06.09.21
The Final Judgments
We come to the last of our overview of Bible prophecy. We have thus far looked at the big picture topics; the Rapture, the Tribulation and the Millennium.
Today we wish to focus on the four judgments that will occur at the end of days. In chronological order, there will be: the Bema Seat—for all believers; the judgment of the Gentile nations; the judgment of Israel; and the Great White Throne Judgment.
The Bema Seat of Christ is for those who know the Lord. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12) It takes place in heaven during the time of Tribulation on the earth. In the Olympic games the winning athletes would come to an award area to receive their laurel wreaths. Some would receive such honor; most would not. So the believer will one day come before Christ to be awarded. Only to some will Christ say, “Well done.” This will be a sobering, tearful time that every believer should be preparing for and thinking about every day. While one’s salvation can wonderfully be settled once and for all, the matter of joy or shame while standing before the Savior won’t be settled until life is over. In the light of Christ’s soon return, the Scripture asks, “What manner of persons ought we to be?”
The second judgment is for the Gentiles at the end of the Tribulation period. This is presented in what is known as ‘the parable of the sheep and goats.’ (Matthew 25:31-46). The judgment revolves around how “the brethren” mentioned in the parable have been treated. The brethren are the people of Israel. Believing and unbelieving Gentiles will be judged on how they treated believing Jews during the time of Tribulation. This will be an indication of their heart attitude toward the Lord. Those who treated the Jews rightly, the sheep, will go to heaven. Those who mistreated the Jews, the goats, will be cast into hell. Salvation is still by faith, but the kindness or lack thereof towards God’s chosen people will be indicative of the state of the heart.
The third judgment will fall upon the nation of Israel. This is presented in Ezekiel 20:33-38, and will also occur at the end of the Tribulation. Those Jews who are left alive at the end of the Tribulation will pass under God’s bar of judgment. Those who have followed the Antichrist will fail the judgment and will pass into eternity in a lost condition. Those who are part of the 144,000 or who listened to them and the two witnesses and believed their word, will enter the kingdom. Thus, when the Lord Jesus returns to the earth at the end of the Tribulation, there will be a believing remnant of Jews awaiting His return. This will be the fulfillment of the New Covenant made to Israel (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This promise is as sure as that the sun will rise tomorrow morning.
We now approach, with great fear, the final judgment. It is associated in our minds as ‘Judgment Day.’ This is the Great White Throne Judgment that seals the ultimate destiny of the lost in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15) There are no more sobering verses in the Word of God than these. Jesus Christ is the Judge, and all the lost from all ages will stand before Him. The record of their works will be there. The Book of Life, which lists those who have trusted Christ, will be there. There will be no excuses, no retreat. If your name is not in the book, this will be the final verdict.
Where will you be on that day? Have you come to Christ and bowed to Him as your Savior and Lord so that you have assurance of forgiveness of sin and eternity with Him? Delay no longer! Today is the day of salvation.