THE Resurrection and THE Judgement - Revelation 21:11-15

The Bible is clear: “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement,” (Hebrews 9:27, NIV).  John was given a view of the Great White Throne.  The fallen universe "fled from His Presence."  The dead were judged before the prosecuting presence of the "books" and the "Book of Life."  These books are not literal books, but are in fact metaphors of God's perfect memory.  In John's style of recapitulation this scene is a repeat of what he witnessed in the latter part of Chapter 11.

“The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”” (Revelation 11:18, NIV)

Everyone is here, saints and sinners alike.  The judgement of the wicked and the judgement of the redeemed. "To emphasize clearly that all human beings will face final judgement, John notes that all temporary places that receive the bodies of the dead gave up the dead. This includes both the watery graves of the sea and those buried in dry-ground graves (Greek hadés)." [1]  The judgement is based what we have done. John repeats this for emphasis. "God keeps an accurate record of every human deed, and will reward and punish with perfect justice." [2]

Names found in the "Book of Life" will enter the "new heaven and earth."   Is it because of their deeds? No.  “All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8, NIV). Names are found in the "Book of Life" because of the foreordained, predestined will of God before the earth was created -- those of whom the Lamb was slain for their sins. "The “life” granted the saints in association with the book comes from their identification with the Lamb’s righteous deeds, and especially his death, which means likewise that they are identified with his resurrection life (cf. 5:5–13)." [3]  Their deeds will garnish rewards; the deeds of the wicked will incur wrath.

The final disposition of all sin and all evil is the Lake of Fire.  “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14–15, NIV).

All experience the resurrection, but those who reject Christ experience the Second Death of which there is no resurrection. John views but one judgement where all are judged, rewarded or condemned. "The entire Bible teaches but one, general resurrection (read Jn. 5: 28 f.). This one and only and general resurrection takes place at the last day (Jn. 6: 39 f., 44, 54)." [4]

Father like all Your plans since the Fall of mankind, there is a severity mixed with mercy, perfectly blended in Your perfections.  We don't like to think of judgement.  We don't like to imagine wrath.  But Father, you will judge the unrepentant; and You will do it is justice and to Your glory.   The manifold grace of Your salvation removes all hint of pride.  Even the works of the redeemed are non-consequential to final glory.  Our names are in the Lamb's Book of Life, only by Your sovereign grace. You reward our deeds because You have incurred them in us. You receive all the glory.    

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1. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (380). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers

2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2493). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3. Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (1037). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press

4. Hendriksen, William (1998-06-01). More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (p. 196). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.