Hope and Assurance in the Final Judgment

Devotional

Day 1: Everyone Will Stand Before Jesus the Judge

Every person, regardless of status or background, will one day stand before Jesus, who has been given all authority to judge the living and the dead. This is not a distant or abstract reality, but a personal one—each of us will answer to King Jesus, the Son of Man, who holds all dominion and power. The final judgment is not something to fear for those who know Him, but a moment of truth and justice where the true Judge, who knows all hearts, will preside. Let this truth shape how you live today, knowing that your life is ultimately accountable to Christ Himself. [33:50]

John 5:22-27 (ESV):
"For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man."

Reflection: If you knew you would stand before Jesus tomorrow, what would you want to change about your life or your relationships today?

Day 2: Everything in Your Life Will Be Thoroughly Evaluated

Nothing in your life is hidden from the eyes of Jesus; every thought, word, and deed—both good and bad—will be brought to light and evaluated. The books of heaven record all that we have done, and even the motives of our hearts will be revealed. For those who belong to Christ, this is not a moment of condemnation but of purification, where what was done for His glory will be commended and what was selfish or empty will be burned away. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus sees and values even the smallest acts of faithfulness that no one else notices. [37:43]

1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV):
"Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God."

Reflection: What is one hidden act of love or faithfulness you can do today, knowing that Jesus sees and will one day commend it?

Day 3: Your Eternal Destiny Is Determined by Your Relationship with Jesus

In the end, there are two judgments: one by works and one by grace. The only way to escape the judgment by works—which no one can pass—is to have your name written in the Book of Life through faith in Jesus. Salvation is not earned by good deeds but is a gift received by believing in Christ, who cancels the record of our sins and secures our place with Him forever. The most important question is not how much good you have done, but whether you have truly said "yes" to Jesus and entrusted your life to Him. [45:37]

Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV):
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

Reflection: Have you personally responded to Jesus’ invitation and entrusted your life to Him, or are you still relying on your own record?

Day 4: The Fruit of True Faith Is Love in Action

While we are saved by faith alone, genuine faith in Jesus always produces a life marked by love and compassion for others. The evidence that you belong to Christ is seen in how you respond to the needs of those around you—the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned. These acts of love do not save you, but they reveal the reality of a heart transformed by Jesus. Ask God to open your eyes to opportunities to serve and love others as an overflow of your relationship with Him. [44:20]

Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV):
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

Reflection: Who is one “least of these” in your life you can show Christ’s love to in a tangible way this week?

Day 5: Assurance and Security Are Found in Belonging to Jesus

For those who have placed their faith in Jesus, there is no condemnation—only the assurance of eternal life and the unbreakable promise that nothing can snatch you from His hand. This security is not based on your performance but on the finished work of Christ and His steadfast love. You can live each day with confidence and peace, knowing that your name is written in the Book of Life and that Jesus Himself is your advocate and defender. Let this assurance free you from fear and fill you with gratitude and hope. [59:48]

John 10:27-29 (ESV):
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand."

Reflection: How does knowing you are secure in Jesus change the way you face challenges, doubts, or fears today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus was on the reality and hope of the final judgment as revealed in Revelation 20 and throughout Scripture. Rather than being a message of fear, the coming judgment is a profound encouragement for those who belong to Jesus. The longing for justice is deeply embedded in the human heart, and God’s promise of a final accounting assures us that evil will not have the last word. The world’s confusion about what is truly “good” or “bad” is contrasted with God’s perfect wisdom and justice. Even the painful or difficult things in our lives can be used by God for our ultimate good, as seen in personal stories and biblical examples.

