The Final Judgement (Part 3)

SECTION 5
All will be done in righteousness.

Jonathan Edwards

Christ will give to every man his due, and do it righteously. Those who will be condemned, will be condemned in righteousness. The punishment they receive will be exactly what they justly deserve. Many often blaspheme God by questioning His punishment of wicked men. However, they will know then how just God really is. Their own consciences will tell them that the sentence is just, and all mouths will be put to silence.
Those who will be justified will actually be judged and sentenced to eternal life. Although they were also sinners deserving eternal punishment, they will be found innocent and truly just by the righteousness of Christ. Romans 3:26: “That God may be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.”
Jesus Christ will judge the world in righteousness; He will give to everyone a due proportion either of reward or punishment. The punishments and the rewards given will be totally appropriate. This is further seen in these two ways.

1. It is impossible that Christ could judge incorrectly or be fooled. He will not judge anyone righteous who is a hypocrite. His eyes are as flames of fire; He knows the truth and searches the hearts of the children of men. He cannot make a mistake in judgment as human judges often do. Nor can He be blinded by prejudices, as human judges can. Deuteronomy 10:17: “He regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.”
   It is impossible that Christ could be misled by the false testimony or please of the wicked, as human judges very often are. It is equally impossible that He should judge incorrectly. His knowledge is infinite.
2. He must judge righteously because He is infinitely just and holy in His nature. Deuteronomy 32:4: “He is the rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
   It is not possible that an infinitely powerful, self-sufficient Being should be under any temptation to be unjust. Nor is it possible that an infinitely wise Being, who knows all things, will not judge with total justice.

SECTION 6
The things that will happen immediately following the Day of Judgment.

1. After the sentences have been pronounced, and the saints shall have ascended with Christ into glory, this world will be destroyed by fire. The inferno will immediately follow the judgement. When all mankind has been judged, this world, which has been their dwelling place, will be destroyed. This earth, which has been the stage upon which so many scenes had been acted, upon which there had been so many great and famous kingdoms and large cities, where there had been so many wars, so much trade and business carried on for so many ages will then be completely destroyed.
   The continents, the islands, the seas and rivers, the mountains and valley, will be gone forever. All will be destroyed in the devouring flames. This is plainly taught in 2 Peter 3:7, “But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men.” Verse 10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the element shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up.” 2 Peter 3:12 says, “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.”
2. Both the misery of the wicked and the happiness of the saints will be increased. The misery of the wicked will be increased; they will be not only tormented in their souls, but in their bodies as well. The pains and torments will affect both of them. But why do we think that their torments will be increased as well as those of the devils? We see this in James 2:19. The devils believe there is one God, and tremble in their belief. They know that He will inflict on them, in that day, more severe punishment then they suffer now.
   They are bound “in chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement; and unto the judgment of the great day,” (2 Peter 2:4, and Jude 6) which implies that their full punishment is in the future. They are now reserved as prisoners in hell; they will receive their just punishment on the Day of Judgement.
   The happiness of the saints will be completed in that day. We are often encouraged in the New Testament with promises of our resurrection from the dead. This again will happen the day that Christ comes again. A state of separation of soul and body is unnatural. Therefore when the bodies of the saints are raised from the dead, their souls are united to them. Our bodies will be glorious bodies, and designed and fit for our happiness. Just as the bodies of the wicked are designed and fit for their misery.
   We are assured of the pure happiness of the saints. This time is represented as the marriage of the Church and the Lamb. Revelation 19:7: “The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” The joy of the believer is increased because he will have a new reality of joy. The body of Christ will then be perfect; the Church will be complete.
   No part of the Church will be under sin and affliction. All members of Christ’s Church will be in a perfect state. They will all be together with no ungodly men. The Church will be a bride adorned for her husband, and will be completely filled with joy.
   The Mediator will have fully accomplished His work. He will have destroyed and triumphed over all His enemies. Christ will fully obtain His reward, and accomplish His work. Then the perfect works of God will appear.
   These things will be perfect happiness to the saints. God will then have fully glorified Himself, His Son, and His elect. He will see that all is very good, and will entirely rejoice in His own works. This will cause the saints to rejoice even more.
   God will then make His glory clearly and completely seen. His saints will remain perfectly happy basking in God’s glory forever and ever.

