Eternal Judgment..

Part 8 of 9

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of... eternal judgment" (Heb 6:1-2).

How appropriate that Scripture portrays resurrection and judgment inner-relatedly, for these two doctrines are inseparable. Resurrection precedes judgment and judgment necessitates resurrection. Eternal judgment is equal in importance to repentance, faith, baptisms, etc. A general dictionary definition of this word means, "a legal decision, order or sentence given by a judge." In eternal judgment, God decides a person's reward or punishment.

For the sake of brevity, we will observe three different aspects of the judgment of God: past judgment, present judgment, and future judgment (the day of judgment).

Past Judgment?

Over 2,000 years ago, at the cross of our Lord, many things passed into legal and judicial judgment. These included Satan and his hosts (Col 2:14-16; Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), and the sins of the world (Jn 3:16; 5:24; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13; 1 Pet 2:24).

Satan and his hosts were utterly judged and defeated by the perfect atonement Jesus provided in His substitutionary death. Right before His death, He said, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out" (Jn 12:31), and "the prince of this world is judged" (Jn 16:11).

The sins of the whole world were judged by Jesus' death, and all who believe in Him have passed from death to life... Jesus was judged for them in their stead, being made a curse for us: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor 5:21).

Present Judgment?

Even though Christians have been judicially judged through Jesus, hidden in His side, there is yet a present judgment going on in the earth: God often steps in and judges the sins of mankind. Scripture refers to this as being "delivered unto Satan", that is, to be judged presently for one's sin (1 Tim 1:20; 1 Cor 5:5; Matt 18:17; etc). Part of this judgment is the consequences that willful sin will bring upon us: "Whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him" (Eccl 10:8).

The Christian is to presently and continually judge him or herself: "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world" (1 Cor 11:31-32). Believers are perpetually to take inward inventory, and objectively perceive the state of their own hearts. This is the essence of sincere judgment. Peter tells us that "judgment must begin at the house of God" (1 Pet 4:17; Isa 10:12; Ezek 9:6; Mal 3:5; Matt 3:9-10; Lk 12:47-48; 15:18-20; 1 Jn 1:9; Rev 2:5; 3:2-3). David gives us a great example of such introspection in Psalm 32:3-5. This is largely accomplished by present discipline and divine chastening (Heb 12:1-10).

May we all possess the penitent heart that Ephraim displayed: "I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth" (Jer 31:18-19).

Future Judgment?

The Bible repeatedly speaks of a future judgment: a "judgment to come" (1 Cor 3:8-16; 4:5; Heb 10:27; Acts 24:25).

"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 Cor 5:10). As believers, the Lord desires that we have boldness in the day of judgment, and be not ashamed before Him at His coming (1 Cor 1:8; 1 Jn 4:17; 2 Tim 4:1, 8; Rev 11:18). The judgment of the believer is not judgment concerning his or her salvation, for that was settled at Calvary. This judgment is one of service and works, of what "sort" (Greek - "how excellent, what manner") it is (1 Cor 3:13; 1 Pet 1:7; 4:12-13; Lk 2:35). God will judge the motives of the heart, and render rewards to His people: "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev 22:12).

The Day of Judgment?

This day will be a day of great reckoning; God will judge the world. All people will have to give an account of their lives on earth; He will judge the "secrets of men" (Acts 17:31; Rom 2:16; Ps 96:13; etc).

There will be an appointed day of judgment for the believer AND the unbeliever (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10; Acts 24:25; Rev 20:11-15). There will also be an appointed Judge! His name is Jesus (Jn 5:22-27; Matt 25:31-32; 2 Tim 4:1; Acts 10:42).

All men will be judged by a righteous judgment (Acts 17:31; Ps 96:13), according to God's standards (Rom 2:6, 10-11; Rev 22:12), according to their relationship with the Lord Jesus (Jn 12:48; Lk 12:8-9), and according to the measure of light and opportunity given them (Matt 11:21-24; Lk 12:48). Scripture also tells us that men will be punished or rewarded in differing degrees (Lk 19:16-19; 12:47-48; 1 Cor 15:41-42).

God's judgments will reveal the true character of each person (Matt 10:26; 1 Cor 4:5), determine the value of all the works of men (1 Cor 3:13), render reward or punishment, as men are not always rewarded or punished in this life (Matt 16:27; Rom 2:6-9; Rev 22:12), and will vindicate the righteousness of God in His dealings with men (Rev 19:1-2).

To be continued...