Revelation 20:11-15 English Standard Version

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Are our fates sealed?

Revelation 13:5-9 English Standard Version

5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

The names were written in the book of life from the foundation of creation.

If any names were added it is reasonable to assume God would have given scriptures to encourage us that our fate was in our own hands. Verse 9 is meant for those who have spiritual ears. It can be assumed that this knowledge is not meant for everyone.

I say assume because it is pride that tempts certainty where God is silent on a matter.

Revelation 8:1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

How long does a half hour in eternity take in earthly time? All will be revealed in good time.

Nothing was read from the book at the breaking of the seventh seal. At this point the Seven Trumpets were sounded. At the last trumpet blast, this happened. Revelation 11:19 ESV

“Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.” That which was hidden will be revealed, I assume.

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Who is teaching and what is being taught is at the core of wisdom.

Let me rephrase this proverb in other terms.

Ecclesiastes 2:21 because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

There seems to be a negative image of education which seems to be born of laziness and the desire for instant gratification.

Advice and instruction without patience will not arrive at wisdom in the future. How did I come to this conclusion?

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Plans without an eternal purpose are folly.

Proverbs 15:21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

Those who have discovered their purpose know the way of wisdom.

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Those who have gone before us know the Way because the path they walk is well trodden. The impatient make their own way, to their own demise. 

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

If you do not believe that Jesus is the Son, then you are chasing after a different father that is not Father God.

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.