8 More “Dead Works” God Will Judge [Condemn], Wrath!

Below is a list of eight more sins for which God will condemn people. Learn how to repent from them to instead receive God’s grace and forgiveness.

“He who overcomes shall inherit these things [heaven], and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the [1] cowardly and [2] unbelieving and [3] abominable and [4] murderers and [5] immoral persons and [6] sorcerers and [7] idolaters and all [8] liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev 21:7, 8).

Do not let these sins overcome you. To help you overcome them, each will be defined below with the solution to bring repentance to a proper end. Since the sin of idolatry was defined in the previous list, it will not be mentioned below.

1. All COWARDS Will Be Judged

God will condemn religious cowards. You must be courageous for Christ in order to be saved. “For whoever is ashamed of [1] Me and [2] My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory” (Lk 9:26). For example, in speaking of the Judgment Day, Jesus told the story of a servant who was afraid to do his master’s will and instead acted cowardly (Mt 25:25, 26, 30). His master judged him as wicked and lazy, and then he had him thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth; the lake of fire!

(a) How Peter Overcame His Sin of Cowardliness

When the chief Jews had taken Jesus to kill Him, three different times Peter acted like a coward because he said that he did not even know Jesus, which was also a lie. When Peter heard the rooster crow, he wept bitterly because he remembered that Jesus said this would happen. Peter started to show the beginnings of repentance because he had a sorrowful afterthought, and proved it by his weeping. Later his repentance was brought to its rightful end when he boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus in front of all those who were gathered in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. Many more than 3,000 people, including some of those responsible for the death of Jesus, heard Peter boldly preaching in the name of Jesus (Ac 2). Paul said to Timothy: “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Tim 1:7). So every Christian must live out his faith in a bold, loving, and spiritually self-disciplined way. If you believe in Jesus, you must not be a coward, or fear what men can do to you over what God can do to you.

Note: Again, Peter proved his complete repentance of the sin of cowardliness when the high priest and his associates, the Sadducees, put him and the other apostles in jail because the followers of Jesus were increasing and Peter was healing their sick (Ac 5:14-18). However an angel released them from prison and told them to: “Stand and speak... in the temple the whole message of this Life” (Ac 5:20). But the high priest and elders brought them in and warned them not to teach in the name of Jesus anymore. They also accused the apostles of filling Jerusalem with their teaching and blaming the chief priests for the death of Jesus. Then Peter courageously said with the others, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Ac 5:29-31). In those verses, we can see that Peter did not shrink back to cowardliness, but instead sprang forward in quick boldness, telling the chief Jews that they were going to obey God’s command to speak rather than men’s command to keep quiet. Peter boldly told them that they certainly did kill Jesus, the very charge and accusation that these Jews were upset with them for telling others. Peter definitely overcame the sin of being a coward. He risked his life for the name of Jesus.

2. All UNBELIEVERS Will Be Judged

Basically, unbelief is not being persuaded that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and related gospel subjects such as his life, His work on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. In order to be saved, an unbeliever must realize who Jesus truly is and confess it to others. Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn 8:24). If you die in your sin of unbelief, you will be condemned.

(a) How Thomas Overcame His Sin of Unbelief

In this case, unbelief meant that Thomas, an apostle, was not yet convinced about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He did not believe the report that Jesus had risen from the dead. Lacking faith, he said, “Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (Jn 20:25). Jesus confronted him about his unbelief, saying, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand, and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing” (Jn 20:27). Then Thomas quickly repented of his unbelief because: “Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God’ ” (Jn 20:28). Is Jesus your Lord and your God? He was Thomas’, an apostle’s Lord and God.

Note: The Jews’ Disobedience Equated to Unbelief. Unbelief also generally means to be disobedient. The Jews who were delivered from slavery to Egypt, continued in unbelief by disobeying the commands that God gave to them after he saved them. God called this type of disobedience “unbelief”. Listen to what the Bible says about this: “For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they should not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief” (He 3:16-19). Do you see that the Jews who were saved were called unbelievers because they disobeyed God’s words? So they could not enter the Promised Land [Salvation + Disobedience = Rejection]. Once God delivers you from the bondage of your sin through Christ Jesus, are you then continuing in obedience to Him so that you can continue to be considered a believer? Faithful obedience to Christ is the only way that you can get to the promised heaven.

3. All ABOMINABLE People Will Be Judged

An abomination is a defiling and unholy offense in the sight of God. Abominable people must become pure and holy in order to be saved. God calls many things an abomination. For example, the Egyptians and the Canaanites committed the abominations of sexual immorality and idolatry (Lev 18:1-30) of the kind listed below:

(a) A man having sexual relations with a blood relative—a mother, 
    sister, niece, aunt, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law.
(b) A man having sexual relations with a woman and her daughter, 
    or her son’s or daughter’s daughter.
(c) A man marrying a woman and her sister.
(d) A man having sexual relations with a woman who is having menstrual impurity.
(e) Having relations with your neighbor’s wife.
(f) Offering children to the idol Molech.

