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“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord…and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13).
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God…and they were judged every man according to their works” (Revelation 20:12-13).
More and more it seems that people in this world are viewing their actions as if what they do matters only in this life. They look at the consequences of their actions only in the light of what may happen in this world. This is Satan’s lie, as he persuades people that after death, they will not have to face any judgment for their sins.
Our verses today show that there are rewards for those who live to please the Lord, and judgment for those whose works are evil. The first verse talks about the works of those who die in the Lord. He will remember what we have done for Him and reward us for it. But those who stand before the “great white throne,” spoken about in Revelation 20, will be the wicked dead, who have died without Christ. At that time their works will be brought out, all of them, and they will be judged according to God’s record. What a serious thought! How awful to have books opened, and all your sins brought out, including every evil thought! Then judgment will be carried out—“cast into the lake of fire.”
But if you are not saved, this does not have to happen to you. Today God is waiting for more to be saved, and you too can be saved and join those who will be rewarded rather than judged.
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