The final judgment will occur in the future. Of course, God has in some cases already made his judgment manifest, as when he took right-eous Enoch and Elijah to heaven to be with him, sent the destructive flood upon the earth (Gen. 6,7). A New Testament example is Gods striking down Ananias and Sapphira
(Acts 5:1-11). A definite event is to occur in the future. Jesus alluded to it in Matthew 11:24: "But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you." On another occasion he spoke clearly of the judgment which he would execute in connection with the future resurrection (John 5:27-29). There is an extended picture of this judg-ment in Matthew 25:31-46. Paul declared that God "has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead" (Acts 17:31). To the Romans,
"But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when Gods righteous judgment will be revealed" (Rom. 2:5). Hebrews puts it clearly and directly: "It is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27). Other clear references include -
Hebrews 10:27; 2 Peter 3:7; and Revelation 20:11-15.
The Bible specifies that the judgment will occur after the 2nd coming. Jesus said "The Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done"
(Matt. 16:27). This idea is also found in Matthew 13:37-43; 24:29-35; and 25:31-46. See 1 Cor. 4:5
Jesus pictured himself as sitting on a glorious throne and judging all nations (Matt. 25:31-33). Although God is spoken of as the judge in Hebrews 12:23, it is clear from several other references that he delegates this authority to the Son. Jesus himself said, "The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son... and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man" (John 5:22, 27). Peter told the gathering in Corneliuss house, "Jesus commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead" (Acts 10:42). Paul informed the Atheni-ans that God "has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead
2 Cor. 5:10 also 2 Tim. 4:1
It appears that believers will share in the judging. In Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:28-30 Jesus suggests that the disciples will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. We are also told that believers will sit on thrones and judge the world (1 Cor. 6:2-3; Rev. 3:21; 20:4). While we are not told the exact details, Christ will apparently permit the saints to share in this work.
All humans will be judged (Matt. 25:32; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 9:27). Paul warns that "we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God" (Rom. 14:10). Every secret will be revealed; all that has ever occurred will be evaluated. Some have questioned whether the sins of believers will be included-that would seem to be unnecessary inasmuch as believers have been justified. But the statements concerning the review of sins are universal. "Scripture leads us to believe that [the sins of believers] will be [revealed] though they will, of course, be revealed as pardoned sins."
Read 2 Peter 2:4 Jude 6 makes an almost identical statement. The good angels, on the other hand, will participate in the judgment by gathering together all who are to be judged (Matt. l3:41; 24:31).
2 Cor. 5:10... Jesus said that at the resurrection all will "come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:29).
While one might infer from Matthew 25:31-46 that it is the doing of good deeds that makes the difference, Jesus indicated that some who claim and even appear to have good deeds will be told to depart
(Mt. 7:21-23).
The standard on which the evaluation will be made is the revealed will of God. Jesus said, "He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day" (John 12:48). Even those who have not explicitly heard the law will be judged: All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law" (Rom. 2:12).
Once passed - the JUDGMENT will be permanent and irrevocable. The righteous and the ungodly will be sent away to their respective final places. There is no hint that the verdict can be changed. In concluding his teaching about the last judgment, Jesus said that those on his left hand "will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matt. 25:46).
Gods purpose will be fulfilled in the end.
Christians should watch and work in anticipation of the SURE return of the Lord.
These bodies will be transformed. Our NEW bodies will know no pain, illness, or death.
A time is coming when justice will be dispensed. Evil will be finished Faith and Faithfulness rewarded.
In view of the certainty of the 2nd coming and the finality of judgment which will follow, it is imperative that we act in accordance with the will of God.
More Thoughts on Judgement Day
Time of Gods punishment and refining of the evil in the world, especially of the final, history-ending time of eternal judgment. The expression "Day of Judgment" appears several times in the Bible as a frightful day of dread (Hebrews 10:27) connected with the wrath of God (Hebrews 12:29) and can only be overcome through mature faith in Christ (1 John 4:17-18; compare Romans 8:33-34; 2 Tim. 4:8). Closely connected with the second coming of Christ (2 Thes. 1:7-10), it is a part of the end-time events connected with the close of human history.
The New Testament builds on the foundation of the Old Testament and utilizes the language and imagery of the Jewish writings to present the full revelational picture of Judgment Day. As in the Old Testament, divine judgment is both a present and a future reality. Jesus first coming represents a divine judgment (John 3:19; John 9:39; John 12:31). Sinful humanity presently stands under divine condemnation (John 3:36) and experiences in part now the wrath of God (Romans 1:18-32). The people of God are chastised for their waywardness (Hebrews 12:4-11; Proverbs 3:11-12), but that final divine verdict of judgment is yet to be carried out in a future day (1 John 4:17; John 5:24-29) by the Son of Man Himself (John 12:48; John 5:22). Thus human activity in this life basically determines the verdict rendered in this future judgment.
