Last Judgment ?
- Thread starter vitalii
- Start date
Does the Bible address these issues about the "last judgement"? Yes it does. Since the Bible is the only authoritative and infallible source of information on this, view it as the answer that God gives and not man.
So, the short answer to the last judgement's purpose as a public adjudication is: to demonstrate to mankind and angles the righteousness of God and the unrighteousness of mankind. Men think they are fairly righteous: this trial will prove them wrong to themselves and everyone else: Rom.10b-11: for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. In reality the righteousness of men are as filthy rags; in that trial it will be made irrefutably clear: Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
From this trial will emerge man's just condemnation pointing to eternal wrath as its just retribution. Those who have put their faith in Christ have that just penalty payed in full in their substitute; and they also have the true righteousness of Christ as a covering for their nakedness. So to speak, believers have both the negative retributive aspects of the law payed in full and the positive requirements of the law imputed (judicially entered into their account) unto them, so their just sentence is "enter thou in to the joy of thy LORD" (Matt.5:21) All others will be justly consigned to the lake of fire. This also is part of the last judgement, not just the trial but the condemnation also and the retribution or vengeance. Their purpose lies in the fairness, justice, and holiness of God, on the one hand, and on the significance of mankind made in the image of God, who is now a sinner, on the other.
The positive requirement is perfect righteousness. This too is provided for us because Christ was perfectly righteous in our place. Believers pass on both accounts; our salvation is just. And that is amazing. I really hopes this helps out vitalii...there is so much more, but this is too long already. Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world (Jn.1:29).
Since, "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Hebrews 9:27 , it is very reasonable to seek God's purpose involved in it. God says he made man in his image, having delegated to him rule over God's creation Gen. 1:26-27; and God gave man certain provisions and task related responsibilities in it, Gen. 1:28-30. There was only one prohibition laid upon man, and that prohibition was fortified by the promise of death as a consequence, Gen. 2: 15-17. Man's actions in Gen. 3:6 brought that consequence into the whole human race and even the creation itself. The first animal death was in Gen. 3: 21, where God made clothes for mankind out of animal skins, pointing to a provision for nakedness. (Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.) Clothes, garments, are a covering; so is righteousness in the Bible: Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Romans 5:12, Therefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: this shows us that man is in a state of sin from the fall and thus also death. The Bible states clearly that God is holy, righteous, and just and that he must judge, condemn, and avenge sin. (Rom.3:3-9: For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin
So, the short answer to the last judgement's purpose as a public adjudication is: to demonstrate to mankind and angles the righteousness of God and the unrighteousness of mankind. Men think they are fairly righteous: this trial will prove them wrong to themselves and everyone else: Rom.10b-11: for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. In reality the righteousness of men are as filthy rags; in that trial it will be made irrefutably clear: Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
From this trial will emerge man's just condemnation pointing to eternal wrath as its just retribution. Those who have put their faith in Christ have that just penalty payed in full in their substitute; and they also have the true righteousness of Christ as a covering for their nakedness. So to speak, believers have both the negative retributive aspects of the law payed in full and the positive requirements of the law imputed (judicially entered into their account) unto them, so their just sentence is "enter thou in to the joy of thy LORD" (Matt.5:21) All others will be justly consigned to the lake of fire. This also is part of the last judgement, not just the trial but the condemnation also and the retribution or vengeance. Their purpose lies in the fairness, justice, and holiness of God, on the one hand, and on the significance of mankind made in the image of God, who is now a sinner, on the other.
It takes place after the last resurrection at the end of this age described here in Revelations 20: 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Good question. When you repented from your sin and sins you agreed with this just condemnation and you believed that the LORD bore it for you on the cross; not just the death, but the eternal wrath of God justly decreed against you: he bore in your place on your behalf. This is so much so, that the Bible uses language that relates the resurrection and ascension of Christ to be proof that your forgiveness is absolute: Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. So the answer is you are already tried, judged, condemned, sentenced and atoned for in full. Christ's death and being made a curse for us puts our names in the book of life. If a person could ruin this kind of salvation they certainly would, but the fact is: it was worked for us by one who can not fail, the good shepherd. If you have believed in Jesus, God gave you this faith by redemption rights already transacted on your behalf, and nothing can separate you from it. Rom.8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Any sin requires from a just God condemnation and eternal vengeance, and wrath, as a retribution. Adam's sin required death spiritually and physically: separation from God, who is true life; this is the spiritual death (we are born dead this way, under the wrath of God). The physical death happens when our spirit and soul leave our bodies (this is that appointment we all have, first...). The second death, the like of fire, will never fill out its sentence; this is why it is eternal. Only an eternal substitute could pay this retribution in full; this is why Christ is the only savior. That's the negative requirement.
