Expert: Quentin Parker - 2/17/2010

Question
I beleive we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus and persons who accept Jesus as Savior will have their name written in The Book Of Life, but Revelation 20:13 the sea, edeath and hell gave up their dead....this seems to sidestep the redemption offered by Jesus death and resurrection.  I am not looking for a conflict in the Bible, I just am having trouble quantifying Jesus salvation and the judgement foretold.  Thanks for your time and answer.  jeff

Answer
Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your question.

Here is the verse you mentioned in its context.

Revelation 20:11-15 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And 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. The 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 he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Those whose names are written in the Book of Life were redeemed and saved from God’s wrath and judgment. The judgment mentioned in these verses doesn’t necessarily preclude salvation. Some will stand before God's judgment seat clothed in Christ’s imputed righteousness and they’ll be saved from God’s wrath.  Those who have not accepted Christ will face the judgment of God - His full wrath and punishment for their sins.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless!

Quentin Parker