The Last Judgment: How Will Our Sins Be Handled?

The Last Judgment: What Will Happen to Our Sins?

Have you ever wondered what will happen to our sins when we face the last judgment? Will they be remembered? Will they be revealed for all to see? These are important questions that many of us ponder, and to find the answers, we turn to the book of Revelation.

In Revelation 20:12, we read about the scene of the last judgment. John, the author of Revelation, describes seeing the dead, both great and small, standing before the throne of God. And in this momentous event, books were opened. These books contain a record of every person's life and actions. It's like God has a file on each one of us, documenting everything we have ever done or said.

Now, imagine these books being opened before the eyes of all the people gathered there. Our lives, our choices, our actions are laid bare for all to see. The good and the bad, the successes and the failures, everything is there. It's like a massive examination where every answer we've given is scrutinized, and a grade is assigned to each one.

But here's where it gets interesting. Alongside these books, there is another book mentioned in Revelation 20:12, the book of life. This book contains the names of all those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. It's a book that signifies our salvation and our relationship with God.

So, what happens when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Will our sins be exposed and held against us? The answer is both yes and no. Yes, our sins will be revealed, but they will be revealed as forgiven sins. You see, when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, His blood covers our sins, and God no longer holds them against us. Our sins are forgiven, and their guilt is completely washed away.

Picture it like this. As God opens the file on your life, He pulls out all the F's, representing your failures and shortcomings. But here's the amazing part: He takes the good parts of your test, the parts where you succeeded and made the right choices, and puts them with the A's. Then He takes the bad parts of your A's and B's, the times where you fell short or made mistakes, and puts them in the F pile. Essentially, He separates the good from the bad in your actions and choices.

But here's the beautiful truth: When God opens the book of life and finds your name, it's like finding a match made from the cross of Jesus. He takes that match, lights it, and sets the F pile, with all your failures and deficiencies, on fire. They are completely burned up and eradicated. They will not condemn you, and they will not have any influence on your rewards.

Instead, God takes another envelope from your book of life file. This envelope is marked "free and gracious bonus: life!" It represents the eternal life that God has given you through Jesus Christ. He puts this envelope on the A pile, signifying that you have eternal life and are a recipient of God's grace.

Then, holding up the entire pile, God declares, "By this, your life bears witness to the grace of my Father, the worth of my blood, and the fruit of my Spirit. These actions and choices bear witness that your life is eternal. And according to these, you will receive your rewards." It's a joyful proclamation that invites you to enter into the everlasting joy of your Master.

Now, you might be wondering, why does God go through this process? Why does He separate the good from the bad in our lives? The answer lies in the fact that our actions and choices do matter. While they don't determine our salvation, they do have an impact on our rewards in eternity. As believers, our lives are meant to bear witness to the transforming power of God's grace. Our actions and choices should reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

So, as we think about the last judgment and what will happen to our sins, let us remember that our sins, as forgiven sins, will be revealed but not held against us. They are completely covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. And while our actions and choices will be evaluated, they will be evaluated in light of God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

As we live each day, let us strive to walk in obedience to God, knowing that our actions and choices have eternal significance. Let us seek to bear witness to the grace of our Father, the worth of Christ's blood, and the fruit of the Spirit. And let us eagerly anticipate the day when we will hear those words, "Enter into the everlasting joy of your Master."

In conclusion, the last judgment is not something to be feared for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. Our sins, as forgiven sins, will be revealed but not held against us. Instead, our lives will bear witness to the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Our actions and choices will have eternal significance and will determine our rewards in eternity. So, let us live in the light of this truth, striving to walk in obedience and eagerly anticipating the day when we will enter into the everlasting joy of our Master.