"And I saw a great white throne and him that sat on it... (Revelation 20:11).”

Another Resurrection

At the end of the 1000 years there will be one more resurrection. This will be the only judgment where a second death takes place.

**Remember the scriptural definition of death (Revelation 20:12, John 5:29, Daniel 12:2, Revelation 20:5-6,14)?

The reason those at The Great White Throne Judgment suffer death twice is because, after they have endured the agony of complete separation from the presence and power of God, after they have lost all hope of salvation when their physical life here on earth ended—their bodies will be raised for a final judgment. During this judgment, they will once again come into the presence and power of God—only to be cast from his presence—to die a second time (Revelation 20:12-14).

This will be a fearful judgment for those condemned to suffer the second death. There will be no place to run, and no place to hide (Revelation 20:11).

Naked Before God

Those who rejected Christ, during their lives on earth, will now stand before the throne of God, in their physical bodies to receive judgment for the deeds and choices they made during their lifetimes here on earth. They will be held accountable for everything they did, or did not do, during their earthly existence. Every word and deed will be brought into judgment. Not a single stone will be left unturned. Nothing will remain hidden (Matthew 10:26, 12:36-37, Revelation 20:11-13, John 5:27-29).

The horror and shame of this judgment cannot possibly be comprehended. How different it will be from the Judgment Seat of Christ where the righteous will be rewarded and given white robes to wear (the Bible says nothing about those at the Great White Throne Judgment being given anything to wear (Revelation 20:11-12).

Just as the souls of the righteous dead were reunited with their bodies and spirits at their resurrection, so the bodies of the unrighteous dead will be raised and reunited with their souls and spirits to stand and receive judgment in the presence of God (Revelation 20:13, John 5:28-29, Daniel 12:2).

Why The “Soul” Needs To Be Saved

Communication with God is only possible through the spirit. The physical body cannot have communication and fellowship with God. Our soul is the part of us that connects with, and participates in, both the physical and the spiritual. That is why the apostle Paul prayed that God would preserve the saints whole—body soul and spirit. That is the only way to have eternal life (1 Corinthians 2:13-14, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Ephesians 2:18, Romans 8:16).

There are those who teach the soul is simply our physical life (flesh). Scripture does not substantiate this view:

• Our flesh cannot depart when we die. It doesn't go anywhere except where it is carried (Genesis 35:18, 2 Timothy 4:6[6-8]).
• The body is distinguished from the soul in several scriptures (Matthew 10:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 10:18).
• God has a soul (Isaiah 42:1).
• Man is a composite unity just as God is. One of the ways man was created in God's image is that man is a triune being. We are three (body, soul and spirit), yet we are one (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
• We have a spirit (Numbers 16:22).
• We have a soul as God does (Isaiah 42:1).
• We live in a body. Paul referred to our bodies as tents—dwelling places (2 Corinthians 5:1,4[1-8]).
• The reason our soul needs to be saved, is because it is the part of us that participates in both the spiritual and the physical aspects of our lives. Our soul is the real us. Our soul participates in and makes choices that affect us both spiritually and physically and is thus held accountable. Unless our souls are saved first, our bodies cannot be redeemed at the resurrection (Mark 8:36-37).

Those who experience the second death will not be preserved whole. The bodies, souls and spirits of the ungodly will be reunited for the judgment, but when they are cast into the lake of fire they will be deprived of their spirits which will return to, and remain with, God, thereby preventing them from ever again having access to the presence of God—this is the second death. Their bodies will then burn forever, but will never be consumed (Eccl 12:7, James 2:26, Isaiah 66:24, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 20:10).

There is no need for anyone to experience the second death, but there is only one way to avoid it. Jesus, the only Christ, is the only way, the only truth and the only life. All who ask God to forgive their sins and save them, through faith in his resurrected son, will receive eternal life (John 14:6, Romans 10:9-10, 13).

Call on Jesus now. Ask him to forgive your sins and save you according to Romans 10:9-10,13. Then begin reading your Bible. Read prayerfully every day—always picking up today where you left off yesterday. The book of John is a good place to start. A King James Bible with no footnotes is recommended.