November 22, 2022—At last week’s article, I wrote about why people die, and what happens to their body, spirit and soul. That article was a prologue for this article. For when we die, we will be judged by Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah spoke to this, “That to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.” (Isaiah 45:10). In his epistles sent to believers in different locations, the apostle Paul referenced Isaiah 45:10 in Romans 14:10-11 and in Philippians 2:10. In Romans 14:10, Paul states that “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” No matter if you believe in Jesus Christ or not, you will be judged by Jesus Christ.
Who is Judged
Everyone who has ever lived will be judged by Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible says, “The Lord came from Sinai, and dawned on them from Seir; And He came with ten thousands of saints; From His right hand came a fiery law for them.” (Deuteronomy 33:2). It is worth noting that Jesus Christ sits on the right hand of God because He is equal to God (Hebrews 1:3, 12:2, and 1 Peter 3:22, and Acts 7:55-56). You do not place someone lesser than you on your right, rather, you place those equal to you on your right.
While Moses spoke to Jesus coming with His saints, this message is repeated in Jude 1:14-15, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of Hs saints, to execute judgement on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of al their ungodly deeds” (Jude 1:15). When Jude said this, he had referenced a prophecy by Enoch. Enoch is mentioned in the Old Testament, and he is referenced in the New Testament, but Enoch does not have his own book within the Holy Bible. However, considering that this message is also mentioned by Moses in Deuteronomy, we know that the message is true.
When Will Judgment Occur?
In the gospels of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 there are passages referencing the end times (meaning the end of the age, not the end of the world). The discussion occurs after Peter, Andrew, James, and John, approach Jesus on the Mount of Olives. Jesus told them the various signs of the end times which you can read about in the links below:
After these events occur, Jesus will return to judge all who have lived even those that are dead. 2 Timothy 4:1 says that “therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.” However, be forewarned beloved that the gospels tell us that no one knows the hour of His return and that He will come like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:36-44)
What is the Judgment
According to the gospel of John, those that believe in Jesus Christ are saved for eternal life, but those that have been told of Jesus Christ and do not believe are already condemned (John 3:18). While the gospel of John mentions this we see this message repeated in various books of the Holy Bible. I have included a brief list below but there are more books within the Holy Bible that discuss judgment:
Mark 16:16
Matthew 25
Acts 16:31
Romans 10:9
John 3:36
In addition, Paul warns us of judgment in Romans 2:5, “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God”. Verse six quotes the passages in Psalm 62:12 and Proverbs 24:12, “who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’”. Paul continues on in a discussion of eternal life in the next verse, “eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality” (verse 7).
Who is the Judge?
Revelation is the last book of the Holy Bible. It contains visions given to the disciple John when he was on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:1-9). Patmos is located within the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey. In the book of Revelation, there is a reference to a great white throne and Jesus sitting on the throne (Revelation 20:11). In this vision, John describes people standing before Jesus Christ to be judged (verse 12). Those that had passed away on earth previously were also in front of Jesus (verse 12). Books were opened which record some people’s names and their actions.
The Outcome of Jesus’s Judgment
From reading Revelation 20:12 there are books that are mentioned but continuing on in this verse we see that they are volumes of one book, which is “the Book of Life”. According to Revelation 20:15 and Philippians 4:33 those that are in the Book of Life are saved. Some of you may have thought that you would not be judged, and this may worry you, but I would like to point you to a few passages to give you understanding and hope.
The Holy Bible says that “Most assuredly I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24). Focus on the last part here, “but has passed form death into life”, whereas those that believe in Jesus Christ and hear His word (repents from their sins) they will pass condemnation (hell) and enter into eternal life (heaven). John speaks to this in an earlier passage, which I referenced previously, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)
In addition, the gospel of Matthew speaks to Jesus separating people into two groups. The groups will be on Jesus’s left side and on Jesus’s right side. Those on the right will “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (verse 34). The people on Jesus’s left side will “go away into everlasting punishment” (verse 46).
Accepting Jesus Christ
Beloved, now you know that you will stand before Jesus Christ along with everyone who has ever lived on this earth. Pending on the life you have lived, you will either pass death and enter into eternal life, or you will be condemned. The time to accept Jesus Christ is now. If you are ready to accept Jesus Christ of Nazareth as your savior, say this prayer out loud:
God, I confess that Jesus came in the flesh and blood, paid the price for my sins, died on the cross, rose on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and sent the Holy Spirit to help me understand Your ways. For that, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord, and I welcome the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen!
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