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The Final Judgement
The Final judgement will come at the end of the world, immediately after the resurrection of the dead. While it is often referred to in the Bible as the "Day of Judgement", there is no compelling reason to take this as a 24-hour day, or as any set time period for that matter.
On the 'Day', Jesus will judge and we (the righteous) will assist in the judging in some way. Angels (possibly only fallen angels) and all humans will be judged, and there will be degrees of punishment for the wicked, and degrees of reward for the righteous. But whatever the degree of punishment, every non-believer will stand condemned; and whatever the degree of reward, every believer will escape punishment through Christ. The final judgement will be just, as only God truly knows the heart and deeds of men, and so can judge with total justice.
As a result of understanding this teaching we should be able to freely forgive, and we should strive to live better lives and to evangelise more.
Content of this Study (top)
Introduction: (top)
The Bible clearly tells of God's judgement in specific events throughout history. For example God rewarded Noah for his desire to do His will by excluding him from the punishment he inflicted on the rest of mankind (and indeed the world) in the flood (Genesis 6 - 9:17). Similar examples of judgement can be found throughout the Bible, but we also see that the Bible predicts a Day of Judgement, and characterises it as "the final judgement" and as true justice.
The Biblical Teaching:
The Time of Judgement (top)
Obviously the Final judgement will come at the end of the world, immediately after the resurrection of the dead.
- "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." (John 5:28-29)
- "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done." (Rev. 20:12-13)
And while it is often referred to in the Bible as the "Day of Judgement", there is no compelling reason to take this as a 24-hour day, or as any set time period for that matter.
- Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town." (Matt. 10:13)
Jesus will Judge (top)
God gave Jesus the honor of judging all mankind as a result of His atoning work on the Cross.
- "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." (Matt. 25:31-32)
- "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead." (Acts 10:42)
- See also Php. 2:5-11, John 5:27, Acts 17:31
We (the righteous) will assist in some way (top)
Although it is not clear in what way we will judge, it is indicated that we (believers) will be in the position of judgement over others at that Day.
- "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!" (1 Cor. 6:2-3)
- "I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Rev. 20:4)
- "Jesus said to them, 'I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'" (Matt. 19:28)
All Humans will be Judged (top)
Non-believers (top)
It is abundantly clear that non-believers will be judged:
- "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed." (Rom. 2:5)
- "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." (Rev. 20:12)
It is also clear, but sometimes disputed, that believers will be judged also:
- "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat." (Rom. 14:10)
- "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:10)
- "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." (Rev. 20:12)
- See also Rom. 2:6-11, Rev. 20:15
In fact, it is said that the inmost thoughts of believers' hearts will be made public at the time of judgement:
- "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Cor. 4:5)
- "Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favouritism." (Col. 3:25)
There will be degrees of punishment and reward (top)
Non-believers (top)
It is clearly indicated that there are various degrees of punishment for the wicked:
- "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:47-48)
- "But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you." (Matt. 11:22)
It is also apparent that believers will be rewarded to varying degrees:
- "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Cor. 3:12-15)
- "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:10)
- See also Luke 19:11-27
Non-believers Will be Punished (top)
Whatever the degree of punishment however, every non-believer will stand condemned:
- "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:18)
Believers Will be Rewarded (top)
Whatever the degree of reward, every believer will escape punishment:
- Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24)
- "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1).
Angels Will be Judged (top)
It is not clear whether these verses refer only to demons (fallen angels) or to all angels, but it is apparent that (some form of) angels will be judged:
- "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment..." (2 Peter 2:4)
- "And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home - these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day." (Jude 6)
- "Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!" (1 Cor. 6:3)
The Final Judgement will be Just (top)
Only God truly knows the heart and deeds of men, and so only He can judge with total justice, which is what the final judgement will be:
- "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." (1 Peter 1:17)
- "For God does not show favouritism." (Rom. 2:11)
Application
Freely forgive (top)
Because of the total justice in God's judgement to come, as believers we should be able to freely forgive those who sin against us, knowing that the wrong will be paid for - either by the wrongdoer at the time of judgement, or by Christ on the cross, if the wrongdoer trusts in the Lord for salvation.
Strive to live better lives (top)
Knowing that we can 'store up for ourselves treasures in heaven' and that God has these to give in abundance, we should strive to live more godly lives, being focussed on 'the Kingdom'; and also encouraging other brothers and sisters in Christ to do the same thing; not in competition but in cooperation.
Evangelise more (top)
Knowing of the impending judgement of our non-believing friends and family, we should be motivated to remain focussed on our witness, seeking their conversion to Christ.
For Further Information
- Wayne Grudem's "Systematic Theology", Ch.56;
- Louis Berkhof's "Systematic Theology", pp.728-34.
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