God’s judgment scares people, and in a sense they are right. Reverential awe and fear are appropriate. But there is a solution for them to escape a negative judgment. I updated this post.

Let’s use the Outline format for clarity and conciseness.

Let’s begin.

I. Names of the End of the Age and Final Judgment

A. Day of judgment

 ⁹ if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. ¹⁰ This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. (2 Pe. 2:9-10)

2 Peter 2:9-10 instructs us that the Lord knows how to recue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment, particularly those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. The last clause indicates a degree of punishment for the worst offenders. The word for punishment in Greek is kolazō (pronounced koh-lah-zoh) which is used only twice in the NT (here and Acts 4:21), and it can mean “to curtail, coerce, to chastise and punish.” In any case, the name is the “day of judgment,” which speaks of finality and abruptness, not twenty-four hours (see also Matt. 12:36, quoted below).

B. Day of the Lord

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thess. 5:1-3)

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 says that Paul does not need to write them about the seasons and dates because the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. These are two great verses about not “sign-watching.” Certainly we should not obsess over signs.

C. Day of God’s wrath

⁵ But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. ⁶ God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” (Rom. 2:5-6, quoting Ps. 62:12; Prov. 24:12)

Romans 2:5-6 warns us that stubborn and unrepentant hearts will store up against us on the day of God’s wrath. In another post about God’s attributes, (Do I Really Know God? He Shows Wrath) God’s wrath is judicial, not malicious or vengeful or erratic. It is judicial because it is based on law. God agrees to a covenant and establishes law, whether moral law around the globe or the law of Moses for a small group of people. If people continually violate it, they will be caught and punished. That is called “wrath.”

See more about wrath at point XI, below.

D. Great day

⁶ And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. (Jude 6)

Jude 6 that angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their dwelling or spiritual realm will be bound with chains for judgment on the “great Day.”

Who Were the ‘Sons of God’ in Genesis?

E. The day

¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (1 Cor. 3:12-13)

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 teaches us in the context of believers doing good works or useless works that will be judged on “the Day.” All believers in Jesus will be saved, but those who do useless works will have those works burned off like wood, straw and stubble in the fire.

F. That day

2 Timothy 4:8 connects the last judgment with the phrase “that day” of Christ’s return.

⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Tim. 4:8)

Paul writes at the end of his life that he will receive a crown of righteousness. Is it a literal crown? Note how the Lord is the righteous Judge. “Righteous” is connected to “just” or “justice.” He will judge fairly and justly.

G. The day of the Lord Jesus

Our works for Christians will be known on the day of the Lord Jesus: what they did for us, and what we did for them. We can boast about them, and they about us.

¹⁴ […] as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus. (2 Cor. 1:14)

II. The Judges

A. God

Psalm 96:10-13 says in the context of the LORD making heaven and earth, and how his highest creation—humankind—should worship him and the entire earth should tremble before him, the LORD will judge the people with equity. Then v. 13 says all creation should rejoice before the LORD, for he comes to judge the world in righteousness and the people in his faithfulness. God has standards (righteousness) and he is true to his covenant (faithfulness), both with humanity and the small group of Israelites who are a part of humanity and have a special covenant with him.

And this verse is clear:

¹⁷ I said to myself,

In Ecclesiastes 3:17, in the context of Solomon’s discouragement, possibly because of his questionable life, he realizes that God will bring judgment on both the righteous and wicked. Every activity and deed will be judged. In the Old Covenant, righteousness will receive a better judgment. This is called relative righteousness, not perfect and flawless righteousness. It is righteousness relative to neighbors who may or may not be righteous. Think of Noah who walked before the Lord blamelessly among the people of his time and faithfully before God (Gen. 6:9). So there is such a thing of a narrow range of righteousness, depending on how people obeyed or disobeyed moral law. No one can achieve moral perfection, but they can behave righteously towards their neighbors.

Paul knew his Old Testament:

¹² What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? ¹³ God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” (1 Cor. 5:12-13, quoting Deut. 13:5; 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21,24; 24:7)

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 says that God will judge those outside the church, implying that he is doing that right now. Somehow God communicates to the open-hearted unbeliever that they should repent. The main method he uses is through believers to preach repentance.

