Future Judgement

[justaname]

The Judgments of the Future​

THE JUDGMENT OF BELIEVERS’ WORKS

After the church is taken to heaven through translation and resurrection, individual believers will be judged for their works done as Christians (1 Co 3:11–15). Salvation with its assurance of heaven is not in question, only whether heaven will be entered with or without rewards. Paul makes it quite clear in this passage that those believers whose works are of the character that they do not pass the test will nevertheless be saved (v. 15). The question is often raised how one’s sins can be forgiven and yet one’s deeds reviewed at the judgment seat of Christ. Forgiveness concerns justification; the review concerns rewards, and after the review is made there will be no sorrow or tears because there are none in heaven. Too, we often wonder what the nature of the rewards will be. If heaven is heaven, what difference will rewards make? The answer to that is not given in the Bible; nevertheless, rewards are mentioned as a proper motivation for Christian service. We are told for what things rewards will be given. A crown of rejoicing will be given for bringing people to Christ (1 Th 2:19); a crown of righteousness, for loving His appearing (2 Ti 4:8); a crown of life, for enduring testing with love for the Lord (Ja 1:12), and a crown of glory to elders who are faithful to their responsibilities in the church (1 Pe 5:4).

THE JUDGMENT OF GENTILES WHO SURVIVE THE TRIBULATION

Some people will live through the judgments of the tribulation period, and they will be judged before the millennium is set up and functioning. The time of the judgment is clearly indicated as “when the Son of man shall come in his glory” (Mt 25:31–46). It will take place on the earth in the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2). Probably this valley will be created in the area of Jerusalem by some of the physical disruptions connected with the second coming of Christ (Zec 14:4). Those judged are called the “nations,” a Hebrew word translated “people,” “heathen,” “nations,” and, most often, “Gentiles.” The Greek word translated “nations” in Matthew 25:32 is also often translated “Gentiles” in the New Testament (see Ro 11:11–12, 25). This must be a judgment of individuals (there has never been a righteous nation), not nations as groups, so it is best to translate “Gentiles.”
The basis of judging will be the treatment by these Gentiles of a group which the Lord Jesus called “my brethren” (Mt 25:40). Who these are can be determined by a process of elimination. Since Christ is present as judge, since the church has been raptured before the tribulation begins, since living Gentiles are being judged, the only group left would seem to be the Jews of the tribulation times (His “brethren” according to the flesh). They will be the objects of intense persecution during those days, so that anyone who befriends them or does any act of kindness to them will himself come under great suspicion. People will not feed, clothe, or visit Jews simply for humanitarian reasons during that time. To do these things will involve a real risk of one’s own life, so doing these things will therefore be evidence of new life in the doer’s heart. In other words, the works of kindness which these Gentiles will have done for the Jewish brethren of the Lord will prove the regenerated condition of the Gentiles. Being regenerated saves them; doing these good works proves that they are regenerated.
Those whose lives have given evidence of the new birth will become citizens of the kingdom (Mt 25:34). Those whose works proved their lack of eternal life will be condemned to the lake of fire (v. 41). Those who do enter the kingdom will enter with their earthly bodies; they will marry, bear children, and become the means of populating the millennial earth.

THE JUDGMENT OF JEWS WHO SURVIVE THE TRIBULATION

Those Jews who live through the tribulation period will also be judged (Eze 20:34–38). The Lord also spoke of this judgment in a parable (Mt 25:14–30) and placed it immediately after His return. The result of this judgment will be that the unsaved Jews will be cut off from both millennial and eternal life, for no rebel will enter the millennium (Eze 20:37; Mt 25:30).

THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS

Satan will, of course, be judged at the second coming of Christ by being bound in the abyss during the millennium and then after his brief revolt at the conclusion be cast eternally into the lake of fire (Rev 20:2–3, 7, 10). Those angels who followed Satan’s initial revolt against God will also be judged. The time is called “the great day” (Jude 6)—probably at the conclusion of the millennium (the end of the day of the Lord) when Satan is finally judged. Believers will apparently have a part in executing this judgment (1 Co 6:3).

