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THE BEGINNING AND THE END Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Isaiah 46:9, Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure.' 1). The Book of Revelation, which is a revealing of Jesus Christ, encompasses end time events in chronological order, beginning with the removal of the Church to heaven and her appearance at Christ’s judgment seat. Revelation 1:10, I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” a). At the rapture/resurrection of the Church, John heard the powerful voice of the Lord instructing him to write everything that he saw and to give his written testimony to the seven Churches which existed in his day. These seven Churches actually result in all Christians during this present 2,000 year dispensation, as the number “seven” in Scripture denotes “completeness of that which is in view.” b). Also, these seven Churches reflect the overall spiritual condition of all Christians throughout history, beginning with the Church in Ephesus who “left their first love,” and ending with the Church in Laodicea, the “lukewarm” Church. “Lukewarm” is the final spiritual condition of the Church as a whole at the end of the present dispensation, revealed by Christ in Revelation 3:17 to be “wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.” And so it has been prophesied almost two millennia ago that at the near close of this dispensation, the Church as a whole will have completely fallen away from the faith [the Word of the Kingdom]. This great apostasy is the sign of the coming of the Lord. (rf, Luke 18:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1). c). All seven epistles have to do with the Messianic Era, the 1,000 year reign of Christ. There is nothing in these epistles that moves beyond this time; therefore they have nothing to do with the Eternal Ages. d). John (being raptured from the Isle of Patmos to heaven and transported forward in time, nearly 2,000 years in the future) saw the complete Church, from the seven Churches at the beginning of this dispensation to all Christians at the end of this dispensation, in Christ’s presence — at the Judgment seat of Christ. So this would include all of us! e). John saw all Christians there at the same time (those who had risen from the dead and those raptured alive; those who were faithful Christians and those who were unfaithful Christians) in order to be judged.
2 Corinthians 5:9, Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Romans 14:10,
For we shall ALL stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it
is written: 2). Why are Christians judged? As seen in the foundation, Genesis 1:26, God created man to have dominion. Yet Man was created a little lower than the angels and therefore must prove himself worthy to be awarded this position. Man is given a choice, in which he can choose to be faithful or unfaithful to God. After Israel’s rejection of the heavenly kingdom, the Church was brought into existence to be the recipient of that part of the kingdom (Matthew 21:43). Subsequently, they must appear for judgment in order to reveal their works. Having been redeemed through the Spirit, Christians are directly responsible for producing good works for the Lord. God’s command to Christians is “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). And every individual shall give account of his works as they shall be tested by fire --- 1 Corinthians 3:11, For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. a). During the judgment of the Church, there will be works that reflect the value of “gold, silver, precious stones,” which will endure the fire and gain rewards; and there will be works that reflect the value of “wood, hay, straw,” which will burn in the fire and produce loss. Christians will be judged on how they built upon the foundation, which is Jesus Christ, the Creator and Heir of all things. If they allowed the Spirit of truth to work through them, then they would have built on this foundation with divine good works. If, however, they have built on this foundation with works of the flesh, then the works will not pass the test of fire. They themselves will be saved but through [lit. “in” ] fire [judgment], suffering loss during the Millennium. 3). Revelation chapters two and three reveal Christ’s judgment towards all Christians on the basis of works, not on sin. Christ reveals this by saying, “I know your works.” (Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1). Revelation 2:1, “To the angel of the church of Ephesus, write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience…4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place---unless you repent…7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ” a). Each Epistle in Revelation chapters two and three is structured exactly the same way: 1) I know your works, 2) a call to repent, and 3) an overcomer’s promise. b). All future judgments of man will be on the basis of works. God already judged sin at Calvary, based on His Son’s completed work, Who paid the price for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, sin can never enter into any future judgment as it was already completed in the past (On the cross Jesus said, “It is finished,” John 19:30).
