Okay, 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 14, the Bible says, Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and shall present us with you. Alright, when the roll is called up yonder, will you be there? All right, let's pray. Father, thank you for the songs, and thank you for allowing us to be here tonight again. Please help us in the next few minutes to just think on these things, get them lined out in our mind and heart, and realize and believe that they're true, that we are going to stand before you. No matter who we are, saved or lost, there's a time coming where we're going to face God, give account for what we've done in our bodies here on earth. Bless your word to our hearts. Give us the understanding, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Now we know that we'll live again after we die. How do we know that? Because Christ resurrected from the dead. That's our hope. That's how we know. The rest of the world's religions, they don't know. They can't promise you anything, really. You might come back as a chicken. You might be a lizard. or worm, or cow, or, you know, who knows? They don't have any answers, no assurance of anything. But we do. We know that we will live again after we die. That Christ arose from the dead is the very foundation of what we believe as Christians. I mean, it is the foundation of our faith. And the Bible teaches that in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. I'm going to read verses 13 through 19 here. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, suppose that there's not, that he didn't rise from the dead like a lot of people believe. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. You, yea, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ, whom he raised not up. If so be that the dead rise not." So if Christ is not risen, we're just, we're spreading a lie. There's no hope. We're not, we're, you know, they're just, it's all false and there's no hope, really. For if the dead rise not, then is Christ not raised. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, you are yet in your sins, then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. Boy, I mean, the whole thing's just, I mean, it's a total loss if Jesus didn't rise from the dead. Even the ones that have fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. So if Christ is risen, then all will be resurrected also, because by overcoming death and the grave, he abolished death. You see, That's a mistaken idea that everybody has in their mind, a concept. They believe that just the believers are gonna be raised from the dead and go to heaven. No. When Jesus died and rose from the dead, it guaranteed that all men who ever lived are gonna be raised from the dead. Lost. Everybody's coming out of the grave. Not just to save people. See, that's a startling thought. It should be for a lost person, an indifferent person, somebody who's not got their self grounded in the things of God and believes, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 2 Timothy 1.10. Jesus said in John chapter 14 verse 19, yet a little while and the world seeth me no more, but ye see me because I live, ye shall live also. So we're gonna rise from the dead. If I die before the Lord comes back to this earth for his church, I'm gonna raise from the dead. I'm not gonna stay in the grave. O grave, where is thy victory? No, there ain't no victory. The grave don't have the victory. Jesus abolished death. So when it's all over, and when we all do stand before God at the great white throne judgment, not us to be judged, but we will be there if we're saved. Yeah, we will. All men, the Bible says, all the dead, all the dead. That's everybody. Everybody who's ever lived on the earth. And we're standing before God. And we will give account of ourselves to God for what we've done and how we've lived this life. Now, that's good news for the Christian, for the one who's born again, one who's saved. That's good news. I mean, it's our hope. But it's not good news for those who refuse his redemption. They had hoped that death would be their exit from all of this. They thought that They had hoped and lived thinking that after they died, they wouldn't even exist anymore. They wouldn't be conscious of anything anymore. You look at what the rich man who died and was buried and in hell, he lift up his eyes. He's fully conscious. You don't have to have a body to be conscious. It's obvious. People are conscious of things around them when their body is unconscious. That's obvious. There are lots of stories, lots of testaments, lots of documented cases of people. And even you, you can be asleep and you can hear what's going on around you while you're asleep. So you're, that's the way it is. After the resurrection, there'll be a presentation before God of those who are redeemed. Jude chapter 1, that's why, I don't know why this thing does that, but that's the way it is. Jude verse 24, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. You see, there's going to be a presentation before God. And you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight. Colossians chapter one, verse 21 through 22. So there's gonna come a time when Jesus is gonna present us before the Father to save people. that he might present it to himself, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians chapter five, verse 27. There will be a time when in the courts of heaven, before the throne of God, Christ will formally present to God the Father, all those that have been redeemed by his blood. You ever think about things like this? You ever let your mind ponder these things? This is real. This is going to happen. It sure is worth sitting here tonight. There's going to come a time when this stuff is going to be fulfilled. It'll be a big deal. And it'll be a very happy and joyous occasion. There in Jude verse 24 where I read, it says, present before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. He's gonna present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Joy for who? Oh, everybody. We're gonna be full of joy about it. He is gonna be full of joy about it. It's gonna be a happy occasion for God. Just think about that. God is gonna be rejoicing. Christ, who bled and died and was rejected of men and used as a curse word for all of these millennia here on earth, he's gonna be full of joy. Why? For the redeemed. For the few out of this earth that loved Him and served Him, that knew Him, that submitted to Him, that believed Him and believed in Him. It's over. Now we're together in heaven. I mean, now life begins. Now God's purpose for this whole creation now begins. And it's eternity with Him. With no sin, with no sorrow, no tears, no sickness, no death, none of that. It's gonna be a joyous time. With exceeding joy. The words do not reach it. They're not sufficient to express what we're really gonna experience there at that time. with exceeding joy. The saints will have exceeding joy for sure, but so will the Son of God. And not only they, but God the Father will also have exceeding joy. What a celebration is gonna take place. It