THE JUDGMENT OF THE UNSAVED DEAD (AT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE) (REV 20:11–15)

At the conclusion of the millennial reign a great white throne will be established somewhere in space, for the present earth and starry heavens will have been replaced. The judge who will sit on this throne will be Christ (Jn 5:22—the better texts of Rev 20:12 read “before the throne,” not “before God”). Those who are judged will be the unsaved dead of all time. All the redeemed will have been raised and judged previously, so only the unsaved are left (Rev 20:6).
These people will also be judged on the basis of their works (vv. 12–13). They get into this judgment because they are unsaved, but once there, they are judged for their works. When the book of life is opened, it will be seen that no name of anyone standing before the throne appears in it. Rejection of the Saviour has kept their names out of the book of life. Their works done during their lifetimes prove that these people deserve eternal punishment.
It is almost an act of condescension on God’s part to show men at this judgment that they deserve the lake of fire on the basis of their own personal records. It seems likely, too, that this basis of judgment will also serve as a basis for different degrees of punishment in hell (see Lk 12:47–48). For all who stand in this judgment, the result will be the same—they will be cast into the lake of fire. This is called the second death and means eternal separation from God. Even death (which claims the body) and hades (which claims the soul) will be cast into the lake of fire, for their work will be finished.

A Survey of Bible Doctrine​

Charles Ryrie​

Thoughts?​

 

[us2are1]

The Judgments of the Future​

THE JUDGMENT OF BELIEVERS’ WORKS

After the church is taken to heaven through translation and resurrection, individual believers will be judged for their works done as Christians (1 Co 3:11–15).

The first statement is false and from a debased foundation of understanding. Why read further?

There is no scriptural foundation for anyone being taken to heaven which is Gods throne.
The scripture that you quoted states that Christ comes here and raises the dead back to life and raises the saints into the air of earth where they will rule with Christ for a thousand years.


31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy messengers with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;
43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'
45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."


41 The Son of Man will send out His messengers, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!





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9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know,
10and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations'?
11 Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it," says the Lord.

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[justaname]

2 Co 12:2

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
Rev 4:2

2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.

Rev 6:9

9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;

10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”​

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11 And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.​

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[us2are1]

2 Co 12:2

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
Rev 4:2

2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.

Rev 6:9

9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;

10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”​

11 And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also. ​

Where is that scripture that says anyone is going to heaven?

13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

The third heaven is the final Heaven. It comes down out of the second heaven from God when the tabernacle of God is with men.

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

Isaiah 66
1Thus says the Lord: "Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?

Acts 7
49 'Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest?

 

[justaname]

First you stated "There is no scriptural foundation for anyone being taken to heaven which is Gods throne." which I disproved completely.

Rev 6:9 is a clear indication that there are souls in Heaven.

Ephesians 2:6

6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

The word "places" is in italics because it is not in the manuscripts.

 

[Trekson]

Hi justaname,

THE JUDGMENT OF BELIEVERS’ WORKS - I agree

THE JUDGMENT OF GENTILES WHO SURVIVE THE TRIBULATION - Your words: "since the church has been raptured before the tribulation begins" I'm a pre-wrather who believes in the 7th seal rapture, does not believe in a 7 yr. trib as it isn't mentioned anywhere in the bible and believes only in the "great trib" which pre-wrath believes is satan's wrath against the "still here" church per Rev. 12:17.

THE JUDGMENT OF JEWS WHO SURVIVE THE TRIBULATION - I believe both jews and gentiles will be judged at the sheep and goat judgment of Matt. 25

THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS - I agree

THE JUDGMENT OF THE UNSAVED DEAD (AT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE) (REV 20:11–15)

Your words:"All the redeemed will have been raised and judged previously, so only the unsaved are left (Rev 20:6).
These people will also be judged on the basis of their works (vv. 12–13). They get into this judgment because they are unsaved, but once there, they are judged for their works. When the book of life is opened, it will be seen that no name of anyone standing before the throne appears in it."

I disagree with this assessment. I believe many of these people will be allowed into heaven. The categories are endless. Do all the people on earth who have never heard of Christ or the God of the Jews before His first advent, deserve hell (think african tribes and aborigines). I believe we are all born with the knowledge of good and evil inside us, (our sin nature) and those who will be judged by their works may have good works based on the limited knowledge that was revealed to them. Also in this judgment will be the people who lived and died during the millennium. If God is a just and righteous God, which I believe he is, I believe there will be many names in the Book of Life at the GWTJ. They would not have been judged previously just because their time hadn't come yet because of their non-Jewish/Christian circumstances.

