The Judgement of God – Part I

In the Bible, the process of deciding what will happen to us after we have lived our lives here on earth is called the Judgment. God does this to honour our freedom of choice by examining our hearts, setting apart those who choose Him from those who reject Him. Every person, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or sex, has to face God's judgment. No one can escape it. Some will be judged to receive eternal life, while many will be judged to be cast into the lake of fire. Romans 2:7-9 makes this very clear: “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:  8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;” God gives eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good, seek glory, honour, and immortality. He gives eternal wrath to those who reject the truth and follow evil.

This judgment happens before the Second Coming of Christ. At the Second Coming, His saved will be united with Him. Ecclesiastes 12:14: “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” God desires to save every person. The need for Judgment arose after Adam and Eve sinned. Since humanity demonstrated its weakness in favour of the temptation to sin, God had to step in to allow us a way out and redeem us through Jesus Christ. When Jesus came to earth, He came to save us from the consequences of our sins. Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:  for he shall save his people from their sins.”  He came as a human to make a way for us to be given eternal life with Him. Since the wages of sin is death, He, on our behalf, paid the penalty of sin on the cross. 

When He sacrificed His life, He did it so that the penalty of sin could be paid in full for every person. His death made it possible for us to live with Him in heaven John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The resurrection of Jesus from the grave finally dealt a death blow to death with the consequential defeat of satan. After the resurrection, Jesus was with His disciples for forty days, and thereafter, He returned to heaven with the promise to his disciples in John 14:2-3: “In my Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.   I go to prepare a place for you.   3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  

During His ascension into the sky, His disciples looked longingly after Him. Acts 11:1 tells us, “Men of Galilee,” a voice spoke, “Why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven”. Jesus sent His angels to reassure the early disciples that He would come again. In Revelation 22:12, Jesus promises, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” When He comes back, He promises to have a reward (eternal life). This promise requires that judgment be based on what reward each person will receive- eternal life or eternal damnation..