The final judgment is not a threat to those who are in Christ, but a promise that every wrong will be made right, and every hidden act of faithfulness will be revealed and rewarded. Every person will stand before Jesus, the Judge, who alone has been given all authority to judge the living and the dead. The books of our lives—every thought, word, and deed—will be opened and evaluated. For those who have trusted in Christ, there is no condemnation, only commendation. The good works that flow from a life transformed by Jesus are not the basis of salvation, but the evidence of it. The ultimate question is not how much good we have done, but whether our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Salvation is not earned by works, but received by faith—by hearing the gospel and believing in Jesus. At that moment, eternal life is given, and the judgment by works is replaced by the judgment of grace. Jesus, who is both Judge and Advocate, stands with those who are His, presenting His own righteousness in their place. The invitation is open to all: to say “yes” to Jesus’ proposal, to trust Him fully, and to rest in the assurance that, because of Him, it is well with our souls. The call is to respond personally, to know with certainty that you belong to Jesus, and to live in the freedom and hope that comes from that relationship.

Key Takeaways

1. The longing for justice is fulfilled in God’s final judgment. Human definitions of good and bad are limited and often self-serving, but God’s justice is perfect and comprehensive. Even the most difficult experiences can be redeemed by God for our good, reminding us that His perspective is far greater than ours. The final judgment assures us that every wrong will be addressed and every act of faithfulness will be recognized. [25:54]
2. Every person will stand before Jesus, who alone is qualified to judge. Jesus is not only the Savior but also the Judge, entrusted by the Father with all authority. This reality calls us to examine ourselves first, recognizing that we will each give an account to Him—not to any human standard, but to the One who knows us completely. The certainty of standing before Christ should lead us to humility and dependence on His mercy. [33:50]
3. The evaluation at the final judgment is thorough and just. Nothing is hidden from God; every motive, thought, and action is known and will be brought to light. For believers, this is not a cause for fear, but for hope, as Jesus promises to commend what was done for Him, even if unnoticed by others. The assurance is that, in Christ, our failures are forgiven and our faithfulness will be honored. [38:23]
4. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, but true faith always bears fruit. The acts of love and mercy described by Jesus are not the means of salvation, but the evidence of a transformed life. The faith that saves is never alone; it is always accompanied by a growing love for God and others. This fruit is the natural outflow of knowing Jesus and being filled with His Spirit. [44:20]
5. The only secure foundation is having your name written in the Book of Life. The judgment by works is a test no one can pass, but Jesus offers to take our record of sin upon Himself, nailing it to the cross. Those who trust in Him are given eternal life now, with the promise that they will not come into judgment but have crossed from death to life. The invitation is to respond personally to Jesus, to rest in His finished work, and to live with the confidence that nothing can separate us from His love. [49:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:04] - Lessons from a Bad Haircut
[24:04] - The Good News of Final Judgment
[24:51] - The Problem of Evil and God’s Justice
[27:25] - Jesus’ Teaching on Judgment
[29:03] - The Longing for Justice in Scripture
[30:22] - The Importance of Truth in Judgment
[31:52] - Standing Before Jesus the Judge
[34:15] - Daniel 7 and the Son of Man
[36:08] - The Authority of Jesus to Judge
[37:08] - Everything Will Be Evaluated
[39:33] - Commendation for the Faithful
[41:33] - The Parable of the Talents and True Fruit
[44:43] - The Book of Life and Judgment by Grace
[47:46] - Assurance of Salvation in Christ
[51:24] - Responding to Jesus’ Proposal
[53:27] - Prayer and Invitation
[58:58] - Resources to Meet Jesus
[59:19] - Closing Blessing and Instructions

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV) — > 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
> 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
> 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
> 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
> 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

John 5:24 (ESV) — > Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV) — > Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

Observation Questions

According to Revelation 20, who is seated on the great white throne, and what happens before this throne?
What are the two types of books mentioned in Revelation 20, and what is the difference between them?
In John 5:24, what two things does Jesus say are necessary to have eternal life and avoid judgment?
The sermon mentioned that every person will stand before Jesus, who alone is qualified to judge. What does this mean for how we view our own lives and actions? [[33:50]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says the longing for justice is fulfilled in God’s final judgment. Why is it important that God, not humans, defines what is truly good or bad? [[25:54]]
How does knowing that Jesus is both Judge and Advocate change the way a believer approaches the idea of final judgment? [[47:07]]
The message emphasized that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, but that true faith always bears fruit. What does this mean for how we understand the role of good works in the Christian life? [[44:20]]
The sermon described the “books” of our lives being opened and evaluated. How does this reality affect the way we think about our daily choices and hidden motives? [[37:08]]

