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In this series we're talking about the names and descriptive
phrases identifying Jesus. Thus far we've talked about
Jesus as God,
Lord,
Savior,
Christ,
Creator,
the Word,
the Son
of God, the life,
the Light,
the Lamb
of God, the Firstborn,
the head
of the church, our high
priest and King, (also see high
priest and King),
our Advocate
and mediator, an Author,
a Shepherd,
the bread
of God and bread of life, our
hope, the Alpha
and Omega, and the propitiation
for our sins, and .
In this article, we talk about Jesus as our judge.
God Appointed Jesus to Judge
God appointed Jesus as Judge of the living and dead.
- "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and
solemnly to testify that this is the One who has
been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the
dead" (Acts 10:42).
As our judge, Jesus also has authority to forgive
sins. Everyone who believes in His name is forgiven.
- "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through
His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness
of sins" (Acts 10:43).
We Must Stand Before Jesus in Judgment
Paul tells us we must stand before the judgment seat
of Christ, to be judged for our deeds.
- "For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed
for his deeds in the body, according to what he has
done, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10).
On that day, Jesus will judge the secret things in
our lives, in addition to the public things.
- "On the day when, according to my gospel, God
will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus"
(Rom. 2:16).
On that day, He'll judge us regarding our careless
mistakes, and the things we did purposefully.
- "'But I tell you that every careless word that
people speak, they shall give an accounting
for it in the day of judgment'" (Matt. 12:36).
When we stand before Christ in judgment, we'll give
account for everything we've done, whether it was secret,
public, accidental, or purposefully.
Jesus Will Judge Us After He Returns
Paul tells Timothy:
- "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and
of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and
the dead, and by His appearing and His
kingdom" (2 Tim. 4:1).
At His coming, we'll unite with Jesus in the air.
Shortly thereafter, we'll be judged by Him (1 Th. 4:14-17;
2 Tim. 4:1).
Judged By Jesus' Word
When we stand before Jesus in judgment, we'll be judged
by His word.
- "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings,
has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what
will judge him at the last day" (Jn. 12:48).
If we obey Jesus while living on the earth, we'll
be saved. But if we disobey, we'll be cast into the
lake of fire and brimstone (Heb. 5:9; Rev. 20:15).
Every Knee Will Bow, Every Tongue Will Confess
Judgment is the only time sinners will see Jesus, so
it stands to reason that judgment is when every knee
will bow and every tongue will confess.
Paul makes reference to this twice in his epistles.
In Romans, he shows this occurring at judgment.
- "For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every
knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give
praise to God. So then each one of us will
give an account of himself to God'" (Rom. 14:11-12).
And in Philippians, Paul tells us that everyone will
bow and confess at the name of Jesus, which will be
to the glory of the Father.
- "So that at the name of Jesus every knee will
bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, and that every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11).
As Christians, we bow in submission to Christ, and
confess Him before men. But, many people refuse to join
us.
It will be an awesome day to witness all people submissively
bowing before Christ and confessing Him, as we stand
with Jesus in judgment of the world (1 Cor. 6:2).
Jesus, the Righteous Judge, Will Reward Us
After we're judged, Jesus will reward us with eternal
life.
Paul, near the end of his life, says:
- "I have fought the good fight, I have finished
the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there
is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award
to me on that day; and not only to me, but also
to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Tim.
4:7-8).
And John, in Revelation tells us about the judgment,
followed by the saints reward in heaven (Rev. 20:1-22:5).
- "There will no longer be any curse; and the
throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and
His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see
His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
And there will no longer be any night; and they will
not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light
of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine
them; and they will reign forever and ever" (Rev.
22:3-5).
Conclusion
Knowing that Jesus will judge us one day, we should
repent and obey (Lk. 13:3, 5).
Paul, preaching in Athens, proclaims:
- "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance,
God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere
should repent, because He has fixed a day in
which He will judge the world in righteousness
through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished
proof to all men by raising Him from the dead"
(Acts 17:30-31).
Everyone who obeys Jesus will be saved, but everyone
who disobeys will be lost (Heb. 5:9).
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