John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
This passage of scripture brings to light the sacred, solemn truth of personal and collective accountability to the Eternal God for whatever choices were made and whatever actions were taken whilst living. All nations and every person will one day have to answer to the Almighty God and receive recompense for deeds done, whether good or bad. The doctrine that teaches its adherents to think that persons are taken to heaven without a final judgement, is false and is nowhere supported in scripture. The Bible teaches in numerous passages that there is a judgement, and that our actions, thoughts, and motives will all be weighed in the balances of God's justice for final recompense. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
Furthermore, the passage for today tells us that the One who will be executing judgement is none other than Jesus Christ who died for us on Calvary. We should be careful not to harbor a one-sided, unscriptural view of Christ as being only meek and lowly, and not having the will or the authority to judge. The Jews of old made the mistake of looking for a King, when the Savior showed up instead. We need to be careful lest we be found looking for a Savior, when The king is due to appear. The same Jesus who laid down His life for us, and who because of His matchless love has opened the gates of heaven to all who would enter, is the very same Jesus who will decide which of us will pass through the pearly gates when He comes the second time. This according to the scriptures. Let's read:
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
All of the social injustices that have been fostered and tolerated by politicians and heads of state because of pecuniary gain, will be addressed by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Those who because of financial advantages and political clout were permitted to walk free from crimes against God and humanity, must one day stand before The eternal God for retribution. And those who on account of skilful lawyers were exonerated from crimes against innocent victims, and nations that went to war, killing indiscriminately men women and children, must stand before Jesus Christ to receive just recompense. Indeed, the voices of innocents that were hushed in death, cry out to the eternal God for justice, and God is going to deliver just sentences one day.
Then there is the issue of personal accountability, the just reward for choices made, whether good or bad. Many people believe that if they live a relatively good life as law abiding citizens, paying their bills on time and giving to charity, that they would then be eligible as candidates for heaven. Now while it is true that the Bible encourages good deeds and law-abiding citizenry, these in and of themselves cannot qualify a person to enter heaven. God is not only interested in good deeds, He is more concerned about what we do with Jesus.
Every one of us have done some good things and some bad things in our lives, some more, some less, but these are not the final determining factors in whether or not Christ will grant us the gift of immortality at His second coming. God is not so much concerned about the fact that all have sinned, He is much more concerned about what we do with the remedy that has been provided in the person of Jesus Christ. That's why the Bible makes many profound statements about the importance of accepting God's salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Let's read:
1st Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The doctrine of the judgement therefore lays upon each individual the responsibility of making wise choices in this life that are commensurate with our expectation of immortality. The awareness of the heavenly tribunal brings prominently to our minds the question, what do we do with Jesus. This all-important question must be answered and settled within the domain of every heart, and because time is running out, the Lord appeals to us through the pages of sacred writ, not to put off for tomorrow the decision that will affect our eternal destiny. The seriousness of the matter demands our urgent attention, and the Bible encourages everyone to make the necessary proactive choices without delay. Let's read:
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
And so, because of the serious nature and far-reaching consequences of the judgement, we close our brief presentation with a text and a promise found in the last book of the Bible, given for our earnest consideration and encouragement. Let's read:
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
We sincerely hope and pray that our decisions will be made in favor of Christ and His salvation that was purchased for us on Calvary. God bless!