FINAL JUDGMENT - ITS JUDGE

THE JUDGE IN THE FINAL JUDGMENT

• Judgment Belongs to God

Heb. 12:23 - "God, the Judge of all"

It is obvious that the Book of Hebrews was written to Christians, and we have no right to insist that Israelites during the millennium will also be Christians, without priests, without sacrifices, and without a temple. Saints like John the Baptist who died before Pentecost were not Christians (John 3:29, Matt. 11:11); and those who are saved following the rapture of the Church will likewise be excluded from membership in the Bride of Christ, though they will be "made perfect" like all the redeemed (Heb. 12:23).

Rom. 14:10, 12 A.R.V. "Give, account to God."

"But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

• But the Work has been Committed to the Son

John 5:22 In hands of Son. "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:"

Acts 17:31 "Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead."

2 Cor. 5:10 "Bema seat of Christ"

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

2 Tim. 4:1 "Christ who shall Judge"

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;"

• Reasons why all Judgment is Delegated to the Son

1. As God, He has the necessary knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge of Motive, Means, result.

Col. 2:2-3 "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Rev. 2:18, 23 "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, Who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass;" "And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works."

 

2. As man, He understands human life by personal experience. Experiential knowledge as over against descriptive knowledge.

John 5:27 Reason the Son is Judge. "And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man."

 As David's son He is promised the kingdom; and judgeship being included in the promised theocratic Davidic government, the Father only judges through this Son, the promises based on the covenant require such authority to be given to and to be manifested through the covenanted seed. Hence, as the second Adam recovering the Dominion lost by the first Adam; as the woman's seed who is to crush the serpent's head; as the promised seed of Abraham who is to inherit the land, possess the gate of His enemies, and make all nations blessed; as the son of David who is to arrange so gloriously over the earth; as that God-man who perfects salvation through a theocratic ordering-it is indispensably necessary for Him to occupy such a position to meet the predetermined plan of redemption compare John 5:22, 27. Cf. Acts 10:42. Christ went to the cross for all men. Some wish to pay the penalty themselves. Some wish to submit to His covering. It was necessary for Christ to be raised to be the judge so they can pay their own penalty. Those who believe in Him needed assurance that the debt was paid so they had hope. Jesus has been appointed the Judge.

cf. Job 9:32-33 A.R.V. Incarnation invalidated Job's complaint. "For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."

3. As Redeemer, He died to save sinners.

John 3:17 - Man will not be able to say I am dealing with a Judge who made no effort to save my soul.

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

4. As God-man, He is the only mediator between God and man.

1 Tim. 2:5 All men must deal with him either as Mediator or Judge.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

Note: The saints are somehow to be associated with Christ in work of judgment. No mere man can qualify as an absolute Judge.

1 Cor. 6:2-3 - Interpret with great reserve. This may refer to our millennial ministry.

"Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?"

The resurrected saints will apparently “judge the world” during the coming millennium, when Christ reigns and His people reign with Him (Rev. 2:26; 3:21; 20:4).