Page 135 - Bible Doctrine Survey I - Student Textbook (3)

To usher in the eternal state, God will bring before him all those who have lived and who have rejected
salvation. This is called the Great White Thrown Judgment, the judgment of the dead (lost). It is
described in this passage:

Revelation 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the
heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small,
standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life.
The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up the
dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was
judged according to what they had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The
lake of fire is the second death. 15Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was
thrown into the lake of fire.

In one sense the “eternal state” begins for a believer when he or she dies. All
believers during the Church age are “with the Lord” immediately upon death (2
Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23). The next stage of our eternal state is when we
are resurrected and receive glorified bodies. For church age saints this happens at
the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). Old Testament saints and Tribulation
martyrs are resurrected at Christ’s return (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:4-6). During
the Millennium on earth, resurrected saints are really in their eternal state already
(“The New Jerusalem” – Revelation 21:1-22:5). Millennial believers evidently enter the eternal state
after the millennium is over (Revelation 22:1-5,14).
In brief the eternal state is the condition that will apply to believers throughout eternity. It is “heaven.”

The eternal state is described in various places in Scripture:

1. It’s a life of fellowship with God (John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).
2. It’s a life of rest (Revelation 14:13).
3. It’s a life of purity and holiness (1 John 3:2; Revelation 21:27).
4. It’s a life of serving God (Revelation 22:3).
5. It’s a life of joy (no pain, death or tears – Revelation 21:4).
6. It’s a life of satisfaction (“water of life” – Revelation 21:6; 22:17).
7. It’s a life of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 3:4).
8. It’s a life of worship (Revelation 7:9-12; 19:1-6).

These verses are but a fraction of what God has in store for those who have been redeemed. We do
know that heaven will “blow our minds!”

I Corinthians 2: 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the
heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Eternity is forever. There will no longer be any time. Those who have put their
trust in Christ’s finished work will enter into eternity in Heaven with God. Those
who have rejected Christ’s offer of forgiveness will be judged eternally for their
wickedness. Make sure you are one who has, by faith, received (believed) Christ.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name:

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