In the name of Jesus, Amen. As one reads through the Old Testament, he becomes an observer of one judgment after another as God brings specific judgments upon certain cultures and behaviors. Not only does each Biblical Dispensation close with a judgment, but interspersed throughout the dispensations are judgments for sin. Judgments on certain cultures and behaviors are also found in the New Testament era. There are seven major judgments in the New Testament. These seven judgments are the subject of this writing.
- Judgment of Sin
- Judgment of Self
- Judgment of the Believer's Works
- Judgment of Israel
- Judgment of the Nations
- Judgment of Satan and His Demons
- Judgment of the Unsaved
Confusion exists with respect to the purpose of God's judgments. Why does God judge to begin with? Well, because He is the sovereign ruler of this universe, and we are all going to appear before Him. Further, God has a sovereign right to judge, which no one can take from Him. God is going to judge whether we believe it or not--whether we like it or not. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31).
The judgment of sin took place on the cross at Calvary in 30 A.D.. There, "He who knew no sin, became sin for us" (2 Cor. 5:21). God judged sin fully and finally in the death of Christ (Hebrews 10:12).
The next, judgment of self, is an on-going one in which we as believers judge ourselves. We review our sins and seek forgiveness, "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (I Cor.11:31). I John 1:9 tells us that if judge ourselves, we will avoid the chastening of the Lord.
Judgment of Believer's Works takes place in Heaven after the Rapture of the Church. Rabbi Paul the Apostle in I Cor. 3:12-15 and 2 Cor 5:9-10 tells us that it is the time in which the believer will give an account of himself to God as to his motives, conduct, and service. At this time Yeshua, Jesus Christ will then reward the believer accordingly. This judgment is also known at the Bema.
The judgment of Israel is next and occurs on Earth at the end of the Tribulation Period. Israel is going to be judged as recorded in Ezekiel 20:33-44. When Yeshua returns at the end of the Tribulation, He is going to purge unbelievers out of Israel and take the remaining believers into the Kingdom.
Also, on Earth at the end of the Tribulation the judgment of nations will occur as explained in Matthew 25:31-46. At this time the Lord separates the believing Gentiles who were saved during the Tribulation from the unbelieving ones who are cast into Hell. Those believing Tribulation saints go into the Kingdom.
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