10. A Date With Destiny: The Judgment

We have learned the amazing fact that we are living in the judgment hour. The Bible refers to the judgment more than I,000 times. Since 1844 Jesus has been engaged in this special work.

In the judgment, Christ is revealed as fully just and loving in His handling of the sin problem. Each case is decided for life or death. The entire Universe recognizes God has done everything possible to save human beings.

The eternal salvation or destruction of human beings is no light or trifling matter. In this study we will discover the magnitude and extent this important subject.

1. How does the Bible describe the significance of the judgment'' Daniel 7: 9 10

MY BIBLE SAYS ". .    Thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated: . .thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand and ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened."

2 What books and records are kept which will still provide evidence for or against us in the judgment?

MY BIBLE SAYS: Revelation 20:12. "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of life.. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books."  BOOK OF LIFE

MY BIBLE SAYS: Philippians 4:3. "And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of life," BOOK OF LIFE contains names of committed Christians.

MY BIBLE. SAYS: Malachi 3:16 "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name."  BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE—record of good deeds.

MY BIBLE SAYS: Jeremiah 2.22. " 'For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before Me,' says the Lord God.' " A RECORD is kept of unconfessed and unforsaken sin.

MY BIBLE SAYS: Psalm 87:4-6. "I will make mention. . . 'this one was born there.' And of Zion it will be said, 'This one and that one were born in her,  The Lord will record, when He registers the peoples: this one was born there." GOD KEEPS RECORD of the circumstances under which on is born.

3. How detailed is the judgment? How deeply does it probe into individual lives? Matthew 12:36, 37; Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14. 

 MY BIBLE SAYS: "But I say to you that for idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. He your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." ". . . Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. "


4. Will anything remain hidden from Clod? 1 Corinthians 4:5.

MY BIBLE, SAYS: ". . Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts . .."

5. Who will act as Judge during these proceedings? John 5:22.
MY BIBLE SAYS: "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son."

6. Who is our defense lawyer? I John 2.1

MY BIBLE SAYS: ". . . These things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

7. What is the standard of the judgment? James 2.12.

MY BIBLE SAYS: "So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty."

8. Enlarge upon the fact that the law of God is the standard of the judgment. Revelation 11:18.

MY BIBLE SAYS: "The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth."

A. What did John see opened in heaven? Revelation 11:19 (first part).
MY BIBLE SAYS: "Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, . . ."

B. What did the temple contain? Revelation 1 1: 19 (last part).
MY BIBLE SAYS: ". . . And the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple . . ."


In the light of the judgment hour, the temple of God is opened in heaven. The law of God, a perfect transcript of His character, is revealed. The destinies of all men are settled in view of their relationship to that law. If they have accepted Jesus Christ, His death atones for their disobedience. Nevertheless, Jesus does not save them that they might continue to disobey. He saves them to enable them to obey.

Thus the basic question asked in the judgment is, "Has this person accepted the saving grace of Christ? Is this acceptance evidenced by a changed relationship to the law? Is the attitude one of obedience or rebellion?

The person saved by grace is one who can say with the Psalmist, "I delight to do Your will, O my God: yea Your law is within my heart. " Psalm 40:8  It hurts him if he hurts Jesus by breaking His law. Deep within his heart he has chosen the way of obedience, not the way of rebellion. 

Jesus and His law are inseparable. To willfully disobey it, is to wound Him. Will you not say in your heart, "Lord, I love you. Cover my sins with Your righteousness. Forgive me of my rebellion. Take away desire to disobey. I choose now to be Your obedient child."

MY DECISION:  Loving Jesus with all my heart I choose to obey Him now and forever.
 

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