c). While the Church was being judged on their works, these epistles
were documented so that Christians today could realize their calling
and prepare for the Lord. God’s calling is with a view to realizing
an inheritance with Christ as kings and priests during the
age to come. This is made quite clear in Revelation 1:5 ---
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be
glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
d). In these epistles, Christ gives strict warnings for the Church
to repent because He is merciful and provides all Christians
an opportunity to change their ways and choose the right path. He
desires all man to receive the salvation of their souls. The
overcomer’s promises should exhort a believer to be diligent
to make their call and election sure. 4). John describes the Judgment seat of Christ, in which he saw seven golden lampstands and in the midst of them he saw Christ in all His glory:
Revelation 1:12, Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
a). The seven golden lampstands were standing in the midst of Christ and were revealed to be the seven Churches in Revelation 1:20. So John witnesses the entire Church standing before Christ at His judgment seat in the heavens.
b). John’s description of the Lord in Revelation 1:12 depict Christ as Judge. The garment described in Revelation 1:13 is a judge’s robe. The girdle seen about Christ’s chest is the accessory worn by a judge, not a priest. A priest wore the girdle around his waist. And the reference to Christ as the “Son of Man” is a Messianic title referenced in Daniel 7:13. c). In that coming Day, every Christian will stand before Christ the Judge and see His eyes “like a flame of fire” and hear His voice “as the sound of many waters” and witness His whole body “like the sun shining in its strength,” full of power and glory. Our reaction will be no different than John as we will experience great fear in the presence of the Lord. But Christ told John not to be afraid:
Revelation 1:17,
But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I
am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and
behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades
and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the
things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
d). Christ placed His hand on John to console him and to affirm that
He had the power over Hades and Death. This will be the case for the
overcomers, but not so for the non-overcomers. They will not be
comforted.
Hebrews 4:1, Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 5). The parables in the book of Matthew center on the Judgment seat of Christ. A parable is a truth (using figurative language) that explains a previously revealed truth. Each parable actually has to do with the same thing, though each parable presents matters from a different perspective. These parables reveal that there will come a time in the very near future when God will require an account of our service, our works, with the goods and talents that He has given us. Each parable has to do with the Lord’s dealings with His servants (Christians) during present and future times, with the coming Kingdom in view. Together they form a complete picture of exactly what is expected of each and every Christian.
a). The first parable, one taken and the other left, centers on the
exhortation to “Watch, Be Ready for you do not know what hour
your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).
In this parable, the issue of Christian preparedness for His second
coming, the judgment seat of Christ, and the Millennial Kingdom is
in view. This parable compares the days of Noah with the
days of the coming of the Son of Man. Just as in the days of Noah,
many will not be prepared for Christ’s judgment. In Matthew
24:38, 39, Jesus reveals that before the Flood many were
eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until
the Flood came, and took them all away. And this will be the
exact occurrence at the end of this age. Many Christians who were
not “watching and praying” (preparing) for the Lord during their
lifetime will be “left” [turned away], and will lose their life in
the age to come. The few who were watching (preparing) during their
lifetime will be “taken” [alongside Christ] in the heavenly kingdom
as His intimate companion. Matthew 25:1, Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
d). The foolish virgins had only one portion of oil in their lamps, but the wise had a double portion of oil — one in their lamps and the other portion in their vessels. “Oil” in Scripture denotes the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the single portion of oil in the lamps speaks of the Holy Spirit which is freely given to all ten virgins the moment they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. e). Once the Holy Spirit is indwelt in the believer, he is now able to mature in the Word of God and produce divine good works --- in preparation to meet his Bridegroom. In this parable, maturity in the Word and preparedness for Christ at His judgment seat (being filled with the Spirit) is known as having a double portion of oil, which only the wise virgins possessed. The foolish virgins never went beyond the single portion of oil, the Holy Spirit remaining dormant in them, and therefore never progressed unto maturity nor produced any good works for the kingdom. f). “Midnight” in Scripture always denotes judgment, and in this parable, a cry is heard providing a warning to be ready for judgment: And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ (Matthew 25:6) g). This pictures for us the time preceding the removal and judgment of all Christians. It is a warning (“midnight cry”) for Christians to be prepared. The double portion of oil that the wise virgins possessed had to be purchased by the One selling, the Holy Spirit, in order for them to enter the wedding. This typifies the works of the believer emanated by the Holy Spirit during their lives. The double portion of oil (denoting wisdom from the Holy Spirit) involved both faith and works. They had to purchase daily from the Holy Spirit with the price of a surrendered life (dying to flesh and living in the Spirit), the price of faithful obedience to the Word of God, and the hope of His appearing. h). When the ten virgins arose and began to trim their lamps, the foolish virgins did not have enough oil and were told to go buy for themselves. But it was too late, for only the wise virgins who were prepared were allowed to go in with Him to the wedding as the bride of Christ. And the door was shut — speaks of being shut out of the wedding festivities in the kingdom.
