Jehovah's Witnesses Only: Question about the book of Revelation

[Frank Goad]

I got this all from right here: BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.

Revelation 20:11-15

King James Version

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11 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.
12 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.
13 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.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

My question is if everyone is thrown into the lake of fire.Why get different judgments?If they all get the same reward(that everyone gets destroyed)?

 

[seekandfind]

What do you mean different judgments?

 

[Little Nipper]

What do you mean different judgments?.

Then He [Jesus] began to upbraid the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you (Matthew 11:20-22)
Jesus went on to say the same sort of thing about the city of Capernaum. He compared it to the evil city of Sodom. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you (Matthew 11:23,24)

 

[seekandfind]

When God judges his judgments will be true justice. An eye for an eye, so to say. The judgment is based on not only the actions we take in this life but also based on the knowledge we have.

An example could be a 3 year-old shooting and killing someone. The way to judge the child would be based on his knowledge. Did he know the consequences of his actions would mean that person is dead? Does he really know what dead is?...etc

The knowledge Sodom(etc) had about God or His requirements was zero or at least minimal. Where as Capernaum(etc) were places that were supposed to be living by Gods standards. They were awaiting the Messiah, yet rejected him. Our resurrection, or not receiving a resurrection, is based on Gods standards and our knowledge.

Does that make sense?

 

[Little Nipper]

When God judges his judgments will be true justice. An eye for an eye, so to say. The judgment is based on not only the actions we take in this life but also based on the knowledge we have.

An example could be a 3 year-old shooting and killing someone. The way to judge the child would be based on his knowledge. Did he know the consequences of his actions would mean that person is dead? Does he really know what dead is?...etc

The knowledge Sodom(etc) had about God or His requirements was zero or at least minimal. Where as Capernaum(etc) were places that were supposed to be living by Gods standards. They were awaiting the Messiah, yet rejected him. Our resurrection, or not receiving a resurrection, is based on Gods standards and our knowledge.

Does that make sense?

But if there is no eternal punishment, then what would knowing or not knowing matter? The end result would be the very same.

 

[seekandfind]

But if there is no eternal punishment, then what would knowing or not knowing matter? The end result would be the very same.

There is an etertnal punishment, that is death. Some arent resurrected based on them willfully and knowingly choosing not to serve God.

When there is a resurrection(for those that were obidient to him and those that didnt have the ability to know him) there will be "1000 years" to live on earth without Satans rule or influence. At the end Satan will be released. Some will then some will choose God and some Satan. Those not choosing God will then be destroyed along with Satan and the rebellious angels(demons).

"And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not mislead the nations anymore until the 1,000 years were ended. After this he must be released for a little while......Now as soon as the 1,000 years have ended, Satan will be released from his prison, and he will go out to mislead those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Maʹgog, to gather them together for the war. The number of these is as the sand of the sea. And they advanced over the whole earth and encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down out of heaven and consumed them. And the Devil who was misleading them was hurled into the lake of fire and sulfur, where both the wild beast and the false prophet already were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." REV 20:1-3; 7-10