In part 1, we saw that the Bible teaches that everyone is judged during this life according to his works. In part 2, we saw that the eternal experience of believers will depend on how their works are evaluated by the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ (the Bema). In part 3 we will see that the same thing is true concerning unbelievers. Their degree of torment in the lake of fire will be more or less tolerable depending on the works they did in this life.  

As mentioned in part 1, Kirk Cameron suggests that it would be unfair for God to punish unbelievers forever for a finite number of sins. As we examine Scripture, we will see that the issue is works, not sins, and recompense, not punishment per se.  

Revelation 20:13. The Lord Jesus will judge all unbelievers of all time at the Great White Throne Judgment. Revelation 20:11-15 discusses this judgment, which will occur after the Millennium (Rev 20:4-6).  

Verse 12 indicates that at that judgment there will be books of works that are examined and a separate, singular book called “the Book of Life.” People are not sent to the lake of fire based on what is in the books of works, but on what is not found in the Book of Life. Verse 15 says, “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

It is a mistake to think that people are sent to the lake of fire because of their sins. They are not. Surely there will be many unbelievers whose works in this life were better than those of some believers. But the believers are in the Book of Life and will get into the kingdom, while the unbelievers are not in the Book of Life and hence will be sent to the lake of fire. 

Verse 12 concludes with this sentence: “And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” 

Notice that they “were judged according to their works.” 

Why examine their works if the basis of condemnation is not their works? 

The text does not say why, but we know from other Scripture that there are two reasons. First, to show that no one was perfect. A sinless person could get into the kingdom. But there are no such people. Second, to determine the degree of torment each one earned. 

Unbelievers will not be punished forever for their sins (Matt 25:46 should be translated eternal torment, not eternal punishment.) They will be recompensed for their works, both good and bad. They will reap what they sowed in this life.   

Matthew 16:27. The Lord was referring primarily to believers here, but His words were not restricted to believers. He will also judge unbelievers and recompense them. The word for recompense, apodidomi, does not refer to giving out only positive rewards. According to the leading dictionary of the Greek NT, BDAG, in Matt 16:27 the word means, “to recompense, whether in a good or bad sense” (p. 110). 

Matthew 10-11. In Matthew 10 and 11, the Lord Jesus spoke of the torment in the lake of fire. He said it would be “more tolerable” for some than for others (Matt 10:15; 11:22, 24). The reason it will be more tolerable for some than others is because of their works. For example, the works of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were bad, but the works of the people of Israel who rejected Jesus and called for His crucifixion were worse.    

Many people have wildly unbiblical understandings of what Hades is like now or what the lake of fire will be like forever. It will be tolerable torment. Some will have more tolerable experiences and some less tolerable. But it will be tolerable for all.  

If you don’t think it fair that unbelievers will be judged according to their works to determine their degree of eternal torment, then you should pray about this and study the Scriptures. If you do, you will see that God believes in accountability for both believers and unbelievers. And you will see that He wants you to believe in accountability as well. 

Keep grace in focus and you will rejoice that God is just in all that He does and will do.