JUDGMENTS

           A careful study of the Bible shows that there are at least seven distinct divine judgments described in the Bible.  In looking for a method to organize a study on judgments I will break them up based on when they occur, i.e., pre-rapture or post rapture.  Those that are post rapture can be broken down further into pre-millennium and post millennium judgments.  These judgments will involve both humans and angels.   

A.     Pre-rapture judgment 

1.  The judgment of the cross 

     To some this is also called the judgment of the believer’s sin.  Christ as our substitute bore the punishment for our sins on the cross (Is. 53:1-12, Heb. 10:10-18, I Peter 2:21-24).  He bore the curse of sin (Gal. 3:13) and became our sin bearer (John 1:29, II Cor. 5:21, Heb. 9:25-28).  When we acknowledge our sin and accept Christ as our Saviour, God identifies us with His Son and sees us as having both died in Christ as our representative and risen in Him in newness of life (I John 1:7, Rom. 6:3-5, I Cor.15:22).  Because of what Christ did there is now no condemnation or judgment to damnation to those who put their life and trust in Christ (Rom. 8:1).  As a result the believer will not be judged for his sins because God does not remember what He has forgiven (Heb. 8:12, Is. 38:17, Is. 43:25, Ps. 103:12, Jerm. 31:33-34, Heb. 10:17). 

2.     The judgment of the believer’s walk 

This comes in the form of divine correction and chastisement (I Cor. 11:29-32, John 15:1-8, Heb. 12:3-15).  God judges the Christian’s walk now (Ps. 7:11, Heb. 4:13) so that we may not be condemned with the world later (I Cor. 11:32).  Sometimes God may allow our chastisement to take the form of severe afflictions at the hand of Satan in order to put our flesh under subjection (I Cor. 5:3-5, II Chron. 16:9). 

B.  Post-rapture judgment 

          Since these judgments happen after the rapture they must therefore occur either during the tribulation period, prior to or right at the very beginning of the millennium or after the 1000 year reign of Christ. 

          3.  Judgment of believer’s works 

     Remember that since the Christians sin has already been judged and paid for in the death of Christ the Christian will not be judged again for his sin when the world is judged (I Cor. 5:5).  This does not give the Christian freedom to live as he chooses because we don’t want to later be ashamed (I John 2:28), God still has standards for the Christian (I Peter 1:16-17), and though we will not be judged with the world we will still be judged.  This judgment is called the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10).   

a.  Based on What 

1.     II Cor 5:10 

 Believer will be judged based on what he has done.  This is a judgment of works not of spiritual condition.  We will be judged based on the things we have done whether good or bad (Col. 3:22-25).  Even our words will be judged (Matt. 12:36-37).  

2.     I Cor. 3:11-13  

In this judgment our works will be passed through the fire.  This fire represents the judgment of God.  God’s judgment is right (Ps. 19:9).  He understands our motives as well as our actions.  Even the secrets of our heart are not hidden from him (Ps. 44:21) and will be judged (Rom. 2:16). 

b.  Outcome 

     I Cor. 3:14-15 -  This judgment has nothing to do with the believer’s salvation.  Salvation is already established.  This judgment will only determine the rewards that the believer will receive.  Jesus speaks of receiving rewards in Matt. 10:40-42.  II John 8 encourages us to take care that we do not lose what we have obtained and that we get a full reward.  Jesus also encourages us in like manner in Rev. 3:11-12.  It is possible that we will receive our mansions at that time (John 14:2). 

     There are five crowns believed to be given as rewards 

1.     The Crown of Life (James 1:12) 

                                      The evidence that we love God is our obedience to Him, enduring hardships, persecutions temptations and trials in like manner as Christ.  Love for God, evidenced through endurance and obedience will win one the crown of life. 

2.     The Crown Incorruptible (I Cor. 9:24-27) 

                                      Some see this as only a description of the other crowns, while others believe it to be a separate crown.  If it is a separate crown, Paul here associates it with the Christian enduring the race.  If this is true then all who make it to heaven should receive this crown. 

3.     The Crown of Rejoicing (I Thess. 2:19) 

          The Crown of Rejoicing is also called the soul winners crown.  It is believed that the degree of the joy one experiences in heaven will be associated with the souls you have had a part in bringing to Christ. 

4.     The Crown of Righteousness (II Tim. 4:6-8)

                                    

          This crown is given to those who look for and live as if they are expecting Christ to return soon.  If we are expecting His soon return our whole outlook on life will be changed.  We would not work for temporal gains but for eternal gain.  We would put Matt. 6:33 into full practice.  Witnessing to our friends and love ones would be a priority.  And living righteously every second of every day would be our priority so as not to be found sinning when He returns.

5.     The Crown of Glory (I Peter 5:2-4) 

          This crown is also called the pastor’s crown.  However, though it appears to be given to pastors Matt. 10:41 suggest that others will share in receiving this crown. 

c.     When will it occur 

          Rev. 4:10-11 – The fact that the 24 elders have crowns to cast before the thrown of Jesus implies that the judgment seat of Christ has already occurred by this time.  This would put it somewhere between the rapture of the Church and the Second Coming of Christ.  From this passage it appears to have happened prior to the seal judgments which begin in Rev. 6.

4.  Judgment of Israel 

            Jeremiah 30:7 -  It is believed that the judgment of Israel begins in the last 3.5 years of the tribulation period starting with the time when the Antichrist enters Palestine and takes over the temple as his capital building.  At this time he sets himself up to be God and demands worship from all including the Jews (Matt. 24:15-31, 2 Thess. 2:1-12).  Jews of course are not allowed to accept anyone else as Jehovah God.   This will put the Jews as a nation in direct opposition to the Antichrist and thus cause him to declare war on all Jews.  This time period is covered in Rev. 12:1 – 20:3.  This period in Israel’s future is also spoken of in Ezk. 20:33-44 and Mal. 3:2-6. 

5.  Judgment of the Nations – Matt. 25:31-46 

            This is the judgment of those living after the second coming of Christ.  This is in two parts.  First there is the judgment poured out by Christ as He comes to punish those nations who have united under the leadership of the Antichrist to destroy Israel (Joel 3:9-16, Zech. 12:9, Zech 14:1-7, Rev. 19:17-21).  This is God’s judgment against specific nations that harmed His chosen people Israel.  This will also include those who are living and have received the mark of the beast.  Second there will be a judgment of all the living gentiles not having the mark of the beast and not gathered at Armageddon to fight against the Children of Israel. The basis of this judgment is to be how these people as individuals have treated Christians (Matt. 25:40, Heb. 2:11-14) and Gods chosen people (Ps. 22:22, Ps 69.8). 

6.  Judgment of the angels – 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6 

              It appears that Christians will have a part to play in the judgment of the fallen angels (I Cor. 6:3).  Since these angels are being held in hell it is possible that their judgment may be included in the White thrown judgment. 

7.  Judgment of the wicked dead _ Rev. 20:11-15 

              There is no indication of any judgment of the wicked before Rev. 20:11 except for the wicked nations who are living at the Second Coming   of Christ.  When the righteous who have died after the rapture are resurrected at the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ the wicked who are dead at that time are not resurrected (Rev. 20:4-5).   The wicked dead will be judged based on two things: their works, which alone cannot save them; and the absence or presence of their names in the book of life.  All whose names are not found in the book of life are to be cast in the lake of fire. (Scriptures on the Book of Life – Rev. 17:8, Rev. 3:5, Rev. 22:19, Ex. 32:32-33)