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Answer
There are various judgments mentioned in the Bible. Our God is a God of justice, as the psalmist says, “A scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom” «Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: The scepter of your kingdom is a right scepter.», (Psalm 45:6). It is the Lord Jesus Himself who is the Judge of all the earth: “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son” «For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son:», (John 5:22). Jesus alone is worthy to open the scroll «And one of the elders says to me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.», (Revelation 5:5). Here is a list of significant judgments in their likely chronological sequence:
Judgments that have already occurred:
The judgment of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:14-24). God banished the first couple from the Garden of Eden for violating His clear command not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This judgment affected all of creation (Genesis 3:17-18; Romans 8:20-22).
The judgment of the antediluvian world (Genesis 7:17-24). God sent a worldwide flood in judgment of mankind’s sin in Noah’s time. The flood destroyed all of mankind and the animal world, except for Noah and his family, whose faith led them to obey God’s command to build.
The Ark.
The judgment at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:5-9). Noah’s post-flood descendants remained in one location in defiance of God’s command, so God confused their language, causing them to disperse over the earth.
The judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to the rampant wickedness that was taking place in those cities (Genesis 18:20; Ezekiel 16:49-50; Jude 1:7).
The judgment of Egypt and their gods (Exodus 7—12). The ten plagues against Egypt at the time of the exodus were considered “mighty acts of judgment” «But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. », (Exodus 7:4) against a stubborn, cruel king and an idolatrous people and their gods «For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. », (Exodus 12:12).
The judgment of believers’ sins (Isaiah 53:4-8). Jesus took this judgment upon Himself through His crucifixion and death. “He suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” «But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. », (Hebrews 2:9). Because our sin.The judgment took place at the cross, where it was declared, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” « There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. », (Romans 8:1). It was also at the cross that God passed judgment on the unbelieving world and on the enemy of our souls, Satan. As Jesus stated shortly before His arrest, “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out” «Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. », (John 12:31).
Judgments taking place in the church age:
Self-examination «But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. », (1 Corinthians 11:28). Believers engage in self-assessment, prayerfully and honestly evaluating their spiritual condition. The church assists in this process to cleanse the Body of Christ (Matthew 18:15-17). Self-judgment requires each believer to have spiritual discernment, aiming to become more like Christ (Ephesians 4:21-23).
Divine correction (Hebrews 12:5-11). Just as a father lovingly corrects his children, the Lord disciplines His own; He leads His followers to repentance and restoration when they sin. Through this process, He distinguishes between us and the world: “When we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world” «But when we are judged, we are chastened ofThe Lord, so that we should not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:32). Whom Christ loves, He chastens “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Revelation 3:19).
Judgments to occur in the future:
The judgments of the tribulation period (Revelation 6—16). These terrible judgments are depicted as seven seals opened, seven trumpets blown, and seven bowls poured out. God’s judgment against the wicked will leave no doubt about His wrath against sin. Besides punishing sin, these judgments will lead the nation of Israel to repentance.
The judgment seat of Christ “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Resurrected (and raptured) believers in heaven will be judged for their works. Sin is not considered at this judgment, as it was paid for by Christ, but only faithfulness in Christian service. Selfish works or those done with wrong motives will be burned up “Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;” (the “wood, hay, and stubble” of 1 Corinthians 3:12). Works of lasting value to the Lord will survive (the “gold, silver, and precious stones”). Rewards, which the Bible calls “crowns” “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.” (Revelation 3:11) will be given by the One who is “not unjust; he will not forget.”
Your work and the love you have shown him” «For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. », (Hebrews 6:10).
The judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46). After the tribulation, the Lord Jesus will sit in judgment over the Gentile nations. They will be judged according to their treatment of Israel during the tribulation. This judgment is also called the judgment of the sheep and the goats because of the imagery Jesus uses in the Olivet Discourse. Those who showed faith in God by treating Israel favorably (giving them aid and comfort during the tribulation) are the “sheep” who will enter into the Millennial Kingdom. Those who followed the Antichrist’s lead and persecuted Israel are the “goats” who will be consigned to hell.
The judgment of angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3). Paul says that Christians will judge angels. We aren’t exactly sure what this means, but the angels facing judgment would have to be the fallen angels. It seems that Satan’s hordes of demons will be judged by the redeemed ones of the Lamb. Some of these demons are already imprisoned in darkness and awaiting judgment, according to Jude 1:6, due to their leaving their proper dwelling place.
The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). This final judgment of unbelievers for their sins occurs at the end of the Millennium, before the creation of the new heaven and earth. At this judgment, unbelievers from all the ages are judged for their sins and consigned to the lake of fire.
In Job 8:3, Bildad, one of Job’s friends, asks, “Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty”Pervert what is right?” The answer, of course, is “no.” “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just” « He is the Rock, his work is perfect: For all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he. », (Deuteronomy 32:4), and God’s judgments will make His perfection shine forth in all its glory.
One of the Holy Spirit’s tasks in this world is to convict the world of coming judgment (John 16:8-11). When a person truly understands his sin, he will acknowledge his guilty position before a Holy God. The surety of judgment should cause the sinner to turn to the Savior and cast himself on the mercy of God in Christ. Praise the Lord that, in Christ, “mercy triumphs over judgment” «For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. », (James 2:13).