³⁰ For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” ³¹ It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb. 10:30-31, quoting Deut. 32:35 and Deut. 32:36; Psalm 135:14)

²³ to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect […] (Heb. 12:30)

⁴ Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (Heb. 13:4)

Hebrews 10:30-31, 12:23, and 13:4 say God will judge his people, and it is a fearful thing to fall into his hands of judgment. In Hebrew 12:23 the firstborn is Jesus; the righteous made perfect are those who have died already, waiting for us. They have been made perfect. In Hebrews 13:4, God will judge the adulterer and sexually immoral. The good news: everyone has the opportunity to repent, and God is quick to forgive and restore.

B. Christ

He will be God’s instrument and administrator at judgment.

²² Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, […] (John 5:22)

John 5:22 teaches that God has entrusted all judgment to the Son.

²⁷ And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:27)

Now let’s shift to the Old Testament.

¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,^[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Dan. 7:13-14)

And John 5:27 repeats the theme. The Father has granted the Son authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. In Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel is reporting his vision and describes the Son of Man is as coming in authority, glory and sovereign power, and his dominion will be everlasting and will not pass away. He approached the Ancient of Days (God) and was ushered into his presence. Clearly the role of the Son of Man is to have authority to judge.

Romans 2:16 says that through Christ God will judge the secrets of people’s heart. This includes both Jews and Gentiles. Paul’s gospel included judgment. (There is a longer quotation of the passage, below.)

¹⁶ This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. (Rom. 2:16)

In Acts 10:42, in Peter’s sermon before the Gentile centurion, Cornelius, and his household, the apostle proclaimed that God appointed him to be the Messiah to the judge. Peter’s gospel also included judgment.

⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42)

C. Mature believers

Hard to believe but they too will judge the world and angels.

In 1 Corinthians 6:1-4, though it is difficult to believe, Paul says we will judge the world and angels. This belief comes in the context of court cases, and God’s people should not take their lawsuits against each other to unbelieving judges. But one basis for his order is that we will judge the world and angels in the future. Future? We don’t judge angels now in our earth-bound existence, so it has to be during the future judgment. Presumably God will use mature believers who served the Lord and whose work in the church consisted of gold and silver and precious stones, not immature believers, whose useless works had to be burned off, like wood, hay, and straw (1 Cor. 3:13-15, see the quotation above).

If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? ² Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? ³ Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ⁴ Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? (1 Cor. 6:1-4)

Jude 6 (see the quotation above) says that angels who did not hold their own jurisdiction of authority now sit chained up in the gloom of darkness awaiting final judgment on the last day. Maybe mature believers will judge those angels.

D. Summary

I don’t know how God will sort out the final judgment logistically and by roles, through his Son, and with his church, but we can trust him to work it out justly.

III. One Judgment

A. However, according to dispensationalists, there will be three judgements:

1.. Judgment of nations

This decides on who will enter the millennium, based on how the nations treated Israel: “my brothers,” Jesus said (Matt. 25:31-46);

It is too long to quote, so click on the link.

Here’s why “my brothers” does not refer to Israel:

Matthew 25 (scroll down to vv. 31-46 and see the third point)

2.. The judgment of believers’ works

This also called the bema seat judgment (named after the seat in the larger Greek world, where a judge or governor sat to render a verdict); believers will receive degrees of rewards. Apparently this bema seat judgment will happen in heaven for the seven years between the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ, while humanity is going through the Great Tribulation on earth;

3.. The great white throne judgment

This takes place at the end of the millennium to declare the punishments for the unredeemed (Rev. 20:11-15).

B. Better Interpretation

1.. According to other Bible interpreters (like me), all three judgments are just different descriptions for one judgment.

2.. For example, in the judgment of the nations in Matthew 25:31-46:

3.. Unbelieving nations can have believers in them.

Individual unbelievers in each nation will go to punishment and fire, prepared for the devil and his angels, while individual believers will go to eternal life (Matt. 25:34, 41, 46). Jesus’s brothers in that passage are not Israel, but the least, the lost and the least, with whom he identifies.

These are all from Matthew 25:

Verse 34: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father” […]

Verse 41: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” […]

Verse 46: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

4.. So these data show that Matthew 25:31-46 just refers to one judgment with the other passages, and not separate ones.

