Final Judgment Notes

Final Judgment

Definition of Judgment

  • Final judgment is often viewed negatively, but it represents the ultimate restoration of justice.
  • In a courtroom setting, a judge aims to set things right as much as possible.
  • Human judges have limited abilities to restore justice, but the final judgment fully restores justice to broken relationships resulting from the fall.

Sequence of Events

  • Christ is seated on the throne.

  • He reads from the book of life and the book of works.

  • Reference: Revelation 20:11-13

    • Rev\,20:11-13 Describes the scene of the final judgment with Jesus seated on the throne.
    • The earth and heaven flee from his presence.
    • The dead, great and small, stand before the throne.
    • Books are opened, including the book of life.
    • The dead are judged according to their works as recorded in the books.

The Books

  • Book of Life: Contains the names of those who are saved.
  • Book of Works: Records people's actions.
  • A third unknown book is also mentioned.
  • Those whose names are in the Book of Life are destined for eternal life.

Salvation

  • Romans 10:9 provides clarity on salvation.

    • Rom\,10:9 States that if you profess that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

  • The point of conversion and profession of faith leads to a name being written in the Book of Life.

  • Rejection of Christ, not individual failures, leads to condemnation.

  • Professing faith in Christ makes the final judgment a hopeful event.

Unanswered Questions

  • What about people who have not had the opportunity to profess faith in Christ?

    • Those who haven't heard the gospel.
    • Babies or small children who die before understanding the gospel.
    • Adults with the mental capacity of small children.

  • Scripture is not entirely clear on these scenarios.

  • Key consideration: balancing God's justice and mercy.

Perspectives on Salvation

  • Four Major Perspectives:
    • Limited Access: Only those who have heard, understood, and responded to the Gospel will enter the kingdom of God. Those without opportunity are condemned due to original sin.
      • All humans deserve condemnation due to sin separating us from God.
      • Opportunity to hear the Gospel is abundant grace.
    • Accountability at Understanding: Those able to hear, understand, and respond are accountable. Babies and young children are considered innocent until they reach an age of understanding.
      • Babies/small children who die before understanding are considered innocent and saved.
      • After a certain age, individuals are held responsible for their decision.
    • General Revelation: Those who never hear the Gospel are judged on their response to general revelation (nature, laws of nature, moral law).
      • General revelation includes natural and moral law.
      • People are held accountable for the revelation accessible to them.
      • Relies on understanding God's mercy and love.
    • Postmortem Evangelization: After death, individuals who have not professed faith in Christ get one last chance to do so.
      • Based on the idea of Jesus preaching to souls in prison between his death and resurrection.
      • After death, individuals encounter Christ and can make a decision based on complete information.

Important Considerations

  • We are not the final judge.
  • We should not declare others condemned to hell.
  • Our role is to make disciples, proclaim the gospel, and set an example.
  • Focus on following Christ's command to make disciples, not on final judgment.