Judgment
Summary
The biblical concept of God's evaluation of human conduct and the rendering of verdicts based on moral and spiritual standards, culminating in a final day when all humanity will appear before the divine tribunal to give account.
☩Old Testament Foundation
The idea of judgment is inherent in divine government—a ruler who asserts authority must call wrongdoers to account. Long before the great prophets, Israel worshipped Yahweh as a God of judgment who avenged not only insults against His honor but deeds of violence and wrong. Justice was administered in His name, and as supreme Judge He ensured that right was done. The prophets developed this concept further: Yahweh is the World-ruler and Judge before whom not only Israel but all nations stand at His bar. His judgments rest on purely moral grounds and are absolutely just. Even Israel receives no exemption: 'You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.'
☩The Day of the Lord
The prophets recognized that correspondence between desert and destiny is imperfect in the present order. Their faith found refuge in the conception of a great future day—'the day of the Lord'—when God would decisively intervene in human affairs to overthrow His enemies and inaugurate a new era. For Israel this day would be one of sifting and purging; for her oppressors, a day of terror and anguish. The Book of Daniel (165 BC) introduced the concept of resurrection for judgment: 'The judgment was set and the books were opened... Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.' This apocalyptic vision of a final judgment involving both the living and the dead became foundational for New Testament eschatology.
☩Jesus as Judge
In all four Gospels, Jesus is presented as the Judge of humanity. 'The Father has given all judgment to the Son' (John 5:22). He came into the world for judgment, separating people under moral tests. Matthew especially emphasizes Christ's discriminating work—separating sheep from goats, wheat from tares, grain from chaff, sincere believers from hypocrites. His disciples are associated with Him in judgment, sitting on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. It is fitting that He who mediated creation and redemption should pronounce judgment upon humanity's response to these sovereign acts. All judgment ultimately concerns one's attitude toward Christ Himself.
☩Standards of Judgment
Jesus presented numerous concrete tests by which people may judge themselves in this life. These standards include: following Him, confessing Him, believing in Him, honoring Him, obeying Him, bearing good fruit, using God-given gifts, forgiving others, faith versus unbelief, words spoken, and deeds performed. Works and deeds are consistently reviewed as evidence of one's true relationship to Christ. The great commandments—loving God with all one's heart and one's neighbor as oneself—constitute the supreme standard. Every kindness to a disciple will be rewarded; every cause of stumbling will be punished. No one can plead ignorance, for these varied tests clearly cover every phase of human life, both inward and outward.
☩The Final Judgment
The continuous judgment in this life will culminate in a final crisis. The inequalities of this present order—where the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer—demand a final adjusting of accounts on principles of eternal equity. The parable of Dives and Lazarus illustrates this final accounting and readjustment of conditions. This final judgment occurs 'at the end of the world' when Christ returns in glory. The books will be opened, and all humanity—both living and dead—will be gathered before the throne to receive according to their deeds. For the righteous, there awaits blessed and deathless life in God's presence; for the wicked, everlasting destruction. The character of Jesus Christ serves as the supreme and final standard by which all will be measured.
Related Verses523 mentions
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Judgment Damnation," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Judgment," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).