The Final Judgment

There are many teachings about the final judgment. Some teach there will be no judgment at all. Most people believe this because the evidence of their lives shows no concern for a judgment. Some think that it is going on now. In a way they are correct because everything we do effects our final judgment, and then the day of the Lord will be more of a sentencing or declaration day than one of judgment (as we understand the word). A few people teach that the judgment has already passed, and this teaching confuses people. If there is no judgment to come, why do people live by strict rules and try to convert people to their beliefs?

Despite all the error and false teaching about the final judgment day, we must recognize that the Bible is certain of its coming. Wicked angels are awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). There are passages all through the pages of the Bible that speak of a final judgment. The wicked need to fear the judgment because the wrath of God will be upon them (Romans 2:8), but the righteous look forward to that great day when God will reward them with eternal life in heaven (Romans 2:7).

We do not know when this will take place for only God knows that time, we can be assured of this from the pages of the Bible; All will die and after that each will face their judgment (Hebrews 9:27). This final judgment will come unexpectantly, like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:36; 2 Peter 3:10). Acts 17:30-31 tells us that God has appointed A DAY in which He will judge the world. Everyone will be judged. Almighty God will judge each individual. The standard of Judgment will be the life that was lived and the actions of the person living that life. Jesus Christ will be the great Judge. God will judge the earth through Christ.

We also know that God keeps records in heaven. He writes down the names of the righteous into the Lamb’s Book of Life, and he also records the names of those who rebel against Him. Here are some of the things for which we will be judged: Our thoughts (Proverbs 23:7: 2 Corinthians 10:5); Secret things (Romans 2:6); Every work (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14); Our words (Matthew 12:36-37); All we have done (1 John 3:4; Galatians 6:7-8); and what we have failed to do (James 4:17). This last one should be the most sobering thought that comes into our mind every day we live.

We know that God’s judgment will be true, just, righteous, and everybody will be treated fairly and justly, and everyone will get what they deserve. There will be no appeals process, because there will be no error in judgment by the perfect God. Prepare to meet thy God.

Article written by: Carey Scott

Who Really Goes to Hell?

Nobody likes to talk about death, taxes and that place called hell. Fear of death, hatred of taxes and just plain having no desire to talk about the “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14-15) will top any list of undesirable topics. A lot of people have an opinion about death, everyone has a view on taxes but very few know much about what the Bible says about hell. The knowledge of hell comes only from the Bible. That is because its Creator is the same one that created the “heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

Jesus believed in Hell. He taught a lot of lessons on Hell. “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29). “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

In the Saturday, January 8, 2011 edition of The Gainesville Sun (p5D), a question was posed about who really goes to hell. A grandfather discusses his grandson’s fear of hell by telling him that “very few people are going to hell.” He goes on to say, “Most people who do bad things are actually going to heaven because they don’t realize they’re making mistakes.” The grandfather concludes for his grandson that God is so loving that He could not possibly punish people in hell or that would make Him “an infinitely horrendous ogre.” His question was answered by a rabbi named Marc Gellman that applauded the answers given to the young boy. Gellman concluded that “hell is the place where truly evil people receive the punishment they deserve. Hell is for Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Idi Amin and every unrepentant murderer, torturer or purveyor of cruelty.”

You have to be a really, really bad person to go to hell? You can be a bad person and go to Heaven but hell is for the worse kinds of evil people? Is that what the Bible teaches? Jesus told those in judgment to “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41) and the only thing they did was to do nothing for others (see Matthew 25:41-46). Paul described the following who would be condemned to hell: “fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). 

When the Lord returns He will come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Jesus declared that even “religious people” will be cast into hell (Matthew 7:21-23). The rich man was in a place of “torments” (Luke 16:23). The parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30) concludes with “all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:40-42). There is a lake of fire (Revelation 20:10, 14, 15; 21:8) and it will be filled with all those who reject God’s will.

The horrendous manner of Christ's death bears testimony to the magnitude of what is at stake. Jesus died to give man a choice: Heaven or hell. The grandfather and the rabbi neglected to consult with the one who knows about hell. It is real, it is reserved, it will happen. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Hell is real!

Written by Kent Heaton

Gospel Meeting with David Lanius

If you are in the Loveland, Colorado area on June 5-8, please come and join for a gospel meeting with David Lanius from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. In addition to the 7 lessons he will be preaching for us, we will have a congregational singing on Saturday afternoon

at 1:30 P.M. on June 7th. Please come and join us!