The Future Judgments of God are much misunderstood. This is something most people don’t understand, still less think about. And, if they do think about it, they are likely to think of hell–of fire and brimstone, of medieval torture and demons and many other horrible things. We will all stand before the Judgment Seat of God.
“For no one is able to lay any other foundation beside the One having been laid, who is Jesus Christ. And if anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw, the work of each will berevealed; for the Day will make it known, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire will prove the work of each, what sort it is. If the work of anyone which he built remains, he will receive a reward. If the work of anyone shall be consumed, he shall suffer loss; but he will be saved, but so as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15 LITV).
It would be beneficial here to examine what awaits us as the preliminaries to enjoying Heaven with those who have gone before us. We soon learn that there are several judgments that must take place for the fullness of Eternity begins. The Bible mentions judgment in many contexts. Some references have to do with being judged for doing bad things to other people. Other references pertain to exercising sound judgment or showing a lack of judgment.
The Bible warns us not to judge others but, instead, seek to please God [Matt. 7:1-5]. Only God is in a good position to judge the actions [hearts] of others. The Bible mentions the word “judgment” 162 times. It means:
“The quality of being righteous; The ability to come to an opinion about things; power of comparing and deciding; understanding; good sense. Sound reason; bringing to justice to cause. To set a thing straight. To decide rightly and fairly. To treat with due appreciation; The use of authority and power to uphold what is right. [Greek meaning: to make a decision, by implication: to finally bring justice. To render a decision not only ‘against’, but for ‘also’.] An evaluation or discerning if a thing qualifies in light of the criteriaapplied to it. A fair verdict that is either favorable or unfavorable followed by a ceremony.”
THE FIVE FUTURE JUDGMENTS
Not all men will be judged at the same time and place because here are five future unique judgments that take place just as our Eternity begins.
1. The Judgment Seat of Christ
The first of these will be the judgment of the Believer’s works, called “The Judgment Seat of Christ.” It is this judgment to which we shall give consideration later. But first, we shall outline the four future judgments that will follow the judgment of the Believer’s works.
2. The Judgment of Regathered Israel
In Daniel 12:1 this judgment is called “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” It will be the punishment of the Jews for their disobedience to God and their rejection of Jesus Christ [Messiah]. During the Tribulation Period and after the close of the present Age of Grace, Israel will pay for her sins, being afflicted with unprecedented misery and woe.[1]
3. The Judgment of the Nations
At the end of the Tribulation Period, after Israel has been judged, the nations of Earth will be judged by Christ and His Church. This judgment will not be against individuals but against nations for their treatment of the Jewish people.
“For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for My people and for My Heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted My land” (Joel 3:1-2).
4. The Judgment of Fallen Angels
This is the final judgment against the satan and other fallen angels who will be judged with him. Immediately after the one thousand years of the Kingdom Age, the satan and his hosts will meet their doom [Rev. 20:10]. “You also know about the angels who didn’t do right and left their proper places. God chained them with everlasting chains and is now keeping them in dark pits until the Great Day of Judgment” (Jude 1:6 CEV). At that time we shall see the final fulfillment of that great prophecy in Genesis 3. “And there will be war between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed: by him will your head be crushed and by you his foot will be wounded” (Genesis 3:15 BBE).
5. The Judgment of the Unbelieving Dead
This is called the Great White Throne Judgment. After the casting of the satan into Hell, the wicked dead will be raised to receive the final sentence of condemnation. No Believer will be judged at that day as the final judgment is reserved for all who rejected the Lord Jesus Christ on Earth.
“And the satan who deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were. And he will be tormented day and night forever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and Him sitting on it, from whose face the earth and the Heaven fled away. And a place was not found for them. And I saw the dead, the small and the great, stand before God. And books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead in it. And death and hell delivered up the dead in them. And each one of them was judged according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire” (Revelation 20:10-15).
“He who overcomes will be dressed in white, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Zoa Life, and I will give witness to his name before my Father, and before his angels. He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:5).
Every person who has ever lived on the Planet has had their name written into God’s Book of Life. On the “Day of the Blotting Out,” their names will be removed if they have never confessed Christ and persevered in their faith during their time on Earth.
What is the difference between the condemnation and damnation of the Great White Throne Judgment and the commendation and praise of the Believer’s Judgment? [This will be discussed in part two.]
[In light of what God’s Word declares concerning His perfect justice, our accountability, and the reality of death, are you certain that you have taken refuge in the finished work of Christ?]
Part 1 of 2
From Running to Win, by Dos Carter. Digital Ministry Consultants, pages 5-6. Used with permission. http://www.exchangedlifebooks.com/ http://www.Christlivesin.me
[1] In a broader sense, everyone is responsible for the death of Christ. For more on the variouos dimensions of this issue see Grace Note: “Who Caused Caused the Death of Christ?” https://gracenotebook.com/who-caused-the-death-of-christ-part-1/ Also, note that God does not condone antisemitism. Consider another aspect of His judgment in protecting the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you [Abraham’s seed] all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). See point #3 in this article.