- Firstly, what is the Judgment?
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Answer: The Judgment refers to the appointed time when God will judge every human being that ever lived to determine whether or not they will receive eternal life. Throughout the Bible, the Lord promised that there will be a Judgment.
Further Reading: Daniel 7:9-10
- What will happen in the Judgment?
“For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” (James 2:11-12)
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:14-15)
Answer: God will weigh the works of every person against His moral law, the Ten Commandments, to determine whether or not we will receive eternal life. When the cases of every person have been decided, the Lord will reward them according to their works at the appointed time.
Further Reading: Jeremiah 17:10; Romans 6:23
- What are the three different phases of the Judgment?
Answer: The Judgment, contrary to popular belief, does not take place at the death of every individual. The righteous and the wicked are judged at distinct time periods and at the appointed times, each group will receive its judgment together, whether it be eternal life or eternal death. The Scriptures tell us the following things about these judgments:
1. At the judgment of the righteous, the Lord and His angels will determine whether or not the people who professed to be servants of the Lord will receive eternal life. This is the first phase of the Judgment and it has already begun. It will be completed before Jesus returns.*
When He does, He will gather the righteous and take them to Heaven with Him.
Further Reading: Matthew 24:30-31, 45-51; Revelation 22:11-12
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)
2. At the judgment of the wicked, the righteous will review the case of every wicked person and determine the length of their sentence. This judgment will also take place in Heaven.
Further Reading: Revelation 20:6, 12-13; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; Revelation 21:1-2
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4)
3. The execution of the judgment of the wicked will take place on Earth. Jesus will resurrect them, show them why they are lost, and upon realizing their sentence is just, they will confess that Jesus is Lord. After this, the Lord will destroy the wicked. When this is done, the Judgment is over.
Further Reading: Psalms 50:21; Romans 14:10-11; Revelation 20:5-9
“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” (Revelation 20:9)
“…thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.” (Psalms 50:21)
- How can I be found innocent in the Judgment?
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)
Answer: By repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior. He took the death penalty for your sins and advocates for you in the courts of Heaven. By serving Him faithfully, your record of sins will be cleared and you will be found innocent in the Judgment. Praise the Lord!
* Jesus could not take the righteous with Him to Heaven unless the judgment of the righteous took place before this time and they were found innocent. He will not take one sinner to Heaven to receive judgment. “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am;” (John 17:24). Only those who God has given to Jesus will be with Him in Heaven where He is.
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