The Four Future Judgements of Scripture
Satan promulgates a lie that no-one will be judged, when in fact all will be judged, both Christian and non-Christian, Jew and Gentile. Not all judgement is judgement of sin, although sin contributes to all works or behaviours that are indicted. Romans 1:18 states – The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth (ESV). God treats each and every person as being a responsible for his or her own behaviour; and thus responsible for their own decisions and actions. Those that reject Jesus Christ, who took the punishment of our sin upon his own body, must bear the punishment themselves: And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1 John 2:2 NKJV). God also punishes nations for its treatment of His people, Israel, and Israel for rejecting Messiah.
Judgement |
Judgment Seat of Messiah |
Judgment of the House of Israel |
Judgement of Sheep and Goats; the Judgement of Nations |
The Great White Throne Judgement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Scripture |
Matthew 6:1-6 Matthew 7:26, 27 Romans 14:10-12 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 |
Ezekiel 20:33-44 Daniel 12:5-7 |
Joel 3:1-3 Zechariah 14:1-2 Matthew 25:31-46 |
Rev 20:11-15 |
Indictment |
Judgement to reveal the quality of one's work where poor quality will be lost: wood, hay and stubble shall be burnt with fire – i.e. tested and destroyed. |
Transgression against God, those that rebelled and worshiped idols, did not obey God, profaned God's holy name. |
Treatment of the Jews 'the Brethren' in particular those that: 1. Scattered the Jews 2. Attacked Israel (Campaign of Armageddon) 3. Sold Jews into prostitution slavery |
Individuals not in the Book of Life because they did not believe Jesus Christ is the Saviour. All people have their name in the Book of Life (Ps 136:16), but their name is blotted out if they reject the Messiah (Ps 69:28). The "other books" used include Lamb's Book of Life the contains the names of born again individuals (Rev 13:8, 21:27). |
Judge |
Messiah |
The Lord Jehovah (Lord GOD) |
Son of Man: Messiah |
Unnamed, but presumed to be the Messiah |
Who |
Church age believers |
Israel – ie Jews |
"All nations", the living, the Gentiles |
Unbelievers of all time |
Basis |
Believers are to give an account of things done: they are to undertake good works. These are to be tested. |
The covenant of God to Israel: obedience to the commands of God Exodus 19:5 Deuteronomy 11:13, see also 28 |
Deals with Gentiles who hate Jews and therefore hate God; those that hate God enter eternal punishment; the remnant enter the Kingdom of God |
To be saved a person needs to believe that Jesus Christ is the saviour (John 3:16). The degree of punishment will be based on one's works |
Punishment |
Bad works to be 'burnt', good works to be rewarded (recompensed) |
Purging of "rebels" and those that transgressed against God. Exclusion from the Kingdom. |
Eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels |
Sets out the degree of punishment. All who are indicted in this judgement are destined for the second death: the lake of fire. |
Audience |
None |
The world |
The holy angels |
All people |
Where |
Heaven at the Judgement Seat of Christ |
The middle east, in particular Israel (but involves the whole world) |
Earth, Jerusalem |
Earth |
When |
After the rapture |
The Tribulation |
After the Tribulation |
After the millennium |
Purpose |
To test the quality of the works of believers, ascertaining the foundation on which they were conducted: the works (not the sins) of believers; that which are useless (bad) to be lost as if burnt. Rewards believers according to the works they have done. |
To separates Jews who hate God: they will not inherit the Land (will not enter the Kingdom), and so they will know the Lord Jehovah. It is a count of those that know the Lord Jehovah; ie> will mark out the remnant, and ensure submission to the covenant of God. God will demand their mind, body and soul as an acceptable sacrifice to Him |
To separate anti-semitics from pro-semitics, and to punish the antisemitics. The pro-semitics will be given a placed in the Kingdom (Matt 25:24-40). These are the ones who provided for the brethren of Jesus during the great tribulation. |
Determines the degree of punishment in hell; Matthew 11:20-24, Luke 12:47-48, John 19:11 |