The positive requirement is perfect righteousness. This too is provided for us because Christ was perfectly righteous in our place. Believers pass on both accounts; our salvation is just. And that is amazing. I really hopes this helps out vitalii...there is so much more, but this is too long already. Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world (Jn.1:29).
Thanks for your reply. I have a question about Matthew 25:31-36
It seems that this verse talks about last judgement. In that verse Jesus describes why people are chosen. Because they fed him, clothed him, visit him in prison,gave him drink. It looks like that we are justified by works but most of churches teach that we are justified by faith. What trouble me is that no where in this verse it says that I am justified by faith.
Matthew 25:31-36 >>
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
It seems that this verse talks about last judgement. In that verse Jesus describes why people are chosen. Because they fed him, clothed him, visit him in prison,gave him drink. It looks like that we are justified by works but most of churches teach that we are justified by faith. What trouble me is that no where in this verse it says that I am justified by faith.
Matthew 25:31-36 >>
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
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Well, let's see if this is so. After all James says, using the same passage in the OT that Paul uses, that Abraham was justified by his works: James 2:21 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" Everyone must say yes to this question, but that does not mean that the work he performed was the source of his new nature, having a standing before God as forgiven and clothed in righteousness. It is a justification by works, however, that shows forth the fact; that his Faith which had brought him into this relation with God truly had divinely caused results. As to the cause of this relation in the first place Paul says in Romans 4: "1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
Paul and James do not contradict; their writings are preserved in scripture by the breath of God. Both their words were inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that: they are the consistent, non-contradicting, unified truth of God. In italics above is that statement by Paul which shows us how to take James' words of work justification: "not before God", i.e. before onlooking men or any other sentient creature of God, perhaps. "But not before God," Paul confirms by appealing to the unity of scripture, quoting a passage that makes the positive causal statement: "It was counted unto him for righteousness." So it is the believing of God, his faith, that unseen work in the heart of Abraham, that is justly recognized in his work. And we, looking back to it, can say yes. But we fully recognize that he was Justified before God by his faith. And we see the same principal working in us: Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." And thus, there is no contradiction.
We see this in the text you site: for it goes on to say, "37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Those justified by faith, were not aware of these works they were ordained to walk in, but the judgement of the LORD points them out. So also the ones who did not do such works were not aware that they had not done them; they had to be shown it was so. And in the case with the unbelievers, we see that they had not that faith that works as James says: James 2:18 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." Both agree; works confirm faith, just, however, not before God. In terms of true faith, saving faith, Paul says in Philippians 2, "10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
It is true faith that puts one in a personal relationship with Christ. True faith is a gift of God by which we know him and are known, personally examined, by him through his word. This is why in a similar passage Christ says to these confused people, "21 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. 22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." By their works ye shall know them: ye shall, not God; for their works declare them to be what they are before their fellow creatures. The key point is: God knows his own and his sheep hear his voice (he has given them true faith) and they follow him (true faith works). John.27:10;
We can praise God as Paul in Ephesians 1,"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;" Amen? What a savior, who says in John 10: "14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."
So I think we can conclude that text does not show the reason why they were chosen, but it rather shows the appropriate evidence before fellow creatures that they were chosen and saved by their faith, true faith, regenerating, God bestowed faith that works (even when the recipients of that faith did not realize it had so worked). This actually shows the reason there has to be that last judgement: That every creature confess that Jesus is LORD to the glory of God, saved and unsaved alike. Thank you, good questions vitalii.
vitalii, I left out a very important verse. It summarizes a lot of what i have said above. I wont try to fit it in, but I think you can see how it relates. It comes from John ch.6:
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Yes you certainly can lose your salvation. Galatians 5:21 being one of many scriptures that contradict the notion of "once saved always saved".
But you need to make sure that you are saved in the first place.
Just believing in Jesus is not enough, you have to be baptised in water, receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking tongues.
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Brother Mike
Member
Lost Salvation.
Lioncub:
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
In the book of Peter we are told getting baptized is a good conscience toward God, but does not take care of the sin, Jesus said if we believe and are baptized we shall be saved.
Jesus said them that don't believe shall be damned. He did not mention being not being baptized. (Which might not happen if you don't believe I guess)
Are there scriptures that can be used where we can actually be saved (Born again) without getting dunked in Water??
Judgement for a Christian... Simple Version.......................
