, come
here, come now, an imperative). Next we
see that they are called the “cursed” (Greek is kataraomai, to curse, doom).
Jeremiah 17:5 says that cursed is one who trusts in man and whose heart
departs from the LORD. Compare to verse
34 (Matthew 25) where he says, “you blessed (Greek is eulogeo, favored of God) of My Father.” We see again as we saw in Revelation 20:10
that the doom of the wicked or cursed will be the same as the Devil (Genesis
3:14) and his angels in the everlasting fire of brimstone. This last and final judgement compares to the
last part of verse 34 where the righteous inherit the kingdom.
Likewise in verses 42-45, as with
the righteous and as we saw in Revelation 20:11-15, the wicked will be judged
according to their works. These will be
like the rich man who in his sumptuous living ignored the opportunity to
minister to Lazarus day after day (Luke 16:19-21). James also speaks of those who know that
their brother or sister is in need, but do nothing for them demonstrate a dead
faith (James 2:14-17, see also Matthew 7:15-20). Yet there will be others who strive to do the
work of the Lord, but in the end are found out to have selfish motives even in
doing good they have sought there own will (or gain) instead of God’s will
(Matthew 7:21-23). It is not works, but
a heart regenerated by the grace of God.
In Matthew 7:23, the judgement is stated even more severely than in
Matthew 25:41 adding the statement, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who
practice lawlessness.” As we saw a few
weeks ago, those who are of Christ abide in Him and He in them and they bear
much fruit. Those who do not bear fruit
are cast into the fire (John 15:4-8).
Verse 46 very simply sums up the
whole of judgement, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but
the righteous into eternal life.”
Discuss the following with your
family:
1.
This is the type of lesson that leads
me to evaluate whether there are “beggars” that are the “least of these” that I
am passing every day unnoticed. This
lesson also compels me to evaluate the motives for my service. Perhaps you are in need of such an evaluation
yourself.
2.
Discuss obedience with your
children. See if they can distinguish
between a servant’s heart and serving out of duty or even spite.
3.
As in the last lesson, evaluate with
your children the qualities of the righteous verses the wicked. Always keep the Gospel in focus when doing
this so that out of their exasperation to please God, that they would repent
and receive Him in faith.
Scripture:
Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Matthew 25:41; Revelation
20:14-15.