Next to receiving a visit from the Grim Reaper, perhaps the most feared future event for many people is the prospect of facing God in judgment after death. Most of us realize that we have failed to live up to God’s holy standards of righteousness and wonder what he will say to us. Many, however, do not believe that God will judge people at all. They hold that God either does not exist or loves people too much to condemn anyone and will benevolently give everyone a “pass.” Such a view has God ignoring all sin and injustice in the name of love. He is ready to admit everyone to eternal bliss, even those who despised God and took pleasure in evil and hurting others. What does the Bible have to say?
Everything as we know it now will come to an end one day. Everything in this world upon which people pin their hopes will eventually cease to exist. According to the Bible, even the earth and heavens will “wear out like a garment” and pass away. (Psalm 102:25-26, Isaiah 51:6, Hebrews 1:10-12) In their place will be something new and amazing. But until that day arrives, the Bible teaches us that when our physical lives are completed, we will die, and, after that comes judgment.
And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27–28 (NLT)
Whether we look toward that day with dread or delight depends on our relationship with the Judge.
Does Justice Matter to God?
I know a man who insists that God will never judge or condemn anyone; yet, I saw this person become very angry over a perceived injustice. Something in him hates it when anyone is treated unfairly. What gives? Can we have it both ways? Can we believe that a loving God does not really care about injustice when we care so much?
The truth is that if God is not just, he is not good.
No amount of love and forbearance allows a judge to overlook crimes against humanity. Very imperfect humans expect more from other humans. Either God is just, or he is not good and loving.
The Bible says that God loves justice. It is part of his nature.
The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. Deuteronomy 32:4 (ESV)
God’s justice, which is part of his goodness and character, poses a huge problem for us.
Injustice is rooted in the human condition due to the perversion produced by sin. Even though people seem to universally hate injustice, we are all guilty perpetrators of the same to some degree or another.
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Romans 2:1-2 (ESV)
God is good and we are not. God is just and we are not. Therefore, we have a problem. We hate injustice, but we don’t want to have to face up to our own sins and failures. Ultimately, however, we will answer to God for our own participation in injustice and evil.
Jesus, the Judge
Jesus taught his disciples that he has authority to judge all people.
Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 5:25-29 (ESV)
No one I know has died and come back to life. Granted, some tell of having near death or temporary death experiences from which they recovered. I believe that these should be viewed somewhat skeptically, unless they agree with the Bible. Even then, we realize that it is one thing to be dead for three days and rise again compared to being “out” for a few minutes.
Jesus the Lord is the only person who died and rose again without ever dying again.
According to the Bible, he pre-existed before coming to earth (John 1:1), at which time he took upon himself our human condition minus our inherited “sin nature,” in fulfillment of promises made to Abraham (Genesis 22:18) and King David (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah (Isaiah 53:4-6) and John the Baptist (John 1:29), he gave up his life as a sacrifice for our sins. Three days later, he rose again from the dead, demonstrating that his sacrifice on our behalf was accepted by God. His resurrection also vindicated Jesus in the eyes of his disciples and all who would later believe in him. Forty days later he ascended into heaven, where he now rules as Lord of Lords and from where he poured out the Holy Spirit upon the church. (Acts 2:32-36) The Bible says that, at the appointed time, he will return to judge the living and the dead.
And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42 (ESV)
Jesus’ voluntary sacrificial death and resurrection can only be understood against the demands of God’s justice.
Mankind in general and each of us individually owed God a just debt in payment for our sins that we were completely unable to pay. Bankrupt people cannot pay off their creditors. Jesus, who lived in complete submission to his heavenly Father, was the only one with enough spiritual “credit” (righteousness) who could pay the debt, which he did at great cost to himself. The “wages” of sin is death, which is what Jesus paid. (Romans 6:23) In recognition for his amazing act of sacrificial love and obedience, God the Father elevated Jesus to the highest rank in the universe – Lord of Lords.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8–11 (NKJV)
Jesus is now the One God the Father chose to one day judge all people to finally set things right in the universe with respect to divine justice.
