PREPARE FOR JUDGMENT
By W. G. Guy
Hebrews 9:27 – And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Before getting into this topic we need to understand what judgment is and how it applies. Judgment is basically coming to a conclusion; making a determination, decision or opinion based on inquiry, findings or evidence.
The Bible identifies two judicial type of divine judgment days that mankind faces before the LORD. One will be for the true followers of Jesus Christ for how they conducted their lives; and also to determine their eternal rewards. This is called the judgment Seat of Christ.
Romans 14:10-12 – But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
There are books of remembrance that are recorded in heaven for each one of us as to how we lived, what we did, what we said, what we thought, and how we represented Jesus in this life after He became part of our lives.
Malachi 3:16-17 – Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Our past sins were totally forgiven if we confessed them and repented from doing such. Then rewards are given for our obedience to His directives allowing Him to use each of us according to His will.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 – every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Jesus gave us an example of the rewards for His faithful and obedient servants. The rewards appear to be ruling positions in His kingdom when He returns.
Matthew 25:21 – His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
The second judgment is for the wicked; those who worship other gods or religions; the unbelievers or fake believers who knew of Jesus Christ but did not have a relationship with Him. God the Father will judge these people because they did not accept Jesus; and many even opposing Him. This is called the Great White Throne judgment; and this judgment is eternal condemnation in the Lake of Fire.
Revelation 20:10-15 – And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 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. 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. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
This end destination will also apply to those who were and are false preachers, prophets and ministers as Jesus stated.
Matthew 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.
Such false ministers were doing their own thing which was sin, called iniquity or rebellion. They obviously were doing “their” work of ministry for personal gain, benefit, or fame: obviously not for Jesus Christ.
Following are some scriptures that speak of judgment that are worthy of serious consideration.
Matthew 7:2 – For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 12:36 – But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
The Lord will judge us based on how we deal with others. Jesus is qualified to judge us because he lived as a man and knows exactly how things are on this earth; and He will judge righteously because He knows the will of the Father.
John 5:22, 27 & 30 – For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 8:16 – And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
John 7:24 – Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
We must understand that things are not what they appear to be; so we need discernment in order to make right decisions. There are those who teach that we are not to judge, but we are required to judge, that is to make sound decisions in order to avoid pitfalls and corruption.
1 John 4:1 – Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Throughout the Book of Psalms we are told that the wicked will all be judged for their wickedness. This is summarized by the apostle Paul:
Romans 1:29-32 – (The wicked) being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Paul adds further to the warning of these sinners:
Romans 2:2-3 & 5-6 – But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds:
2 Thessalonians 1:5-6 – which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense (reward) tribulation to them that trouble you;
What about those who have believed then turn away or fall into apostasy and unbelief?
Hebrews 4:6 & 11 – Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Beware of the greasy grace preachers that refuse to preach against sin and the need for repentance. I knew a preacher who did this and winked at sin saying that God loves you just the way you are. But Jesus died because of the way we are, sinners in need of His atonement and forgiveness.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Without repentance there is no change. That pastor destroyed his church.
Romans 6:1-4 – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Don’t practice sin: instead practice righteousness, morality, truth and purity, just like Jesus; being Christ-like or Christian.
Hebrews 10:26-27 – For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Judgement, or corrective punishment, even comes to the churches; especially those that fail to properly represent Christ: those that are “lukewarm”.
1 Peter 4:17 – For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
So we need to prepare for the day of reckoning when all shall be exposed and receive a just compensation for the way they lived.
2 Peter 2:9 – the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
1 John 4:17 – Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Jude 1:14-15 – ……Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Revelation 14:7 – saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Jesus warned us that, as true believers, we would be hated and abused by this world and its systems. Some have had to endure torture and death, but He will reward those who have endured and been faithful. And that reward is forever, even beyond the thousand year millennial reign with Him on this earth.
Revelation 20:4-6 – And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
In addition to the judgments of Christ, and of God the Father, those who are Christ’s followers also need to exercise their own judgments. We need to make choices and decisions that are true and righteous in order to live pleasing to our LORD. Right choices, or righteous determinations, are what we will be judged for in how we conducted ourselves as His children in this life. All of creation is looking for this.
Romans 8:19 – For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Are you prepared to judge properly the issues you face in this life? Are you prepared to face His judgment and to be rewarded? Or will you just make it in - - - or not?
