The Judgement
of God
Acts 17:30-31
And the times of this ignorance God winked
at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed
a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man
whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in
that he hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
Introduction:
There is no truth more clearly taught in God's
word, no fact more firmly established, and no warning more emphatic than
the truth of this text concerning the great Day of Judgment.
These words were spoken by the great apostle
Paul to one of the most distinguished audiences that ever listened to a
sermon in Paul's day.
It was an audience composed entirely of the
leading philosophers of the day, assembled in the greatest center of culture
of that time, and at one of the most celebrated centers of philosophic
thought of any day -- the Areopagus in Athens.
Speaking to this exceptionally intelligent
audience, Paul declared to them that there is to be a final Day of Judgment
coming for every member of the human family.
John 12:48
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my
words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same
shall judge him in the last day. (KJV)
Acts 24:24-25
And after certain days, when Felix came with
his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him
concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance,
and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this
time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. (KJV)
2 Peter 2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly
out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment
to be punished: (KJV)
2 Cor 5:10
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. (KJV)
2 Thes 1:6-10
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to
recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled
rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his
mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished
with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the
glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and
to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you
was believed) in that day. (KJV)
I. THE CERTAINTY OF JUDGMENT
A. It is as certain as death.
He 9:27-28
And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins
of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation. (KJV)
B. It is as certain as the Lord's resurrection.
Acts 17:30-31
And the times of this ignorance God winked
at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed
a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man
whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in
that he hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
C. It is as certain as other events predicted
by God, which have been fulfilled. (e.g. fall of Samaria, destruction of
Ninevah, overthrow of Jerusalem, and the fall of Babylon).
D. It is in harmony with the conscience of
man. There is an almost universal feeling that one must give an account
for his actions. The fear plagues millions.
Ecc 12:13-14
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (KJV)
E. The testimony of Jesus.
Mt 11:20-24
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein
most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto
thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which
were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented
long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum,
which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the
mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it
would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be
more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
(KJV)
F. If the principle of justice is to prevail
there must be a judgment.
1. In too many instances, justice is not done
in this life.
2. Consider Nero.
II. Who will be the Judge?
A. At first glance, some passages would seem
to indicate that God, the Father will be our judge.
Acts 17:30-31
And the times of this ignorance God winked
at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed
a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man
whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in
that he hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church
of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of
all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (KJV)
B. However, the judging will be done by the
Father through the Son.
Acts 17:30-31
2 Cor 5:10
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. (KJV)
2 Tim 4:1-2
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and
the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing
and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (KJV)
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto
the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be
the Judge of quick and dead. (KJV)
C. Why is Christ to do the judging.
1. Because he is the son of man.
John 5:22
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed
all judgment unto the Son: (KJV)
John 5:27
And hath given him authority to execute judgment
also, because he is the Son of man. (KJV)
2. Christ is able to understand the viewpoint
of God for he himself is deity.
3. He is also able to understand the viewpoint
of man for he was a man. Same principle involved in his being our mediator.
1 Tim 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (KJV)
He 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot
be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin. (KJV)
4. It is fearful to think of being judged
by Jesus for our excuses will not work.
a. One might say, "Lord, I was afraid and
just could not continue faithfully." The Lord could say in reply, "I, too,
was afraid. Surely you remember how I shrank from the sharpness of death
in the shadow of the cross. But, I did not allow fear to deter me from
duty.
b. Another might justify himself saying, "Lord,
I was alone. No one in my family was interested in serving you. The pressures
were too great. I gave up."
Christ could answer: "I was alone on the cross.
It was necessary for the Father to leave me in order that I might become
sin for you. Being alone does not justify rebellion."
c. Still another might say, "The temptations
were so strong I could not stand." Jesus could say, "I was tempted too.
Did you not how I was tempted in all points as you were, except without
sin?"
d. "But Lord," another says, "I was ridiculed
and scorned for my faith. People called me narrow minded, bigoted."
The Lord's reply would be, "Yes, I know something
of ridicule and scorn. I underwent the same treatment in going to the cross
for you."
He 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher
of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God. (KJV)
5. But, it is wonderful to think of being
judged by Jesus. He did live as we live.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast
our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne
of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(KJV)
He made himself one of us. He can understand
our difficulties. For those who have lived lives of submission to his will,
he can say: "Father, this person has experienced many failures in life.
I know something of his experiences for I lived in the flesh. Have mercy
upon him, Oh God. Look to my sacrifice on the cross and save this one eternally."
