UFC: Staying Alert in the Last Days

According to Scripture we will all face death and judgment. 2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." It is not just enough to be saved. Unbelievers will be punished based on their works, just as believers will be rewarded for theirs. The great white throne judgment (Rev 20:11) will take place at the end of time and the beginning of eternity future. Only those who are not written in the Book of Life will appear before the Great White Throne. They will not be found written in the Book of Life because, in their lifetimes, they failed to believe God. The clear message of Revelation 20:12-13 is that all unbelievers will be resurrected, all will face the condemnation of God because of their unbelief, and all will be judged based on their works. The basis upon which each resurrected person, whether resurrected from the sea or the ground will be judged will be by what he has done (works).

We threw around the idea of what standing in judgment before God may look like. Mr. Clifton described it as driving on the Tollway with a Tolltag...you can speed on through the booth, but you are still accountable for your actions. My mom is a Bible teacher and when she described meeting God for the first time, she told me to imagine standing naked before His throne, all of the works I had accomplished on earth that glorified His name were represented by jewels around His feet. As He began to run through my life, mentioning my self-serving nature, lies I had told, blasphemy, the floor began to grow thicker as He threw hay and stubble at His feet...all of the things I had done on earth to glorify myself. And then...in an instant He reminded me that my sins had been forgiven when He sent His son to die on the cross. A great fire arose, torching the grass around me to reveal the beautiful gems designated for my crown.

As believers, we will enter into our eternal home because of our faith, but will be judged and rewarded based on our works. Folks, there is plenty of work to be done.

Live expectantly with the hope He will return, live differently, live evangelistically.