Revelation 20:13; They Were Judged Every Man According to Their Works

Revelation 20:13 (KJV)  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. 

“… they were judged every man according to their works” conveys the constant emphasis in Christian tradition upon individual responsibility (cf. Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Peter 1:17; Revelation 2:23) (Swete, Walvoord).

Matthew 16:27 (KJV)  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Romans 2:6 (KJV)  Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 

1 Corinthians 3:13 (KJV)  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 

2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 

2 Peter 1:17 (KJV)  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

Revelation 2:23 (KJV)  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Another consistent stress of Scripture is that God’s judgment is always based on works – and they were judged every man according to their works. 

The point of this passage is not to prove salvation by works, but condemnation by works. A person does not receive salvation through works, but neither does he receive it without works.

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – an Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 433]