II. WHO WILL BE JUDGED?
A. The living and the dead.
2 Tim 4:1-2
I charge thee therefore before God, and the
Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing
and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (KJV)
Rev 20:12
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. (KJV)
B. The small and the great. This expression
is probably accommodated to human thinking. We talk of the "great" and
the "small."
C. The saved and the unsaved.
Mt 25:31-46
When the Son of man shall come in his glory,
and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of
his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of
my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and
ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed
me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee
a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we
thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer
and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall
he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred,
and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a
stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and
in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying,
Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked,
or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer
them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of
the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into
everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (KJV)
D. The nations of the earth.
E. The cities of the Earth.
Mt 11:20-28
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein
most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto
thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which
were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented
long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum,
which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the
mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it
would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be
more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and
prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it
seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father:
and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the
Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come
unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(KJV)
F. Individuals.
Rom 14:11
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord,
every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (KJV)
Ecc 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let
thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of
thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all
these things God will bring thee into judgment. (KJV)
1. We are not going to be judged as nations.
2. We will not be judged as cities.
3. We will not be judged as families.
4. We will not be judged congregationally.
This means that one can come from a good family and be lost. On the other
hand, one can be reared in an evil family and be saved. One can have membership
in a good church with an active program and lose his soul. But, one can
be worshipping with a "dead" church and be saved.
Rev 3:1-4
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis
write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the
seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest,
and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that
are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember
therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.
If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and
thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.Thou hast a few names
even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk
with me in white: for they are worthy. (KJV)
5. Mt 25:14-30 -- parable of the talents.
Suppose the three had been judged collectively.
6. Mt 12:41-42 -- Queen of Sheba to be judged
individually.
7. Even the angels are to be judged.
2 Pet 2:4
For if God spared not the angels that sinned,
but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness,
to be reserved unto judgment; (KJV)
1 Cor 6:3
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how
much more things that pertain to this life? (KJV)
IV. BASIS FOR THE JUDGMENT.
A. "The books."
Rev 20:12
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. (KJV)
What is meant by this expression? The standard
under which a given people lived.
1. Some will be judged by the gospel.
John 12:48
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my
words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same
shall judge him in the last day. (KJV)
2. Others will be judged by the law.
Ro 2:12
For as many as have sinned without law shall
also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be
judged by the law; (KJV)
3. Some will be judged by "the law of nature."
Rom 2:12-16
For as many as have sinned without law shall
also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be
judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God,
but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which
have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these,
having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the
law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and
their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In
the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according
to my gospel. (KJV)
4. By inference, I conclude that one will
be judged by whatever was the standard during his lifetime. Abraham and
the patriarchs will be judged by "patriarchal law."
5. The Jews under the law of Moses will not
be asked about baptism. Those under the gospel will not be denounced for
a failure to keep the Sabbath. The Gentiles (Rom 2:12-16) will not be condemned
for failing to keep the Lord's Supper. Abraham will not be criticized for
failing to call upon God in Christ's name. This question hinges on a right
division of the word of God.
But, we will also be judged in the light of
our behavior.
1. Thoughts.
1 Cor 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time,
until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of
darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall
every man have praise of God. (KJV)
Ro 2:15
Which shew the work of the law written in
their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts
the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (KJV)
Ro 2:16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets
of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (KJV)
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into
judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be
evil. (KJV)
2. Words.
Mt 12:36-37
But I say unto you, That every idle word
that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt
be condemned. (KJV)
3. Acts.
2 Cor 5:10
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. (KJV)
Rev 20:12
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. (KJV)
Ro 2:5-6
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart
treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation
of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according
to his deeds: (KJV)
He 13:4
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed
undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (KJV)
4. What we fail to do.
James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good,
and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (KJV)
Fail to use talents (Mt 25:14-30).
Fail to make sufficient preparation (Mt 25:1-12).
Fail to care for the needy (Mt. 25:31-46).
Fail to obey the gospel.
2 Thes 1:7-9
And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey
not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
(KJV)
Fail to worship Christ correctly.
Mt 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto
them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV)
Fail to show mercy.
James 2:13
For he shall have judgment without mercy,
that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. (KJV)
V. JUDGMENT IS FINAL.
A. Proof.
Heb 6:2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying
on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
(KJV)
Mt 25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting
punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (KJV)
B. There is no appeal to a higher court. What
tribunal outranks the judgment of God? There will be no escape.
Conclusion:
Heb 2:1-4
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest
heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let
them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression
and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape,
if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken
by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also
bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles,
and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (KJV)
