I wish to share some thoughts with you on the Last Judgment.I do not wish to go into the interpretation of the Bible with regard to the various judgments that will befall unrepentant sinners.
The Bible talks of quite a few judgments, some of which have already taken place, but some cases still have to be heard.
Some of the outstanding judgments are the judgment of :
1. the Peoples of the earth (Heb. 10:30)
2. the Angels who have rebelled against God (1 Cor. 6:3)
3. The Whore (Rev. 17:1)
4. Babylon (Rev. 18:10)
I sometimes do not even want to think about it - like most of us - thinking we will face it if and when it comes to us, like we face many other challenges in life by pleading innocense or ignorence or our specialty - blaming someone else or telling a lie.
Like in the poem by Sir Walter Ralegh - The Lie.
Tell fortune of her blindness,
Tell nature of decay
Tell friendship of unkindness
Tell justice of delay
And if they will reply
Then give them all the lie.
What I do know, however, is that only those who have transgressed or have rebelled against God or are guilty of sin (however that may be defined) and have not confessed it, will be judged.
Innocent people will not be sentenced or found guilty, because of the presence of the All Knowing Creator at the judgment where everything will come out in the open.
In this I am reminded of the beautiful poem by the same poet called The Passionate Man's Pilgrimage :
From thence to heaven's bribeless hall
Where no corrupted voices brawl
No conscience molten into gold
No forged accusers bought and sold
No cause deferred, nor vain-spent journey
For there Christ is the King's attorney.
Who pleads for all without degrees.
And he hath angels, but no fees.
Not even on earth is innocent people judged, and in fact we have a very insightful procedure on earth for people who have transgressed, but who have confessed and agreed to become State witnesses. They will not stand in judgment, but will become free.
I also know that on earth there must be a prosecutor who will accuse the one standing in judgment for whatever crime he has committed.
I also know that the Judge cannot witness on the defendent's behalf and is not allowed to take part in the argument for or against the defendent.
I also know that I need my own witnesses who may vouch for my innocense or for the truth I should be speaking.
I also know that sometimes people are accused falsely, and then it becomes the defendent's task to prove their accusers wrong.
So how much different will the final judgment be - if at all different. My view is that it will be very similar to the judgments on earth as many of these procedures were laid down in the Old Testament by God himself.
It will thus be insightful to look at some scriptures so that the judgment will not find us ill prepared as death usually finds us.
The principles which I wish to elaborate on, are the following :
1. How do I become guilty of an offense - sometimes unknowingly.
2. How can I buy myself off by way of paying a fine.
3. How do I turn State witness.
4. How can I defend myself in court.
5. Who can be my witnesses.
6. What type of sentence can I expect if found guilty.
7. Is there a way whereby I can settle out of court.
Indeed very interesting subjects when applied to the Last Judgment.
To be continued.
The only difference is that we will not be able to plead our case...only Jesus can do that for us. And He can only plead on our behalf based on the lives we have lived on earth.
ReplyDeleteA scary thought indeed!
Christ cannot plead our case there, as he will be the judge and no judge can witness for me.
ReplyDeleteThe poem I quoted is not scripturally correct in relation to the Last Judgment, although in its present tense it is correct, but more about that much later.
Firstly, we need to address the items seriatim, and the point we need to address is about committing an offence which is called sin.
In fact, it is probably not necessary for me to write about sin, as it is such an inherent thought in our own minds, that most of us know that we have sinned.
However, there are also many misconceptions and I also need to address that.
In my own words I would define sin in three categories namely
1. Sinning against God
2. Sinning against my fellow men
3. Sinning agaist myself.
God is just - so sin will be doing an injustice - and we know very well what that means, because we are always very quick to blame someone else for doing an injustice to us.
Gal. 5;19 defines these 'works of the flesh' namely : Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, v:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, v:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
In this piece all three categories of sin are enumerated - and is very insightful.
Posited against these 'works of the flesh', scripture does not leave us in doubt as to what we really should do - and not surprisingly, it does not call the 'good' things 'works', because no work we can do, can be good. Scripture calls these 'good' things the 'fruit of the Spirit'.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, v:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
So my first deduction is that 'good' can only be done by the Spirit through me, not by any human.
