This week’s daily readings:

This week’s devotional:

Let’s Get to Work!

by Rev. Justin Elerath

Scripture:

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens 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.

— Revelation 20:11-12 (NIV)

Reflection:

When we hear the word judge or judgement, we probably associate it with only negative things. In fact, we live in a culture that speaks a lot about judgement but, clearly, the word is used differently today than what is meant in Revelation 20. The common understanding of judging today is nothing more than disagreement. If someone disagrees, they are judging and because they are judging, the one being judged has now become a victim.

We see in Revelation the description of the “Great White Throne of Judgement,” a time when the dead are resurrected and “judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” This is a binary judgement; the subjective truth that has been proposed for so long now will not be the measure of truth used on this day. Instead, a decision will be made about our guilt or innocence. Our sin separates us from God, and we deserve the consequence. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” (James 2:10).

This seems a bit scary. I don’t want to be judged for what I have done! I realize that I deserve to be found guilty, but we can be comforted that, “…we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (1 John 2:1) The word advocate was used to describe one who is called to another person’s aid, particularly in court. Therefore, on that Day, if we have placed our faith in Jesus, we will be found “not guilty.” Instead, we will be rewarded for the things we have done for Him. “…their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

Placing our faith in Jesus is not merely about escaping the fire, but we are called to do something. We are not here just to survive life, but “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10).

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, when I reflect on the Day of Judgement, I feel frightened. Because of my faith in Jesus, I trust that I will be found “not guilty,” and for that I give you praise. But what do the “books” say about how I have spent my life? Lord, I pray you will use me to do good works! Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the examples of Jesus’ blameless life found in the Gospels. Show me what works you have prepared for me and equip me with gifts I can use to fulfill that purpose. Put me to work here on earth I pray, Father, for the glory of your Kingdom. Amen

Week 53: December 28-January 3, 2026

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