At the majestic sight of Christ on His throne, the masses of unrighteous outside the city will pause.

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged by the things which were written in the books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12).

When the books are opened, each person will see their life pass before them, and with unmistakable clarity they will see the great mercy they have rejected. They will come to a final realization of the great effort heaven has made on their behalf to do everything possible to save them, and they will see the many times they have spurned the efforts of heaven.

They will realize that they have indeed chosen this end, willfully and knowingly. Each act of defiance, each rejection of God's grace, will be made apparent. The consequences of these choices are eternal (Hebrews 6:2). Across the surface of the earth, every knee will bow. All thoughts of rebellion and victory will fade (Romans 14:11-12, Isaiah 45:22-24).

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and of things in earth, and of things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV).

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries (Hebrews 10:26-27 NKJV).

Those people who choose to believe Satan rather than God (John 8:45) have had their characters formed according to their master. They would never be happy among the people of God where there is no room for selfishness. The atmosphere that permeates heaven is an atmosphere of self-sacrifice and joy.

As this realization falls upon those who have spurned God, they all will accept God's judgments as true and just.

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:12-13 NKJV).

Satan's allegations against God and His government will be proved groundless. Christ will stand vindicated and ready to perform his "strange act” (Isaiah 28:21).

Ahead to the next article, The Punishment for those who Reject God.