“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” —Hebrews 9:27
The word “appointed” in Hebrews 9:27 is the Greek apokeimai and means
“to be reserved,” i.e., “to obtain or arrange in advance.” Ladies and
gentlemen, we have a divine appointment with death. God knows the very
moment when we will breath our last breath. Life is what happens to us when
we're making big plans. There is no guarantee of tomorrow... “Boast not
thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth”
(Proverb 27:1). Life is a gift from God, which He has entrusted to us.
THE UNSAVED
The Word of God tells us that when we die, we will stand before God at THE JUDGMENT. This is true for the saved and unsaved. The unsaved will be judged at The Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). So many people today errantly portray God as a laidback, love-is-all-that-matters kind of God that would never send anyone to Hell. But Jesus said in John 10:35, “the scripture cannot be broken.” If the Scripture cannot be broken, and it cannot, then 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9 cannot be broken... “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction...”
The Great White Throne of Judgment will be a criminal trial and the wicked will be judged according to their crimes (works). Revelation 20:13 tells us that the BOOKS SHALL BE OPENED. It will be at this time that millions of people will realize, to their horror, they were lied to be the city of Las Vegas, because what HAPPENED IN VEGAS didn't stay in Vegas... IT WAS RECORDED IN HEAVEN!!! God is recording every sin we commit in
If a person DIES
IN THEIR SINS without the righteousness of Jesus Christ, they will be
punished in the fires of Hell forever. Jesus paid for our sins so we
wouldn't have to. Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15; 6:23). Salvation
is receiving, not giving. All we must do to be saved is acknowledge our
guilt of sin and believe on Jesus Christ as the Son of God, our Savior, to
forgive our sins and save us. We are saved by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matthew
6:33; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:3-4), i.e., the imputed righteousness
of Jesus Christ (Romans 4:6). All we must do is BELIEVE...
“To him give all the prophets
witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive
remission of sins.”
THE SAVED
The saved will be judged at The Judgment Seat of Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:10). The next verse, in 2nd Corinthians 5:11, speaks concerning THE TERROR OF THE LORD. Many believers foolish think they have nothing to fear on Judgment Day, but they are mistaken. God will JUDGE believers for their sins and hold them accountable (Romans 14:12) for the bad things they've done throughout their life, especially the sins committed as a believer because they knew better... “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1st Peter 4:17).
Christians will be judged under the Law of Liberty. We are no longer under the curse of the Old Testament Mosaic Law. However, we are still under God's Law. It is a Law of grace and liberty, but a Law nonetheless. Although we are not in danger of hellfire because we have been fully pardoned, we are still obligated by God to obey the Law, or else stand trial at The Judgment Seat of Christ to give account for the things done in the flesh. The Bible doesn't go into specific detail concerning what will happen at this judgment, but we do know that rewards will be at stake and many will be ashamed at the Lord's coming (Hebrews 13:17; 1st John 2:28).
The Judgment Seat of Christ will be comparable to a civil court proceeding, where the guilty party is not being tried as a criminal; but rather as one who has caused hurt and damage for others and reconciliation must be made... “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified” (1st Thessalonians 4:6). God will AVENGE us, as well as those we have wronged, on Judgment Day. Howbeit, there is no danger of being prosecuted as a criminal at The Judgment Seat of Christ. Every believer is eternally safe because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are saved certain! No believer will ever go to Hell.
1st Corinthians
3:14-15 tells us, “If any man's
work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any
man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be
saved; yet so as by fire.” Many
believers will suffer loss on Judgment Day, and shed many tears of sorrow
over their failures in this life which hurt their loved ones and friends,
but they will still be saved and secure in Jesus Christ. In Psalm 6:1 David
said to God, “O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in
thy hot displeasure.” God gets angry. God chastens His children (Hebrews
12:6-8).
Conclusion
Every human being will one day stand before God in judgment. For those who are saved, Jesus Christ will be our attorney, Who has worked out a plea-agreement with the Prosecutor (God the Father) by means of His blood sacrifice. We have been fully pardoned through Christ. For those who are unsaved, they will be summonsed to stand trial without a lawyer, and be judged according to their works, and will be sentenced to the Lake of Fire forever.