SECTION 7
The application of this doctrine.

1. Instruction. In the doctrine of final judgment the mysteries of Divine Providence are unfolded. There are many things mysterious about God’s dealings with us if we view them without having an eye to this last judgment. However, when we consider this judgment, we have no difficulty with them.

For example:

First, God allows the wicked to live and prosper in the world. The infinitely holy and wise Creator and Governor of the world hates wickedness. Yet things seem to go well for the wicked, and the world loves them. Many are not fit to live; they are men who hate God and all religion. Many are open enemies to all that is good. Many cruel tyrants, whose barbarism is horrible to even read about, have lived in great wealth and outward glory on the earth.
It is a mystery why the holy and righteous Governor of the world, whose eye beholds all the children of men, would allow this. Here the mystery is unraveled. For although God for now keeps silent, and leaves them alone. He will on the last day make all things right. They will receive the appropriate punishment.
The saints in the Old Testament struggled with God’s ways of Providence, as seen in Job 21, Psalm 73, and Jeremiah 12. This is because at that time these truths were not revealed with that clarity that they are now.
Second, God sometimes allows some of the best of men to be in the greatest affliction, poverty, and persecution. Very often the wicked are in positions of power to persecute God’s people. These things are very common, yet they can be quite distressing. When the wicked are exalted to power and authority, and they oppress the godly, things feel wrong and out of place.
Proverbs 25:26 reads, “A righteous man falling down before the wicked, is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.” Sometimes one wicked man makes many hundreds, yea thousands, of precious saints a sacrifice to his lust and cruelty, or to his enmity against virtue and truth, and puts them to death for no other reason but that for which they are especially to be esteemed and commended.
Now, if we look no further than this, things appear strange and unfair. But we must not!
When God puts an end to the present state, these things shall all be righted. Though God allows things to be for the present, it will nto always be that way. Comparatively speaking, the present state of things is but a blink of an eye.
When all accounts will be settled and fixed by divine judgment, the righteous shall be exalted, honored, and rewarded; and the wicked shall be depressed and put under their feet.
However, it seems like the wicked are prevailing against the righteous now. Yet the righteous will at last conquer and will see the just vengeance of God executed on those who now hate and persecute them.
Third, it is another mystery of providence, that God allows so much public injustice to take place in the world. There are not just private and personal injustices, but many public ones as well. These are made by public figures and injustices that affect nations, kingdoms, and other public institutions. Many are suffering by men in public offices where they have no appeal process. It seems a mystery that these things are tolerated when God who is rightfully the supreme Judge and Governor of the world is perfectly just. However, at the final judgment all these things will also be made right.

