THE PERSON WHO IS CONSTITUTED AS FINAL JUDGE

THE PERSON WHO IS CONSTITUTED AS FINAL JUDGE

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

 

• Christ was Authoritatively Commissioned for the Execution of Final Judgment

Matt. 28:18 (ASV) "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

John 13:3 (ASV) "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God."

• Christ was Adequately Certified for the Position of Judge

Acts 17:31 "He hath given assurance to all men in that He hath raised Him from the dead."

Acts 10:42 A resurrected Christ commanded the disciples to preach that He was ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.

"And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead."

2 Tim. 4:8 Paul rested in the fact that Christ was to be that Judge.

"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

 

• Christ was Perfectly Qualified for the Position of Executing Judgment

As God: in substance He was God, Col. 2:3.

"In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

In omniscience He was God, Heb. 1:3.

"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."

In sovereignty He was God, Matt. 7:21-23.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

As Man: He was in every sense man, John 5:27.

"And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man."

He knew every experience of life, Heb. 4:15.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

He could therefore lay His hand also upon man as umpire, Job 9:32-33.

"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."

As Redeemer:

His purpose was to save, not judge, John 3:17.

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

Judgment became necessary only after men refused to accept His salvation.

His salvation as mediator consisted first of all of be­coming a substitute in the place of lost men.