Introduction
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of God, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10
“For he has set a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man he has ordained, and he has given assurance of this to all people by raising him from the dead.” – Acts 17:31
The Announcement of a Coming Judgment
1. How sure are we that there will be a trial?
Acts 17:30-31 – “But the times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed, and has given assurance of this to all people by raising him from the dead.“
Commentary: God assures us that one day our world will be judged because Jesus was victorious when He came to this earth and was resurrected from the dead. Through His death, Christ gave everyone the opportunity to repent of their sins. The invitation to repent is extended to everyone, because His salvation is available to all who want to possess it.
2. Was the judgment still in the future, in Paul’s time?
Acts 24:25 – “And as he spake of righteousness, and temperance, and judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for now; and when I have opportunity I will call thee.“
Commentary: In his conversation with Felix, the apostle Paul announced that one day God would bring judgment upon this world. He called it “coming judgment“, implying that this had not yet occurred. The account of this story shows us that Felix was surprised to learn that one day God would judge this world, and he feared this event, because he had not lived a righteous life before God.
3. How many people will face trial?
Ecclesiastes 3:17 – “I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time for every purpose and for every work.“
2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of God, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.“
Commentary: When God judges our world, He will not judge just one group of people. Everyone will be judged, without exception. This judgment will include both those who have received the righteousness of Christ and the wicked. Those who have already died will also be judged, for God will judge all people who have ever lived since the creation of the world. No one will be left out, for as the apostle Paul announced, ‘we must all appear before the judgment seat of God’.
4. What will God judge of all men?
Ecclesiastes 12:14 – “For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.“
Commentary: God will judge the lives of all human beings. All deeds performed by people will be investigated before God. We often commit acts that are hidden from men, but these same acts do not go unnoticed before God. Every act we commit, or every thought we have, whether good or bad, will be taken into account in God’s judgment.
The Records in Heaven
5. What vision of the judgment scene was granted to Daniel?
Daniel 7:9-10 – “I looked until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days sat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was like flaming fire, and its wheels were like burning fire. A river of fire was issuing and coming out from before him; thousands upon thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment sat, and the books were opened.“
Commentary: The prophet Daniel had the opportunity to receive a vision concerning the beginning of the judgment. In his vision, he saw God, the Ancient of Days, sitting on His throne. Countless angels were present with Him, all of them surrounding Him. In addition to these descriptions, the prophet Daniel also saw several books being opened before everyone. These books are the basis for the judgment carried out by the great Judge.
6. What tool is used in heaven to record our works?
Malachi 3:16 – “Then those who feared the Lord spoke often to one another; and the Lord listened and heard; and a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the Lord and who thought on his name.“
Revelation 20:12 – “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.“
Commentary: As the prophet Malachi announced, the works done by people become a written memorial before God, and where are these records written? According to the text of Revelation 20:12, the dead will be judged by the things that were “written in the books, according to their works“, that is, the books that were opened before the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:10) are the accounts of all the thoughts and actions performed by human beings.
7. What kind of works are noted in these books?
Nehemiah 13:14 – “Therefore, my God, remember me, and do not blot out the good deeds I have done for the house of my God and for his temples.“
Psalms 56:8 – “Thou hast told my wanderings: put my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?“
Matthew 12:36-37 – “But I say to you that men will give account of every idle word they speak in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.“
Commentary: All the deeds, thoughts and actions performed by human beings are recorded in the heavenly books. Many people think that because they do not commit sinful acts before God, they are exempt from guilt, but they do not know that even our offensive words or thoughts are being considered before God.
8. Why are we encouraged to rejoice?
Luke 10:20 – “But do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.“
Commentary: Jesus tells us to rejoice because our names are written in the books of heaven. This means that if our names are written in heaven, it is because we are at peace with God and have received forgiveness of our sins through the merits of Christ. There will be no condemnation for those whose names are written in heaven.
9. The names of those who cooperate with God are written in which book in heaven?
Philippians 4:3 – “And I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.“
Comment: There are several books of records in heaven. As we have seen, there are those where our works are written down to be used during the judgment. There is another book called in the Bible “book of life“. It is in this book where the names of those who remain saved will be written. All those who receive forgiveness through Christ will have their names written in this book.
10. Why will God remove some people’s names from the book of life?
Exodus 32:33 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book.’
