The Great White Throne Judgment
The dead, small and great, judged from the books that are opened.
John sees a great white throne, the dead standing before God, and the books opened. Every man is judged according to his works, and whoever is not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire.
The Prophecy
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it...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 many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."
"Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained..."
The books opened
Two sets of books are opened — the record of every life and the book of life. Only those written in the latter escape the second death.
Judged by Christ
Acts 17 names the appointed Judge: the risen Christ, by whom God will judge the world in righteousness.
People in This Prophecy
Verse Commentary
Read verse-by-verse commentary on the key passages of this prophecy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the great white throne?
The final judgment of all the dead, where every soul is judged before God.
How can one escape final judgment?
By being written in the book of life — through faith in Jesus Christ.
Related Bible Prophecies
The Second Coming of Christ
The visible, glorious return of Christ to judge and reign.
The Day of the Lord
A great and dreadful day of divine judgment and salvation.
A New Heaven and a New Earth
All things made new — the dwelling of God with men.
The Great Tribulation
Unequalled trouble before the coming of Christ.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
The Lake of Fire (Revelation 20)
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The Final Battle (Revelation 19–20)
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