7 Judgments

Seven Judgments

1 Corinthians 6:3 KJV 1900

Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Will God suffer such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished?

By no means; but is terribly displeased with our original as well as actual sins; and will punish them in his just judgment temporally and eternally, as he has declared, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”c

Question 11

Is not God then also merciful?

God is indeed merciful, but also just;b therefore his justice requires, that sin which is committed against the most high majesty of God, be also punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment of body and soul.

The Second Part—Of Man’s Deliverance

Lord’s Day 5

Question 12

Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be again received into favour?

God will have his justice satisfied: and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another.b

Question 13

Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?

By no means; but on the contrary we daily increase our debt.

Question 14

Can there be found anywhere, one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?

None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed; and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it.b

Question 15

What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous;b and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.

Lord’s Day 6

Question 16

Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin; and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.b

Question 17

Why must he in one person be also very God?

That he might, by the power of his Godhead sustain in his human nature,b the burden of God’s wrath; and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.d

Question 18

Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God, and a realb righteous man?

Our Lord Jesus Christ: “who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”e

Question 19

Whence knowest thou this?

From the holy gospel, which God himself first revealed in Paradise; and afterwards published by the patriarchsb and prophets, and represented by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law;d and lastly, has fulfilled it by his only begotten Son.

Historic Creeds and Confessions, electronic ed. (Oak Harbor: Lexham Press, 1997).

I. JUDGMENT OF THE BELIEVER’S SIN

Deals with our justification—II Cor. 5:19–21

This judgment is past. It fell upon Christ at the cross so that when He was judged, you and I were judged. He was our Substitute. The result of this judgment to the believer is that we “have peace with God”—Rom. 5:1

II. THE BELIEVER’S SELF JUDGMENT

Deals with our Sanctification—I Cor. 11:31–32

This is a present judgment. The believer is to exercise it himself. It keeps the saved one in fellowship with his Lord—I John 1:5–10

III. THE JUDGMENT OF THE BELIEVER’S WORKS

Deals with our Glorification—Rom. 14:10

This judgment is future. The time of the giving of rewards is at the resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14); it will be “at that day,” the day of the Lord’s appearing (II Tim. 4:8).

IV. THE JUDGMENT UPON THE JEWS

(Jer. 30:7; Ezek. 20:34–38; 22:19–22; Zech. 13:8–9) The last half of Daniel’s 70th Week is the “time of Jacob’s trouble.” God will deal with the Jews in a special way, passing them “under the rod,” and refining them as gold. The result will be that the Jews shall call upon the Lord in their misery (Zech. 14:1–2; 12:10).

V. THE JUDGMENT OF THE LIVING NATIONS

(Matt. 25:31–46) “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.” There is a twofold outcome of this judgment: The wicked are sent away into everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:41); but those who have well treated the Jews, are permitted to enter the millennial kingdom (Matt. 25:34; Zech. 14:16).

VI. THE JUDGMENT OF THE GREAT WHITE THRONE

This judgment follows the kingdom age, the millennium. At this time, while Heaven and earth pass away, “the rest of the dead” who “lived not again until the thousand years were finished” (Rev. 20:5) will be judged. No believers will be in this judgment for we have the specific promise of Christ that we shall be kept out of his judgment (John 5:24).

VII. THE JUDGMENT OF ANGELS

(Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4) Scripture speaks of angels chained in pits of darkness (Tartarus) waiting for the judgment of the great day. The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” (I Cor. 6:3).