THE SEVEN MAJOR JUDGMENTS IN SCRIPTURE
The Time: c. 30
A.D. The Place: Calvary
The judgment of
sin took place on Calvary’s cross. It was there that He who knew no sin, became
sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). God judged sin fully and finally in the death of
Christ (Hebrews 10:12).
The Time: Now The Place: Earth
The judgment of
self goes on throughout the believer’s life. In 1 Corinthians 11:31 Paul said,
"For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." If
we are careful to evaluate our own spiritual lives (1 John 1:9), we will avoid
the chastening of the Lord.
The Time: After
the Rapture The Place: Heaven
This judgment
will be the time in which the believer will give an account of himself to God
as to his motives, conduct, and service (1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-10). Having
done this, Jesus Christ will then reward the believer accordingly (1 Cor.
3:14-15, 4:5; 2 Tim. 4:8; Js. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:4).
The Time: End of
Tribulation The Place: Earth
Israel is going
to be judged. This is recorded in Ezekiel 20:33-44. When Christ returns at the
end of the Tribulation, He’s going to purge the rebels out of Israel and take
the remaining believers into the Kingdom.
The Time: End of
Tribulation The Place: Earth
This judgment is
explained in Matthew 25:31-46, where the Lord separates the believing Gentiles
from the unbelieving ones, and casts the unbelieving ones into Hell. The
believing Gentiles go into the Kingdom.
The Time: End of
Kingdom The Place: Earth
Jude 6 tells us:
"And the angels who kept not their first estate, but left their own
habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the
judgment of the great day." God has planned a special judgment for
Satan and his angels. This will occur at the end of the Millennial Kingdom.
Satan and his angels will be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone, to be
tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev. 20:10; cf. Matt. 25:41).
The Time: End of
Kingdom The Place: Heaven
This is the
judgment of all the unsaved of all the ages. It is recorded for us in Rev.
20:11-15. This is called the Great White Throne judgment and happens after the
thousand year reign of Christ on earth. After the Kingdom, all the unsaved are
resurrected, brought before the Great White Throne, and judged out of the books
on the basis of their good deeds. Since their names are not found written in
the Book of Life and because no one can receive salvation on the basis of good
deeds, they are all thrown into the Lake of Fire prepared for the devil and his
angels.