CHAPTER 7 — THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD
Theme Verse
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)
Introduction
Every human being will one day stand before God.
Kings and servants.
Rich and poor.
Young and old.
Believers and unbelievers.
No one will escape that appointment.
The Bible teaches that death is not the end of accountability. Beyond the grave lies a day when every person will answer before the righteous Judge of all the earth.
For many, the word judgment inspires fear. Yet Scripture presents God's judgments as perfectly holy, perfectly just, and perfectly true. No evidence will be overlooked. No innocent person will be condemned. No act of wickedness will remain hidden. No deed done in faithful obedience will be forgotten.
Understanding God's judgments helps us appreciate both His justice and His mercy, reminding us that salvation is found only through Jesus Christ.
God Is the Perfect Judge
Human courts can make mistakes.
Witnesses may lie.
Evidence may be incomplete.
Judges may be influenced by prejudice or corruption.
God is unlike any earthly judge.
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
Genesis 18:25
God knows every thought, every motive, every word, and every action.
Nothing escapes His knowledge.
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
Hebrews 4:13
His judgments are never based upon appearances but upon perfect truth.
Judgment Is Certain
Many people live as though they will never answer to anyone.
Scripture repeatedly warns that every person will give an account.
Jesus taught:
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
Matthew 12:36
Paul likewise wrote:
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
Romans 14:12
No life is insignificant.
Every life matters because every life was created by God.
Different Judgments in Scripture
The Bible describes several judgments that occur at different times and for different purposes.
Understanding these distinctions prevents confusion when reading prophetic passages.
Among the major judgments discussed in Scripture are:
The judgment of believers' works (often called the Judgment Seat of Christ)
The judgment of the nations
The Great White Throne Judgment
Various temporal judgments throughout history
God's final judgment upon Satan and all evil
Each serves a unique purpose within God's redemptive plan.
The next two chapters will examine the two judgments that directly affect every person: the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment.
Judgment Does Not Determine Salvation
One of the most important truths to understand is that salvation is never earned through good works.
We are saved only by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith... not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2:8–9
Good works cannot erase sin.
Religious activity cannot purchase forgiveness.
Church attendance cannot justify the soul.
Only the finished work of Christ can reconcile sinners to God.
Because of this, judgment does not decide whether Christ's sacrifice was sufficient—it reveals whether a person trusted Him.
God's Justice and God's Mercy
Throughout Scripture, justice and mercy meet perfectly in Jesus Christ.
God did not ignore sin.
He judged it completely at the cross.
There the wrath deserved by sinners was borne by the sinless Son of God.
Those who receive Christ are forgiven because their judgment has already fallen upon Him.
Those who reject Christ remain accountable for their own sin.
Jesus declared:
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already..."
John 3:18
The cross demonstrates that God is both perfectly just and abundantly merciful.
Living in Light of Judgment
Knowing that we will one day stand before God should shape how we live today.
It should encourage honesty.
Integrity.
Faithfulness.
Repentance.
Forgiveness.
Holy living.
Not because we seek to earn salvation, but because we love the One who saved us.
Peter wrote:
"And if ye call on the Father... pass the time of your sojourning here in fear."
1 Peter 1:17
Biblical fear is not terror for the believer, but reverent awe that recognizes God's holiness and our accountability before Him.
The Hope of the Believer
For those who belong to Christ, judgment is no longer the terror it once was.
Jesus promised:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 5:24
The believer does not face judgment wondering whether Christ's sacrifice is enough.
He already knows the answer.
The empty tomb has settled that question forever.
Instead, believers look forward with confidence, knowing that their Savior is also their Advocate.
Looking Ahead
If believers are not judged for condemnation, what judgment will they experience?
Scripture teaches that every Christian will appear before Christ to have his or her life examined—not for salvation, but for reward and faithful stewardship.
The next chapter explores the Judgment Seat of Christ, where the works of every believer will be revealed and tested.