Transcript God’s Perfect Plan for Us: The Panorama of the Divine

The Panorama of the Divine Judgment
At Its Best
God’s Perfect Plan of Salvation
©Jiří Moskala, Th.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Old Testament Exegesis and Theology
Andrews University
Old Testament Department
How Does One Put Together the
Cross and God’s Judgment?
The Cross of Jesus must be at the center
and has to be the foundation of all our
discourses and teaching on Judgment!
From and To the Cross
• “The Lamb that was slain from the creation of
the world.” (Rev 13:8)
Millions of Dollars in Your Bank
1. Imagine that I am a very rich man.
2. I give each of you a 100-million dollar check.
3. It will not do you any good if you do not cash
the check at your bank so you may have
access to the money!
4. Only after you sign the check at the bank will
you obtain access to your fortune.
5. Only after cashing the check can you work
with the money—invest it and enjoy the
benefits!
Jesus Accomplishments on the
Cross (and in His life)
• The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is like
the Cosmic Bank (not only a World Bank).
• You need to “cash” (i.e., accept) for
yourself what God accomplished for you!
• All phases of God’s judgment (steps in His
plan of salvation) are possible because of
His deposit of grace!!!
How does one put the Cross of Jesus at
the center of God’s Judgment?
How would one do it in regard of 1844?
Divine Universal Judgment in Seven Phases:
Celebration of the Cross of Jesus
Eschatological/Post Cross Judgments
2
Pre-Cross
Judgments
1
7
3
4
5
6
God’s Executive
Judgment
Specific Nature of This Study
1. Time of Judgment: Pre-eschatological
or Eschatological
2. Nature of Judgment
3. Place: Heaven or Earth
4. Direct Beneficiaries (For the Sake of)
5. Key Biblical References
6. Description and Content
Divine Universal Judgment in Seven Phases:
1. Pre-Cross Judgments
Eschatological/Post Cross Judgments
2
Pre-Cross
Judgments
1
7
3
4
5
6
God’s Executive
Judgment
1. Pre-Eschatological Judgment
1. Time: Pre-Eschatological/ Pre-Cross
Judgments
2. Nature: Typological or Pedagogical Judgment
(“Example Judgments”)
3. Place: Earth
4. Direct Beneficiaries: Survivors (Human Beings)
5. Key Biblical References and Content: Gen 3; 4;
11–12; 19; Exod 7–12; 13–14
When Does God’s Judgment Occur
for the First Time in the Bible?
In the Garden of Eden!
Why did Adam and Eve not die when God
said that in the day they would eat from
the forbidden fruit they would surely die?!
• God’s GRACE which was
streaming from the Cross of
Jesus was applied to them !
• See Rev 13:8.
Other Judgments
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Upon Cain
Flood
Tower of Babel
Sodom and Gomorrah
10 plagues in Egypt
Etc.
Summary of the First Judgment
• Preliminary, Typological, and
Pedagogical
• Usually Mixed with Mercy
• Lessons for the Survivors
• Redemptive and Punitive
• God’s Surgical Action as a Wall Against
the Rising Tide of Evil
Divine Universal Judgment in Seven Phases:
2. Judgment on the Cross—God’s Smile for us
Eschatological/Post Cross Judgments
2
Pre-Cross
Judgments
1
7
3
4
5
6
God’s Executive
Judgment
Phase Number Two
1. Time: Eschatological Judgment or Judgment on
the Cross
2. Nature: CENTRAL-COSMIC JUDGMENT
3. Place: Earth
4. Direct Beneficiaries: The Whole Universe Including
Humanity
5. Key Biblical References: John 12:31–32; Isa 53:3–
8; Dan 9:24–27; John 16:11; Rom 8:3; Rev 13:8;
Rev 12:7–12; Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:20; Heb 2:14
Who Was Judged on the Cross?
• Satan
John 12:31–32
“Now is the judgment of this world; now the
ruler of this world will be cast out.
“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will
draw all peoples to Myself.”
