|
[done] in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Note the all. |
|
We all know that God is the judge: “God, judge of all” (Hebrews 12:23). However, He has committed all judgment to the Son (his Son) as we have seen above. As the Lord puts it: “for neither does the Father judge any one, but has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5: 22). God judges in the person of his Son. Many Old Testament passages speak of God judging, but we learn, as with many other things, that what is predicated of God in the Old Testament is fulfilled in Christ. Consider for instance Psalm 9 verses 4, 7/8, and 19. |
|
Kingship involves judgment. The people said to Samuel: “Appoint us a king to judge us” (1 Samuel 8:5). The thought carries right through into Revelation where it is said amongst other things of Christ that he judges (Revelation 19:11). He is King of kings, and Lord of lords (verse 16). Judgment being connected with kingship it is administered from the throne. The Psalms speak about this, for instance; “Thou sittest on the throne, judging righteously” (Psalm 9:4) See also verse 7. In the New Testament we have Christ sitting down on his throne to judge the living (Matthew 25:31-46) and in Revelation we find a great white throne in place for judgment of the dead (Revelation 20:11-15). Revelation incidentally is a book about judgment as can be seen if a concordance is consulted. |
|
As with every other truth found in Scripture Christ’s position as judge is to have an effect upon us. Judgment is to begin at the house of God (Ezekiel 9:6; 1 Peter 4:17), so we should be careful that, as Paul says, we do not come together for judgment (1 Corinthians 11:28-34). We are at the present time in what is often called the day of grace (see for instance Titus 2:11), but the day of judgment is coming and we should be solemnised by that fact. It should effect our preaching and our life in other ways. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). However the day of judgment has not yet come as Peter tells us, but it assuredly will. However in the present time the Lord is waiting for all to come to repentance. It is the time of his longsuffering (2 Peter 3:1-10). |
|
Judgment is not limited to Christ. He told his disciples that in the regeneration they would sit on |