C. My assessment

Dispensationalists have worked out an interesting and detailed program, but I believe there will be two judgments at the Second Coming:

1. One judgment will be for the unredeemed

They will be judged based on various criteria, like rejecting God’s Son and their doing good or bad works (no. 5), and then they will receive degrees of punishment;

2. The other judgment will be for the believers

They will receive rewards for good works, and the bad or fruitless works will be burned off of them in an instant (see below for the Scriptures, like nos. IV and VII).

3. Both judgments will happen at the same final judgment

But they will be placed in different categories or groupings, so to speak.

IV. People Who Are Judged

A. The living and the dead

In Peter’s sermon in Acts 10:42, God through Christ will judge “the living and the dead” (quoted above) This means that the dead who exist in the spirit-soul (or just soul), whether in hell or heaven, will be reunited with their decomposed bodies at the second coming and face final judgment. In other words, everyone human who lived around the globe, even though the NT authors did not know about people in Australia and North or South America, will be judged. God knew about them.

B. Nations

In Matthew 25:31-33, Christ the Son of Man will come in his glory and sit on his glorious throne, and all the nations will be gathered before him. He will separate the people, like a shepherd separates sheep from the goats. Some teachers today tell us that they will be judged on how they treat Israel, even the least of his brothers and sisters, in other words Israelites, who were his brothers and sisters in the flesh (v. 40). However, the context teaches that anyone who is sick and in prison and without clothes are the least of his brothers and sisters; he identifies with the down-and-outers and does not limit the scope only to the nation of Israel or only to the down-and-outers in that nation. In any case, the nations will be judged, in the sense of every single individual by national identity. God is the one who marked out their times for existence in history and borders (Acts 17:26), so it is suitable that they should meet by that natural arrangement before the glorious throne.

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (Matt. 25:31-33)

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matt. 25:40)

In this verse the “one man” is Adam:

²⁶ From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. (Acts 17:26)

C. Believers

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)

2 Corinthians 5:10 says that “we” must “all” appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one will receive what they have done while in the body, good or bad. So it looks like both believers will give an account of their actions. But they will not be eternally condemned, but they will receive rewards—not punishments.

D. Unbelievers

Hebrews 9:27 says that after people die, they face judgment. Incidentally, they will not be reincarnated.

²⁷ Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Heb. 9:27)

In Revelation 20:11-15 is a powerful passage. John saw the great white throne and him who was seated on it—Jesus. Earth and heaven fled away from his presence—apocalyptic language that reveals intense drama. Then John saw the great and small standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, the book of life. Then the dead were judged by what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and Hades gave up the dead, and each person was judged by what they had done. Then Hades and death were thrown into the lake of fire, and so was everyone whose name was not written in the book of life.

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:11-15)

V. The Criteria of Final Judgment

A. Faith in Jesus

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)

John 3:16-18 teaches great concepts. God loves the world, and anyone who believes in his Son is not condemned. God did not send him into the world to condemn the world, but to save it through him. And whoever believes in him is not condemned, but anyone does not believe in him, then stands already condemned. Bottom line: In Christ is salvation; outside Christ is condemnation.

²⁴ “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. ²⁵ Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. ²⁷ And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:24-27)

John 5:24-27 says that if we believe in the one who sent Jesus (the Father), then we have eternal life and will not be judged, but have crossed over from death to life. Then the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall live. The Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.

B. Knowing the love of God in your heart

1 John 4:16-18 says that God is love and we do not have to fear. God’s love enters our heart only when we surrender to Jesus and believe in him and his Sonship.

¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷ This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:16-18, NIV)

The target verse is 17. When we are like Jesus, who walked in the Father’s love, we can have confidence in the day of judgment. This verse means that we will not be sent to hell, but we can have confidence in his offering us heaven. This verse does not mean that we do not have to do good works. This verse mean that the baseline is going to heaven. We will be judged by our works, however, to determine our rewards.

C. Personal knowledge of Jesus and doing his Father’s will

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus teaches a sobering truth. People can say, “Lord, Lord,” and do signs and wonders, like casting out demons and performing miracles in his name, but they cannot enter the kingdom because they were not doing his Father’s will, nor did they have a personal relationship with Jesus. “I never knew!” Jesus will tell these people.

