With Pastor Joseph Rodrigues
INTRODUCTION
This study of ‘eternal
judgment’ is corollary to the study on the ‘resurrection of the dead’.
According to God’s sovereign
plan, it is a natural consequence of the reason for the resurrection. No one
will escape it.
The study explores:
-the
nature of judgment in general,
-some
examples of god’s judgment in history, and
-the
judgment that will have eternal ramifications (the essential doctrine referred
to in Hebrews)
This sobering study should condition a proper heart response to God.
This is the sixth and last of the elementary or foundational doctrines referred to in Hebrews 6:1-3.
It is vitally important that we understand the teaching of Scripture that no one will escape God’s judgment. This is especially so for the times in which we live, in which we hear a gospel preached which is “what itching ears want to hear”. The nature of god’s judgment and how it will be brought to bear upon every human being is the subject of this teaching.
Keep in mind that we are looking at ETERNAL judgment - that is, the judgment results in a FINAL and permanent (everlasting and irrevocable) state of existence.
A good way to describe ‘judgment’ is to see it as a sentence or final decision which is arrived at based on God’s estimate or opinion about us. It will necessarily take into account our behaviour (our response and attitude to God’s will) whilst in this life, as we shall shortly see. We cannot question God’s ‘right’ to judge, because he is our creator and he has a plan for each of us!
The purpose of judgment is twofold:
1) To punish or reward ( yes, there is a positive side to judgment! This is what encourages us)
2)
to
determine destinies
When Christians misunderstand the teaching about eternal judgment, it can lead them into erroneous behaviour that has eternal ramifications. The whole point of the teaching of Jesus ‘to lay up treasures in heaven’ rather than on earth is directed towards this concept of accountability to God.
It is important to understand the difference between the two types of judgments below:
1. Judgments in history (temporal judgments). This is seen through punishment or blessing on individuals, communities and on succeeding generations. It relates to things that happen in this life on earth, relating therefore to time. It is especially significant in the following areas:
Idolatry (Ex. 20:4-6)
Iniquity (Jer. 32:18)
Righteousness (Ps. 32)
There are god’s Judgments in history which have already transpired
There are God’s Judgments in history that are yet to take place.
2. Judgments in eternity: this is seen through the responsibility that each individual has to answer for his own life. The most significant passage in scripture that bears upon this truth is Ezekiel 18:1-4, 20.
On community’s
en masse -The flood; the confusion of
languages (
On
individuals – King David, Annanias and Sapphira, on Christ at
On generations - Adamic race
Yet to take place:
Judgments on the earth/humans in existence in the last days (Jesus’ accounts/revelation, ET al)
Judgment of the Jews (eternal ramifications)
Judgment of the gentile nations (eternal ramifications)
Judgments of fallen angels (eternal ramifications)
Five Principles:
According to truth, (see verse 2).
According
to deeds (see verse 6); Also 1Pe. 1:17 and Rev. 20. THINK ABOUT THIS!
According
to the extent of light that we have had (verse 12) see also Matt 11: 20-24
According to our secret thoughts and motives (verse 16)
Disregarding our own sense of importance (verse 11). Note: “no respect of persons”!
2 Corinthians 5; 10 - receive judgment in the body for things done in the body (i.e., this life)
1 Pe. 1:17; impartial judgment; 1 Pe. 4:17- better to judge ourselves now!
At the outset, it is important to understand that this judgment is not unto condemnation! Scriptures that bear this out are John3: 18;
John 5:24; and
To bring every individual to account for the things done in the body.
To separate the good things from the bad things. In this context, there will be no neutrality!
This separation is primarily for assessment of our service (1 Cor.3: 11-15).
Primary purpose is to test the “good” deeds by fire; the criterion is quality, not quantity!
Good deeds will stand the test by fire if they meet the following criteria:
Right motive: for god’s glory (1 Cor. 10:31)
Obedience: according to god’s word (Matt 7:21-27)
Done in the power of the Holy Spirit (ROM. 15:18-19)
In the light of what we have just seen from scripture, think about the things we do “for God”. Will we pass the test?
NOTE: The N.T. gives us some patterns and their
application to Christians at this judgment:
The talents (Matt.
25:14-30) - all who did nothing were totally rejected (received no
approbation).
The minas (Luke
19:11-27) – not to use is to lose!
(Think about this; it has immediate ramifications). Losing the ability
to produce means you will have no fruit to show at the judgment.
In this connection note that there is also the
teaching that not to do good when
one can, is SIN (James 4:17. Sin of Omission.). If it is not dealt with, it will
require accounting!
B. A National judgment. There Are Two Aspects Of Judgment Which Are National In Character (we will deal with them when we
examine views of the sequence of events at Christ’s Second Coming).
1.
2. The Gentile nations will be judged before Christ’s
millennial throne Matt 25:31, 32
C. THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
At this judgment, all the remaining dead will be
judged (REV: 20:11-15)
Important
points:
Every
life is recorded in a book!
Mercy
is available only for those enrolled in the Book of Life
The
basis of this judgment is
Rom. 2:6-10 - judged according to what we have done in the
body
Matt.12:
41-42 - judged for spiritual adultery
HOW CAN WE APPLY THESE TEACHINGS ABOUT JUDGMENT?
1)
A principle is clearly set out in 1Cor.11: 31-32. The principle, simply
stated, is that we examine ourselves in this life. The
consequences of so doing have ramifications that are both temporal and eternal.
2) It is important to
remember too that there is much that God has not disclosed about the
future. What we do know are just some
simple facts as to the certainty of certain things
happening (e.g., we will be resurrected; we will be judged etc). These facts in themselves are sufficient to condition
our heart response to God. We should not become obsessed with wanting to know
every detail. There are many aspects of God’s workings that we cannot fully
understand; the extent to which God has given us to knowledge and understanding is sufficient to keep us balanced
and focused in our Christian walk.
Conclusion