God’s Standard of Judgment
As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. Daniel 7:9-10 (ESV)
Daniel the prophet was given this vision of the coming Day of the Lord, when God will judge all people who ever lived. This heavenly courtroom scene is both majestic and terrible. The Judge is Someone called the Ancient of Days, whose presence creates awe and dread. Is there anything here on earth that can prepare us for what that day will be like?
“And the books were opened.” If you are like me, I would like to know what are those books? Is there something in them about you and me? God gave John the apostle a similar vision when he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos for his bold testimony and faith in Jesus the Messiah. Here is his written record of that experience.
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV)
According to this and other Bible passages, the books that will be opened before the Ancient of Days contain a written record of how each of us lived here on earth during the time allotted to us.
This will include, according to Jesus, not only what we did, but also what we said. (Matthew 12:36) Our utterances are what we might consider to be verbal deeds. And according to the Bible, even our thoughts and intentions will be made known, which makes this an even more horrifying spectacle. (Hebrews 4:12, Ecclesiastes 12:14) None of us desires our worst thoughts to be made public, but that is what is going to happen. Imagine a book that contains all the thoughts, words, and deeds we ever had or did!
Another question we might ask ourselves is by what standard our thoughts, words, and deeds will be measured? Will we be compared to other people from our socio-economic group who lived about the same time as we, or will we be graded against all people who ever lived? Will we only be scored against others from our own religious grouping, or against all other world religions? Will we be graded “on a curve,” which would allow most of us to pass, despite our poor showing? But what if some, as is often the case, did so well that a normal “curve” no longer applies? What if someone made a perfect score? And what if we did not even believe that there was such a person as the Ancient of Days? Will we get a do over?
The Bible reveals that the Law is God’s standard for judging people. It reveals to us what God’s holiness looks like and what he expects of us.
The Ten Commandments are the bare essence of this standard. When we consider our lives against these commands, some of us might think we will come away fairly well at the Last Judgment. Most of us have never murdered anyone, right? That is, unless abortion is murder, or, as Jesus taught, being angry with someone is tantamount to committing murder. (Matthew 5:22) What if hatred or harboring a grudge and wishing ill on another is in the same category as murder?
Jesus taught that God looks at the thoughts and intentions of the heart, not just what we had the nerve to perform.
What about adultery? It might once have been true that most people have never committed adultery, but perhaps not today. Adultery, like murder, under the Law was punishable by death. It is an extremely serious offense in God’s eyes, which are the only eyes that will matter at the Last Judgment. Jesus raised the bar even higher when he told his followers that, if we lust after another person in our hearts, we are guilty of adultery. (Matthew 5:28) Does this mean that lustful thoughts are worthy of death? Since lust is a sin, its wages demand death. (Romans 6:23)
God created us to live in harmony and dependence upon him. We sin when we choose to go our own way in disobedience to his clear commands and try to live without consideration or reference to God.
Sin is not just when we do “bad things” like murder. It is also includes when we do the most evil thing of all – forsake God.
Sin began in the Garden of Eden and has been passed down genetically and spiritually to all of their descendants. As a result, we were born with an inner propensity to sin and have all contributed our part, spreading sin and rebellion against God to the far corners of the earth. We have all fallen short of God’s glorious standard of right living.
Every single human being who has ever lived a self-directed life apart from God will inherit death because such a life defines what death is – existence apart from God.
…when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:7–12 (NASB95)
We may not like God’s holy standard, but it is the one by which we will be judged.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (ESV)
The Gospel of Justice and Judgment
Paul preached these words to onlookers while he stood in the middle of the Areopagus in Athens, Greece.
“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31 (NLT)
The announcement that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead is integral to the gospel message.
Jesus is not the symbol of a “feel good” religion which affirms everyone’s beliefs and behavior. Rather, he is a very real person, who lived, died, came alive again, and still lives in a glorious spiritual body, waiting in heaven until the appointed time for his return, when he will raise the dead and judge all people according to their works. (John 5:19-29)
The Apostle Peter said that Jesus instructed his followers to focus on this part of the Gospel message.