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matt. 7:21-23)

D. Caring for the needy

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches that the righteous (the sheep) will take care of the sick, the hungry and thirsty, the deficiently clothed, the needy stranger, and the prisoner. They will enter the Father’s kingdom and their inheritance. Then the unrighteous (the goats) will be sent to eternal punishment because they did not do those good acts.

E. Names written in the book of life

Revelation 20:15 (see quotation above) says that those whose names were not written in the book of life would be cast into the lake of fire. Yet in the same passage, various books were opened, and people were judged by good and bad works. So it is unclear what the book of life is, in relation to the other books of works. But one way is certain for your name to be written in the book of life: know Jesus personally and do his will by the power of the Spirit.

F. Obedience to the law of Moses or the moral law

Romans 2:12-16 offers us the insight that if people sin apart from the law (of Moses), they will perish. If they sin inside the law of Moses, they will likewise perish. It is not hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but those who obey will be declared righteous. Then Paul discusses Gentiles who do not have the law of Moses, but do by nature the things required by the law. The requirements of the law are written on their hearts and consciences. And their thoughts will either accuse them or defend them on the day when God will judge everyone’s secrets. God will judge Gentiles (non-Jews) by their obedience or disobedience to moral law, and he will judge Jews by their obedience to the law of Moses.

¹² All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. ¹⁴ (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) ¹⁶ This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. (Rom. 2:12-16)

James 2:12-13 teaches us that we must act and speak as people who will be judged by the law that gives freedom. If we judge people mercilessly, we will not be shown mercy at judgment. But mercy triumphs over judgment.

¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, ¹³ because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:12-13)

G. What is done with God’s calling

In Luke 12:42-48, in the parable of the wise and faithful manager, the manager assigns servants tasks and responsibilities. If one servant miscalculates the time of his manager’s return, he might mistreat people. If so, he will be punished when the manager returns. Everyone who has been given much shall be demanded and required to demonstrate productive results.

H. Good or bad works

Ecclesiastes 12:14 says straightforwardly: “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” You can’t clearer than that.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 teaches the church about works that are gold, silver and precious stones and works that are wood, hay and stubble. The metal and stones will survive the fire, but the other material will not. The ones who produce good works will receive rewards, while the ones who do useless works will be saved, but the combustible material will have to be burned off. These verses are in the context of church ministry, but we can still learn about good and bad works.

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Cor. 3:10-15)

2 Corinthians 5:10 (quoted above) says that everyone shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one will receive what they have done while in the body, good or bad.

1 Corinthians 4:5 teaches that no one should judge before the right time. Let’s wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and expose the motives of the heart. At judgment we will receive praise from God.

 ⁵ Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (1 Cor. 4:5)

Everyone Shall Be Judged by Their Works and Words

I. Spoken or written words

Jesus taught in Matthew 12:36-37 that everyone would give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word people have spoken. By our words we will be acquitted or condemned.

³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:36-37)

James 3:1-12 teaches us about our tongue and words. If we can control our mouths and tongues, we will be perfect or mature. Then the tongue is compared to a bit in a horse or a rudder in a ship or a spark that starts a big fire. Can we tame the tongue as we tame animals? It is a restless evil, full of poison. How can our tongue justly praise God and curse humans? Can salt water and fresh water come out of the same spring? Can fruit trees and vines produce different fruit? We need to channel our speech in one way with one focus: good things and blessings.

Here are verses 9-12:

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (James 3:9-12)

J. Inner thoughts

As noted, Romans 2:16 (quoted above) says that the requirements of the law are written on the Gentiles’ hearts. And their thoughts will either accuse them or defend them on the day when God will judge everyone’s secrets.

As noted, 1 Corinthians 4:5 (quoted above) teaches that the Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and expose the motives of the heart. At judgment we will receive praise from God.

VI. Those Who Never Heard the Gospel

A. They lived before the gospel came to them.

These are people who lived long before the gospel came or far outside its range after it came. Think of North and South America and Australia ten thousand years ago. They will be judged by the light they had and the moral law and their conscience. See V.F, above. They will be judged by their good or bad works. See V. H, above.

