The Great White Throne Judgment is the final judgment of the wicked dead, taking place after the Millennial Kingdom and just before the creation of the new heaven and new earth. It is described in Revelation 20:11–15 and is the last courtroom scene in human history.
Revelation 20:11–12 begins:
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away… And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.”
This judgment is for the unredeemed. The righteous are not present, as they were already raised in the first resurrection and reign with Christ. Here, the dead are judged “according to their works,” but none are justified by works. Every soul at this judgment is found guilty and cast into the lake of fire.
Verse 15 concludes:
“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
This is the second death, the final and irreversible destruction of the soul. No appeal, no escape, and no second chance follows this judgment. The books include the records of each person’s deeds, revealing the just grounds for their condemnation. The Book of Life is checked, and if the person’s name is not there, they are condemned.
This judgment reveals God’s absolute justice. No one at the Great White Throne can claim ignorance, innocence, or injustice. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11), even if too late to be saved.
The Great White Throne Judgment serves as a warning. Those who reject the Gospel now will face Christ later, not as Savior, but as Judge.