You will be judged by every Idle word that comes out of you mouth...... (Matt 12:36) "I'll explain what these are if you want"
You will be judged for keeping the will of God in your life and doing what your called to do. (Matt 16:27) (1 Cor 3:13)
Jesus said I have come to save the World, not judge the World......even those that reject God's Word are not getting judged now, but for an appointed time...(John 12:47-48)
As a Christian, we are not of this world........ We do get judged.... for judgement starts in our house first...It's now, and here on Earth.
(1 Cor 11:31-32)
We will not take part in the judgement of this World, but will give an account to our Lord... Read dice's post if concerned about "Eternal judgement"
Jesus Is Lord.
Jesus Is Lord.
Lioncub:
You have a scripture that states someone has to have evidence of speaking in tongues to be saved?
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
In the book of Peter we are told getting baptized is a good conscience toward God, but does not take care of the sin, Jesus said if we believe and are baptized we shall be saved.
Jesus said them that don't believe shall be damned. He did not mention being not being baptized. (Which might not happen if you don't believe I guess)
Are there scriptures that can be used where we can actually be saved (Born again) without getting dunked in Water??
Judgement for a Christian... Simple Version.......................
You will be judged by every Idle word that comes out of you mouth...... (Matt 12:36) "I'll explain what these are if you want"
You will be judged for keeping the will of God in your life and doing what your called to do. (Matt 16:27) (1 Cor 3:13)
Jesus said I have come to save the World, not judge the World......even those that reject God's Word are not getting judged now, but for an appointed time...(John 12:47-48)
As a Christian, we are not of this world........ We do get judged.... for judgement starts in our house first...It's now, and here on Earth.
(1 Cor 11:31-32)
We will not take part in the judgement of this World, but will give an account to our Lord... Read dice's post if concerned about "Eternal judgement"
Jesus Is Lord.
Jesus Is Lord.
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Let me just answer the first part of your question first. Jesus said a lot of things, including you must be born again or receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 encapsulates the salvation message very well: Repent, be baptised in water, receive the Holy Spirit. This was Peter's response to the exasperated audience's question of "what should we do" after listening to Peter's address.
Is believing and being baptised in water enough for salvation ? Clearly Peter didn't think so. But another example should clarify this.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 8:17 Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Notice in verse 17 they received the promise, the gift of the Holy Spirit. We also notice that prior to that, in verse 12, they believed Philip "concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ" and had only been baptised in water (verse 16). So perhaps Jesus meant something else that was to follow those who had believed and had been baptised in water which you quoted in Mark 16:16. Indeed in Mark 16:17 we find the following:
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
We see in verse 17, that one of the many signs of believers is that they shall speak with new tongues. What happened on Pentecost to Peter and the 120 when they received the Holy Spirit ? They spoke in tongues.
Now, let's revisit Acts 8 again, and we find no mention that they spoke in tongues. Is the absence of evidence, evidence ? Let's examine verse 18:
Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
What did Simon see that convinced him that the Holy Ghost was given through the laying on of hands ? Simon was a sorcerer, and if those who had received the Holy Spirit did not exhibit some clear sign (i.e. speaking in tongues) how was Simon going to be convinced ? When we read the account of Paul receiving the Holy Spirit, there is no mention of him speaking in tongues. Can we therefore conclude that Paul did not speak in tongues then ? No, because we know from his Corinthian letter that he did speak in tongues. Another example:
Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
How did those of the circumcision know that the gentiles had received the Holy Spirit ? If they hadn't have heard them speak with tongues how could they have known that they had received the Holy Spirit ?
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Brother Mike
Member
Try this again..
Chad:
Checking into it.
Lioncub..........
You had some great scripture on the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues... You even put together the information well...
You proved what may be possible in a believers life....
but you dodged the question.....
Lioncub
What if they never spoke in tongues??
You have a scripture that states someone has to have evidence of speaking in tongues to be saved?
Jesus Is Lord
Chad:
Checking into it.
Lioncub..........
You had some great scripture on the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues... You even put together the information well...
You proved what may be possible in a believers life....
but you dodged the question.....
Lioncub
We see signs that follow them that believe..... What if nobody has cast a devil out?? What if they never laid hands on the sick to have someone healed??
What if they never spoke in tongues??
You have a scripture that states someone has to have evidence of speaking in tongues to be saved?
Jesus Is Lord
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IX. THE JUDGMENTS[/SIZE]
The Bible does not teach a general judgment. Instead, it informs us that there are many judgments, some past, some present and some future. For example, there is the past judgment upon Sodom and there is the future judgment upon Babylon.[/SIZE]
A. Judgments of the Christian.
<DIR><DIR>1. Judgment on Sin. When did this occur? For the Christian this is a past judgment, for all of our sins were judged at Calvary. "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" I Peter 3:18."Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" I Peter 2:24.See also Galatians 3:13;John 3:16;Isaiah 53:5,6.