B. Answers in Genesis 18:22-25

This passage answers this concern clearly because these verses are about judgment before the gospel of Christ came.

²² The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. ²³ Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ²⁴ What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare^[e] the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? ²⁵ Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:22-25, NIV)

God distinguishes between those who are righteous relative to their own times, though not achieving moral perfection, which Lot and his family did not achieve living in Sodom. And God sees those who are wicked, like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Verse 25 is key. Yes, the God of all the earth shall do what is just.

Here is my long study on this topic:

What Happens at Judgment to People Who Never Heard Gospel?

VII. The Results of the Final Judgment

A. This is the sentencing phase, after judgment

B. Unbelievers will be punished

Romans 2:5-11 teaches us that if we remain in our stubborn and unrepentant heart, we are storing up God’s wrath, which is judicial, when his righteous judgment is revealed. God will repay everyone according to their works. If people persistently seek glory, honor and immortality, he will grant eternal life. But those who are self-seeking and reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger and trouble and distress—once again for everyone who does evil, both for Jews and Gentiles. No favoritism.

⁵ But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. ⁶ God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”^[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. ⁸ But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. ⁹ There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; ¹⁰ but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ¹¹ For God does not show favoritism. (Rom. 2:5-11)

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 says God will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of God, when Jesus comes in glory for all the world to see.

 ⁸ He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might ¹⁰ on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. (2 Thess. 1:8-9)

As noted, Revelation 20:11-15 (quoted above) teaches that if your name is not written in the book of life and you have done wicked deeds that damage society, you will be thrown into the lake of fire.

C. However, three options exist

Christian interpreters who respect the authority and inspiration of Scripture have written bulky books in answering the question, but here are the three main options, which have numerous biblical texts in the support of each (not referenced here, so the post does not get any longer, but click on the three links for the references).

1.. Eternal Punishing:

It is called eternal, conscious torment. The unredeemed eternally and relentlessly experience conscious torment in the fires of hell. That is, Hitler and your kind and generous but unredeemed grandmother will bob up and down forever in the lake of hell, next to each other. This is the traditional view. I was shocked, in my own study, to learn how few verses support this theory (click on the first link, below)

What Do Words ‘Eternity,’ ‘Eternal’ Fully Mean in the Bible?

2.. Annihilating or extinguishing:

The unredeemed, after they have been sufficiently punished in the fires of hell, will be annihilated or evaporated or caused to no longer exist. This theory is also called terminalism or conditionalism; the eternality of the soul depends only on God or is conditional only on God. The soul is not automatically eternal by virtue of being a soul. People are punished in hell for a time suitable to their good or bad deeds, but then they pass out of existence or their soul is destroyed. The ending may not be a happy one, but this theory eliminates the eternal torment. This view is gaining momentum. In my own study, I was shocked at how many verses support this theory–the most by far.

3.. Restoring or saving:

The unredeemed, after they have been sufficiently punished in the fires of hell for a duration suitable to their good or bad deeds, are brought into God’s presence and restored and reconciled to him. This view is called universalism, but it has fewer verses to support it. And the verses that do seem to support it can be interpreted in better ways.

D. Complications

The issue of the afterlife and hell is more complicated than standard preachers believe. If you believe in eternal conscious torment, then do not call the people who believe in the other two options ‘heretics’ or ‘unorthodox.’ There is plenty of Scriptural support for the latter two theories.

Please click on the three-part series for more information and the Scriptures supporting each theory:

1. Hell and Punishment: Eternal, Conscious Torment

2. Hell and Punishment: Terminal Punishment

3. Hell and Punishment: Universalism

Yes, the second two options really have plenty of Scriptural support. The second theory has the most scriptural support, by far.

E. Answers for genuine questioners

What to tell genuine questioners about eternal conscious torment.

Tell people to whom you witness and who object to the first option as awful and unjust for a loving God that there are other biblical options about hell, but we must prepare for the worst-case scenario (the first one).

Be humble. Tell the questioner that maybe God in his providence has not made the hellish afterlife perfectly clear in its details, as evidenced by the fact that reasonable interpreters can disagree on it, but God did make it clear how to get there—faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

F. Secondary issue

I consider the topic of hell and punishment to be a secondary issue. Therefore, I like this wise statement:

“In essentials, unity. in nonessentials, liberty, in all things, charity (love).”