Commentary: Many people firmly believe that after accepting salvation in Christ Jesus, they can never lose it again, even if they continue to commit certain sins, even if these are minor in their eyes. However, as we can see in the text above, God Himself announced to Moses that He would blot out of His book all those who sinned against Him. God is certainly referring to sins committed intentionally and that do not follow repentance. There is a possibility that our names will be removed from the book of life. A righteous and just life is required in the eyes of God.
11. What needs to be done so that our name is not erased from the book of life?
Revelation 3:5 – “He who overcomes will be clothed in white garments, and I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.“
Mark 8:38 – “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.“
Commentary: Perfect obedience is required of all professed followers of Christ. We must not renounce our Savior, nor even His words (teachings). One work is necessary for all Christians, and that is a victorious life such as Christ had when He lived on this earth. This is possible only when we depend entirely on the power of God.
12. In the end, only whose names will remain in the book of life?
Psalms 69:28 – “Let them be blotted out of the book of life and not be written with the righteous.“
Commentary: Only those who are considered righteous before God, through the merits of Christ, will have their names written in the book of life. All who do not live a life of righteousness will have their names erased from that book.
The Divine Court
13. Who initiates and directs the judgment?
Daniel 7:9-10 – “I looked until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days sat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was like flaming fire, and its wheels were like burning fire. A river of fire was issuing and coming out from before him; thousands upon thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment sat, and the books were opened.“
Commentary: The judgment that takes place in heaven is initiated by the Ancient of Days, a title which is applied to God the Father.
14. Who serves God and shows interest in the heavenly judgment?
Daniel 7:10 – “A river of fire issued and came out from before him; thousands upon thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment sat, and the books were opened.“
Revelation 5:11 – “And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and their number was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.“
Commentary: Countless angels are present at the judgment. This description shows us how interested the angels are in the judgment that is taking place.
15. Who then is brought before the Father?
Daniel 7:13 – “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven; and he came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.“
Commentary: Many people have been mistaken about who the One who will judge human beings is, thinking that the Ancient of Days mentioned in verse 9 refers to Jesus Christ. However, as we read the rest of the vision, we realize that Daniel saw Someone like the Son of Man approaching the great judge. We know that this Son of Man is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who will play a fundamental role in the judgment of the human race.
16. What function does Jesus perform in the divine court before the Judge?
1 John 2:1 – “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.“
Commentary: Because Jesus became flesh, lived a life in our likeness, gave His life in our place, and took on the work of atoning for our sins, He is the only one worthy to represent us before the Father. He is the one who knows our weaknesses and our struggles against sin. For these reasons, He acts as our advocate in the divine court. Through His merits He will defend every sinner who has repented and been converted to the path of righteousness again.
17. As the advocate for His people, what does Christ confess before the Father and His angels?
Matthew 10:32 – “Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.“
The Return of Jesus
18. After the subjects of the kingdom have been determined, what is given to Christ?
Daniel 7:14 – “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.“
Commentary: After the judgment by God, Christ, and the angels is complete, then dominion and kingdom will be given to Christ. The kingdom will not be given to Christ until the judgment of all human beings is complete.
19. What title will Christ have when he comes the second time?
Revelation 19:16 – “And he has on his robe and on his thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.“
Commentary: Only after the judgment of mankind is complete will Christ receive the dominion of His kingdom. At that time, He will return to this earth to begin the establishment of His kingdom. He will not come as the first time, when He came for the purpose of salvation, but He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords!
20. What will He do to each person?
Matthew 16:27 – “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done.“
Revelation 22:12 – “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.“
Commentary: When Jesus returns, the Divine Court will have already been concluded! All decisions will have been made! The judgment is over, and there will be no more conversion! At that time, only the saved righteous will receive their reward. Only those whose names are written in the Book of Life will receive salvation. The punishment of the wicked will not yet be given, as this will occur at another time, which we will see later in this study.
21. How many dead will be resurrected?
John 5:28-29 – “Do not marvel at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear his voice. Those who have done good will come forth to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation.“
Acts 24:15 – “Having hope toward God, as these also hope, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust“
Commentary: The living righteous will see Christ return and receive their rewards. At that time, the righteous dead will be resurrected to also receive salvation. At that time, all the righteous will be resurrected, without exception! The wicked dead will not be resurrected at that time, but only after the second phase of the judgment. Everyone will be resurrected, without exception! First the righteous, and then the wicked and unbelievers.
