Then The Judgment
Mankind's Future Reality
The Bible holds a truth that is sure to be experienced by all who had lived before us, a truth for us all now and a truth for all who will live after us: - "...[mankind] is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) The Apostle Paul laid it out clearly for Christians, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10) This is the judgment for those who truly know Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. The Bible says our, "...work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) For non-Christians there will be the White Throne Judgment were the dead, those who died with out Jesus Christ being their true Savior and Lord will be judged. (Revelations 20:11-15; Hughes, R. B., & Laney, J. C. (2001). Tyndale concise Bible commentary (p. 747). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.; Evans, W., & Coder, S. M. (1974). The great doctrines of the Bible (Enl. ed., p. 255). Chicago: Moody Press.) It is imperative, we must understand, now we have the privilege of grace, once we enter the river of death, then the judgment. There is going to be an accounting for every careless word spoken (Matthew 12:36), for every sinful action lived out (1 Corinthians 6:10), everything done for or against Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:30). Every unjust killing will face a God who is Just, the God who hands out Justice in His time. (Genesis Flood; Continents in Collision; Psalm 103:6; Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc. ) Every unjust death of a child, every act of the sinful nature will be dwelt with by a God who says, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord." (Romans 12:19)
Most everything in this world reflects the fact of a judgment. For example; It is base ball season, it is the last game of the World Series, the score is tied, it is the bottom of the ninth, the bases are loaded, it is a full count, three balls - two strikes. The pitcher throws the ball - the batter hits the ball to center field. The man on third base heads for home plate, the man in center field throws towards home - it is going to be close - the third base runner slides into home, the catcher makes the catch and moves for the tag out. Then the judgment, the crowd waits for the umpire's call, safe or out. There is going the be an eternal call made by God, He never miss's a call, are you safe from the judgment to come, do you know Christ's as Savior and Lord?
"There is great danger in misunderstanding God’s essential character. He is a God of justice as well as of love. He will inflict punishment where punishment is due. There is mercy available through Jesus Christ, but that mercy becomes effective only to those who appropriate it, who accept it." - (AMG Bible Illustrations. (2000). Chattanooga: AMG Publishers.)
