Judgment is a sorting process. The Greek word for judge is “Krino,” which means, “to separate or make a distinction, try, sentence and decide”. God will separate people on the basis of their response to Jesus, through examination and a final decree or decision.
Old Testament Picture of Judgment
(4) They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;
(5) they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
(6) Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.
(7) The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
(8) The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.”
(9) So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.
What happened when the people grew impatient and spoke against God and Moses?
What happened when Moses prayed for help?
What happened to people who looked up to the bronze snake?
Note: Bronze symbolized judgment, yet there was also salvation.
New Testament Picture of Judgment
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
(23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 (NIV)
(23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Do we deserve judgment?
(14) Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
(15) that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
(16) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
(18) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
(19) This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
(20) Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
(21) But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
What happens when we look up to Jesus’ work on the cross?
Who Will Be the Judge?
John 5:22 (NIV)
(22) Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,
Acts 17:31 (NIV)
(31) For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
What Is the Process of Judgment?
Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
(13) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Proverbs 15:11 (NIV)
(11) Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord — how much more do human hearts!
Why is God’s judgment not like the courts?
Will Judgment Be Righteous and Just?
(13) Let all creation rejoice before the Lord , for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Read the following scriptures and name the key aspects of the process.
Romans 2:11 (NIV)
(11) For God does not show favoritism.
Revelations 20:12a (NIV)
(12) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
Is it impartial?
(16) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
What is the message or Gospel?
(2) for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
Is it accurate?
(12) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
What were they judged according to?
(36) But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
Will it be thorough?
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NIV)
(13) Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
(14) For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Romans 2:16 (NIV)
(16) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
What about secrets?
Ask
Do you have any other questions about the process of Judgment?
Application
Why are these truths important?
How should the following scripture cause me to live?
(22) Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
Prayer Model
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your work on the cross. I look to You for my salvation. Help me to live a thankful life, preparing here on earth for a purposeful eternity with You.
Key Verse
“And this is the message I proclaim – that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.”