22. How much time will there be between the two resurrections?
Revelation 20:4-5 – “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.“
Comment: The second resurrection will take place a thousand years after Jesus’ return, or the well-known “millennium“. At that time, all the wicked will also be resurrected. Not before the millennium ends, but only after that period.
23. Where then will Christ take His people?
John 14:2-3 – “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.“
Commentary: The establishment of Jesus’ kingdom begins with His return to this earth, but He will not return to stay on this earth. His return will be to take all the saved saints to the heavenly dwellings, until the second phase of the judgment is over.
Proof of God’s Justice
24. What will the saints possess after Jesus returns?
Daniel 7:21-22 – “I looked, and, behold, this horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them, until the Ancient of days came and executed justice for the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.“
Commentary: As we saw earlier, all the saved righteous will be resurrected and receive the kingdom of Jesus at His coming.
25. What work will the saints be assigned to do during the reign of Jesus? How long will the saints be engaged in this work of judgment?
Revelation 20:4 – “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.“
Commentary: During the thousand-year reign of Jesus, or “millennium“, the saved righteous will play a very important role during this time. The righteous will receive the “power to judge“! But what will they judge if the judgment of the human race has already happened before Jesus returns? Salvation and condemnation have already been decided at this moment. There will be nothing left to judge! At least, not in relation to people’s salvation.
26. Who will be judged by the saints?
1 Corinthians 6:2-3 – “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is to be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things that pertain to this life?“
Commentary: Paul explains that the righteous will judge the world, and not only the world, but also the angels! Remember that we saw that until now, the wicked and lost have not yet been resurrected. They simply have not received salvation. Their condemnation has not yet been given. Before that happens, God will give everyone the opportunity to understand the case of every human being who has not been saved. At that time, the righteous who have been saved will be able to analyze every record in the books of heaven that have been written down by the angels in each person’s life. All the righteous and unrighteous actions will be recorded there and will be witnesses to the universe that God is righteous in His judgment. No one will be condemned unjustly, for God is good and merciful to all who seek Him! But in addition to the unsaved being judged by the saved, the rebellious angels will also be judged. At that time, we will understand all the rebellion that took place in heaven before Adam and Eve were deceived in the Garden of Eden by the rebellious angel. The righteous will also “judge the angels“!
The Execution of Judgment
27. Why will the execution of judgment be given to Christ?
John 5:26-27 – “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has given the Son to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.“
Commentary: Jesus stated that the execution of judgment will be committed to Him because He is the Son of Man. His Father will be the judge in this judgment, because the Law that was transgressed was written by Him. Jesus assumed the role of Advocate for the human race, because He gave His life for our salvation. In doing so, He had to take on human nature, and He became like one of us. He was made flesh, and became human. He became responsible for salvation and condemnation, because He became our representative.
28. After the thousand years, what will Satan do with the unsaved who are resurrected?
Revelation 20:7-8 – “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.“
29. At what point will God execute His judgment on the resurrected wicked?
Revelation 20:9 – “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.“
Commentary: The condemnation of the wicked will occur when Satan leads them to attack the holy city. At that moment, God will bring down fire from heaven to consume sin and sinners. This will be the lake of fire, the day of judgment for Satan and the wicked!
30. Who else will be thrown into the lake of fire?
Revelation 20:10 – “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire…“
Revelation 20:15 – “And whoever was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.“
Commentary: Satan and his angels will also receive their condemnation at this time. All those who rejected Christ’s salvation will receive the punishment they chose.
31. When will death cease to exist?
1 Corinthians 15:26 – “Now the last enemy that will be destroyed is death.“
Revelation 20:14 – “And Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.“
Commentary: With the end of Satan and the wicked, their deaths will be the last in the history of this universe. After the consummation of their lives in the lake of fire, death will no longer exist! The saved will live eternally with the great Creator.
“The great controversy is over. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is purified. A single pulse of harmonious joy vibrates throughout the vast creation. From Him who created all things, life, light, and joy emanate throughout all the domains of infinite space. From the smallest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their serene beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.” – The Great Controversy, p. 678