In the great white throne judgment scene (Rev. 20:11-15), the basis of judgment is first from the book of life (Rev. 20:12a; Rev. 20:15) and then from the books of works (Rev. 20:12b-14). Ones relationship with Christ is that determiner of eternal destiny (John 3:36), but ones faithfulness to Christ is crucial to a genuine relationship with Christ. (James 2:14-26; Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 2:3)
Very similar in emphasis is the parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-56). Pious deeds of devotion done to those in need stands as the distinguishing criterion between the sheep and the goats and settles their eternal destiny (Matthew 25:46). Pauls discussion in Romans 2:1-16 underscores that demand for obedient commitment to Christ as well. The concept of retribution for good and bad is also applied to believers (1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:10), but the specifics of rewards and punishments are not stated. However, the New Testament is absolutely clear in declaring the certainty of Judgment Day from which no one will escape (Acts 17:30-31). Thus comes the apostolic call to repentance and faith.
The Judgment Seat of Christ Is rarely mentioned and almost never taught in todays churches even though it is the next event on the horizon of the believer. Believers most often focus on their heavenly home and often quote... Ephesians 2:6-7.
Personal evangelism is many times initiated by the question "where are you going when you die?" The hoped-for answer is "heaven" which would indicate that the person answering the question believes in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While believers are going to Heaven to be with the Lord, upon entrance, all believers will be summoned to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. It is at this tribunal that the state of our eternal life will be determined. It is of critical importance that we understand that all believers, in spite of the fact that their sins have been paid for will all give account to God for their lives. The believers position of service in Jesus Christ in the next life will be determined by the degree of our obedience to His will in this life.
Why then is the subject of the Judgment Seat not taught openly? Christ himself relentlessly taught about the accountability of the believer, and the consequence of his behavior, throughout His entire ministry. The teachings of the Judgment Seat of Christ are not "ear pleasing and therefor in no way pacify the believer. Accountability is not a topic that believers want to hear about. I believe the answer to this question is quite simple. We are living in what Scripture prophetically refers to as the end times." and as such we (the church of the end times) are slowly "departing from the faith." The faith referred to here is not "saving faith," it is the faithful obedience to Gods Word. We live in a Christian society that wants more than anything else to feel loved and secure. They prefer to believe in a cosmic cuddly grandfather-type God who is totally preoccupied with the comfort and fulfillment of His kids.
The dilemma for the 20th century church is... How can you teach supernatural accountability and a just compensation for human behavior and make it jive with the "totally loved and accepted" theology so prevalent today? Christians typically go to any lengths to avoid, sugarcoat or outright deny the clear teaching that there is an ultimate accountability for our actions while on planet Earth.
We instead emphasize those aspects of Scripture that do not condemn sin or teach its consequences. We like to read about the complete acceptance and total security of the believer because these topic center focus on Christs obedience and sacrifice. We prefer to avoid any Scriptures that speak clearly about answering to God for what we have done with our lives. * Humans typically fear the unknown.
Read and Re-read -1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The simple truth is that our lives were purchased by the blood of Christ and now belong totally to Him. Every moment of our lives belongs totally to HIM. This purchase was made for a very important reason. Our lives were purchased with the intent to be occupied by the Holy Spirit.
We would never think of purchasing a very expensive house only to stand by idly watching the current tenants of that house abuse and destroy it. Every landlord establishes an agreement with the occupants of his property concerning the upkeep and maintenance of his investment. Somehow Christians have been duped into believing that there is no responsibility or accountability to God for the care of His property.
Believers have a blood covenant with their Landlord to maintain His property. There is a very clear improvement clause stated over and over again in the contract. Our lives were purchased as investment properties. Properties that He intends to improve through His supernatural construction company. He has already re-laid the foundation of our earthly house, and intends to design and construct a house on this new foundation that is worthy of His own name.
Because He knows that none of us are capable of the craftsmanship and that we cannot afford the quality materials that His houses requires, He even stipulated that HE would provide free of charge - all supplies needed for improvement and upkeep. However, the binding part of the contract is that we provide complete unhindered access to every area of HIS property. We also agree not to interfere with any construction or destruction that needs to take place. Every TRUE believer has the same identical contract!
The Judgment Seat of Christ is where all CHRISTIANS give an account for their earthly house
