52 - THE JUDGMENTS
"THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, AND THE GLORY THAT SHOULD FOLLOW" (1 Peter 1:11) The Sufferings The Glory A baby, in humble clothes. A King, dressed in majestic
Luke 2:12 apparel. Psalms 93:1
He was weary. John 4:6 He will be untiring. Isaiah 40:28-29:28-29 :28-29
He had nowhere to lay his He will own all things. head. Luke 9:58 Hebrews 1:2
He was rejected by his own. He will be recognized by all
John 1:11 nations. Isaiah 9:6
He was acquainted with grief. He is the mighty God.
Isaiah 53:3 Hebrews 1:9 His royal robe was mocked. He will be clothed with a
Luke 23:11 vesture dipped in the blood
of his enemies. Revelation 19:13
He was smitten with a reed. He will rule with a rod of iron.
Matthew 27:30 Revelation 19:15
Soldiers bowed their knee and Every knee shall bow and mocked him. Mark 15:19 acknowledge him. Php 2:10
He wore the crown of thorns. He will wear the crown of
John 19:5 gold. Revelation 14:14 His hands were pierced with His hands will carry a sharp nails. John 20:25 sickle. Revelation 14:14 His feet were pierced with His feet will stand on the nails. Psalms 22:16 Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:4
He had no form or beauty. He will be the fairest of ten
Isaiah 53:2 thousand. Psalms 27:4
He was laid in the tomb. He will sit on his throne.
Matthew 27:59-60 Hebrews 8:1 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Ruth 2:12
INTRODUCTION
One reason individual freedom works in a democratic society is responsibility. If a person is responsible for his actions, then personal freedom does not become license and anarchy. A person’s freedom to speak his mind on a subject is limited only by a responsible attitude that prevents him from crying "Fire!" in a crowded auditorium. We must be held accountable for our actions if we would experience true liberty. The same is true in our Christian lives. Many times we discuss the liberty or freedom we possess in Christ but seldom do we consider our accountability to God for how we exercise that liberty. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). This principle of accountability is one of the keys to understanding the biblical doctrine of stewardship. The Bible describes at least seven judgments by God in which people, nations, and other created beings are held accountable for their attitudes and actions. In these judgments, the plaintiffs are judged according to the standards God has established for them. These judgments are both positive and negative. Some judgments will be like criminal trials in which charges are read and proved. Then judgment is administered when some type of sentence is passed out. Other judgments will be similar to a contest in which those who have completed certain requirements will be rewarded for their work.
Understanding the judgments of God will help us in several ways. As we see how God judges, we will better understand the nature of God. Understanding those things that God judges will help us know what to avoid in our lives. Those things God rewards should be things we strive to develop as we seek to serve God. THE CROSS When Jesus died on Calvary, he was experiencing the judgment of God upon the sins of the world. He died in our place as our substitute. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree" (Galatians 3:13). The cross was a criminal judgment by God upon the sins of the world.
Crime. The judicial charge bringing about the judgment was sin against God. Every man is a sinner because of a threefold reason. First, because of Adam’s transgression everyone has been born with a sin nature (Psalms 51:2). Second, we have also committed personal sins against God. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). In the third place, we have had sin imputed to our account in heaven (Romans 5:19). Since man is a sinner, God is his enemy (Ephesians 2:3). This is strong language, but sin is a violation of the nature of God. The crime of sin is so great that it brought about the judgment of Calvary.
Criminal. Everyone is guilty of the crime of sin. A popular gospel song reflects on this subject, "I should have been crucified." This is also the conclusion of the apostle Paul, who said "Christ ... being made a curse for us " (Galatians 3:13). Some have commented on the significance of the circumstances surrounding the death of Christ. When given a choice by Pontius Pilate, the people decided Christ should die in the place of Barabbas, the one who was guilty of a crime that deserved death. Barabbas’s name means "a father’s son." The people had chosen that Christ should die for a guilty son of a father; God had long before agreed Christ would die for every guilty son and daughter of every father.
Sentence. "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Nothing could be more clearly taught in the Bible than the eternal consequences of sin. Its path leads to ultimate destruction both in this life and in the life to come. Sin involves the anger of God against it. Thus the Giver of life will judge sin with death-physical and eternal death. That sentence will someday be read over all those who do not accept Jesus as their Substitute (Revelation 20:11-15).
SELF-JUDGMENT
God will judge Christians for sin in their lives but he first gives them the opportunity to deal with the problem. In explaining the reasoning for the sickness and death among church members in Corinth, Paul pointed to the judgment of God upon sin (1 Corinthians 11:30). He then identified self-evalation as a means of preventing this divine judgment, "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged " (1 Corinthians 11:31).
Place. God gave the church the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper as a divinely appointed place where Christians should engage in self-evaluation. "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat that bread, and drink of that cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28). This practice keeps Christians individually in fellowship with God. It also keeps a local church in the spirit of revival. Several of history’s great revivals began as church members engaged in self-evaluation, confession, and repentance.
Purpose. The chief purpose for self-evaluation (self-judgment) is to prevent oneself from becoming ineffective in the Lord’s service. "When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that’ we should not be condemned with the world" (1 Corinthians 11:32). When we examine ourselves, we accomplish the same purpose without having to experience the judgment of God. The apostle Paul, always fearful of becoming ineffective in the service of Christ, constantly disciplined himself. "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Procedure. The apostle John outlined the procedure in self-evaluation. "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). As we discover sin in our lives, our immediate response should be to confess it to God. God will forgive sin, and once again restore us to the place of fellowship from which we fell. The basis of forgiveness is the cross of Christ, hence the basis of self-judgment is the cross. THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST Of all the judgments in the Bible, perhaps none has been so popular in preaching and singing throughout history as the judgment of the believer’s works. The judgment is often discussed as the doctrine of rewards for Christians. This is not a judgment to determine if Christians will enter into heaven but will determine the quality and quantity of our past service on this earth. As a result of our service for Christ, we will receive a reward (Ruth 2:12). Not everyone will obtain the same reward, and our service will be tested by God to determine the extent of the reward. Some may have nothing with which to enter heaven except their salvation (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The Bible also teaches it is possible to lose part of our reward that had been previously accrued. Therefore, it is important that we continue faithful in our service for Christ even after we have earned a prize (2 John 1:8). These rewards are sometimes identified as "crowns" in the Bible.
