The concept of judgment is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's righteousness and justice. Scripture affirms that all men will face judgment, a truth that underscores the accountability of every individual before God.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently teaches that judgment is universal, encompassing all humanity. In Ecclesiastes 12:14 , it is written, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil." This verse highlights the comprehensive nature of divine judgment, where every action and intention is subject to God's scrutiny.

The New Testament further emphasizes this universality. In Romans 14:10-12 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.' So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." This passage underscores the inevitability of judgment for all individuals, regardless of status or background.

The Role of Jesus Christ

Central to the Christian understanding of judgment is the role of Jesus Christ as the appointed judge. In John 5:22 , Jesus declares, "Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son." This assignment of judgment to Christ is further affirmed in Acts 17:31 , where Paul states, "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."

Criteria of Judgment

The criteria for judgment are rooted in one's response to God's revelation and the moral law. In Matthew 12:36-37 , Jesus warns, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." This indicates that speech, as well as actions, will be evaluated.

Moreover, the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46 illustrates that judgment will consider acts of compassion and service to others, reflecting one's relationship with Christ. The righteous are commended for their deeds of kindness, while the unrighteous are condemned for their neglect.

The Finality and Impartiality of Judgment

The Bible portrays the final judgment as both definitive and impartial. Hebrews 9:27 states, "Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment," indicating the finality of this divine assessment. Furthermore, 1 Peter 1:17 affirms God's impartiality: "Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners."

Implications for Believers and Unbelievers

For believers, the judgment is not a cause for fear but a call to live in accordance with God's will, as they are assured of salvation through faith in Christ. Romans 8:1 provides comfort: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

For unbelievers, the judgment serves as a solemn warning of the consequences of rejecting God's offer of salvation. Revelation 20:12 describes the scene: "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 their deeds, as recorded in the books."

In summary, the Bible presents the judgment as a universal, inevitable event where all men will stand before God to give an account of their lives. This doctrine calls for a life of faith, obedience, and readiness, acknowledging the righteous and just nature of God's final assessment.Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 12:23
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greeks Seek Jesus. He Foretells that He Shall Draw all Men unto ...
... [The Greek word for "judgment" survives in ... before us, he is evidently the king who
shall wrest his ... condition, they could not have been held morally responsible ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxii greeks seek jesus he.htm

The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... and everlasting shame from the righteous judgment of God ... The fifth shall be held
fast in darkness, likewise ... And in the seventh there shall be such pollution as ...
/.../iii the testament of levi concerning.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... others to do the same, shall be held in low ... being equivalent with the Hebrews""
Bloomfield], shall be in ... This tribunal was known as the judgment, and by it ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

Ripe for Gathering
... up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head ... Are not people held up
as shining lights of commerce ... own being as the guarantee that judgment shall fall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/ripe for gathering.htm

Pilate
... What they wanted was the world, the place which Rome held, and which they fondly
hoped ... and even to tell him, on his judgment throne, what he shall do with ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 15 1-20 pilate.htm

V. ...
... also, as they have gone off from God, shall be held in chains of ... Secondly, of those
that shall be taken, crushed and destroyed at the judgment of the ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... judge them who judged Him; He who before held His peace ... And I will draw near to you
in judgment; and I ... the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm

Allegation 2 "We Teach that God Ordained Men to Hell-Fire, and ...
... ie in depravity) most of these, who shall sin in ... is most true, according to the views
always held by Augustine ... that "this is done for declaring judgment in just ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/allegation 2 we teach that.htm

The Communion of Goods.
... to this communion of goods, opposite opinions are held. ... the expectation of the Lord's
return to judgment had not ... all ages to look upon Him who shall come upon ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvi the communion of goods.htm

The Carrion and the Vultures
... would not call a signalman unfeeling because he held out a ... and when that 'day of
the Lord' shall dawn, you ... and then, when the vultures of judgment, with their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the carrion and the vultures.htm

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