This song is obviously about a friend who chose to "live life while [he] can" instead of staying a strong christian and now he's "up against the ropes" about to suffer and Jake (singer) has no sympathy because he tried to tell his friend that with God, we can "survive through thick and thin" but his friend didn't listen and is now suffering, standing "in front of the jury, with no happy ending." - Could be referring to the judgment day and received a sentencing to hell.
This song is obviously about a friend who chose to "live life while [he] can" instead of staying a strong christian and now he's "up against the ropes" about to suffer and Jake (singer) has no sympathy because he tried to tell his friend that with God, we can "survive through thick and thin" but his friend didn't listen and is now suffering, standing "in front of the jury, with no happy ending." - Could be referring to the judgment day and received a sentencing to hell.