What Is Judgment?
1. The judgment, as set forth in the Bible, follows the resurrection of the dead, and is the final separation of the righteous from the unrighteous forever, either with God in heaven or with Satan in the lake of fire called hell.
Heb. 9:27-28; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15; John 5:28-29.
2. God will judge the world of humanity through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10-11.
3. God’s Word, the Bible, will be the standard by which all will be judged.
John 12:48; Rom. 2:16; Rev. 20:12.
4. The judgment will be final, complete, and eternal.
Jude 1:14-15; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:26; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 7:9-17; 21:6-8.
5. Sadly, many will be surprised over their rejection at the judgment.
Matt. 7:21-23; 25:41-46.
6. In view of the judgment, we must respond to God’s grace and love by obeying the gospel of Christ and remaining faithful to the Lord.
Rom. 1:16-17; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Tit. 2:11-14; 1 Pet. 1:13-16; Rev. 2:10.
7. Ridicule, mockery, unbelief, ignorance, indifference, rejection of God, etc. will not “exempt” anyone from standing before the Lord in judgment. The judgment is for real, whether scoffers accept or believe what the Bible says about it or not!
Acts 17:30-32; 2 Pet. 3:1-18.
The Bible (in the verses previously given) clearly sets forth the warning that there will be a final and eternal judgment for all mankind. This judgment will take place at a time of the Lord’s own choosing. No one knows the day or the hour when this will happen. The emphasis in the Bible is not on “time setting” but on “soul preparation” for that “great day” of judgment before the Lord (Jude 1:6).
God will judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Bible will be the standard by which all will be judged. Our words, thoughts, and deeds will be held to account (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10). Peter tells us that we must “hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto” us at the “revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13). Therefore, none of us will be saved apart from the grace of God. But we must not abuse God’s grace, or take His grace for granted (Rom. 6:1-2). The judgment will be final, and there will be no appeal to a “higher” court. God will have the last and final word concerning our destiny.
It is vital that you be ready for the judgment by obeying the gospel of Christ and living close to the Lord daily. All other goals or plans that you may make are secondary to the pressing need to be in a right relationship with God. This is because of eternity. Things of this life (though they may be important) are temporary and will all pass away one day. Also, if the Lord tarries, we will all eventually die and leave it all behind. But our relationship with God is something that reaches beyond this world and the grave. We need to remember this, and act accordingly.
In view of an eternal judgment, are you ready? What is your relationship with Jesus Christ?
This is but a brief overview of God and His great scheme of redemption, or plan of salvation, for mankind. To learn more, please request our free Bible Correspondence Course by clicking here.