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BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970

Edited by Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.

SECTION XI
THE TRANSITION FROM TIME TO ETERNITY

1. THE SECOND RESURRECTION AND THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
   Rev. 20:11-15, as compared with w.5-6, make it perfectly plain that no righteous dead will fail to be raised in the first resurrection before the 1000 years, and all wicked dead will be included in the second resurrection at the end of the 1000 years. This second resurrection is with a view to their eternal punishment (w. 13-15).
   
   The Great White Throne Judgment has been contrasted under Section IX, G, p. 169, with the Judgment on the Gentiles (Mt. 25:31-46). That study hinges around the contrast between the living (Jews and Gentiles at the close of the tribulation, Mt. 24-25) and the dead (Jews and Gentiies of all ages, Rev. 20). This is certainly a main emphasis and has been the time-honored distinction.
   
   Dr. H. A. Ironside has raised a question, however, which might qualify this slightly. The plain statement of Scripture is that every one shall "give account of himself to God, " presumably in a formal judgment. This being the case, the question may well be asked as to when God will "judge" these people who will be born during the thousand years, who become saved sometime during that period. Presumptively any remaining wicked have already taken part in the rebellion led by Satan at the close of the thousand years. But, when will the righteous, born and saved during that period, be judged?
   
   Will there by any living believers at the Great White Throne judgment? All other believers will have long since been judged. Perhaps this may be why the Book of Life is present (Rev. 20:12). May this be the reason for the emphasis "whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (v. 15)? This may be an added factor on the Great White Throne judgment not usually considered by expositors.
    
2. THE DAY OF GOD (the LORD) AND THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH (See note at Section VII, K, pp. 139-142.)
   1. The Day of God/Lord 2 Pet. 3:12,10
      The Day of God is the concluding judgment in the period called the Day of the Lord, which began with the removal of the Church from the earth. The Day of God sees the final removal of the effects of sin from the universe through the judgment on the earth itself.
   2. The creation of the New Heavens and New Earth
      There are two views: either the present earth and heaven are so purified with fire as to be to every good intent and purpose new heavens and new earth; or more probably, the creation of entirely new heavens and new earth after the present heavens and earth are destroyed by God. Consider the following verses in the evaluation of the above: Isa. 65:7; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1; cp. Heb. 12:22-24. This will be the eternal dwelling place of the redeemed of all ages.

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