- Why does the Judgment have to happen?
Answer: There are at least three reasons why the Judgment must take place.
1. All life will be lost if the world continues in its current state. Through the Judgment, God will save the world by bringing an end to sin (including Satan and his followers). When it is done, God will remake the heaven and earth and we will never deal with sin again.
Further Reading: Nahum 1:9, Malachi 4:1,3; Revelation 11:18, 21:1,4
“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:22)
2. Countless millions suffered and lost their lives because of the actions of wicked people. There are also many, who, through their faith in God, were a blessing to others by their selfless lives. Each of these groups will receive the due reward for their deeds.
Further Reading: Mark 7:20-23; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Revelation 14:12-13
“And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10)
3. The Judgment will also vindicate God. He has been wrongfully blamed for all the evil that exists in the world from the very beginning. It will prove to the angels, the righteous, and even the wicked that He is good and that He did everything possible to try and save us.
Further Reading: Psalms 50:16-21; Isaiah 5:4; Philippians 2:10-11
“These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; 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)
- Why can’t God just forgive us?
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Answer: God can only forgive us if we confess our sins and never do them again. Many people in history refused to do this and people will not do it today. They will continue to rebel against God and make others, and themselves, suffer. Being forgiven will not change their hearts or actions.
Further Reading: Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 26:10; Acts 2:37-40
- Don’t people go to Heaven or Hell after they die?
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the 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; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28-29)
Answer: No. Excepting cases such as Enoch, Moses, and Elijah (Genesis 5:24; Jude 1:9; 2 Kings 2:11), the dead are still in their graves.* The righteous will not go to Heaven until they are all resurrected at the resurrection of life and the wicked will not be punished until the resurrection of damnation.
Further Reading: Acts 24:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 2 Peter 2:9
- Is God really going to torture people for all eternity?
“…he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” (Micah 7:18)
Answer: The short answer is no. The Bible does not teach this. It says that He will only punish the wicked according to their works. After this is done, the Judgment will be over. We answered this question in more detail, along with questions people have about Hell.
Further Reading: Micah 7:18; Revelation 20:9, 12-13; 2 Peter 3:10
* Check out our studies on Death and the Resurrection for more information.
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