John 16:8–11
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your
advantage that I go away; for if I do not go
away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I
depart, I will send Him to you. And when He
has come, He will convict the world of sin,
and of righteousness, and of judgment: of
sin, because they do not believe in Me; of
righteousness, because I go to My Father
and you see Me no more; of judgment,
because the ruler of this world is judged.”
Hebrews 2:14
“Since the children have flesh and blood,
he too shared in their humanity so that by
his death he might destroy him who
holds the power of death—that is, the
devil.”
Who Was Judged on the Cross?
• Satan
• Sin, evil
Romans 8:3
“For what the law could
not do in that it was weak
through the flesh, God
did by sending His own
Son in the likeness of
sinful flesh, on account
of sin: He condemned sin
in the flesh.”
Who Was Judged on the Cross?
• Satan
• Sin, evil
• All humanity (We were judged.)
Isaiah 53:4–6
“Surely he took up our infirmities and
carried our sorrows, yet we considered
him stricken by God, smitten by him,
and afflicted. But he was pierced for our
transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought
us peace was upon him, and by his
wounds we are healed. We all, like
sheep, have gone astray, each of us has
turned to his own way; and the LORD
has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
1 Corinthians 15:3
“For what I received I passed
on to you as of first
importance: that Christ died
for our sins according to the
Scriptures.”
Who Was Judged on the Cross?
•
•
•
•
Satan
Sin, evil
All humanity (we were judged)
God was “judged” (not that someone had the
power to put Him on trial, but because He
opens Himself and invites everyone to judge
who He is), and He was proven to be God of
love, justice, truth, order, and freedom—it
was the highest revelation of the true character
of God! See Psalm 51:4 and Rom 3:4.
• Psalm 51:4
“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done
what is evil in your sight, so that you are
proved right when you speak and justified
when you judge.”
• Rom 3:4
“Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is
written: ‘So that you may be proved right
when you speak and prevail when you
judge.’”
Summary of the Second Judgment
• Very Crucial, Vital, Central, and Cosmic in Scope.
• Reveals God’s love for His people, but also His wrath
against sin and all evil (God’s justice).
• Involves both Salvation and Condemnation.
• God’s Triumphant Victory over Satan.
• God is “Judged”: Vindicated and Shown to be God of
Truth, Love and Justice.
• God Passes Judgment on Satan and Sin.
• The Whole Humanity is Judged.
• God Reveals Who He Is―Through Jesus Christ.
God’s Universal Judgment in Seven Phases:
3. Judgment During Our Lifetime
Pre-cross
Eschatological/Post Cross Judgments
2
Judgments
1
7
3
4
5
6
God’s Executive
Judgment
Phase Number Three
1. Time: Post-Cross / Judgment During Our
Lifetime
2. Nature: Decisive Judgment
3. Place: Earth
4. Direct Beneficiaries: Individual Human
Persons
5. Key Biblical References: John 3:16–18, 36;
5:22–24; 14:6; 16:8–11; Rom 5:1–2; 8:1–4; 8:31–
39; Eph 2:4–10; 1 John 2:28; 4:17; Isa 53:11–12
Everything Depends on Our
Relationship to God
• Jesus Christ, His sacrificial substitutionary
death on our behalf, is the center, magnet,
steering wheel, anchor, and turning point
of the plan of salvation.
• On the acceptance of His death for us
depends our eternity!
John 5:24
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My
word and believes in Him who sent Me has
everlasting life, and shall not come into
judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
(NKJV)
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word
and believes him who sent me has eternal life
and will not be condemned; he has crossed
over from death to life.” (NIV)
Everyone Judged
2 Cor 5:10
“For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, that each one
may receive what is due him for the things
done while in the body, whether good or
bad.”
Consider the Sequence
Of Different Issues:
1. Preaching of the Gospel: “hearing”
2. Positive response: “believing”
3. Results for the believer:
A. He/she has eternal life (note the
present tense)!
B. He/she does not come to judgment (is not
condemned)!
C. He/she passes from death to eternal
life!
Time of Judgment
• Each Sabbath morning at 11 o’clock is a judgment
hour!
• Gospel is preached and decisions are made for or
against Christ!
• It stresses the importance of God-centered
preaching and shows our responsibility to lead our
audience (others) to Christ!
• It occurs every time when people are confronted with
the Truth (during witnessing; Bible studies; meaningful
discussions; prayer sessions; singing; etc.).
John 3:17–18
“For God did not send his Son into the
world to condemn the world, but to save
the world through him. Whoever believes
in him is not condemned, but whoever
does not believe stands condemned
already because he has not believed in
the name of God's one and only Son.”
• John 3: 36: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting
life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see
life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
• John 14: 6: “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me.”
• John 16: 8–11: “And when He has come, He will convict the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: "of sin,
because they do not believe in Me; "of righteousness, because I
go to My Father and you see Me no more; "of judgment,
because the ruler of this world is judged.”
• Romans 5:1: “Therefore, having been justified
by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have
access by faith into this grace in which we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
• I John 5:12: “He who has the Son has life;
he who does not have the Son of God does
not have life.”
No Condemnation
Rom 8:1
“Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus.”
Illustration
• Paper (representing me―a sinner).
• Bible (representing Jesus Christ).
• I have heard the Good News about our God!
• I am attracted to the loving, gracious, forgiving,
caring, holy, and just God.
• I openly, honestly, sincerely confess my sins.
• He accepts me for 100%.
• I am hidden in Him.
• His righteousness is my righteousness; His
perfection is my perfection; His purity is my purity;
His character is my character.
Even More!
• When the Heavenly Father looks upon
me, whom does He see? He sees His
beloved Son Jesus Christ! This means I
am safe in Christ!
• We received an expensive grace (not a
cheap one!).
And this amazing grace will gradually
transform me to His image!
Power of God’s Grace
• Do you know why grace is amazing?
• Not only because it can save a wretch like
me, but especially because it is a
transforming grace.
• If grace is not transforming, it is not
amazing!!!
• God’s grace has power to change us so
that we can reflect more and more the
character of God!
Steps to Christ, p. 62
• “If you give yourself to Him, and accept
Him as your personal Saviour, then,
sinful as your life may have been, for His
sake you are accounted righteous.
Christ’s character stands in place of
your character, and you are accepted
before God as just as if you had not
sinned.”
Ephesians 2:1–10
1 “As for you, you were dead in your
transgressions and sins, 2 in which you
used to live when you followed the ways of
this world and of the ruler of the kingdom
of the air, the spirit who is now at work in
those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also
lived among them at one time, gratifying
the cravings of our sinful nature and
following its desires and thoughts. Like the
rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4
But …
Ephesians 2:1–10
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who
is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ
even when we were dead in transgressions-- it
is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God
raised us up with Christ and seated us with
him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7
in order that in the coming ages he might show
the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed
in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is
by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10
For we are God's workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 1:20
“Which he [the Father] exerted in Christ
when he raised him [Jesus Christ] from
the dead and seated him at his right
hand in the heavenly realms.”
If you are already in heaven, why do
you worry if you will make it one day!?!
Already—Not Yet!
It is already our reality by faith, but not yet
experienced physically! We do not yet see
God face to face!
Summary of the Third Phase
•
•
•
•
Decision is personal and private.
Response to the message of the Gospel.
Occurs when humans are justified (forgiven).
After death nothing can be changed (sealed, no second
chance).
• Real issues involved in this Judgment:
a. What shall I do with Jesus?
b. Whom shall I trust?
c. What is my reaction to the Gospel?
• Decisions are done during our lifetime for all eternity: savedunsaved, faithful-unfaithful, good-evil.
• Nothing, nobody can reverse this judgment (free will).
God’s Universal Judgment in Seven Phases:
4. The Pre-Advent Judgment
Pre-cross
Judgments
Eschatological/Post Cross Judgments
2
1
3
4
5
7
6
God’s Executive
Judgment
Fourth Phase of Judgment
1. Time: Pre-Advent Judgment.
What is its NATURE?
Known as the INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT.
Can be a misleading term.
Who Needs to Investigate?
God?
God Knows Who Are His!
2 Tim 2:19
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation
stands firm, sealed with this inscription:
‘The Lord knows those who are his,’
and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name
of the Lord must turn away from
wickedness.’”
Who Needs to Investigate?
Believers in Christ?
Not really!
1 John 5:12-13
“He who has the Son has life; he who
does not have the Son of God does not
have life. I write these things to you who
believe in the name of the Son of God so
that you may KNOW that you have
eternal life.”
Illustration
In July I celebrated with my wife our
30th anniversary. I am already
happily married for three decades!
Illustration
I do not need to wake up in the morning and
think: “Am I married or not?”
I love my wife; I never divorced her; I make my
decisions in respect to her; I stayed with her
even in our difficult times… I was not always
a perfect husband, but we belong together. I
live with my wife!
… and I know I am married!
Illustration
In the same way,
I do not need to wake up in the morning and
think: “Am I saved or not?”
Every morning I rededicate my life to Him. The
first thing I do after I wake up is to kneel
beside my bed, and thank Him …
I know I am saved, not because I am so good,
but because of His grace, because He says
so! “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1
Cor 15:10).
In Addition
• In the pre-Advent judgment humans are
totally passive; we do not play there an
active role. We have made our decisions;
and this judgment is about what God,
our High Priest, is doing for us in
heaven!
Who Needs to Investigate?
Angels?
Yes! It is for Angels and
Heavenly Beings!
The pre-advent judgment is conducted mainly for
the sake of angels and heavenly beings!
“As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the
Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as
white as snow; the hair of his head was white like
wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels
were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out
from before him. Thousands upon thousands
attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand
stood before him. The court was seated, and the
books were opened.”
Dan 7:9–10
New Terminology
• Terms are very important.
• Truth, concepts, ideas are conveyed
through words.
• We need to choose the best!
Fourth Phase of Judgment
I would like to propose a better term:
Affirmative Judgment
(or Demonstrative or
Revelatory Judgment)
Fourth Phase of Judgment
1.
2.
3.
4.
Time: Pre-Advent Judgment
Nature: Affirmative Judgment
Place: Heaven
Direct Beneficiaries: Angels / Whole
Universe
5. Key Biblical Texts: Dan 7–8; Rev 14:7; Rev
19:2; Matt 22:1–14
Facts About This Judgment
•
•
•
•
Also known as the “Investigative Judgment.”
Bible prophecy points to it starting in 1844 (Dan 7–9).
This is “Investigative” only from the viewpoint of angels.
It is the affirmative or confirmatory judgment from
the viewpoint of GOD and human beings.
• It is God’s demonstrative or revelatory judgment:
He openly demonstrates to the whole universe our
relationship to Him; His attitude to sin; and how He
saves repentant sinners!
• Salvation of God’s people―“Judgment in favor of the
saints of the Most High.”
• Condemnation―the “Little Horn” is judged and condemned.
Facts Continued
• A revelation of God’s grace and power, rather than a
display of our sins.
• A demonstration of how God worked for us, in us, and
through us.
• Nothing mysterious or hidden activity―it is a legal
admission to Heaven in front of the whole Universe.
• Plainly and openly revealed who accepted God as
their Creator and Savior.
• God is proven just, because sinners are transformed
by God’s grace, Word, and Spirit.
• God’s love and justice are demonstrated when He
accepts into the heavenly family those who repented
and followed Him.
What’s Missing?
•
•
•
•
Pictures are very impersonal.
Very sad (sober) faces.
Distance between justified sinner and Jesus.
Usually, Jesus or the Cross is not at the center
of the picture but the sinner.
Three Possible Ways of Improvement:
- Repentant sinner on the pierced palm of
Jesus.
Three Possible Ways of Improvement:
- Repentant sinner on the pierced palm of Jesus.
- Being in the heart of Jesus.
Three Possible Ways of Improvement:
- Repentant sinner on the pierced palm of Jesus.
- Being in the heart of Jesus.
- Jesus embraces repentant sinner.
Personal View
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
With one hand Jesus embraces me.
With another shows my real life.
Not only the display of my sins.
Jesus as my true Witness demonstrates to the
whole universe what is my attitude toward Him,
what is my attitude toward sin and salvation.
Especially the demonstration of God’s working
GRACE in me.
My orientation for Jesus and life is revealed.
My attitudes and direction of life are demonstrated.
My priorities.
Jesus Christ:
“My grace is sufficient for the
repentant sinner Moskala.”
Joy in Heaven
• Everyone will jump out of their seats and
applaud.
• They will applaud, of course, not me, but Jesus,
His powerful grace in my life.
• Remember—God’s amazing grace is always
transforming grace! If grace is not
transforming, it is not amazing!
• They will proclaim: “We want that Moskala to live
with us! He fits and belongs here as part of our
family!”
• In this way Jesus is legally securing in front
of the universe my place in heaven for all
eternity.
• See John 14:1-3!
God’s Universal Judgment in Seven Phases:
5. The Realization Judgment
Pre-cross
Judgments
Eschatological/Post Cross Judgments
2
1
3
4
5
6
God’s Executive
Judgment
7
The Fifth Phase of Judgment
1. Time: Eschatological Judgment, PostCross, Judgment at the Second Coming
of Christ
2. Nature: Realization Judgment
3. Place: Earth
4. Direct Beneficiaries: Redeemed People
5. Key Biblical Texts: Rev 19:17–21; Matt
25:31–46; John 5:28–29; 1 Cor 4:4–5; Dan
12:2, 13
John 14:1–3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust
in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s
house are many rooms; if it were not so, I
would have told you. I am going there to
prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come back
and take you to be with me that you also
may be where I am.”
• 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 "and come forth—those who have done good, to
the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil,
to the resurrection of condemnation.”
• 1 Cor 4:4–5: “For I know nothing against myself, yet I
am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the
Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until
the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the
hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the
hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.”
• Revelation 19:17–21: “Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he
cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of
heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,
"that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of
mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and
the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great. "And I saw
the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together
to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who
worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who
received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with
brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which
proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the
birds were filled with their flesh.”
• Daniel 12: 2, 13: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the
earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and
everlasting contempt…But you, go your way till the end; for you shall
rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”
Realization Judgment
• Resurrection of dead in Christ and Redemption
of all true believers of God.
• Condemnation and Execution of the living
wicked. Salvation-Condemnation.
• Jesus Christ appears with rewards.
• All living human beings judged, but only
faithful believers saved.
God’s Universal Judgment in Seven Phases:
6. Judgment during Millennium
Pre-cross
Judgments
Eschatological/Post-Cross Judgments
2
1
3
4
5
6
God’s Executive
Judgment
7
The Sixth Phase of Judgment
1. Time: Eschatological, Post-Cross Judgment,
Judgment during Millennium
2. Nature: Attestation Judgment
3. Place: Heaven
4. Direct Beneficiaries: Redeemed
5. Key Biblical Texts: Rev 20:4–6; 1Cor 6:2–3;
Matt 19:28
• Matt 19: 28: “So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to
you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits
on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me
will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.”
• 1 Cor 6: 2–3: “Do you not know that the saints will
judge the world? And if the world will be judged by
you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How
much more, things that pertain to this life?”
• Revelation 20:1–5 : “Then I saw an angel coming down
from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great
chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of
old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand
years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him
up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the
nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But
after these things he must be released for a little while.
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and
judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls
of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and
for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his
image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on
their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a
thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live
again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first
resurrection.”
Different Function/Role
• God wants us to be happy in heaven
and happy throughout eternity even
though our beloved ones or close relatives
would not be there with us.
• Hypothetical illustration: my father who led
me to Christ.
Different Function/Role
• God wants us to be happy in heaven and
happy throughout eternity even if we should
there meet our enemies or those, who according
to our understanding, were enemies of Christ
and His people.
• Hypothetical examples―Nero, Hitler, Stalin,
Mussolini, Pinochet, Osama ben Ladin, etc.
• Time for receiving clearer insights and deeper
understanding of reality.
Another Function
Time for reconciliation, healing of emotional
wounds, restoration of broken relationships,
and growth.
Illustration―2 Kings 21
• The King Manasseh.
• Who was he?
Illustration―2 Kings 21
-
The worst king in Judah (like Ahab in
the North).
Symbol of evil.
Illustration―2 Kings 21
- Yet was 55 years on the throne.
Illustration―2 Kings 21
- Practiced idolatry.
- Offered his sons to foreign gods.
Illustration―2 Kings 21
- Exercised magic and spiritism.
Illustration―2 Kings 21
Murdered Isaiah and many other
prophets and people.
Illustration―2 Kings 21
According to the pseudepigraphic writing,
The Ascension of Isaiah, Isaiah was
sawed in half during the reign of
Manasseh.
Terrible!!! What can be worse?
BUT― According to 2 Chronicles 33
• The King Manasseh repented
– Sent into Assyrian captivity
– Sincerely asked God for mercy
– Returned back
– Revival and reformation
Good News?
Rejoice—God Saves!
Good News! God saves sinners!!!
Manasseh will be in heaven!!!
Glory to God for His amazing, transforming
grace that could save a man like Manasseh!
Good News
Isaiah and Manasseh will meet in heaven!
Will they pretend that nothing happened?
Will they ignore each other?
Don’t you think that it is now time for
Manasseh to say, “I am deeply sorry,” to
Isaiah? Then they will embrace each other …
Isaiah: “I have forgiven you a long time ago!
You are my brother!”
Additional Examples
• David and Uriah (2 Sam 11).
Additional Examples
• David and Uriah (2 Sam 11).
• Apostle Paul before his conversion put to
death many Christians who knew him only
as an enemy of the church.
Additional Examples
• David and Uriah (2 Sam 11).
• Apostle Paul before his conversion put to
death many Christians who knew him only
as an enemy of the church.
• Paul was the main witness of (and
responsible for) the death of Stephen, the
deacon (Acts 7:54–8:3; 9:1–6).
Facts About the Judgment
During the Millennium
• Confirmatory, revelatory, negative (shows
condemnation).
• Endorses God’s previous judgment.
• God wants all the redeemed to be happy throughout
eternity.
• Revelation of God’s love and justice while not forgiving
those who rejected His saving grace.
• All redeemed attest to God’s goodness and justice in not
admitting into Heaven those who refused His saving
activity for them and continued in their destructive
behavior.
• Judgment of evil angels and Satan.
God’s Universal Judgment in Seven Phases:
7. The Final Judgment
Eschatological/Post Cross Judgments
2
Pre-cross
Judgments
1
7
3
4
5
6
God’s Executive
Judgment
The Final Phase/7th Phase of Judgment
1.
2.
3.
4.
Time: The Last Judgment
Nature: Executive Judgment
Place: Earth
Direct Beneficiaries: Whole Universe
including the Redeemed
5. Key Biblical Texts: Rev 20:7–15; John 12:48;
Acts 17:31
• Revelation 20:7–15: “Now when the thousand years have
expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out
to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth,
Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose
number is as the sand of the sea. 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. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire
and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And
they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I
saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face
the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no
place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing
before God, and books were opened. And another book was
opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged
according to their works, by the things which were written in
the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death
and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they
were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and
Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into
the lake of fire.”
• John 12:48: “He who rejects Me, and does
not receive My words, has that which judges
him -- the word that I have spoken will
judge him in the last day.”
• Acts 17: 31: “Because He has appointed a day
on which He will judge the world in
righteousness by the Man whom He has
ordained. He has given assurance of this to
all by raising Him from the dead.”
Facts About the Final Judgment
• Condemnation, Executive, Annihilation
Judgment when all evil in various forms will be
totally eradicated.
• Negative judgment with very positive results.
• All intelligent beings in the universe will serve
God faithfully out of love and gratitude, because
they know the goodness of the Lord.
• God as Surgeon eradicates the problem of sin
once and for all and totally reverses the damage
done by sin.
• Salvation and life secured for all eternity.
• Sin and Rebellion will never occur again..
The Last Judgment
• “Above the throne of God appears the
cross of Jesus.” (GC 666)
• In the light of the cross, the whole great
controversy between God and Satan, light
and darkness, truth and deceit is shown
(the best multimedia presentation!).
• Every individual will also see in the light of
the cross what God did for him/her.
Every Knee Will Bow Down
Before God
• Not only all redeemed, good angels, and the heavenly beings, but also
-The wicked people.
-The evil angels.
-Satan himself.
Phil 2:10–11
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father.”
Rev 15:3–4
“Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are
your ways, King of the ages ... For you alone are holy … your righteous acts
have been revealed.”
Satan’s Total Capitulation and
Defeat
• After a crystal clear demonstration of God’s love
and evidences of it, Satan admits that God is
JUST. His, Satan’s, claims are refuted.
• But he is angry at himself that he testified to
God’s justice, and he leads his followers to a
final rebellion.
• Because it was demonstrated to the whole
universe what God had unselfishly done for
sinners and that even the best information could
not change the heart of the wicked (this is why
they are condemned and outside of the New
Jerusalem), the fire from heaven will fall down
and destroy/annihilate evil and everyone who
associated with it.
God’s Strange But Necessary Act:
Annihilation of Unrepentant Sinners,
Evil Angels, and Satan
God has no pleasure in destroying the wicked.
Ezek 18:32
“For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the
Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!”
(see also Ezek 33:11)
Isa 28:21
“The LORD will rise up as … to do his work, his strange work,
and perform his task, his alien task.”
• God’s love and justice clearly
demonstrated.
Nahum 1:9
“Whatever they plot against the LORD he
will bring to an end; trouble will not come
a second time.”
God’s Total Victory
• It is the VICTORY of God’s
- love.
- truth.
- justice.
Victory of His moral power (not His force).
He is the only Warrant of freedom,
harmony, peace, and order.
In the New Earth There Is No More
• Death
There Is No More
• Death
• Sickness, pain, disease
There Is No More
• Death
• Sickness, pain, disease
• Wickedness, crime, evil
There Are No More
Three institutions of which we are the most
scared:
• No cemeteries
• No hospitals
• No prisons
No more sin, sinners, evil
angels, Satan !!!
There Will Be There
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Love
Peace
Joy
Security
Creative work
Meaningful lasting relationships
Harmony
Traveling in the vast universe to other planets
There Is
• God with His people there.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the
first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and
there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the
new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from
God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her
husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne
saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and
he will live with them. They will be his people, and
God himself will be with them and be their God.’”
Rev 21:1–3 (NIV)
All Eternity With
• God
• Angels
• Heavenly beings from all the different 120 billion
galaxies
• Redeemed of all generations (from Adam to the
Second Coming of Christ)
The best fellowship ever!
Never ending growth in the LORD!
This is the Gospel according
to God’s Judgment!
Glory, Hosanna, Hallelujah to
the Lord!
The Divine Judgment:
A Demonstration of God’s Wrath
Or
A Celebration of the Cross?
Of Course, It Is
A Celebration of the Cross, celebration of
the Person—Jesus Christ!
The Gospel According to
God’s Judgment:
• It is a perfect Gospel, because our God
is perfect in all His actions!
• He is the God of LOVE!
• He is our beautiful Judge!
GLORY, HALLELUJAH TO THE LORD!
Amen!
Toward a Biblical Theology of God’s Judgment:
A Celebration of the Cross in Seven
Phases of Divine Universal Judgment (An Overview
Of a Theocentric-Christocentric Approach)
(For more details, see my article in the Journal of Adventist
Theological Society, Spring 2004.)
Concluding Illustration
• It happened many years ago when
people were moving in America to the
West …
A Thief
• A man stole a loaf of bread.
• He was caught and put in small town
prison.
• Judge arrived.
• Is it true?
• What can you say to your defense?
Judge in America West
Verdict:
• 10 dollars fine.
Judge in America West
Additional verdict:
You all are guilty too because you did not
help needy person when he begged you
for help.
Everyone had to pay 50 cents of fine.
God Is Your Judge―SMILE
Collected:
47 dollars and 50 cents.
“Here it is for your new beginning, your new
life!”
As beautiful as it is, our Judge is better
than that!