And that brings me to the great fallacy inside and outside the Church today - that man can come into God's good books by good deeds, but more fallacious even, the teaching of moralism.
Moralism goes like this : I do not believe in Christ , but I lead a good life and never injures my fellow men. I even go out specifically to do good deeds to my fellow men. How will a loving God be able to turn me away from heaven or paradise ?
Sad to say - that is exactly what is going to happen in the Last Judgment, because I will then for sure stand in judgment, partly so that those 'good deeds' of mine can be judged.
Whilst I may then pass one of the three categories of judgment enumerated above, I will still fail the first one and probably the last one, and maybe also the middle one, if it can be proved in judgment that I did this out of vainglory or some other egotistical motive.
Lastly, we should ponder this one last question.
If I have lived this moralistic life (not being a Christian and not appealing to the Blood of Christ or His redemption) , am I ready to stand in judgment on the grounds that I have not trangressed the law of God.
For those I wish to quote from scripture :
Jer 3:25 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
To be continued next time - Can I buy myself off by paying a fine ?
Let us look at the second aspect - that of payying a fine.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the penalty for sin : Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death.
Yes that will be your punishment - death.
There is no way I can serve a sentence as the Catholic Church would have us believe with their self invented purgatory. There is no way anyone else on earth can pay my fine : Psalm 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him
The only way is through the death and dedemption of Christ : Hos 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Coming back to the second part of the scripture quoted above : Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
YES - IT'S A GIFT OF GOD. NO SPOT FINE WILL HELP! THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE A WRONG RIGHT BY SOME ACTS OF SELF REDEMPTION. YES, WE SHOULD TRY AND MAKE OUR WRONGS RIGHT FOR THE SAKE OF EASING THE PAIN WE HAVE CREATED IN OURSELVES OR OUR FELLOW MAN, BUT IT HAS NO REAL REDEMPTION VALUE.
Later more about receiving this gift.
Turning State Witness.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can become a state witness, carrying my testimony of salvation to the whole world, and becoming His witness.
To do that, I need to :
1. expose and confess my sins and transgressions against God, myself and my fellow men
2. deny myself
3. judge myself
4. do restitution (give back what I owe and ask for forgiveness from people I have wronged
5. turn into an alliance with God and comply with His instructions.
6. receive His salvation (acquittal)
In such a case I will not be judged in the final judgment - see the following scripture :
1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? (If we will judge people, how can we by judged ? - my question)
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. (only the unjust - unrighteous - are reserved for judgment, we have become righteous through the blood of Christ - my words)
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God (in the present tense - I must judge myself now - my words)
The Hearing.
ReplyDeleteHow can I defend myself in court?
How will the court be structured?
In the bench (as Judge) - Jesus Christ - the victor, who truimphed over grave, hell and death.
State prosecutor - Satan - the accuser of the brethren - he still has the title deeds of the earth/State.
The accused/defendent - Anyone guilty of an offence who has not been acquitted yet.
Witnesses - anyone whos testimony will be found to be true.
Many people think that Christ, then the judge, will be able to testify or witness for us, and take pity on us, and tell the court we lead good lives and that is was not such a serious offence.
I think that is a fallacy.
Firstly because a judge is not allowed to witness for a defendent.
Secondly because Christ is not going to rebut or counter the accusations of Satan - our accuser - and get into an argument with him. That would be a contracdiction in terms and a corruption of the process of law. He is there to judge (both Satan and the accused/defendent).
So what alibi or excuse or mitigation or extentuating circumstances are we going to put forward to the Judge. Remember the Judge knows everything and nothing is hidden from his sight (present, past and future). Also remember His penetrating eyes see through us, just as his loves penetrates our depeest being if we will let Him.
I think we will not be able to say anything, except bring forward ONE saving phrase like in : I have sinned, as the prosecutor has so ably put forward the accusation (and which he has grossly exaggerated - and to which he has also added a string of false accusations and lies - being the father of the lie), but your Word says :
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. v:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (by His blood - verse 7).
