What is the “Great White Throne” judgment and should we, as believers, fear it?
Thank you for your question and I want you to know that these questions about our destiny as believers are great and greatly important for us to understand.
There are (well, I believe at least two) judgments we can expect after we leave this planet. No one can fully know what happens then (see 1 Corinthians 2:9 which references Isaiah 64:4). Most Biblical scholars point to two of them: the “Great White Throne” judgment and the believers’ judgment at the Bema seat of Christ. You can find great resources on-line that talk about both, but let me condense out some of those thoughts here.
Keep in mind that I am both a layman and a Christ-follower as you are. So, while these answers will give you a working knowledge of judgments that await us after our passing, I would encourage you to keep studying and growing in the knowledge of our Lord about these and all of the questions you have. See Acts 20:32.
There is no doubt in my mind that judgments await us all—even believers—once we pass into God’s wider reality. Romans 14:10 – 12 says we will all stand before Jesus and give an accounting for what we have done. The Bible says that Jesus is given the authority to judge by God the Father (John 5:22) and even our very words will be judged (Matthew 12:36 – 37).
The Great White Throne judgment is described specifically in Revelation 20:11 – 13:
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.”
The scripture tells me here that there are books (multiple) opened and they are referenced and each is judged according to what he has done. Thankfully for us, there’s that “Book of Life” which is also referenced, and if we know and love Jesus as our Savior, He knows us and our names are written there.
I don’t know if this is where our words will be reviewed and judged (the Matthew 12 passage) or if this is where that accounting will be revealed (the Romans 14 passage). At the Great White Throne, we will be judged but found redeemed as our Lord’s perfect sacrifice for us has covered our sins and we will soon see a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1).
Many Biblical scholars will also point to another judgment at the “Bema seat” of Christ. Just when this happens and how it happens remains unknown. Some will point to 1 Corinthians 13:10 – 15 that talks about the works we have accomplished on behalf of the Kingdom, and others will point to 2 Corinthians 5:10 which clearly states we will appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and receive what we are due for what we have done in the body. I’m convinced this is a second judgment that we will encounter—but clearly those who have not accepted our Lord as their Savior will not be present here. Their judgment is the White Throne judgment alone. And for them, that will be devastating.
As I believe that we will encounter both the Great White Throne and Bema seat judgments, I don’t think we should conflate them as some are prone to do. Regardless, these facts remain about the judgment(s) that await us in heaven:
- We will all be judged. Every knee shall bow.
- There will come a point where what we have done on earth will be revealed—all of it.
- There’s going to be stuff I’ve done that will be revealed that may not cast me in the best light (OK, so I’m understating this one).
- My name is written in the Book of Life.
Should I fear the coming judgment(s)? Perhaps this is the context of another question and response. But, just briefly, I revere God and love Him deeply. He has authored my purpose and is the source of any meaning I have in life. He created me and has set me free. Do I fear Him? The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10). I have the most reverence for Him. I do not act capriciously about Him, my faith, or any aspect of my ministry, such as this response. See James 3:1.
But too many make the mistake of only having God for a friend. God may want to be our friend, but He also wants to be our God. One should not get too comfortable with his faith or what he believes. Aslan isn’t safe, C.S. Lewis would tell you, but he is good.
So, I don’t fear what will come out about me at judgment time. On too many occasions I have encouraged culture warriors that no matter how many times Satan plays back our “game films” and convicts me that I just don’t measure up to God’s line of Truth, this does not dissuade me from contending for the cause of Jesus Christ. It means I’m human, but it doesn’t mean I take my ball and go home.
We will not measure up to God’s plumb line of Truth. Yes, as believers, we are covered by the precious blood of the Lamb. But we remain sinners. Here’s this from the great hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”:
“Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart Lord. Take and seal it. Seal it for thy Courts above.”
When my heart is unsealed in God’s courts above, even in the presence of my Lord and Savior, I know I will be praising Him, no matter how much I have fallen short here on earth.
Praise God that you and I share that same destiny. We will see Him as He is.