Application Questions

The longing for justice is something we all feel, especially when we see evil go unpunished. Is there a situation in your life or in the world where you struggle with the idea that justice hasn’t been done? How does the promise of God’s final judgment help you process that? [[25:54]]
The sermon challenged us to examine ourselves first, knowing we will each give an account to Jesus. Is there an area of your life where you need to be more honest with God about your motives or actions? What would it look like to bring that into the light this week? [[33:50]]
For those who are in Christ, the final judgment is not a threat but a promise that every act of faithfulness will be recognized. Can you think of a time when you did something for God that no one else noticed? How does it encourage you to know that Jesus sees and will commend even the hidden things? [[38:23]]
The message made clear that good works are the evidence, not the basis, of salvation. What is one practical way you can show the fruit of your faith this week—especially to someone in need or someone who is difficult to love? [[44:20]]
The only secure foundation is having your name written in the Book of Life. Do you have assurance that you belong to Jesus? If not, what is holding you back from saying “yes” to Him? If you do, how does that assurance shape your daily life and decisions? [[49:42]]
The pastor used the analogy of a marriage proposal to describe responding to Jesus. Have you ever made a personal commitment to Jesus, or have you just “flirted” with faith? What would it look like to move from knowing about Jesus to truly belonging to Him? [[51:24]]
The sermon encouraged us to live in the freedom and hope that comes from knowing we are secure in Christ. Is there an area where you are still living in fear or uncertainty? How can you remind yourself this week that, because of Jesus, “it is well with my soul”? [[46:41]]

Sermon Clips

We're saved by faith alone, as the reformer said. But the faith that saves is never alone. Anyone who truly knows Jesus and is filled with the Spirit will show this kind of. And if you want to boil it down to one word, the fruit that comes from walking with Jesus and knowing him is the fruit of love. [00:43:50] (18 seconds) #FaithProducesLove

The believer doesn't need to worry, do I belong to Jesus or not? In the end, that's the only thing that matters. Do you have Jesus? Does he have you? Has he written your name and his blood and His Book of Life? Because if he has, then nothing else matters. He's the one who justifies. He's the one who then stands as your advocate, and no one else can accuse or condemn you. There's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [00:48:17] (28 seconds) #HearAndBelieveNow

There's a present tense. Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me. That's a present tense. Says has eternal life. Also present tense. There's two things that we must do to be saved. Hear the Gospel, believe in Jesus. It doesn't. Add to that and then do a lifetime of good works. No, hear and believe. And the promise there is that at that moment you have eternal life. Future tense. Will not come into judgment. Past tense. The reason you will not face that judgment by works is because you've crossed over from death to life. [00:49:21] (37 seconds) #FaithGrantsEternalLife

Jesus has offered you the gift of forgiveness, salvation of eternal life with him. I like the analogy of a marriage proposal. Jesus came and he says, I'm coming back as the bridegroom to celebrate with my bride. He said, come to me, you who are weary and heavy laden. I will give you rest. He's made peace with God the Father for all of us who are enemies with God because of our sin. And all he asks is that we come to him in faith and say yes to his proposal. [00:51:15] (35 seconds) #JesusOffersRest

Imagine King Jesus, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, the One who created all things, the one who's coming back to be the judge of the world. Imagine him on his knee, reaching out his hand and saying, will you be mine? If you've never said yes to that offer. As we sing this closing song, I pray by the end of it, you'll come to that place of saying, I know it's well with my soul. I know that I won't face the judgment of works. Because all that I've done wrong, all my sin is now nailed to the cross. Just because given my life to King Jesus. [00:52:38] (33 seconds) #SayYesToJesus

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