They Committed Abominable Perversions

(a) A male lying with a male as one lies with a female.
(b) A man having relations with an animal.
(c) A woman mating with an animal.

Abominations Are More than Sexual Immorality & Idolatry

(a) Proud people are an abomination to God (Pr 16:5).
(b) Kings who commit wickedness are an abomination to God (Pr 16:12).
(c) Those who justify the wicked and those who condemn the righteous
    are an abomination to God (Pr 17:15).
(d) False scales, differing weights and measures are an abomination (Pr 20:10, 23).
(e) There is the abomination of a woman wearing a man’s clothing, 
    or a man wearing a woman’s clothing (De 22:5).

4. All MURDERERS Will Be Judged

The most basic and fundamental definition of murder is to take the life [i.e. shed the blood] of an innocent person, even the unborn child. God said, “The Lord hates... hands that shed innocent blood” (Pr 6:16, 17). Therefore, God hates the hands of anyone, even Doctors, who murder the innocent, even the innocent unborn child who has blood and bleeds from an abortion. In order to be saved, murderers must not kill another person, no matter what age he may be.

(a) How Paul Overcame the Sin of Murder

Before he became a believer, and before he became an apostle of Christ, he was involved in murdering Christians. “Saul [Paul] was in hearty agreement with putting him [Stephen] to death” (Ac 8:1). And, “Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison” (Ac 8:3). And, “Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord...” (Ac 9:1). Yet later, after he overcame his unbelief and his violent sins (1 Tim 1:12, 13), he proved his repentance by preaching boldly in the name of Jesus. After he became a disciple: “Immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God’ ” (Ac 9:20). And another disciple said of Paul, “At Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus” (Ac 9:27).

5. All IMMORAL People Will Be Judged

Immorality is a general term that covers a wide range of illegal sexual relations that violate God’s law for the Biblical institution of marriage (He 13:4). Immoral people must become sexually moral in order to avoid the condemnation of God.

(a) Jezebel Did Not Overcome the Sin of Sexual Immorality

Jezebel was a part of the church at Thyatira. God wrote to that church about her, saying, “I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent; and she does not want to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will cast her upon a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence; and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds” (Re 2:20-23).

God gave Jezebel time to repent, but she did not. Therefore, He was going to bring severe punishment on her and those who were doing the same things as she was. God will punish disciples who fail to repent of the sin of immorality (Col 3:25). Do you want to repent of it? Be careful who you are with in church or else God might punish you along with your wicked ring-leader.

6. All MAGICIANS [Sorcerers] Will Be Judged

Sorcerers are magicians (Act 19:18, 19). Sorcerers are spiritists or mediums who conjure up the dead or talk to the dead (1 Sam 28:7-25). Sorcery is interpreting dreams and omens (Da 2:2). Sorcery is witchcraft. Sorcery is magic. People use sorcery to predict the future, to get help, to gain riches, or to entertain and astonish themselves or others. Sorcerers use magic books, crystal balls, tarot cards, Ouija boards, etc.

(a) How Magicians at Ephesus Overcame Practicing Magic “Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of all; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver” (Ac 19:18, 19).

Those magicians proved their correct understanding of the gospel message by repentance; they got the sinful things out of their lives. Did they sell the objects of their sin to get the money for them? Even though they were worth much money, they destroyed those wicked things so that no one else could sin by using them. They brought repentance to its rightful end, even in front of others. Is this how you are getting the sinful things out of your life? Are you destroying them so that no one else can use them to sin? You cannot be a Christian and be a magician. Magicians [sorcerers] will not be saved. God will make no distinction between good or bad magicians. They are all bad to Him.

(b) How Simon Overcame Impressing People with Magic

In the story below, Simon seems like what some might call “a good magician”. Yet even “good magicians” must repent. God makes no distinction; all magicians, good or bad, will inherit the hellfire, unless they repent.

“Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, ‘This man is what is called the Great Power of God.’ And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Even Simon [the former magician] himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip” (Ac 8:9-13). Because Philip preached the gospel of repentance, Simon quit trying to astonish or entertain people with magic, even if it did seem harmless. He “formerly was practicing magic... astonishing the people”, but not anymore.

7. All LIARS Will Be Judged

Liars must quit deceiving people and instead speak the truth. “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you” (Eph 4:25).

(a) Ananias and Sapphira Did Not Overcome It

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.’ And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him” (Ac 5:1-6).