2. Judgment on Christian Service. No Christian will have to be judged for his sins; they have already been judged upon the Cross of Calvary. The Christian will have to answer to God for his works. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" II Cor. 5:10.Yes, the Christian has escaped the future judgment of the wicked ("Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life" -John 5:24, R.V.), but he shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive rewards for the deeds done in the body. The words, "judgment seat," are from the Greek word "Bema," better translated "Rewarding Stand." This will be set up when Christ comes. "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" Rev. 22:12.There are several crowns that the Christian may achieve:
<DIR><DIR>a. The Crown of Life. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him"Jas. 1:12.See also Revelation 2:10. This is rewarded for faithfulness, even unto death.
b. An Incorruptible Crown. "Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible"I Cor. 9:25.This is a reward for those who live separated lives unto the Lord.[/SIZE]
c. Crown of Rejoicing. "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" I Thess. 2: 19.This is the soul-winner’s crown.[/SIZE]
d. Crown of Glory. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" I Peter 5:2-4.This is the shepherds’, pastors’, or ministers’ reward.[/SIZE]
e. Crown of Righteousness. "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." This crown goes to all who love His second coming. If you love His appearing, you will talk about it. All doctrines are headed up by the Second Coming.[/SIZE]
</DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR>B. Judgment of the Nations.
This takes place at the beginning of the Millennium, the thousand year reign Matt. 25:31-46. A better name for "nations" is "Gentiles." This is the judgment of all Gentiles who come out of the Tribulation alive. There are three classes of people mentioned: sheep, goats and brethren. The brethren are the Jews; the sheep are the righteous; and the goats are the unrighteous.[/SIZE]
The righteous (sheep, Gentiles) go into the kingdom, then on to eternal life. The unrighteous (goats, Gentiles) are sent immediately to the lake of fire; therefore, they will not be judged at the Great White Throne. They go there a thousand years sooner than the wicked dead.[/SIZE]
There are those who contend that this is a judgment of works and that men go to heaven or hell on the basis of their works; for, they say, the Scriptures state that this judgment is based upon the words "inasmuch as ye have done it, or inasmuch as ye did it not." However, we will show that it is still a judgment based upon faith. The Lord, here, is the judge, and He does mete out judgment on the basis of the words "inasmuch as . . . But let us ask, What prompted the sheep nations to minister to the brethren, the Jews, during the Tribulation? They did it because they accepted the brethren’s preaching. Do you think that they would have visited, clothed, fed and ministered to the brethren during the Tribulation if they had not believed? Remember, the Tribulation is going to be a time of peril. Man will not be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast. The sheep (Gentiles) defy this order, reject the mark of the beast, and accept what the brethren preach. We know they accept Christ, for the Lord has said, "He that receiveth you receiveth me" Matt. 10:40. Again we emphasize that the sheep (Gentiles) are saved because of their faith in Christ, for Revelation 7:14 declares it so: "He said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation [the Great Tribulation], and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." The unrighteous nations (goats, Gentiles) are cast into hell because of their unbelief. They rejected the brethren, thus rejecting Christ.[/SIZE]
C. Judgment at the Great White Throne.[/SIZE]
This great judgment is found in Revelation 20:11-15:"I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works." It is the judgment only of the wicked dead who have been raised at the last resurrection. No born-again believer shall appear here. The wicked dead are not to be tried as to whether they are going to heaven or hell; it has already been determined that they are going to hell, for they died condemned John 3:18.]). This judgment is to determine the degrees of punishment, "according to their works" Rev. 20:13.There are two witnesses against them: The Book, and the Books; that is, the Book of Life, and the Book of Works. We do not know what the different degrees of punishment will be. [/SIZE]
BIBLE DOCTRINES
Beliefs That Matter
by MARK G. CAMBRON, D.D.
The Bible does not teach a general judgment. Instead, it informs us that there are many judgments, some past, some present and some future. For example, there is the past judgment upon Sodom and there is the future judgment upon Babylon.[/SIZE]
A. Judgments of the Christian.
<DIR><DIR>1. Judgment on Sin. When did this occur? For the Christian this is a past judgment, for all of our sins were judged at Calvary. "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" I Peter 3:18."Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" I Peter 2:24.See also Galatians 3:13;John 3:16;Isaiah 53:5,6.