I then continue .. Here on this side is my witness - I only need one - Deut 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.)
This witness will vouch for my confession and on the grounds of your word, I should be free.
If I do not have this witness and confession experience, my days in the Stand/Dock will be dark indeed. My chances of acquittal will be very near to zero. To ghastly to contemplate.
Who can be my witness.
ReplyDeleteIn previous pieces of this blog, I have said that Christ (The Judge) cannot be my witness as a judge is not allowed to witness for an accused.
But I do need a witness and who shall it then be.
Deut. 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
So the question is - if someone is to be put to death by the judge (Jesus Christ), at least two witnesses must vouch for it.
First of all we know that the integrity of a witness is tested in court, and witnesses are easily confused by the questions of the counsel for the prosecution, unless they are dead sure of their facts. So I had better get someone, who is reliable. Deut. 19:18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
The best place to start to acquire witnesses is at God Himself - 'These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God - from Rev 3:14.
2 Cor. 1:23 Moreover, I call God for a record (witness) upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
In fact one finds so many references to God as the only true witness, that it is inconceivable that one would not use Him.
The more classic case of using Him as a witness against Himself, we find in Job.
Job is involved in an argument with his friends, who claim that he has sinned and should be punished - as he now is, with his illness - (this is very much like a type of the Last Judgment) , so he calls God as his witness in Job 16:19 - Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. In fact he calls on God to be a witness for him against God.
God is also bound by His Word - so (I think) another witness is needed. In such a case I would take a trusted brother as witness with/for me when I confess my sins, so that I can say with authority at the Last Judgement : I have sinned like the accuser of the brethren has said, but I have confessed these transgressions brought against me, and here are my witnesses - God and brother so and so - and according to God's word, I am free, because the Word of God says in 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!!!!!!
Very clearly explained. The problem is finding the reliable witness as required. We are not all in a position to be near such a person, and I am not sure if an e-mail is always such a good medium of confession. Workable, maybe, but not the ideal. Confession of sins is such a personal act, that it really must be from the heart, with conviction and sincerity, otherwise it can easily just become another act of self-righteousness. It is so sad that the Catholic religion has been able to take something so precious and make it a church institution. I believe it is in itself an act of faith, and should according to Hebrews 11:1 be treated as something that we place our hope in to such an extent, that it becomes a lifestyle. Jesus ask of us to become holy as He is Holy, and in what a clearer, more profound way than in the simple act of confession, restitution and then the final act/demand: to forgive (one-self, God, our fellow Christians and those that have hurt us).
ReplyDeleteVery well said Roan and thank you.
ReplyDeleteToday we come to the likely outcome of such the Court case/last Judgment.
I am fairly convinced that if you cannot plead forgiveness for your transgressions through the Blood of Christ a guilty verdict is evident.
What convinces me even more is the scripture which says : Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
How will my knees bow when I stand on the righteousnous of my own works ?
So - a conviction is most likely, but what does this entail.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; - it is not even a sentence, but only I wage that is dished out !!!!!
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Too ghastly to contemplate !!!!
Let us settle out of court.
ReplyDeleteThis is the last part of the Final Judgment. We have seen how terrifying and fatal a court case can be, but is there a way out - yes - Halleluja.
We need to see the judge before the case starts and plead and settle our case, much like we would see the prosecutor on earth and ask for a remission of the fine.
This chance is still open for us today as the court case has not started yet, and we leave the scriptures to convince you.
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Act 8:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (jugment); but is passed from death unto life.
Luk 11:32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels?
If we will judge the world - how can we be judged ? I am quite sure that we will not go into judgment if we make out the case with Jesus Christ.
How important, though, NOT to judge or condemn while we are here on earth !! Jesus warns us with such emphasis, and so does the apostles after Him. The secret seems to lie in self-judgement without self-condemnation. Al that thus remains is FAITH - the simple belief that the work is done, and Hope - that the work He has done in us, He wants to do in all and every-one around us. That is why it is so important to let my light shine in a dark and seeking world...
ReplyDelete