Bible teaching concerning the judgment is one of the basic principles of the one faith, which must be clearly understood before baptism (Acts 24:25; Hebrews 6:2). Frequently the Scriptures speak of “the day of judgment” (e.g. 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7; 1 John 4:17; Jude 1:6), a time when those who have been given the knowledge of God will receive their reward. All these must “stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10); we “appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10) to receive a recompense for our lives in a bodily form.
Daniel’s visions concerning Christ’s second coming, included one of this judgment seat in the form of a throne (Daniel 7:9-14). The parables help to flesh out the details somewhat. That of the talents likens it to the return of a master, who calls his servants and assesses how well they have used the money which he had left them (Matthew 25:14-29). The parable of the fishermen likens the call of the gospel to a fishing net, gathering all kinds of people; the men then sat down (cp. the judgment sitting) and divided the good fish from the bad (Matthew 13:47-49). The interpretation is clear: “At the end of the world the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just”
From what we have seen so far, it is fair to assume that after the Lord’s return and the resurrection, there will be a gathering together of all who have been called to the Gospel to a certain place at a specific time, when they will meet Christ. An account will have to be given by them, and he will indicate whether or not they are acceptable to receive the reward of entering the Kingdom. It is only at this point that the righteous receive their reward. All this is brought together by the parable of the sheep and goats: “The Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory (David’s throne in Jerusalem, Luke 1:32,33): and before him shall be gathered all nations (i.e.people from all nations, cp. Matthew 28:19): and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you” (Matthew 25:31-34).
To continue reading this Bible article, click here.
Author: Duncan Heaster
Keywords: Hell, Gehenna, Afterlife, Resurrection, Death, Life after death, The judgment, The judgement, Judgement, Judgment, The Final Judgement, The Final Judgment, Eternal judgement, Eternal judgment, Everlasting judgement, Everlasting judgment, Judgement seat, Judgment seat, Judgment seat of Christ, Judgement seat of Christ, Hell fire, Eternal torment, Eternal punishment, Punishing forever, Gehenna fire
Bible reference(s): Dan. 12:2, Matt. 13:47-49, Matt. 25:31-34, John 5:29, Acts 24:25, Rom. 14:10, 2 Cor. 5:10, 2 Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 6:2, 2 Pet. 2:9, 2 Peter 3:7, 1 John 4:17, Jude 1:6, Revelation 11:18
Source: Bible Basics.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.