Jesus came to the world and established His ministry as a humble servant. He was finally arrested and put to death by sinful people. This way, Jesus fulfilled the atonement for sins of all who trust in Him (Hebrews 2:17). After resurrection, Jesus returned to heaven. But, one day He will return (Acts 1:11). However, Jesus will not return with ordinary human appearance but with glory, power and authority to rule and judge all people past and present (Matthew 25:31-32, 16:27;1 Peter 4:5).

Hebrews 2:17

For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Acts 1:11

11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Matthew 25:31-32

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

1 Peter 4:5

But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

The great white throne judgement will be held before the new heaven and new earth is ushered in to replace the old. This is the judgement of the death (Revelation 20:11-15). This also suggests different degrees of punishment. Friends, without Christ we cannot stand before the Holy God. We might be good citizens having not broken any law. But, we are all sinners in light of God's holiness (Romans 3:23). The only work we can do to satisfy God's requirement is to repent and accept Jesus as the Saviour who has paid in full for the wages of sins for all (John 6:29). Then we may be declared righteous based on the grace and work of atonement of Jesus (Romans 3:24).

Revelation 20:11-15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 6:29

29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Romans 3:24

and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.