The Bible’s Teaching Regarding The Judgments

Introduction

Today, a lot of misconceptions exists concerning the Bible’s teaching regarding the subject of God’s judgments and particularly that concerning the final judgment. The purpose of this effort is to introduce the major judgments that we find in Scripture. In this way, we seek to replace the current misconceptions with what the Bible teaches. For example, many do not understand that the Bible, instead of teaching one final judgment, teaches that there are a series of from five to seven future judgments depending on how these judgments are categorized. The Bible teaches that each of these judgments differs according to time, purpose, subjects, and circumstances. Understanding these various judgments gives us insight into God’s program. This insight will enable Christians to understand how the truth of these judgments provide for individual comfort and motivation to godly living. Additionally, for those who have not trusted in Christ, an understanding of these judgments might help lead them to trust in Christ as their personal Savior. The Bible teaches the crucial truth that the Christian will not face the final judgment because Christ was judged for us at the Cross, 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18. Also taught is; all believers will face a judgment called the Judgment Seat of Christ, 2 Cor. 5:10; Romans 14:10.

The Bible clearly presents the fundamental truth: Sin Always Has Its Consequences. The Bible’s teaching regarding the subject of the Judgments serves to call our attention to the reality and the nature of the consequences of sin. This effort will summarize the following judgments of the past, the present, and the future.

The Past Judgments.

The Judgment of Satan and the Fallen Angels (Matt. 25:41; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-19; Rev. 12:3-4)

The Garden of Eden Judgments of Genesis 3

The Judicial Judgment—All Are Under Sin (Gal. 3:22; Rom. 1:18-3:9, 23)

The Judgment to Moral Degeneration (Romans 1:18-32)

The Judgment of Christ for the Sin of the World (Isaiah 53:4-6; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 3:24-26)

 

The Present Judgments.

The Self-Judgment of the Believer (1 Cor. 11:27-32; 1 John 1:9)

The Discipline Judgments of God (Proverbs 13:24; Hebrews 12:4-11)

 

The Future Judgments

The Judgment of the Bema (The Judgment Seat of Christ) (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:9-14; 9:24-27)

The Judgments of the Tribulation

The Judgment and Reward of Resurrected Old Testament and Tribulation Saints (Rev. 20:4)

The Judgment of Living Israel (Matt. 25:1-30; Ezek. 20:35b-38)

The Judgment of Living Gentiles (Matt. 25:31-46)

The Final Judgment of Satan and the Fallen Angels (Rev. 20:1-3, 7-10; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; 1 Cor. 15:24-26).

The Judgment of the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15)

This article will be followed by additional ones that will expand on the aforementioned Judgments.