Overview
The Bible reveals God’s end time judgment as taking place before and after the Lord’s second coming. Though in different times, all humanity is under His judgment (Malachi 3:5; Jude 14, 15).
God will judge the world in righteousness through His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 14:10; Acts 17:31). This Divine appointment is extensively described throughout the New and Old Testaments (Jeremiah 23:5; 2 Peter 3:7).
The judgment of the unrighteous occurs during the thousand years. This time span is between the first and the second resurrection (Revelation 20:5, 7). The apostle Paul points to this judgment as an event that follows the second advent of Jesus (1 Corinthians 4:5).
There’s an investigative judgment before Christ’s glorious appearance. It is for the professed people of God only. On completion, it will be known who is the recipient of His reward when He comes (Revelation 22:12).
The sin problem is not an earthly problem only. It began in Heaven in the mind of a celestial being – Satan. So, he and the fallen angels will be judge too.
Thus God’s judgment will be transparent and observed by the entire Universe.
Christ’s mission was not for judgment, but for salvation:
God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world. But that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17.
What will you discover?
By nature, the judgment is a new beginning towards the new sinless reality God Has promised in His Word. His government is vindicated and sin will never rise again (Nahum 1:9).
God’s judgment is universal. It involves everyone who has lived and will live till Christ’s second appearance. Nations, institutions and systems are also to be judged. The same applies to celestial beings and their leader – Satan.
The ultimate judgment criteria is set by God Himself. It is His Law of love expressed to humanity in the “Ten Commandments”. It reflects God’s character and loving nature, imbued with love for God and people.
A preliminary judgment of all who profess to serve God takes place before Christ’s second coming. So, when He appears the righteous – resurrected and those alive receive their immortality.
For 1000 years the righteous will be involved in the judgment (examining the heavenly records) of the unrighteous (Daniel 7:22). It is the time difference between the first and second resurrection.
This article explores the specifics of the different types of judgment at the end time. It underlines their essence for individuals and corporate bodies.
Moreover, it shows the importance of their timing related to the second coming of Jesus Christ. It also clears the confusion around the judgment subject.
This piece satisfies the hunger for knowledge and understanding of Christians in different stages of their journey.
My intention is to encourage the fellow-believers to make the preparation of heart. This will allow them to meet the Judge in peace.
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Table of contents
- God’s judgment nature, essence and goals
- The ultimate standard of God’s judgment
- The “Investigative judgment“
- Judgment between first and second resurrection
- Summary on God’s judgment
- Conclusion
God’s judgment nature, essence and goals
The nature of God’s judgment reflects His moral nature and character. It is an integral part of who God is and His relationship with fallen humanity. For example:
Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, on the earth. For in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24.
Furthermore, it is devised for the highest good of those who love Him. It will be implemented for those who long to spend eternity with Him.
This involves full eradication of sin. God condemns sin and not sinners, though we all have sinned (Romans 3:23). We are born, inheriting the fallen nature of our first parents Adam and Eve (Psalm 51:5).
For instance:
- Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin. And so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Romans 5:12.
- That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21.
Through His redemptive plan, God made a provision that whoever chooses can cut ties with sin by His grace. It is through the free gift of His beloved Son Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice.
He will appear to the world again in all divine glory possible (the Father’s, His own and the angels’). Those who “washed their robes in His blood” get victory over sin. They, having Christ-like character, will be able to stand (Revelation 7:14).
For those who cherish sin, the brightness of His glory will be a consuming fire. They found no place for repentance (Hebrews 12:29).
God would love to see all humanity on His side. He pleads to everyone to come for eternal life through His Son. So, the outcome of His judgment is defined by the choice of every individual.
The ultimate standard of God’s judgment
All nations are to pass in judgment before God. Yet he will examine the case of each individual. Everyone must be found without a spot or wrinkle or any such thing (Ephesians 5:27).
Fore example:
- Blessed are the pure in heart. For they shall see God. Matthew 5:8.
- We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him. For we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2.
The glory of the Law of God is Christ Himself. He came to magnify the law, and to make it honorable (Isaiah 42:21).
Moreover, He demonstrated the truth about God’s mercy, offering peace and salvation through His righteousness (Psalm 85:10).
Jesus is the model of Christians in all things. His love was manifested to humanity on the cross of Calvary. The love of the Father was also shown there (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
Thus the Infinite Love had paid the ultimate price for human redemption. God crucified Himself in the person of His Son.
Out of His love, Jesus offers to all His righteousness, which satisfies the demand of God’s holy Law.
It is for our justification, accepting Him by faith as the Savior of the world. This unwavering faith works by love. We have it instilled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
Moreover, the same faith and love keep us in His grace to walk obediently in His steps. Jesus said:
If ye love me, keep my commandments. One that keeps them is the one that loves me.
And one that loveth me shall be loved by my Father. We will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:15, 21, 23.