will be a celebration. Like we've never celebrated anything before down here. We do things and we celebrate holidays and birthdays and all that, but we really don't celebrate like we're gonna celebrate there. I believe everybody that's saved and that is there, I believe they'll lose their inhibitions about worshiping God and about expressing their self. I believe we'll be able to in a way we never have been before. Unhindered. No restraints. I mean, everything's fixed. Wonderful. That'll have to be after the white throne judgment now, in my opinion. I know that's different from what a lot of people believe, but I just don't see how that it can be. You see, we're gonna be rewarded according to our works. And what we're experiencing now, and what's happening now, every soul that is saved now, through the preaching of the word of God, Some of that goes on Paul's account. Some of it goes on so many other people's account. Everybody that's lived and had any part in standing for the faith, contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints, I mean, everybody that's had a part has a part in the reward. And until the last sunset, until the last rotation of the earth, until the last breath is drawn here on this earth, it ain't over. It's gotta be over. Now, Jesus is coming for his church, and he's coming for his church seven years before he comes in the day of his wrath. And then it's another 1,000 years. Christ is gonna reign on this earth. So that's at least 1,007 years. And then the end, then the end will come. And the white throne judgment's not gonna happen until heaven and earth are fled away and there's found no place for them. And there's just a great white throne. And all the souls who were ever, who ever lived, I mean everything gave up the dead. Because there ain't no sea anymore. There ain't no earth anymore. There ain't nothing anymore. It's all passed away. And there's a great white throne. And there's a judgment. And that's the second death. At that judgment, that's the judgment for the lost. That's where they receive their final sentence to the lake of fire forever and ever. And they're cast into outer darkness. I mean out of the universe. Never to be allowed in again. They're never gonna be able to be in the presence of God or any of his people again. They're gonna be cast out. That's the second death, the Bible says, Revelation chapter 20. And then after that, there's a new heaven and a new earth, yeah. Now Job's witness believed this earth's gonna last forever and whoever makes it is gonna live on this earth forever. Nah, not what the Bible says. He makes all things new. Behold, I make all things new. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool. His throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him. Thousand, thousands ministered unto him. 10,000 times 10,000 stood before him. The judgment was set and the books were opened. That's in Daniel chapter 7, verse 9 through 10. That's a long time ago. Men have known this for a long time. They've known these things. And I saw a great white throne. Now this is the New Testament. This is John. on the island of Patmos, in his visions that he saw from God, when God revealed to him and showed him how all this was gonna play out. This is what John saw, same thing Daniel saw, only this is how John described it. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. And the books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works." Better be careful about your works and what you're doing. That's what you're doing with your life. That's how you're spending your time. That's what you're loving and lusting after and setting your affections on, your works. Better be careful. You're going to be judged. They're being written in a book right now, in the presence of God. He keeps records, and He's going to bring it out. And it's got a page on it, I don't know how many, with your name on it. And all the works you've done up to this point, it's there, waiting for this day. And it's going to be opened, and you're going to be standing there. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them, and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Now the second death is what will happen to those who've been resurrected but are unsaved. I wonder how these people are going to feel when they're resurrected from the dead. They thought it was over, and well, anyway, I may just go on here. You gotta avoid the second death because there's no deliverance from it. It is appointed unto man once to die. Now we here on this earth, breathing this air, living in this sin-cursed world, we know that we are gonna die physically here if the Lord don't come before we die. We know that, and we have a way to be redeemed from that death. Yes, sir. We're gonna die once. If you're born twice, you die once. If you're born once only, you die twice. And it's that second death that you want to avoid. There's no redemption from it. It is final. And that word, you need to really let that sink in. That's final. That's it. No recourse. No redemption from it. No escape from it. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Jesus said that in Revelation chapter 2 and verse 11. You got an ear to hear, you better hear this. That the Spirit, hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Overcome what? Well, yourself and this world, this wicked world. You can overcome it by faith. It's faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Yeah, the Bible says so. What is the victory that overcometh the world? Even our faith. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. What's the first resurrection? It's when Jesus comes for his church. That's the first resurrection. That's when he descends from heaven with a shout. The voice of the archangel, the sound of the trump, and the dead in Christ are raised first. Yeah, that's the first resurrection. Now blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. Are you going to have part in that first resurrection? And on such the second death hath no power. You want to escape that second death? Well, this is how you do it. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation chapter 20 verse 6. Revelation chapter 21 verse 8, but the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death. It's just as plain as day, ain't it? I mean, the Bible spells it out just as plain as day. Who's going to the lake of fire? Who's going to suffer the second death? Who's going to escape the second death? Who is it that the second death ain't going to have no power over? The people of God, the ones who are saved, the ones who trust Christ, the ones who are born again. It's not just the ones whose name is on a church roll. We're going to be judged according to our works. And I don't mean we work for our salvation, but let me tell you something. A Christian works different works than a sinner does. Oh yeah. And the reward is going to be far different for the different works that these different kinds of people do. When this is over and all that offends is removed from the universe forever. Then God will wipe away all tears from the eyes, and everything will be made new. Revelation chapter 21 verse 4 through 6. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, write, for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, it is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. I like those words. Boy, those are powerful, awesome words. It is done. I'm Alpha and Omega. Write this down, John. These words are true and faithful. It's done. I say so. I make all things new. He made them from nothing in the first place. He can make them new. He's going to purge the universe of the evil, and it's going to be gone. Can you imagine? Nothing but people who love God. People who love one another. People who won't do one another wrong. Like the song says, where unkind words to wound the heart are never spoken. Not there, nope. When the roll is called up yonder, will you be there? There came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vows full of the seven last plagues and talked with me saying, come hither. I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." What do you think you're going to see? Is it going to look like it does in these charismatic contemporary churches, you reckon? About all the churches now, you reckon that the bride's going to look like him? Is that the bride that he's talking about he's going to present faultless before his glory with exceeding joy, you reckon? Reckon that's the one he's talking about is gonna be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing or blemish. I mean, nothing like that. I mean, is that the bride? Come, come, I'll show you the bride, the lamb's wife. No, I think it's... Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. And the Lord hearkened and heard it. And a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name. You all hear that? Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. God likes that. It's because God took notice. Notice it. And the Lord hearkened. They that feared the Lord spake often one to another. And the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name." God takes notice of people who think about him and who talk to one another about him. That's going to matter in heaven someday. There's a book being written about our conversations with one another about him. It'd be a good thing to talk about him more then, wouldn't it? Be a good thing to have some things written in there. I mean, you want to lay up treasures in heaven? There you go. Talk with people that fear the Lord. Talk with them about Him. It's going to look different on the other side. When you look back on these conversations we had here, you're going to be glad you feared the Lord in the land of the living here. And they shall be mine, this same scripture, Malachi 3, 16 through 18. And that he laid up a book of remembrance written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." There's going to be a separation one of these days. He's going to separate the nations. He's going to put the goats on one side and the sheep on the other. There's going to be a great separation between the tares and the wheat. God's going to reap the earth. He's going to bring out His, what Jesus said, He's going to send His angels and they're going to reap the earth. God's got a harvest coming. Notwithstanding, said Jesus in Luke chapter 10 and verse 20, notwithstanding in this, rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Do you understand that any better? My name's written in heaven. It's in the book of life. It's in those other books. It's in this book of remembrance that the Lord has before him about of the people who talk to one another about him. They're mine, he says. They'll be my people when I make up my jewels. Is your name written there? Are you sure? Will you be presented before the throne as one salvaged from the wreck of humanity? I mean, it's going to be a I hate to use this word because it's insufficient, but group. Gonna present his church, yes, but he's gonna present us individually, too. There's time. You say, I take too long. Time don't matter anymore. How will he present you? You ever think about that? Will he be able to say to you, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy prepared for you of the Lord." Reckon we're up to par? Reckon we're worthy of that at all? I mean, well, of course not. But I mean, are we even trying? I mean, the Lord really Really, He doesn't ask a great deal of us, does He? I mean, He notices if you just talk to somebody about Him. Somebody else that fears Him. It doesn't have to be some sinner out there that hates God that you've got to go out there and almost get clobbered for or something or put your life in danger for. I mean, they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord heard it. I mean, He just wants us to remember Him. He wants us to think on Him. He wants to be our God. He wants to be first. He wants us to love Him. I mean, that's how He summed it up. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul, and strength. That's what He wants. And He's got a reward for those who do. Don't be not weary in well-doing. For in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not. So don't faint. This is the days that Jesus said lift up your heads and look up. Your redemption draws nigh. These are those days. So look up. Remember these things. Look forward to tomorrow because tomorrow might be the day. It's coming soon. He is coming soon. The end is nigh, and the world scoffs and laughs, and so does most of the people who call themselves Christians. But they don't live in this realm. They don't live with this in view. See, the old-time religion taught this very much, and it was kept in the view of everybody that we're gonna face God. And it is pointed out, man wants to die, but after this, the judgment. Everybody's going to stand before God and give account of himself to God. And the fear of the Lord is knowing that and living in that light and not being overcome by the world and it's unbelief and it's scoffing and it's mocking, but overcoming the world and believing in God. Amen. All right, well let's stand. Just some things to think about. When the roll is called up yonder, will you be there? Amen. Father, we thank you for your word and thank you for these wonderful promises. It is so, such a strength to us and such a help to us to read these, even though we've read them. probably hundreds of times. They're new every time. They're just as fresh every time. They thrill our heart more each time we read them and think about them. Please help us, Lord, to live in this light. It's easy here in this world to forget these things and have them pushed back out of our mind and we get caught up in the pressures and the rat race and the troubles and the And all this that we live in here, and Lord, I pray you'd help us to overcome all that. Help us, Lord, to do these things we've read about here and to look forward to the things you've told us and you've promised and you've guaranteed us that are gonna happen. And Lord, we thank you for loving us. We thank you for giving us this hope in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen.