July 22, 2024
Bible Prophecy

Seven Great Future Judgments | Understanding Biblical Prophecy

The concept of future judgments is deeply embedded in Christian eschatology, offering both a sobering reminder of God’s justice and a call to live a life pleasing to Him. Today’s study delves into the seven great future judgments as outlined in Scripture, underscoring their significance and urging introspection about our spiritual readiness.

The First of Seven Great Future Judgments Explained

The Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10): This judgment is exclusively for Church Age believers—those who have accepted Christ from the establishment of the Church in Acts 2 until the Rapture. It is not a judgment for sins, which were already borne by Christ on the cross, but a review of believers’ lives, motives, and deeds, culminating in rewards for faithfulness.

“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 5:10)

The Second of Seven Great Future Judgments Explained

The Judgment of Old Testament Saints (Daniel 12:1–2): This judgment pertains to believers from the Old Testament era. Their faith in God’s promise of a Messiah was credited to them as righteousness. Their judgment occurs after the Second Coming of Christ, marking the end of the Tribulation period.

1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1–2)

The Third of Seven Great Future Judgments Explained

The Judgment of Tribulation Saints (Revelation 20:4–6): This group comprises individuals who turn to Christ during the Tribulation, enduring persecution and martyrdom. Their judgment, resulting in resurrection and reward, happens at the end of the Tribulation.

4 “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4–6)

The Fourth of Seven Great Future Judgments Explained

The Judgment of the Jews at Christ’s Second Coming (Ezekiel 20:34–38): This judgment focuses on the Jewish people who survive the Tribulation. It discerns between those who accepted the Messiah and those who did not, leading to either entry into the Millennial Kingdom or separation from God.

34 “I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. 36 As I entered into judgment with your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Sovereign Lord. 37 I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. 38 I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. I will bring them out of the country where they reside, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 20:34–38)

The Fifth of Seven Great Future Judgments Explained

The Judgment of Gentiles at Christ’s Second Coming (Matthew 25:31–46): Also known as the Sheep and Goats Judgment, this separates righteous Gentiles who aided Christ’s followers during the Tribulation (the sheep) from the unrighteous (the goats), determining their eternal fates.

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

35-36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

37-40 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. 41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

42-43 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. 44-45 They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. 46 Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31–46)

The Sixth of Seven Great Future Judgments Explained

The Judgment of Satan and the Fallen Angels (Revelation 20:10; Jude 6): Satan, along with the fallen angels and demonic spirits, will face final judgment after the Millennium. They will be cast into the lake of fire, an eternal sentence for their rebellion against God.

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)

“And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.” (Jude 6)

The Seventh of Seven Great Future Judgments Explained

The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11–15): The most comprehensive of the judgments, this includes everyone who rejected Christ throughout history. It is a final, irrevocable judgment of eternal separation from God for those not found in the Book of Life.

11 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11–15)

Reflecting on Our Spiritual Standing

These judgments are not just theological concepts but are vital touchstones for our spiritual journey. We must ask ourselves two critical questions: “Which judgment will I be at?” and “Why will I be there?” Our answers reveal much about our current relationship with God and our eternal destiny.

The Urgency of Choosing Christ

In light of these judgments, the most pressing decision any individual can make is to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. This choice ensures participation in the Judgment Seat of Christ, where believers are rewarded rather than condemned. For those who have wandered or are uncertain about their salvation, now is the time to turn to Christ.

Prayer for Salvation

If you haven’t made this decision, I invite you to pray with me now:

“Heavenly Father, today I recognize my need for Your salvation. I repent of my sins and turn my heart towards Jesus Christ. I believe He died for my sins and rose again, granting me eternal life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me live in a life worthy of Your call. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Conclusion: Seven Great Future Judgments

Understanding these seven great future judgments should motivate us to live lives that are pleasing to God, prioritizing our spiritual well-being, and continually seeking to grow in our relationship with Christ. Let us live with the awareness that our actions today have eternal significance.

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