 

[us2are1]

First you stated "There is no scriptural foundation for anyone being taken to heaven which is Gods throne." which I disproved completely.

Rev 6:9 is a clear indication that there are souls in Heaven.

Ephesians 2:6

6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

The word "places" is in italics because it is not in the manuscripts.

You didn't prove anything. Those scriptures didn't say anything of the sort.
Where does it say there are souls in heaven?
In your imagination?




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[justaname]

No, in the Bible.
Rev 6:9

Trekson,
The seven year trib period is equal to Daniel's last week.

 

[Trekson]

Hi, I know that, that is what it's commonly called, however, nowhere in scripture does it imply there are seven years of tribulation. It's a misnomer.

 

[Rocky Wiley]

Judgement came upon the Jews because they rejected him. No where does it say that Christians will have a judgement day. To become a Christian I had to repent of my sins and God forgave me and cast my sins as far away as the east is from the west and then he covered me with his blood. And since receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (eternal life) I will never die, spiritually.
Joh 11:26

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?


It is so hard for one to read the bible as you read a novel. When we read a novel we don't become a part of that novel, but when one reads the bible they seem to think it was written directly about them and the people of today. It just isn't true. In the book of Revelation Jesus said over and over "I come quickly" to the churches that existed in that day and everybody justs ignores it just as if God doesn't know the human mind as well as we do, so he surely meant "I will not come soon". No matter how many there be that tell you this story, it is not based on scripture.

Rev 22:19


And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Rev 22:20


He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Jesus has already returned, and just because people don't understand it was a Spiritual coming does not make it untrue.
He told his disciples that the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem would be the sign that he had finished his work and judgement had come.

In Matthew 24 Jesus had told his disciples that the temple would be destroyed and they immediately asked him "when shall these things be, the sign of thy coming and the end of the age" all three questions were about judgement day and they were triggered by Jesus saying the temple would be destroyed. The temple was destroyed in 70 AD by the Roman army, in the disciples generation not ours.

I enjoy study of the bible and if anyone can show scripture, that is not symbolic and subject to man's interpretation, that is different than what has just been mentioned, then I would be happy to study it.

 

[justaname]

Rocky,

Matthew 12

36 “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.​

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37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”​

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Romans 2:6


6 who will render to each person according to his deeds:

As far as the challenge of eschatology, I feel every scripture can be subject to man's interpretation or viewed as symbolic. With that said many scriptures that some view as symbolic others view a literal, but again that is just an interpretation. So you see with the limitations you set forth you have created a never ending marry-go-round.

 

[Trekson]

Hi Rocky, Your words:"No where does it say that Christians will have a judgement day."

1 Peter 4:17-18 - "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? [sup]18 [/sup]And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

 

[us2are1]

Judgement came upon the Jews because they rejected him. No where does it say that Christians will have a judgement day.

Not true.

10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

No, in the Bible.
Rev 6:9

Trekson,
The seven year trib period is equal to Daniel's last week.

The seventieth week in Daniel was half spent by the ministry of Christ. There is no scripture that says anyone is going to heaven. None.

6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down from above)

 

[Rocky Wiley]

Hi Rocky, Your words:"No where does it say that Christians will have a judgement day."

1 Peter 4:17-18 - "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? [sup]18 [/sup]And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

Hi Trekson,

Missed that one, thank you for sharing.

Not true.

10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?



The seventieth week in Daniel was half spent by the ministry of Christ. There is no scripture that says anyone is going to heaven. None.

6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down from above)

Hi, Son of Man
You got me. Thanks

Rocky,

Matthew 12

36 “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.​

37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” ​

Romans 2:6


6 who will render to each person according to his deeds:

As far as the challenge of eschatology, I feel every scripture can be subject to man's interpretation or viewed as symbolic. With that said many scriptures that some view as symbolic others view a literal, but again that is just an interpretation. So you see with the limitations you set forth you have created a never ending marry-go-round.

Hi justaname,

Much symbolic language can be interpreteted by other scripture, many can not. Take the eagle wing coming out of the lion, some prophecy teachers say it refers to USA. No scriptural proof. Scripture is the only way to prove anything, especially symbolic language. One man's interpretation is no better than anothers. Let God be true.

 

[justaname]

Son of Man,

The place we await is that which the Lord Himself is preparing. What is spoken of is the kingdom of Heaven. To be absent of the body is to be present with the Lord, which is far better. To me that experience is Heaven.