What Do We Know Concerning The Judgement

There Will Be A Day of Judgement

Acts 17:29–31 ESV

Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 ESV

and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

2 Thessalonians 1:10 ESV

when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

The Necessity of the Judgement

From the story of the rich man and Lazarus, it is apparent that one's "destiny" is determined by the time of one's death - cf. Lk 16:22-23

a. A "human trial" is primarily a process of INVESTIGATION, in which the judge and jury are trying to learn the truth

b. The "Divine trial" is presided by an omniscient Judge with perfect knowledge, so the purpose of this judgment is one of PRONOUNCEMENT and EXECUTION of the sentence

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Another necessity is to "glorify" God for His grace, and to "vindicate" God for His justice!

a. Why is it that some sinners are lost, and other sinners are saved?

b. How can God be just in condemning lost persons who never heard the gospel of Christ?

c. At the judgment, those currently ignorant of the answers to such questions...

1. Will be made aware and come to see that God has been both just and gracious in His efforts throughout the history of mankind

2. Those condemned will come to fully realize they can blame no one but themselves!

The Time of The Judgement

Matthew 13:38–43 ESV

The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

2 Peter 3:7 ESV

But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Who Will Be the Judge?

John 5:22 ESV

For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

1 Corinthians 6:2–3 ESV

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

Who Will be Judged?

The Angels

2 Peter 2:4 ESV

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

Jude 6 ESV

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—

All Human Beings

Romans 2:4–6 ESV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works:

What Will Be Judged

1. All "deeds" done during this present life - 2Co 5:10

2. All "words" spoken in this life - Mt 12:36-37

3. Even our "thoughts"! - 1Co 4:5

4. There is nothing "hidden" that will not then be "known" - 1Ti 5:24-25

What Will Be The Standard Whereby Men Will Be Judged?

John 12:48 ESV

The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.