i).
The same thing is shown in the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew
25:1-13), in that only the wedding guests who were prepared and
possessed a wedding garment (which is “the righteous acts of the
saints” in Revelation 19:8) were allowed into the
wedding feast. The man without a wedding garment (without righteous
works) was found naked and was cast into the “outer darkness.”
a). When the Lord returned from a far country, He reckoned with his servants, so that they could give account of what they had done with the talents that they were given from the Lord. The servants who had doubled their portion of talents were rewarded from the Lord, saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matthew 25:21) b). But the servant who did nothing with the talent he was given was rebuked by his Lord, who called him a “wicked and lazy servant" (Matthew 25:26) and cast him into the outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth (an eastern expression signifying extreme grief and regret). c). And because of this, two things are to be avoided during the time of the Lord’s absence: 1) Being unoccupied or idle (wicked and lazy servant)
2)
Being busy in the wrong realm (busy doing works of the flesh;
workers of iniquity) d). Prior to His departure, the Lord was very specific concerning the conduct of His servants, leaving them with the command, “Do business till I come.” (Luke 24:13) They were to produce good works with the goods that He left them. The only thing that could possibly be in view as to the Lord’s goods [his personal possessions] is the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, as this is the only way in which one can produce good works for the building of His kingdom during the present time.
7). As in the parable of the talents, the Householder and His servant in Matthew 24:45 reveal the same thing pertaining to the servant’s commission during this present dispensation-- to share the message of the kingdom with other Christians:
“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food [meat; gospel of the kingdom] in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.”
a). Viewing all the parables together provides a complete picture pertaining to the Christian’s responsibility and accountability for the coming Kingdom. He alone is responsible to the Lord at present and he alone will one day answer to the Lord, at the time of His return.
a). Ruth was going forth to meet the bridegroom in the type, and so are Christians in the antitype. And an individual going forth to meet the Bridegroom must not only be properly prepared through that shown by washing [confessing sin] and anointing [being filled with the Spirit] but also through that shown by being properly clothed [producing righteous works] --- putting on the wedding garment.
9). “Overcoming” and promised “rewards” then terminate each epistle to the seven churches in Revelation, clearly revealing that only those who overcome will be allowed to enter into the promises, but those who do not overcome will be denied these promises.
a). There are seven different overcomer’s promises and each
promise is strictly millennial; these promises will be
realized during the 1,000 year reign of Christ after
Christians have had their works tried in fire at the Judgment Seat
of Christ and have been found worthy.
