The Last Things: Judgment

Sunday, April 14, 2024 

Romans 2:1-16

Introduction

"To an age which has unashamedly sold itself to the gods of greed, pride, sex, and self-will, the church mumbles on about God's kindness, but says virtually nothing about his judgment." J. I. Packer

Judgment will come to ALL, so Prepare Now

1. Death THEN Judgment

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28

“For 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.” 2 Cor. 5:20

1. The Final Judgment

The Final Judgment will occur after the millennium and the great rebellion against God at the end of it. (Matthew 25)

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And 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 20:11-15

• The Final Judgment of Believers

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For 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.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” Hebrews 6:10

“It must be made clear, of course, that although Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, teaches that judgment is by works, it nowhere teaches salvation is by works…Salvation is not by works, but it will assuredly produce works.” John MacArthur

• The Final Judgment of Unbelievers.

This final judgment is an unbeliever who has rejected Christ in life and is therefore already doomed to the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12

Romans 2:5-7 – “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works; to those who by patience in well-being seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.”

Luke 12:2,3 – “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.”

Matthew 12:36,37 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Ecclesiastes 12:14 – “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

1. How Does Thinking About Judgement Help Me Today

• It satisfies Our Inward Sense of a Need for Justice in the World

“For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.” Colossians 3:25

• Enables Us to Forgive Others

“Beloved, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:9

• It is a Motive for Righteous Living NOW

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:20

• Should Provoke Us to Evangelize

“Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways. Ezekiel 33:11

1. The Cross and Judgment

The idea of judgment is an integral part of the gospel! If God sent His Son to bear wrath, don’t you think that those who reject His mercy and kindness deserve worse.

But for those who have placed their trust in Christ are free from God’s wrath and have received eternal life! Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1,2

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.” Jn 5:24 

1. Conclusion - Acts 17:30-31; Revelation 19:1-2