Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Revelation 20:12. It's a pretty complex passage, but we can understand it in simpler terms. Here’s what it means, broken down step-by-step: What the Verse is Saying – A Summary This verse describes the final judgment of all people after death. Essentially, God is going to look at everyone who has ever lived and decide their fate. Let's unpack each part: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God…” This means that when Jesus Christ returns, he’ll be looking at all of humanity – from the very first humans to those who are still alive. He will see everyone, regardless of how long they've lived or where they were. “…and the books were opened…” This is a key point. God is opening up a "book" – it’s not just any book; it's a special book called “the Book of Life.” “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…” This is where it gets interesting. A new book opens – this one is called "the Book of Life." God now examines each person who has ever lived and decides their fate based on what they did during their lives, as recorded in all the other books (the Bible). "...according to their works.” This is the most important part. God isn’t just looking at their names or their past deeds. He's judging them by their actions . It means that God will see how people lived – whether they were kind, wicked, faithful, or dishonest – and that will determine where they go after death. In a nutshell: God is going to hold a final judgment of all humanity. He’ll look at everyone's lives and decide their eternal fate based on their actions in this life. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as promising a "final judgment" where those who lived righteous lives will be rewarded, while those who lived wicked lives will face punishment. However, it's important to remember that the exact details of what happens after judgment are not fully known and are subject to interpretation within different Christian traditions. Resources for Further Understanding: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Revelation/20%3A12](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Revelation/20%3A12) – This provides a good overview and translation of the verse. Theopedia: [https://theopedia.org/](https://theopedia.org/) - Offers detailed explanations and interpretations of biblical concepts. Do you want me to: Explain any part of this in more detail? Compare it to another passage in the Bible? Discuss what this verse might mean for believers today?