Bible Dictionary

Judgment, The final

Sin & Judgment • New Testament

The final judgment is God’s universal and righteous judgment after the resurrection, with Jesus Christ as Judge. All people, and the fallen angels, will be judged, and the secrets of every heart will be revealed.

Definition

The final judgment is the last and universal judgment of human actions. It takes place after the resurrection and is entrusted to Jesus Christ as Mediator. All people without exception, together with the fallen angels, are judged, and the consequences of the judgment are decisive and eternal.

Biblical Usage

The standard of judgment is God’s revealed law: the heathen are judged by the law written on their hearts, the Jew by the law, and the Christian by the light of revelation. The secrets of every heart are brought to light, and Christ’s judgment manifests the salvation of His people and the overthrow of His enemies.

Historical Background

The supplied material presents the judgment as certain, universal, righteous, and eternal in its consequences. It occurs after resurrection and publicly vindicates the righteousness of God’s sentence.

Scripture References

Matthew 25 Romans 14:10 Romans 14:11 2 Corinthians 5:10 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 Acts 17:31 John 5:22 John 5:27 Revelation 1:7 Matthew 25:31-46 1 Corinthians 15:51 1 Corinthians 15:52 Revelation 20:11-15 Jude 1:1 Luke 12:47 Luke 12:48 Romans 2:12-16 Romans 2:12 Matthew 11:20-24 John 3:19 1 Corinthians 4:5 Luke 8:17 Luke 12:2 Luke 12:3 Hebrews 9:27 Ecclesiastes 11:9 Romans 2:5 Hebrews 6:2

Related Figures

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The sentence that will be passed on our actions at the last day (Matt. 25; Rom. 14:10, 11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). The judge is Jesus Christ, as mediator. All judgment is committed to him (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; Rev. 1:7). “It pertains to him as mediator to complete and publicly manifest the salvation of his people and the overthrow of his enemies, together with the glorious righteousness of his work in both respects.” The persons to be judged are, (1) the whole race of Adam without a single exception (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; Rev. 20:11-15); and (2) the fallen angels (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6). The rule of judgment is the standard of God’s law as revealed to men, the heathen by the law as written on their hearts (Luke 12:47, 48; Rom. 2:12-16); the Jew who “sinned in the law shall be judged by the law” (Rom. 2:12); the Christian enjoying the light of revelation, by the will of God as made known to him (Matt. 11:20-24; John 3:19). Then the secrets of all hearts will be brought to light (1 Cor. 4:5; Luke 8:17; 12:2, 3) to vindicate the justice of the sentence pronounced. The time of the judgment will be after the resurrection (Heb. 9:27; Acts 17:31). As the Scriptures represent the final judgment “as certain [Eccl. 11:9], universal [2 Cor. 5:10], righteous [Rom. 2:5], decisive [1 Cor. 15:52], and eternal as to its consequences [Heb. 6:2], let us be concerned for the welfare of our immortal interests, flee to the refuge set before us, improve our precious time, depend on the merits of the Redeemer, and adhere to the dictates of the divine word, that we may be found of him in peace.”

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