God Judges Series

I’m going to give you a test this morning. I’m going to present facts regarding an historical figure from the back in the 1700s, and then I’m going to ask you who I have described: He was a brilliant general who won several battles for his nation, but over time, this general became angry about how he felt he was being treated. Money was tight, and he’d been passed over several times for promotion. Then he hurt his left leg in a battle at place called Saratoga. Because of the leg wound, it was possible that his military career was ended. He became bitter and resentful and he switched sides, betrayed his country, and began fighting for the enemy. The enemy entrusted this general with 1600 troops to attack and destroy one of the major cities of the day… a placed called Richmond, Virginia. To this day, this general’s name is a by-word for betrayal and treachery. Does anyone know the name of this general?

That’s right: Benedict Arnold.

Remember - Arnold had destroyed the city of Richmond, Virginia; and during the American Revolution, a Virginian was asked what they’d do if they ever caught Benedict Arnold. He replied that they would cut off his left leg (that had been damaged at Saratoga) and bury it with full military honors.

The rest of him… they would hang. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR46G-pwszI)

As you can imagine, THAT final judgment appealed to a lot of American colonists. Benedict Arnold had betrayed his nation out of bitterness and pride and they felt he deserved to be properly punished. Ultimately, he found that no one wanted him around - the American’s didn’t want him, and the British didn’t trust him, and he was buried… in forgotten grave. One historian - while hunting for his burial place, found it hidden behind some rubble – with lettering painted on the concrete wall of the crypt. (https://theviewfromchelsea.com/2020/09/27/benedict-arnold-an-american-patriot-in-london/)

Final Judgment appeals to us, that’s why the last of our favorite verses is all about judgment: 2 Corinthians 5:10 says “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

People like the idea of judgment - not for themselves, mind you - but they find satisfaction that bad people will pay a price. One person noted that God wouldn’t be a righteous God if there was NOT a time when sinners would finally be punished. Mass murderers, rapists, child molesters, crooked politicians… and the list goes on and on and on. Our very essence cries out that there needs to be a day of judgment. Because if there isn’t day of judgment, God could not be a righteous God.

And the Bible repeatedly tells us… there is going to come a day when everyone will appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil

Over and over again, the Bible drives that point home: Romans talks of people who are “filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.” Romans 1:29-31

And then Paul writes: “Because of your hard and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed…. on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” Romans 2:5, 16.

John wrote: I saw the dead - great and small - standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:12-15

Daniel 12:2 sums it up with these words: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

There will be a day of judgement because God IS a righteous God. And it’s so much a part of our message that nearly 80% of American’s believe “we will all be called before God at the Judgment Day to answer for our sins.”