2. Judgment on Christian Service. No Christian will have to be judged for his sins; they have already been judged upon the Cross of Calvary. The Christian will have to answer to God for his works. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" II Cor. 5:10.Yes, the Christian has escaped the future judgment of the wicked ("Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life" -John 5:24, R.V.), but he shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive rewards for the deeds done in the body. The words, "judgment seat," are from the Greek word "Bema," better translated "Rewarding Stand." This will be set up when Christ comes. "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" Rev. 22:12.There are several crowns that the Christian may achieve:
<DIR><DIR>a. The Crown of Life. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him"Jas. 1:12.See also Revelation 2:10. This is rewarded for faithfulness, even unto death.
b. An Incorruptible Crown. "Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible"I Cor. 9:25.This is a reward for those who live separated lives unto the Lord.[/SIZE]
c. Crown of Rejoicing. "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" I Thess. 2: 19.This is the soul-winner’s crown.[/SIZE]
d. Crown of Glory. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" I Peter 5:2-4.This is the shepherds’, pastors’, or ministers’ reward.[/SIZE]
e. Crown of Righteousness. "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." This crown goes to all who love His second coming. If you love His appearing, you will talk about it. All doctrines are headed up by the Second Coming.[/SIZE]
</DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR>B. Judgment of the Nations.
This takes place at the beginning of the Millennium, the thousand year reign Matt. 25:31-46. A better name for "nations" is "Gentiles." This is the judgment of all Gentiles who come out of the Tribulation alive. There are three classes of people mentioned: sheep, goats and brethren. The brethren are the Jews; the sheep are the righteous; and the goats are the unrighteous.[/SIZE]
The righteous (sheep, Gentiles) go into the kingdom, then on to eternal life. The unrighteous (goats, Gentiles) are sent immediately to the lake of fire; therefore, they will not be judged at the Great White Throne. They go there a thousand years sooner than the wicked dead.[/SIZE]
There are those who contend that this is a judgment of works and that men go to heaven or hell on the basis of their works; for, they say, the Scriptures state that this judgment is based upon the words "inasmuch as ye have done it, or inasmuch as ye did it not." However, we will show that it is still a judgment based upon faith. The Lord, here, is the judge, and He does mete out judgment on the basis of the words "inasmuch as . . . But let us ask, What prompted the sheep nations to minister to the brethren, the Jews, during the Tribulation? They did it because they accepted the brethren’s preaching. Do you think that they would have visited, clothed, fed and ministered to the brethren during the Tribulation if they had not believed? Remember, the Tribulation is going to be a time of peril. Man will not be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast. The sheep (Gentiles) defy this order, reject the mark of the beast, and accept what the brethren preach. We know they accept Christ, for the Lord has said, "He that receiveth you receiveth me" Matt. 10:40. Again we emphasize that the sheep (Gentiles) are saved because of their faith in Christ, for Revelation 7:14 declares it so: "He said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation [the Great Tribulation], and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." The unrighteous nations (goats, Gentiles) are cast into hell because of their unbelief. They rejected the brethren, thus rejecting Christ.[/SIZE]
C. Judgment at the Great White Throne.[/SIZE]
This great judgment is found in Revelation 20:11-15:"I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works." It is the judgment only of the wicked dead who have been raised at the last resurrection. No born-again believer shall appear here. The wicked dead are not to be tried as to whether they are going to heaven or hell; it has already been determined that they are going to hell, for they died condemned John 3:18.]). This judgment is to determine the degrees of punishment, "according to their works" Rev. 20:13.There are two witnesses against them: The Book, and the Books; that is, the Book of Life, and the Book of Works. We do not know what the different degrees of punishment will be. [/SIZE]
BIBLE DOCTRINES
Beliefs That Matter
by MARK G. CAMBRON, D.D.
Brother Mike,
All believers can exhibit all the signs in Mark 16.
Speaking in tongues is the initial sign of receiving the Holy Spirit and since it is also used as prayer to build one up, it would or should be exhibited frequently by the believer. All the other signs are situational. In other words, their usage is dependent on particular situations occuring. If you never came across someone who was possessed by a devil, then you would have no need to exercise the sign of casting out devils. Likewise, if you never imbibed anything deadly or came across a sick person or came across a serpent, you would have no need to exhibit these signs, but that doesn't mean that you are not able to exhibit these signs if the situation arises.
Many claim to have received the Holy Spirit but don't speak in tongues. How do they know that they have received the Spirit ? Does God make it unclear to them ? Is God not a God of signs and wonders ? Did the 120 receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in complete silence ?