The Doctrine of Judgment

       In the Rev. 20:11-15 summary of the end of the last Day, we are told that books will be opened. The Book of Life determines which resurrection a person receives (of life or of condemnation). When a child is conceived, its name is written into the Book of Life. The person has until their last dying breath to receive Jesus as their Savior. If they have not done so, their name is removed from the Book of Life. They receive the resurrection of condemnation.
       Of course all those whose names are still in the Book of Life receive the resurrection of life. That is, living eternally with Christ and our Father God. Because we are resurrected or condemned by our choices, a child who has not come to the age of accountability is judged according to the Book of Life. This is why every child that is miscarried, born dead, or aborted automatically goes to Heaven and receives the resurrection of life at the end of the ages.
         END-TIME LESSON: The rest of the books that are opened are the records of each person’s life. For those who are in Christ, these are used to determine each person’s rewards in Heaven. You may recall that at the firstfruits resurrection of the Church at the rapture, we were judged as being “in Christ.” Each believer received their crown of life and their ruling rewards at Christ’s Bema Seat throne at the start of this last Day. All those who came to Christ afterwards, during the rest of the 1,000-year reign of Christ over the earth, shall receive their ruling rewards at the end of the last Day.
     You may recall that when Adam and Eve sinned, their disobedience brought death into the world. Therefore, any person who dies throughout the ages without having accepted Jesus as their Savior, are therefore still tainted and unholy because of sin. This includes those who have already died apart from Christ, who are already in Hades (Hell) to await this final judgment. Now separated from God, the Source of Life, this is called the first death.
        Those in Hades and as well as the unbelievers left at the end of the final Day shall likewise be judged. They shall receive their just “rewards” as well, only their works shall determine the level of condemnation, damnation, and torment they receive, just as with Satan.
       The summary passage also tells us that both Death and Hades will then be cast into the Lake of Fire, which is eternal damnation. This is called the second death. When all the unbelievers are cast into the Lake of Fire, they are separated eternally from the Source of Life. In effect, they “die” twice.