c). There is a present warfare between the rulers of the darkness
of this age and Christians. Satan and his demonic angels war
against Christians because they know God’s plans and purposes for
man — which is for man to rule in Satan’s stead, to exercise power
and authority from the same heavenly realm where Satan presently
rules. Therefore, Satan and his angels are striving for the souls
of men and their means of doing so come in many forms. The crafty
ways in which Satan and his angels work to deceive men are by
seeking to counterfeit the work of God. Knowing this, a Christian
must be properly prepared in order to resist the devil and
consistently win the battle of spiritual warfare. Those not
properly prepared will experience defeat, falling into the sway of
the “wicked one.” But if we are to stand before the Lord as an
overcomer at His judgment seat, we will have to overcome each of the
three great enemies of God. Victory is achieved by
resisting the enemy by means of surrounding oneself with the
whole armor of God, revealed in Ephesians chapter six. 10). Now following the Judgment seat of Christ, overcoming Christians will be awarded the following crowns ---
Revelation 2:10, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
1 Peter 5:2, Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
c). The Crown of Righteousness:
This victory crown will be given to believers who produced righteous
works during their race of the faith, to those who loved and eagerly
hoped for His appearing---
2 Timothy 4:7,
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me
on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His
appearing. d). The Crown of Rejoicing: This crown will be given to believers who not only share the Word of the Kingdom with other Christians, but also who watch out for their fellow brethren. They are true soul-winners---
e). The Incorruptible Crown: This crown is awarded to overcomers who will have disciplined their bodies of flesh, bringing them into subjection, so that they may overcome their sin during their lives.
1 Corinthians 9:25, And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we for an incorruptible crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
a). The Tree of Life:
Christians who have overcome will be given access to the tree of
life, providing them the wisdom of God and the ability to rule the
earth.
In Proverbs 3:18-22, we see that the Spirit of wisdom is
connected to the tree of life. Overcomers who are provided
nutrition from the tree of life during the Messianic Era will have
the wisdom of God with which to rule and reign with Christ. b). Power over the nations: Overcomers will be given power to rule and reign over the Gentile nations of the earth for one thousand years. They will be assigned certain cities to rule over. Revelation 2:26, “And he who overcomes, and keeps my works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels--”
Christ and His co-heirs during the Millennium will take over the
government ---- He shall rule them with a rod of iron.
Christians revealed as overcomers will then be given “power over
the nations.” c). The Morning Star: Christ promises to give the morning star, which is Christ Himself, His glory. Revelation 2:28, “...and I will give him the morning star.”
The “morning star” refers to the overcomer’s share in the glory of Christ during the kingdom age. Believers who overcome will shine brightly in the image and likeness of Christ, sharing in His royal splendor, as revealed in Daniel 12:3, Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. d). Hidden Manna, White Stone and a New Name: The “hidden” manna (an allusion to the manna which was kept “before the Lord” in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle, hidden from the people but visible to God) during the Messianic Era will constitute God’s provision to properly prepare overcoming Christians in all realms of life, both physical and spiritual needs. It will provide a supernatural sustenance to enable the overcomers to serve God effectively as co-rulers in Christ's kingdom. A white stone will be given as a symbol of victory for the overcomer who is indeed victorious in his race of the faith and in his battle against spiritual hosts of wickedness. Along with this, a new name will be written on the stone, which will identify the overcomer's distinctive character. For the victor at the judgment seat, this new name will not be known to anyone except to him who receives it and the Lord Himself who gives it, indicating the special relationship between the two.
e). White Garment, Book of Life, and Confession of one’s name before the Father and His angels: The overcomer will wear white linen apparel before entering the wedding feast, which can only refer to the wedding garment. It symbolizes the overcomer's righteous acts and faithful service to the Lord during his life, allowing him entrance into the kingdom and into the wedding festivities as part of the Bride of Christ. The overcomer's name is promised to be in the Book of Life, which pertains to the salvation of the soul, where the overcomer's name and works will not be erased, but remembered and honored. The Book of Life is a record containing the works of individuals, and will be opened at separate times during judgments of the saved and the unsaved. At the judgment seat of Christ, the Book of Life will deal only with Christians, the only ones who are being judged at this time, with the Millennial Kingdom in view. Those Christians whose works passed the test of fire will not be blotted out from the book of life. But not so for those Christians whose works are burned. They will be blotted out from the Book of Life for 1,000 years. They will be put to shame and will be denied life in the age to come before the Father and before His angels.
For the overcomers though, Christ will honor them by
confessing their names before His Father and His Father's angels --
f). Pillar in the Temple of God, the Name of God, the New
Jerusalem and Christ’s New Name:
For the overcomer, Christ promises future positions with Him as
pillars in His temple. Overcoming Christians will occupy grand,
secure, and firmly established positions. And Christ will inscribe
upon these pillars (upon overcoming Christians) three names: 1) the
name of God, 2) the name of the city of God (which is New
Jerusalem), and 3) Christ’s new name; all three recognizing the
overcomer’s ownership, citizenship, and his association with the
ultimate Ruler and the governing center of heaven and earth. At that
time Christians will be intimately identified, after the fashion
revealed in Revelation 3:12, with God the Father, God the
Son, and the New Jerusalem ---
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God,
and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God
and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes
down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new
name."
g). Sit with Me on My throne:
The promise that the overcomer will one day be allowed to share the
throne with Christ comprises the pinnacle of all the overcomer’s
promises. Just as Christ suffered and overcame in order to sit down
with the Father on His throne, Christians who faithfully endure
through their sufferings will likewise be granted permission to sit
with Christ on His throne --- Revelation 3:21, “To him who
overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also
overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” 1 Corinthians 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss… a). The Greek word for “loss” is zemioo and means “to injure, to experience detriment: be cast away, receive damage, suffer loss,” which in this case is “the loss of one’s soul [life].” This refers to a separation from Christ, which is inextricably linked with one’s experiences of joy, peace, love, intimacy, honor, wisdom, and spiritual fulfillment during the Millennium.
b). This loss is portrayed by Christ as He articulated the account
of the “unprofitable servant” in the parable of the talents.
The servant was cast into the outer darkness, still in
heaven, but in obscurity just outside the glory of the kingdom ---
Matthew 25:29,
For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have
abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be
taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant
into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.’
c). It is apparent that this servant cared not about his
inheritance, just as in the case with Esau. The Lord called him
“a wicked and lazy servant, an unprofitable servant” and cast
him into the outer darkness. He was separated from Christ,
and was unable to experience any of the joy and fulfillment of
reigning in the kingdom. He was cast out into a place of shame and
dishonor, of darkness and sorrow. d). The expression “outer darkness” is used only three times in the Gospel of Matthew (verses 8:12; 22:13; 25:30), and simply means “into the darkness, the outer.” It describes a place of darkness outside of the light of the heavenly kingdom, the conditions in an area apart from the wedding festivities of the bride and Bridegroom. It is reserved for Christians found unworthy to enter the kingdom; they will have lost their soul and their inheritance for 1000 years.
f). In the Old Testament, the “Valley of Hinnom” (also Gehenna or Hell -Strong’s G1067) south of Jerusalem, was a garbage dump where the fires were never kindled. This place was used as a type for that which would portray the future judgment of apostate Christians --- the antitype of which is the lake of fire. As Gehenna of fire was the place of refuse for the earthly city of Jerusalem, the lake of fire is seen as the place of refuse for the heavenly city of Jerusalem.
g). Another term used in connection to the lake of fire is the
second death. The term “the second death” is
mentioned in the epistle to the Church in Smyrna in Revelation
2:11, “He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall
not be hurt by the second death.” This expression appears
only four times in Scripture, all in the Book of Revelation
(2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8). In Revelation 20:14, this
expression is associated with the unsaved; but, in the other three
passages, it is contextually used pertaining to those who are saved.
i). Each and every individual will be resurrected in his own company
and be judged in his own company. Saved and unsaved man therefore
will form separate companies and will be judged at different times.
The judgment of the saved will transpire prior to the Messianic Era,
while the judgment of the unsaved will be at the Great White Throne
of God immediately after the Messianic Era, a judgment having to do
with the Eternal Ages.
The second death for the unsaved will be experiencing death
and being cast into the lake of fire at the beginning of the Eternal
Ages — forever.
Revelation 22:12, And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.
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