PREPARE FOR JUDGMENT
By W. G. Guy
Hebrews 9:27 – And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Before getting into this topic we need to understand what judgment is and how it applies. Judgment is basically coming to a conclusion; making a determination, decision or opinion based on inquiry, findings or evidence.
The Bible identifies two judicial type of divine judgment days that mankind faces before the LORD. One will be for the true followers of Jesus Christ for how they conducted their lives; and also to determine their eternal rewards. This is called the judgment Seat of Christ.
Romans 14:10-12 – But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
There are books of remembrance that are recorded in heaven for each one of us as to how we lived, what we did, what we said, what we thought, and how we represented Jesus in this life after He became part of our lives.
Malachi 3:16-17 – Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Our past sins were totally forgiven if we confessed them and repented from doing such. Then rewards are given for our obedience to His directives allowing Him to use each of us according to His will.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 – every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Jesus gave us an example of the rewards for His faithful and obedient servants. The rewards appear to be ruling positions in His kingdom when He returns.
Matthew 25:21 – His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
The second judgment is for the wicked; those who worship other gods or religions; the unbelievers or fake believers who knew of Jesus Christ but did not have a relationship with Him. God the Father will judge these people because they did not accept Jesus; and many even opposing Him. This is called the Great White Throne judgment; and this judgment is eternal condemnation in the Lake of Fire.
Revelation 20:10-15 – And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 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. 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. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
This end destination will also apply to those who were and are false preachers, prophets and ministers as Jesus stated.
Matthew 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.
Such false ministers were doing their own thing which was sin, called iniquity or rebellion. They obviously were doing “their” work of ministry for personal gain, benefit, or fame: obviously not for Jesus Christ.
Following are some scriptures that speak of judgment that are worthy of serious consideration.
Matthew 7:2 – For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 12:36 – But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
The Lord will judge us based on how we deal with others. Jesus is qualified to judge us because he lived as a man and knows exactly how things are on this earth; and He will judge righteously because He knows the will of the Father.
John 5:22, 27 & 30 – For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 8:16 – And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
John 7:24 – Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
We must understand that things are not what they appear to be; so we need discernment in order to make right decisions. There are those who teach that we are not to judge, but we are required to judge, that is to make sound decisions in order to avoid pitfalls and corruption.
1 John 4:1 – Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Throughout the Book of Psalms we are told that the wicked will all be judged for their wickedness. This is summarized by the apostle Paul:
Romans 1:29-32 – (The wicked) being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Paul adds further to the warning of these sinners:
Romans 2:2-3 & 5-6 – But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds:
2 Thessalonians 1:5-6 – which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense (reward) tribulation to them that trouble you;
What about those who have believed then turn away or fall into apostasy and unbelief?
Hebrews 4:6 & 11 – Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Beware of the greasy grace preachers that refuse to preach against sin and the need for repentance. I knew a preacher who did this and winked at sin saying that God loves you just the way you are. But Jesus died because of the way we are, sinners in need of His atonement and forgiveness.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Without repentance there is no change. That pastor destroyed his church.
Romans 6:1-4 – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Don’t practice sin: instead practice righteousness, morality, truth and purity, just like Jesus; being Christ-like or Christian.
Hebrews 10:26-27 – For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Judgement, or corrective punishment, even comes to the churches; especially those that fail to properly represent Christ: those that are “lukewarm”.
1 Peter 4:17 – For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
So we need to prepare for the day of reckoning when all shall be exposed and receive a just compensation for the way they lived.
2 Peter 2:9 – the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
1 John 4:17 – Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Jude 1:14-15 – ……Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Revelation 14:7 – saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Jesus warned us that, as true believers, we would be hated and abused by this world and its systems. Some have had to endure torture and death, but He will reward those who have endured and been faithful. And that reward is forever, even beyond the thousand year millennial reign with Him on this earth.
Revelation 20:4-6 – And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
In addition to the judgments of Christ, and of God the Father, those who are Christ’s followers also need to exercise their own judgments. We need to make choices and decisions that are true and righteous in order to live pleasing to our LORD. Right choices, or righteous determinations, are what we will be judged for in how we conducted ourselves as His children in this life. All of creation is looking for this.
Romans 8:19 – For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Are you prepared to judge properly the issues you face in this life? Are you prepared to face His judgment and to be rewarded? Or will you just make it in - - - or not?