Incorruptible crown. Just as an athlete will discipline himself and his life-style to win a race and trophy, so a Christian should discipline himself in his service for Christ. In the THE BELIEVER’S REWARDS
1. Incorruptible crown 1 Corinthians 9:25 2. Crown of righteousness2 Timothy 4:8 3. Crown of life Revelation 2:10 4. Crown of glory 1 Peter 5:4 5. Crown of rejoicing 1 Thessalonians 2:19 early Olympic Games, the prize won by the victor was a crown of olive leaves. Naturally, with the heat of the day, the crown withered. The apostle Paul contrasts that incident with our Christian life. "Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 9:25).
Crown of righteousness. A second crown the apostle identified was one which he someday expected to receive. Writing his final epistle to Timothy and expecting his death, Paul was looking forward to the coming of Christ, and if that did not happen in his lifetime, he expected to see the Lord in death. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8). As we work for Christ in the light of his imminent return, we are earning a crown of righteousness. This was probably what Dwight L. Moody was thinking of when he said, "This is my coronation day" as he passed from his deathbed into eternity.
Crown of life. God has a special reward for those whose service costs them their lives. This is also called the martyr’s crown. Speaking to the church that was going through severe persecution, Jesus said, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). This reward is also given to those who are victorious in enduring temptation (James 1:12). James may have been thinking of the temptation to Christians to compromise their witness rather than to endure persecution at the cost of their lives.
Crown of glory. God also has a special reward for those who serve him as pastors of local churches. Peter spoke to pastors: "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:4). Being a fair and just God, he has prepared a reward for those carrying the bulk of the responsibility in the church. Often a company will recognize employees with the presentation of a plaque, watch, or some other token of appreciation. The crown of glory is Christ’s token of appreciation to faithful pastors who do his will.
Crown of rejoicing. Every Christian should receive the crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19). This is the reward given for faithful witnessing and fruit bearing. Sadly, most Christians never experience the joy of leading a person to Christ. In contrast, God expects all of us to "bear fruit" (John 15:16).
GENTILE NATIONS At Christ’s second coming, all the nations of the world will pass before him to be judged (Matthew 25:32). Jesus described the scene in terms of a separation of sheep and goats. The classification is related to their treatment of those identified by Christ as "these my brethren" (Matthew 25:40 Matthew 25:45). These brethren may be one of the following three grouPsa
Israel. Some believe Jesus was referring to his fellow Jews. If that is the case, people of those nations which have sought to protect the Jews will be sheep. The others who have sought to harm the Jews or simply ignore their plight will be goats. This interpretation is in keeping with the promise of blessing in the Abrahamic Covenant to those who blessed the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:1-3).
Church. Some commentators argue that the brethren of Jesus are really the church. Jesus said, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matthew 12:50). In this case, the treatment of churches and Christians in those churches will be the basis of the judgment.
Oppressed. Throughout the Bible, God is portrayed as a defender of those who cannot defend themselves. Some have suggested God will judge the nations based upon their protection of the oppressed and defenseless members of their society. This would include the very young and very old, the poor and unborn.
TRIBULATION
During the Great Tribulation, God will release three major judgments upon the world (seals, trumpets, and bowls). The first of these accompanies the breaking of seven seals on a scroll which many commentators believe is the title deed of the world. The second judgment accompanies the sounding of seven trumpets, while the final series of judgments occurs as seven angels empty vials of the wrath of God upon the world. For a fuller discussion of this judgment, see Chapter 48. THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT At the end of the millennial reign of Christ, those who died unsaved will have to stand before the throne of God to be judged. "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12). This judgment does not suggest these people may enter into heaven or hell on the basis of their works. All those who are judged at the Great White Throne are consigned to hell because they have rejected the gospel. The saved have already been resurrected and are enjoying fellowship with Christ. The Great White Throne judgment will determine the degree of punishment they will endure, based upon the nature of their evil work. When the book of words is opened (Revelation 20:12), a sentence of the severity of their punishment will be determined. All those sentenced will be consigned "into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:14), where they will suffer according to their personally assigned sentence.
ANGELS The Bible also teaches that angels are not exempt from judgment. Paul asked the Corinthians, "Know ye not that we shall judge angels?" (1 Corinthians 6:3). Toward the end of the age, it will be our responsibility as Christians to represent God in the role of judge. It may be that during the Tribulation, the millennial kingdom, or eternity to follow, we will serve as judges similar to the judges who ruled before Israel’s first king. As judges, we will be given a position of authority over angels.
CONCLUSION
Jesus promised, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36), but that liberty cannot be experienced and enjoyed if we do not discipline ourselves to recognize that there is a future day of judgment. Freedom can only be enjoyed by the responsible citizens of a society. In the greater Christian society, liberty is often perverted into licentiousness and lawlessness when we fail to bring ourselves under the Word of God. In the light that God will someday settle all accounts, it is best for us to seek to accomplish faithfully the will of God as long as we are able.
DAILY READINGS Monday: Galatians 3:1-15 Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 Wednesday: 1 Peter 5:1-14 Thursday: Revelation 20:1-15 Friday: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 Saturday: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Sunday: Matthew 25:31-46