And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:42-43 (ESV)
Jesus, the only One who really knows what will take place after we die, made it abundantly clear that he will judge every person who ever lived. Jesus has the right to judge mankind because he chose to absorb God’s judgment against humanity on our behalf. All who declare their allegiance to Christ the Lord and believe in his atoning sacrifice are made right with God.
If we spurn this generous offer, we condemn themselves to endure God’s just judgment against such arrogant rebellion. We judge ourselves to be “unworthy of eternal life” when we refuse to believe the gospel. (Acts 13:46)
Now What?
In today’s world, it is not popular or “politically correct” to announce that Jesus will come again to judge people, assigning them either to eternal blessedness or eternal damnation. This generation has largely rejected God and his truth. It demands tolerance for sins and cannot imagine or believe in a God that could be so intolerant! People who reject the gospel ask what right do we have to think that Jesus is the only Way to God? Nevertheless, that is the clear teaching of Jesus in the Bible (John 14:6) and is part of the gospel message.
If Jesus is who the Bible says he is, there is no other way to God and no other way to escape condemnation at the last judgment.
He is the only One who took our just condemnation upon himself; so, we don’t have to endure God’s wrath against sin for eternity.
Gospel means “good news,” and good news gets even better when it’s contrasted with any bad news we might be expecting. Most of us are familiar with the photos taken at the announcement that the second World War had ended. Joyous celebrations erupted. People celebrated exuberantly because that horrible period finally ended. Soldiers who previously faced the prospect of invading Japan now enjoyed the hope of soon returning home.
It is only when we properly fear having to face God’s holy justice as sinners that we can appreciate the good news that Jesus already did it for us.
One of the main deceptions of Satan is to convince people that they have no need of what Jesus came to provide for us. The alluring song of Satan is “I’m okay and you’re okay. Don’t worry. Be happy. Enjoy life. When you die, your existence is over. Don’t fret yourself about it.” Reality, however, is that this life is our opportunity to learn to trust God. If we reject God’s offer of salvation through Christ, there will be hell to pay, literally. After all, it’s what we sinners deserve anyway.
No one goes to damnation without choosing it. To reject the gospel is to choose to face God’s wrath against sin and end up in the lake of fire for eternity.
The Bible says that, because of sin, people come into this world without God and without hope. (Ephesians 2:12-13) It says that we are dead in sin and enemies of God. (Romans 5:6-11) Jesus said that eternal suffering awaits those who reject his message. (John 8:23-24 and Mark 9:43) Paul declared that the future for such people will be an eternity separated from God’s presence. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10) I don’t know about you, but that all sounds very bad indeed. Is it wise to dismiss such dire warnings? Since we have no empirical proof, is it safe to declare that we do not believe there is a God or an afterlife? I choose to believe the one person who rose from the dead and subsequently ascended into heaven rather than any number of people who have not yet died. One day we will all know firsthand whether or not the Bible is correct regarding the coming judgment! Then it will be too late for those who did not declare allegiance to Jesus.
The Only Way to Escape the Coming Judgment
But, if we do accept that all people will eventually stand before God, what are our prospects at the last judgment? Jesus taught his followers that those who put their faith and allegiance in him will never be condemned.
I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NLT)
Putting our faith and allegiance in Jesus will give us a “pass” from ever being condemned for the bad things we have thought, said, or done! How can that be? It’s really very simple: he already underwent judgment on our behalf. He stood before Pilate as an innocent man but was condemned to die.
The just One died in place of those who deserved to die, thus winning our release from condemnation. Debts cannot be justly paid twice.
The logic is inescapable, but it requires that we lay aside any notion of our own worthiness before God, which should not be too difficult for any honest person. Once we grasp just how bad we are, we will be overjoyed to accept God’s provision of his innocent Lamb, who died to take away the sins of the world.
