Before considering this portion, I want to point us to a few more portions as a way of showing how complete the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross was in saving the lost sinner.

We read in John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, IT IS FINISHED: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”  These words of the Lord from the cross are familiar with most people.  What an amazing cry from the cross as the Lord Jesus declared the time of his suffering before death was over…completely over!  In the Greek, IT IS FINISHED, is really only one word, “teléō”.  That same Greek word is used in Matthew 17:24, “And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master PAY tribute?”  In other places, it is also translated as accomplished and fulfilled.  Realizing that, we can see more precisely the depth of those words of the Lord from the cross.  It was if He said, “PAID.”  Our sin debt was completely paid by the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus when He offered Himself up for us as our perfect sin bearer.

We read in Romans 8:1, “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (NASB).  It is because of the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross that there is NO CONDEMNATION or JUDGMENT to those who know Christ as their savior.  God will never condemn us for “he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made THE RIGHTEOUNESS OF GOD in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  When we are saved, the Lord declares us to be righteous, even though we might not always act that way.  The Lord will never judge us for our sins because His Son completely paid the price of our sins, He has promised never to judge us, and has declared us to be righteous. 

All believers will one day stand before the Lord. This is called the Judgment seat of Christ and is written about in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.  I encourage you to read these verses to learn about this blessed event.  For time’s sake, I will have us look at one verse, 1 Corinthians 3:13.  That says, “Every man’s WORK shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s WORK of what sort it is.”  On this day, when all believers stand before the Lord, it is not to judge us for our sins, but to judge the WORKS we have done for the Lord, so that we might receive the proper rewards for those works. 

Now, let’s read Revelation 20:11-13, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw THE DEAD, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and THE DEAD were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up THE DEAD which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”  Who are the DEAD spoken about in these verses?  They are the SPIRITUALLY DEAD, or those who do not have the eternal life we receive when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus.  

This is not the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST for believers.  This is the GREAT WHITE JUDGMENT for unbelievers.  At this time, ALL unbelievers will have to appear before God to answer for ALL the sins they have committed.  While all believers will have their works judged, the unbelievers will be judged ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. 

What will happen to all these unbelievers who must stand before God to be judged?  We read in verse 15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  What a tragic way to spend eternity…FOREVER IN THE LAKE OF FIRE, or HELL, where “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:41).  My dear friend, does this concern you?  Do you know where you will spend eternity?  Have you accepted Christ as your savior and have the certainty of spending eternity with Him in glory?  If not, you will stand before God, you will be judged according to your works, and you will be cast into the LAKE OF FIRE to be tormented forever.  I plead with you today to put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ before it is eternally too late.  (CC)  (668.2)