Steve Pappas

In the previous monologues, "The Return," and "The Resurrection," scriptures describing the future return of our Lord and events that will occur at that moment were related.

This monologue is intended to present as simply as possible, and using as little added commentary from uninspired men such as myself as possible, the doctrine of the judgment from the scriptures. As in the first two, the intent of this monologue is to minimize the damage to the faith of many in God and His word caused by disillusionment with prediction failures in interpretations of scriptures related to doctrines of final things. The presentation is intended to be with respect, consideration, and love for those who have been innocently influenced by popular ideas, and in acknowledgment that these ideas are used by most people in good conscience and in an effort to prepare others for Christ’s coming.

These are not exhaustive, but are the most straightforward scriptures about the final judgement.

In this monologue, as in the first two, there are no references to the book of Revelation. This book will be considered in later monologues. Because many of the predictions that have failed in the last two centuries and misinterpretations related to Christ’s return and final things have been based on scriptures cut and pasted from this highly symbolic book, it is better to establish simple truths from plain scriptures first. A simple rule of Biblical understanding is that if a simple scripture plainly presents a doctrine, don’t overrule the simple presentation with a complicated one based on highly symbolic language.

The word, judgement, can mean either the wisdom to discern and make choices, or to pass a sentence based on a righteous decision. The word for passing judgment in the original Greek New Testament, apokrino, is translated either with the idea of a judgement decision, or a judgment act. Thus the same word is also translated as a condemnation, depending on the context. The passing of judgement, thus, carries the implication of a sentence of punishment that follows. This is why the christian rejoices that "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1).

In the second monologue, "The Resurrection," The great hope of the faithful christian was discussed. Without it, forgiveness of sins, we discussed, is meaningless. The need for forgiveness of sins is meaningless without a final judgement. With judgement, the justice of God is enacted. Wronged innocents, and persecuted christians are avenged, while the redeemed stand uncondemned! Sin and rebellion are punished by a Holy, just, righteous, and Almighty Ruler and Creator of the universe.

Perhaps prior to examining scriptures related to the final judgement, we should examine other judgment acts of God. We see that God often declares His judgments in pronouncing His "coming." His judgment is a "day of the Lord." Either literally in Noah’s day, or symbolically in many of the prophets, He shakes the world of a wicked people to pieces. In Isaiah 26:9, we read, "When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness." The Sovereign of the universe will only tolerate rebellion temporarily because, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance," (2 Peter 3:9). However, a time comes when He has no more patience. God’s anger toward rebellion and His holiness will not allow Him to accept the total rule of Satan in men’s hearts. The most obvious example of this end of patience was in the early days of the earth Genesis (6:5-7):

The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them."

The Creator of the Universe caused a global catastrophe (a worldwide flood), which destroyed all mankind except for the family of Noah, who alone remained faithful to God. Other examples of judgment include:

1. God’s use of Assyria in judgment on Egypt foretold in Isaiah 19:1,

An oracle concerning Egypt: See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them.

2. Judgment on Edom in Isaiah 34:4-5,

All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree. My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have totally destroyed.

3. Judgment on Judah in Zephaniah 1:14-18

"The great day of the LORD is near-- near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD's wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth."

Notice that in Matthew 24, a chapter misused by many as a prophecy of end times, Jesus uses much of this same kind of language in pronouncing His judgement on the majority of Israelites who rejected their Messiah before the end of His generation (see verse 34, fulfilled 70 A.D. when Romans besieged and captured Jerusalem).

The final day of resurrection and judgment will certainly be a "day of the Lord." We are told by Jesus that all the dead (not the righteous only) will be raised for life or judgment (John 5:28-29),

"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

(2 Corinthians 5:10),

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

He describes His judgment as a separation of righteous from unrighteous, of joy for one group and punishment for others (Matthew 25:46).

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

John 14:2-3,

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Romans 2:7-8,

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

The outcome of the final judgment for the saved and unsaved is clear. We have only one life to prepare, let us use it wisely (Hebrews 9:27):

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.