If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
Much of life is punctuated by evaluations to see how well or badly we have done. At the end of life there is also an evaluation. The outcome of that final evaluation decide how we spend the rest of eternity. If we understand the basis of the final evaluation we have a better chance of living for a glorious future.
Bible Zone
- Judgement Throne - Two points of judgement.
- Saved - salvation is available right up to the last minute of life.
- God’s Perspective - the Lord’ knows whose names are written in the book of life.
- Human Perspective - Things are not so clear for us, but we look for fruit.
- How God Judges - look at life from God’s point of view.
Revelation 20:11-15 presents a vision of the end of the world, with all people who have ever lived standing before God, who sits on a great white throne to judge us.
- What kind of people stand before the throne of judgement?
- What is the distinction between ‘the books’ and ‘the book of life’? What evaluations are associated with each?
- How do the contents of the different books reflect the judgement made?
- If you were to die today how would your life be evaluated?
Revelation 20:11-15 11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave* gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
There is a distinction between what we have done and whether our names are written in the book of life. Look at the following text found in Luke 23. We find Jesus on the cross with criminals on either side. They are all about to die.
- What does the ‘other criminal’ (vs 40-41) think of his life and the life of his colleague?
- When this second criminal meets Jesus at the throne of judgement, how could he justify his life from what is written in the books?
- What does Jesus hear in the ‘other criminal’s’ words that would assure Him that his name was written in the book of life, and that they will meet in paradise?
Luke 23:39-43 39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you're at it!"
40 But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die?41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong."42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."
43 And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Jesus then, demonstrates that it is possible to be rescued from destruction at any time. This raises the question: Would you like your name to be written in the book of life? The steps involved are profoundly simple, To discover more follow this link.
Those who go to heaven are those whose names are written in the book of life. This does not need to be a surprise awaiting us at judgement time. The Lord has given a clear indication.
- What has God done to identify those who are His people?
- What is the criteria for being identified by God?
Ephesians 1:13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own* by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Things are not so clear on earth, and it is not our role to judge. However, in the case of spiritual leaders Jesus gave this advice -
- What does Jesus advise us to look for?
- It is worth thinking about the warnings we hear on earth. They are often associated with theology, gifting, style of church … Why is it that Jesus does not mention these?
- What fruit should you be looking for?
Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
Paul draws out in Romans 2:3-8 that our response to the Lord’s eventual judgement is not to stand in judgement on others; it is to look to our own lives. We are to marvel at the patience of God, and look for mercy for ourselves and others. This passage helps us to see by what criteria we will be judged in ‘the books’, that is how our lives are evaluated.
- What attitude is commended for us in light of God’s judgement?
- What is God’s attitude to us, His people?
- What is the outcome of the judgement?
Romans 2 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you do the same things?4 Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness..
EVALUATION TIME
