YOU CHOOSE: HIS SEAT OR HIS THRONE

The Book of Revelation does not mention the Church from Chapter 4:1, until Chapter 22:16.  John's ascension to heaven (v. 4:1), is a picture of the Rapture of the Church when it is removed from the earth (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:13-18).  At sometime during the Tribulation on earth (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. 6 - 19), born again believers, in heaven, will stand before The Judgment Seat of Christ, and receive rewards for their service for Christ (Rom. 14:10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).

Following the Tribulation, the Beast (Antichrist) and the Second Beast (False Prophet) will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20).  One thousand years later, Satan will suffer a similar fate (Rev. 20:10).  John then describes The Great White Throne Judgment of the rest of mankind:       

"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.  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.  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.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:11-15).

Note the sequence of events:  1) The Church will no longer exist upon the earth after the Rapture.  2) The Church will be rewarded in heaven at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  3) At the same time, the Tribulation will occur on earth.  At the end of the seven-year Tribulation, the nations of the earth will be judged based upon their treatment of the Lord's brethren during the Tribulation (Mt. 25:31-46).  4) Satan will be bound during the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth (Rev. 20:1-2).  5) At the end of the Millennial Reign of Christ, Satan will be freed and he will rally the rest of the human population on earth against Jesus and His saints (Rev. 20:7-9).  6) Following the defeat of Satan and his duped armies, Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire, and his armies will stand before The Great White Throne Judgment ( Rev. 20:9 - 22:21). 

Will you stand before His Judgment Seat, or His Great White Throne?