Judgement Day
CHAPTER 32: Of The Last Judgement
(Part One)
The first chapter of Romans not only tells us that everyone knows there is a God (v.18-21), but verse 32 adds that everyone knows that there is a day coming when God will judge. To deny these realities is to suppress the truth in unrighteousness (v.18). And while some are more adept at denying what they know to be true than others, everyone will one day know that what they always knew in their hearts was in fact true.
God the Father has appointed Jesus to judge both fallen angels and mankind (John 5:22, Matthew 21-23, Acts 17:31) when He returns in glory (Revelation 20:11-15).
The judgment of mankind takes place in three phases. The first phase is the “Heaven-or-Hell” judgment of the elect. That took place in eternity past in the mind of God (Ephesians 1:3-4). It took place in time when Jesus died on the cross and rose again (Acts 2:23-24). Because of that, “There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1). Since the salvation of the elect is secure, the second phase of God’s judgment is when the elect will only be judged at the time of the final judgment to determine rewards (2 Corinthians 5:10). These rewards will either be granted or denied, based on our individual faithfulness as Christians (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
We’ll consider the third phase, that of the lost, next time.
(Part Two)
The final judgment of mankind takes place in three phases. First, believers (the elect of God), were judged and condemned with Christ when He died on the cross. And when He rose, we rose (Romans 6). Therefore, there is no condemnation for believers (Romans 8:1). It has already happened on the cross.
Second, believers will be judged in the end regarding reward (or the loss thereof) based on our faithfulness as Christians after being saved (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
Third, those who die in their sin having rejected (including merely dismissing) Jesus as Lord and Savior will face the ultimate and absolute judgment of God for their works—all of which will condemn them. A couple of items to note:
While the saved are saved because of the saving grace of God, the lost are not lost due to the lack of God’s saving grace. The lost are lost due to their sin against God.
Not only do one’s bad deeds count against him in the final judgment; so do one’s good deeds. Why? Not only does God’s Word say so (Isaiah 64:6), the reason is that people’s hope and trust in their good deeds is an insult to both the holiness of God and the only all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ. Our holiest deed is infinitely short of God’s requirement of absolute holiness (Matthew 5:48). God only accepts the holiness of Christ for entrance into heaven. Those who reject Him and His sacrifice will be judged, found wanting, and condemned for eternity because they lack His holiness. Jesus said so (John 3:17-18).
(Part Three)
All things and events exist and happen for God’s eternal glory. This includes the final judgment. It is not difficult to see how God is glorified for His grace saving the elect. We tend to balk at the thought that God is glorified in the damnation of the lost; but it is true. How? God will be glorified for His supreme and absolute justice when those who not only sinned against Him, but also rejected His sole remedy for sin, His Son, Jesus, are forever cursed.
Again, this might be difficult to imagine now, but that is because we do not know everything yet. When we are glorified, and know as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12), we will praise God for being gracious to us, and righteous toward the lost. And this will further our glorying in His grace, since we will know better than we do now that we were no more deserving (and in some cases less!) than those who end up being condemned. Truly, salvation is of the Lord and by His grace.
While the saved will enter into endless, incomparable bliss, the lost will enter into eternal, unimaginable torment. And the weeping and gnashing of teeth in Hell is not sorrow for not having received Christ, but anger and hatred for having been condemned. Why would that be so? Because Hell will be complete separation from all that is good about God, including His restraining grace. When sin is unrestrained, the lost will likely hate God like never before.
(Part Four)
It is somewhat ironic that so many insist that there is no God and therefore no judgment. It is ironic because everyone knows there is a God since He has placed the knowledge of Him in every one of our hearts, and validated that knowledge with ample evidence in creation (Romans 1:18-21). The reason people do this is simple. It is supposed (wrongly, to be sure) that if one pretends there is no God, one needn’t be troubled about a judgment. How naïve [foolish?] to think one can pretend reality out of existence.
Not only do all people know God exists (in spite of their efforts to suppress that truth), the Bible says all people know that God will judge (Romans 1:32). Again, how foolish.
Then there are those who believe God exists, and that He will judge, but not righteously. Not based on the standard of His holiness. Not with any consequence for guilt (at least for themselves). These either assume God either forgives everybody of everything, or at least everybody who as good as they are. No matter how one slices this, it is a charade.
Here is the truth. God exists. He will judge. The standard is His holiness. Next to that standard all are guilty. All are therefore headed to condemnation. The only escape the wrath to come is to trust in Jesus Christ, who paid for the sins, and gives His perfect holiness to those who acknowledge their guilt, who trust in Him for forgiveness, and who repent of their sin to follow Him as Lord.
Will you be judged, or has Christ taken your judgment?
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