Abiding in Christ involves engaging with His Word and seeking the help of His Spirit. Through this, we change into a perfect individual, reflecting the fulness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
Thus by beholding and abiding we are changed from glory to glory, developing a Christ-like character. This is our preparation, passing through the judgment in righteousness.
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The investigative judgment
This judgment takes place before Christ’s second coming to the world. It is for the professed people of God – dead and alive.
The Bible states explicitly that the judgment begins in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). It started when Jesus as the High Priest entered the Most Holy place of the “Heavenly Sanctuary”.
This ministry is to remove the sins of His people which are registered in the heavenly records. And it precedes the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven with power and glory. For when He comes, every case has been decided.
For instance:
My reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:12.
The outcome of this judgment reveals who are the righteous dead involved in the “First resurrection” (Revelation 20:4, 5). Additionally, who are the righteous alive, welcoming their Lord.
Christ comes with His reward for them (Revelation 22:12). It is the evidence to separate them from the rest (Matthew 25:32, 33).
For example:
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. On such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ. Revelation 20:6.
So, the Son of God rewards the righteous of all time according to His judgment. (John 5:22-27). At the time of His second appearance, the righteous dead hear His voice and come forth from their graves.
Marvel not at this. For the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice. And shall come forth.
They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life. John 5:28, 29.
This completes the first resurrection. The resurrected righteous together with the living righteous are caught up and meet their Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).
In a moment they are changed, receiving their immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
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Judgment between first and second resurrection
Besides the coming of the Lord to His temple, Malachi also foretells His coming for the execution of the judgment:
I will come near to you to judge. And I will be a swift witness against the:
- Sorcerers, adulterers, false swearers, and those that oppress the hireling in his wages.
- Widow, fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:5.
There will be 1000 years between the first and the second resurrection.
Unrighteous judged by Christ and His saints
It takes place during those 1000 years. The apostle Paul narrates it as an event that follows the second advent of Christ.
For example:
Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts. 1 Corinthians 4:5.
The prophet Daniel states that when the “Ancient of days” came, judgment was given to the saints of the Most High (Daniel 7:22).
At this time the righteous – resurrected and alive are with their Lord. They reign as kings and priests unto God. For instance:
I John saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.
They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:4, 6.
This is the time which apostle Paul foretells that the saints will judge the world. For example:
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How many more things that pertain to this life? 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3.
Jesus has received His coronation as King of kings and the Kingdom with an everlasting dominion. As such, He will proceed with the execution of the judgment. Daniel 7:9-14.
The Lord makes His people sharers with Him in the judgment work. He exalts them to participate with Him.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne. Even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne. Revelation 3:21.
They are to sit with Christ in the judgment. Nevertheless, they don’t decide who will be saved or who will be lost. God has already pronounced the decision who will have immortality.
And the Son executes that decision at His coming by immortalizing His saints. Thus all others are counted unworthy of eternal life.
The “Second resurrection”
Death passed on humanity after the fall of our first parents. So all alike go down to the grave. And all are to be brought forth from their graves.
It is through the provisions of the plan of salvation. Fore instance:
There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts 24:15.
But there’s a clear distinction between the two groups that are to be resurrected. Here is the conformation text:
All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth. They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life.
And they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28,29.
Furthermore, there are 1000 years between the first resurrection of the righteous and the rest. For example:
- The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. Revelation 20:5.
- They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison (death). And after many days shall they be visited. Isaiah 24:22.
So, at the close of the 1000 years the second resurrection takes place. The unrighteous are raised from the dead for the execution of the judgment written (Psalm 149:7-9).
The “Second death”
The heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:7.
Satan, his angels, unrighteous people and the entire earth are wrapped in the fire of destruction.
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven. And all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble. The day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. Malachi 4:1.
And they are never to have a resurrection. Moreover, the earth was purified and without curse (made new). For example:
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. Revelation 21:1.
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Summary on God’s judgment
- The righteous are changed to immortality and are caught up together with Jesus. Thus they receive their reward after the investigative judgment is done.
- They sit in judgment for 1000 years in unison with Jesus. Thus they judge the unrighteous angels and people according to the deeds done in the body.
- The execution of the judgment is at the close of the 1000 years. At that time Jesus raises the unrighteous dead. This is the second resurrection. They experienced also the second and final death.
- But, the second death has no power on those that had part in the first resurrection.
Conclusion
The Bible theme of judgment is its final message of hope. Those who love God look forward to eternity without sin.
It will come to pass as purposefully set by God and described in His Word.
Everyone should stand today as would wish to stand in the judgment. Therefore:
Let one return to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.
Call ye upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.
Let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him.
My Word shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please. Isaiah 55:6, 7, 11.
More about this article
References:
- The Bible: King James Version
- GC88 657 – Ellen G. White Writings
- https://sb.rfpa.org/christ-returning-for-judgment/
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- What resonated with you most in this article, and why?
- Do you see the blending of righteousness, mercy, truth and justice in the final judgment of God?
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