It has been said that the only two things in life that are certain are “death and taxes.” I think that a more correct phrase would be that there are three, “death, taxes, and JUDGMENT.” At least, that is the idea that is put forth in Hebrews 9:27, when the writer states, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” The judgment of man is an event which draws inexorably closer to each of us. We cannot avoid it, so we must be ready for it when it comes. There are many errors and misunderstandings about the judgment of man. This article will address a few by pointing out scripture which serves to refute each error.
- Error # 1: ONLY THE WICKED WILL BE JUDGED.
2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things {done} in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
- Error # 2: ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS WILL BE JUDGED, THE WICKED WILL NEVER BE RESURRECTED.
John 5:28-29, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
- Error # 3: THE RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED WILL NOT BE RAISED AND JUDGED AT THE SAME TIME.
Daniel 12:2, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame {and} everlasting contempt.” (Obviously, this has reference to a single event. SC)
- Error # 4: BACKSLIDERS WILL NOT BE CONDEMNED AT THE JUDGMENT, FOR THEY CANNOT FALL FROM GRACE.
Hebrews 10:29, “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”
- Error # 5: AFTER A MAN DIES, HE WILL HAVE A SECOND CHANCE.
Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
- Error # 6: THE LORD HAS APPOINTED A THOUSAND YEARS IN WHICH TO JUDGE THE WORLD.
Acts 17:31, “Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Now, finally, some important facts about our resurrection:
- Fact # 1: IT IS AS CERTAIN AS OUR LORD’S RESURRECTION.
Acts 17:31, “Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
- Fact # 2: IT IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS CHRIST’S PROVISION OF HEAVEN.
Revelation 22:14, “Blessed {are} those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”
- Fact # 3: IT IS AS TERRIBLE AS THE VENGEANCE OF THE LIVING GOD.
Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
- Fact # 4: IT IS AS JUST AS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LIVING GOD.
Acts 17:31, “Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
- Fact # 5: IT IS AS FAIR AS THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE LIVING GOD.
Acts 10:34, “Then Peter opened {his} mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.”
- Fact # 6: IT IS AS ACCURATE AS THE TRUTH OF GOD.
Romans 2:2, “But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.”
- Fact # 7: IT IS AS FINAL AS THE CLOSED DOOR OF HEAVEN.
Matthew 25:10, “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.”
Luke 13:25, “When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, `Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, `I do not know you, where you are from?’ “
The judgment of God can be something to look forward to, if we are prepared. That is the question you must ask yourself, “Am I prepared?” Brethren and friends, think on these things.
(Based on material found in booklet, Ready Answers to Religious Errors)