Later, his wife came in and Peter asked her about the price of the land. She lied, and therefore died that very same moment as well. Both Ananias and Sapphira had the opportunity to tell the truth, but they did not. So obviously, God was very unhappy with them and put them to physical death. God made a clear point that he will not tolerate deception. Do you believe that you can lie and not be severely punished for it?

HOW CAN I LEARN TO REPENT?

1. GENTLE INSTRUCTION -- “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim 2:24-26).

2. SHARP DISCIPLINARY INSTRUCTION -- Paul used sharp verbal discipline to cause a whole church at Corinth to begin to repent. They were proudly tolerating a professing Christian who was sexually immoral. As soon as Paul heard a report about it, he sent a letter to the church that contained sharp disciplinary instruction, not only for the wicked brother, but also for the church. The church repented of their sinfully permissive tolerance and proved it by their deeds. Why did they repent? It was because of Paul’s extremely sharp verbal instruction (1 Co 5; 2 Co 7:8-10). At times, God must use sharp, reproving, rebuking instruction to cause you to repent.

3. SOME SORT OF KINDNESS -- “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance [forbearance] and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Ro 2:4)

4. A COMBINATION OF PUNISHMENT WITH INSTRUCTION -- “You have chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for You are the LORD my God. For after I turned back, I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh” (Jer 31:18, 19). After that man was both chastised and taught, he then demonstrated the sorrowful anguish of the beginnings of repentance by striking his leg with his hand. God may punish and teach you at the same time to bring about your repentance. Conclusion: God can use different methods to try to get each one of us to repent. But we are not in control of which one He wants to use on us. He might bring gentle instruction or sharp verbal discipline. He might bring kindness and something good or pain and suffering. All are designed to bring about our repentance from specific sins that lead to death. You can be saved by repenting from works that lead to death.

How Much Time and How Many Chances Will Sinners Get to Repent?

1. Pharaoh got several chances, but his heart was hardened (Ex 7 - 11).

2. Nineveh got 40 days to repent or be overthrown (Jonah 3). They did and were saved by God’s grace.

3. Jezebel got some time from God to repent, but she was unwilling. So God was going to kill her children and plague her and those who were sinning with her (Re 2:21-23).

4. Ananias and Sapphira got one chance to tell the truth, but since they failed to do so, God put them to death immediately (Ac 5). Obviously, they were not given any more opportunities to repent. They died in their sins.

5. Esau did not get one chance, since he sinned by selling his firstborn birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of soup. He did not value his birthright and the benefits that were to come with it. And, afterward, even though he sought a first born blessing from his father with tears, he was rejected, and could bring about no change of mind (He 12:15-17). He was not granted repentance.

6. Judas Iscariot did not get one chance, even though he was sorrowful after betraying the Messiah (Mt 27:3). Yet it is written of Judas Iscariot that he was: “the son of perdition” (Jn 17:12). This means that he was condemned and without hope for forgiveness. He would not have an opportunity to repent of his sin of betraying the Messiah. The Scripture says that Jesus lost none that His Father gave to Him of the apostles, except Judas(17:12). He was lost. Even though Judas Iscariot, like Esau, was sorrowful after he sinned, Judas Iscariot would not be granted repentance.

7. The Devil will get no chances. Satan is alive and is a spiritual being. Yet his doom is spoken of throughout the Bible. In Revelation it says that he will be thrown in the lake of fire to be tormented forever and forever, with his angels and false ones (Re 20:10). The Devil and his demons have no hope to be saved. That is why the Bible says, “Woe to the earth and sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time” (Re 12:12). He has a short time, compared to eternity, to try to deceive the world before he is thrown into hell.

8. Those who speak evil of (revile) the Holy Spirit will not be given a chance. Jesus said that there will be no forgiveness given for those who commit this sin (Lk 12:10). Therefore, those who do so will not be given even one opportunity to repent of that sin.

9. Those who get the mark of the Beast to do business will not be given a chance. If we look a little deeper in the word of God we can find another example of people who will not be granted a chance to repent. There are some who will fail to heed God’s clear warning to not receive a literal mark of the beast on their hand or forehead, even though the government will require it for doing business. God clearly said that those who receive that mark, even receiving it to be able to do business, they will be thrown into the literal lake of fire (Re 14:9, 10). Give up your job. Give up your ability to buy and sell. And if you cannot escape it, give up your life as well. But DO NOT GET THE MARK on your hand or your forehead to do business or for any other reason.

CONCLUSION: There are plenty of people who will not be granted repentance. No one knows exactly how much time or chances God will give somebody to repent of a sin that leads to death. We know sin can bring swift destruction upon a person (2 Pe 2:1). So by faith, we must repent quickly.

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