When God’s enemies have surrounded the New Jerusalem and are ready to attack it, God sets up His great white throne. As the entire human race meets around this throne, some secure inside the city, some terrified outside, God carries out His last phase of judgment. At this juncture, God’s record books will be opened. Everyone, including Satan and his angels, will confirm the justice of God’s ways. All will bow their knees and confess that Jesus is Lord. The question of God’s justice will have been forever resolved. JTL27 10.1
After this final judgment before the great white throne, the wicked are destroyed. Revelation 20:9 states, “Fire came down from heaven and consumed them.” This annihilating judgment is repeated in verses 14 and 15: “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; and if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” JTL27 10.2
None of us need to experience the second death and the annihilation of the last judgment (Romans 6:23). Jesus offers us eternal life through His substitutionary death on the cross. All we must do is accept His redeeming grace and perfect righteousness, allowing His great love to transform us! JTL27 10.3