STUDY No. 47 - THE JUDGEMENTS

Every heart concedes the justice and certainty of judgement. What the heart feels, the scripture truth confirms. The declaration of divine judgement runs through the whole of scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

It is a God of judgement who commands and warns and then executes judgement upon Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis. 2:16, 17 and Genesis 3:1-24).

Abraham recognises then declares God to be the Judge of all the earth - Genesis 18:25.
Prophetic utterances concerning judgement continue until Revelation 22:19.

THE JUDGEMENTS OF GOD

As we move into this study, once again we find differences of opinion among the most godly scholars. These will concern the time, the order, the place, the persons and the purposes of the judgements of God.

We shall consider FIVE SPECIFIC judgements of God which some have defined in scripture and give the scriptures from which details of these judgements can be studied. But even in doing this, there will be those who object to certain scriptures being given, or who would have preferred other scriptures to have been given. Some would want to include other judgements (angels and Satan) and give other scriptures.

1 - THE JUDGEMENT UPON SIN

This of course took place at Calvary. Here are some scriptures for you to prayerfully consider:
 
John 3:14-16 John 12:31-33 John 16:11 John 19:30
Romans. 6:6, 7 Romans 7:6 Romans 8:3 2 Corinthians 5:14
Galatians 2:20 Galatians 6:14 Hebrews 9:26-28 1 John 5:18, 29

2 - THE JUDGEMENT OF BELIEVERS

This of course has to do with our behaviour, i.e. how we have lived our lives in word and deed since we became a Christian.
 Luke 14:14  Romans 14:10  1 Corinthians 3:10-17
 1 Corinthians 3:13  1 Corinthians 4:5  2 Corinthians 5:10
 Revelation 2:10  Revelation 3:11  Revelation 19:1, 7, 8

3 - THE JUDGEMENT OF ISRAEL

Many believe that this takes place during the tribulation, when God is dealing with His own people, Israel.
 Ezekiel 20:33-36  Ezekiel 37:1-14  Malachi 3:1-5
 Matthew 19:28  Matthew 24:31  Matthew 25:14-30
The judgement is very severe indeed and the question arises 'who can abide it? Apparently only one-third of the Israelites will survive (Zechariah 13:8, 9).

4 - THE JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS

The key verse concerning this judgement is clearly recorded for us in Matthew 25:31, 32. We have to consider other portions of holy scripture to determine just when, where, how and why this judgement is depicted in detail:
 Isaiah 19:24, 25  Daniel 9:27  Joel 3  Zechariah 14:1, 2
 Matthew 13:36-43  Matthew 13:47-50  Matthew 24:35  Matthew 25:15, 16
 Revelation 12:6  Revelation 12:13-16  Revelation 13:5, 7  Revelation 19:11-21

5 - THE JUDGEMENT OF THE WICKED

This is also generally known as the GREAT WHITE THRONE IUDGEMENT. There is a finality about this judgement, portrayed in 1 Corinthians 15:24.
 John 5:29   1 Corinthians 6:2, 3  2 Peter 3:7-10

The whole of Revelation 20 needs to be read carefully, and as you do so, ask the LORD to open the eyes of your understanding (see Luke 24:32).
 

Matthew 10:28  Mark 9:47, 48 Jude 13

Studying THE JUDGEMENTS OF GOD is an occasion for some solemnity of thought. We can, however, rest in the same assurance as that of faithful Abraham. (Genesis 18:25).

There is also the thought
"With mercy and With judgement,
MY web of time He wove...."
WHO WILL RECEIVE THESE CROWNS?
 The Crown of LIFE   Revelation. 2:10;     James 1:12
 The Crown of RIGHTEOUSNESS  2 Timothy 4:8
 The Crown of INCORRUPTION  1 Corinthians 9:24-27
 The Crown of REJOICING  l Thessalonians 2:19
 The Crown of GLORY  1 Peter 5:2-4
LETS GO FOR GOLD

"Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love and praise."

"Holy, Holy, Holy! - all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea..."

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