2. The second practical use of these doctrines is for the awakening of sinners.
You who do not fear God and are not afraid to sin against Him, consider seriously what you have heard concerning the Day of Judgment. You may not take them seriously because they are future events, but remember they are real and will come to pass. God may seem invisible to you; and you do not feel or see His wrath. Again remember, at the Day of Judgment, you will see Him with your very own eyes. You will never be out of His sight, nor will you be able to hide. Revelation 1:7 says, “Behold he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindred of the earth shall wail because of him.”
You will see Him coming in the clouds of heaven. Your ears will hear the last trumpet and that dreadful sound, the voice of the archangel. Your eyes will see your Judge sitting on the throne, and you will see His wrath in His countenance. Your ears will also hear Him pronounce your sentence.
Seriously consider, how you will be able to endure the sight or sounds of that day? Think of the horror and amazement that will seize you when you see the Judge descending, and hear the trumpet of God. What account will you be able to give, when you are asked why you have led such a sinful and wicked life? What will you be able to say for yourself when you are asked why you neglected Christian duties, and instead habitually practiced your particular sins and lusts?
It will not matter that you have been so careless in your conduct and manner of life. It will not matter that you have made light of sin with little or no remorse. You must give an account of every sin that you committed, every idle word that you spoke, and every sinful thought of your heart. You must give an account of them all! They will never be forgotten; they are written in the book that will be opened on that day.
Consider the book you will be judged by. It is the perfect rule of the divine law. It is very strict and very wide. How will you ever be able to answer the demands of this law?
Consider as well:
First, that the Judge will be your supreme Judge. You will have an opportunity to appeal His decision. This is often the case in this world. When we are dissatisfied with the decisions of a judge, we often may appeal to a higher court. But no such appeal can be made from our divine Judge. No such consideration will be allowed. Your Judge’s decision will be final.
Second, the Judge is omnipotent. Human judges may be asked to reverse their sentences, or at least to soften them. But all of your efforts will be in vain. Your cries and tears will be ignored. Now is your chance, as He will listen and is ready to hear the prayers, cries, and pleas of all men. But on that day, all grace will be past, and the door of mercy will be shut. Then even though you wave your hands, the Judge will not look at you. You will try then to pray, but He will not hear you (Isaiah 1:15).
Then your Judge will deal in fury. His eye will not spare; neither will He have pity. You will cry, sceam, and beg, but He will not hear you (Ezekiel 8:18). And you will find no place of repentance in God, though you seek it carefully with tears.
Fourth, the judge at that day will not mix mercy with justice. The time for mercy to be shown to sinners will then be gone. Jesus Christ will not be a merciful Savior. He will lay aside the inviting attributes of grace and mercy, and will clothe Himself with justice and vengeance. He will not only in general judge by the demands of the law, but He will relentlessly insist on every line item. He will demand every debt be paid in full (Matthew 5:26). Then Christ will come to fulfill Revelation 14:10: “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture, into the cup of his indignation.”
The punishment given to ungodly men will be without any pity. See Ezekiel 5:11, “Neither shall mine eye spare; neither will I have any pity.”
Now on Earth, all judgments have a mixture of mercy and justice. But then the wrath of God will be poured out upon the wicked without mixture, and vengeance will have its full weight.

3. I must now address several different types of men. First, to those who live wicked lives in secret. Please consider that God will bring them all into judgment. Secrecy is your temptation. You practice many things, and indulge many lusts under the cover of darkness and in secret places. You would be ashamed to do such things in daylight and before others. But you must know that all of your secrets are even now perfectly known to God, and He will on that day reveal all both to angels and men. Luke 12:2-3 says, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness, shall be heard in the light: and that which ye have spoken in the ears in closets, shall be proclaimed upon the house-tops.”
Human judges can only judge on discovered evidence. But this Judge shall be brought the most “hidden things of darkness, and even the counsels of the heart” (1 Corinthians 4:5). All your secret uncleanness, all your secret fraud and injustice, all your lascivious desires, wishes, and designs, all your inward covetousness, and all your malicious, envious, and revengeful thoughts and purposes will be used as evidence against you. Nothing else will be needed. Your conscience will condemn you.
Second, to those of you who are dishonest in your dealings with others. Consider that all your dealings with men will be tried, and must be brought forth. All your actions must be judged according to those things that are found written in the Word of God. If your ways of dealing with men are not agreeable to the Word of God, you will be condemned.
The Word of God directs us to practice absolute justice. “That which is altogether just shalt thou follow,” Deuteronomy 6:20, and to do to others as we would have them do to us. But how many are there who would pass the test?
God has, in His Word, forbidden all deceit and fraud in our dealings with one another (Leviticus 11:13). He has forbidden us to oppress one another (Leviticus 25:14). But how commonly are fraud and deception practiced in business and other places? Lying and deception in business are so common among us today. “It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.” (Proverbs 20:14).
Many men will take the advantage of another’s ignorance for their own gain. Besides downright lying, men have many ways of blinding and deceiving one another in business, which are by no means right in the sight of God. These will also be tried by the rule of God’s Word at the Day of Judgment. How common today are oppression and extortion.
Third, to those who work to make legal things that are condemned by God’s people. You who do this, consider that your practices will be tried at the Day of Judgment. Consider whether or not they will be approved by the most holy Judge at that day. Proverbs 5:21 reads, “The ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD; and he pondereth all his goings.”

(…to be continued)