G. Believers will receive eternal life.

John 3:16-17 says that when we believe in Jesus, we will not perish but receive eternal life.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

John repeats his thesis in 1 John 5:11-12. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life.

¹¹ And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12)

H. Believers will receive ultimate salvation

Romans 13:11 says that we need to wake up from our slumber because the hour has come, because our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. In this case salvation is the eternal state, after we shuffle off this mortal coil (body) and live in our spirits and reunite with our resurrected bodies.

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  (Rom. 13:11)

As noted, Hebrews 9:27-28 teaches us that after we die, we face judgment (not go through reincarnation). Then he will reappear a second time, “not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Once again, this salvation at his second coming is a rescue mission from this evil world.

²⁷ Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Heb. 9:27-28)

I. Believers will receive ultimate redemption

Luke 21:28 says that when fearful signs appear, we have to look up, knowing that our redemption draws near. This too is the rescue mission from this present evil age. Then we will have perfect bodies and mental states and perfect love. The context is the fall of Jerusalem, but can we not expand this promise to the Second Coming? Yes, we can.

²⁸ When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

Luke 21:5-33 Predicts Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple

Ephesians 4:30 instructs us not to grieve the Spirit, by whom we have been sealed for the day of redemption. This is the same idea here as in the previous verse. Redemption is in process now and will climax and finalize when Jesus returns.

³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph. 4:30)

J. Crown of righteousness for some believers

Active believers who do his will and build his kingdom will receive a crown of righteousness

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:8 that he is about to end his life, which “the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

K. Believers who build well will receive rewards

According to 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (quoted above), if they have built on the foundation that the apostles laid, with gold, silver and precious stones, they will receive rewards. But if they built with wood, hay and straw, then their flammable works will be burned off, but they themselves will be saved.

VIII. Distributions of Rewards to the Redeemed

A. Can this be done without regrets for some believers?

We don’t know for sure, but here are some guesses.

Some theologian says that the final judgment and distribution of rewards could be like high school graduation. Everyone knows that some students got better grades than others, particularly the Valedictorian, but everyone will be so happy to be in heaven that the lower-grade students will not feel badly. “We made it!” They will even celebrate the ones who advanced farther than they did.

An illustration says that professional musicians appreciate music more deeply than unmusical people (think of Mozart or Beethoven against you and me!), but unmusical listeners can still appreciate it. Likewise, those who receive rewards because of their good works and devotion to the Lord down here on earth will appreciate heaven more deeply than others who had to get the combustible material burned off (1 Cor. 3:10-15). But everyone will have some level of appreciation, and we may never know who the deeper ones will be.

Still other teachers say that there will be tears in heaven at judgment, and the immature believers who wasted their efforts will shed some tears during the burning off process (1 Cor. 3:10-15), and then God will wipe away tears.

B. Consider the martyrs

I imagine that in heaven the recipients of high rewards will be visible to all, just like the Valedictorian at a high school graduation will stand in front and be honored, and by analogy so do those who make an honored list for receiving extra-high Grade Point Averages (GPA’s). Think of the martyrs who remained faithful, even to the point of death. They seem to make up an honored group in heaven (Rev. 6:9-11). We will admire them without jealousy. “Wow! They deserve their special honor,” we will say.

⁹ When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. ¹⁰ They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” ¹¹ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been. (Rev. 6:9-11)

C.  Summary

This section has been speculative. And so it will be when we look on those who have done awesome works for the Lord, like a grandmother who spent her life caring and sharing and praying for people, without recognition while she was alive or like missionaries who spent fifty years out on the field with little to no earthly or ecclesiastic honors.

I like the idea that we will be so grateful to be there that we will want to honor those who receive rewards, and our regrets will minimal and last only for a moment.

IX. Believers’ Attitude before Judgment Happens

A. We must stand firm through trials

Mark 13:13 says we must stand firm during trials, and then we shall be saved (Matt. 24:13; Luke 21:19)

¹³ Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Mark 13:13)

B. Believers must be on their guard

Mark 13:23 and 33 says it plainly: be watchful because we do not know the day or hour when he comes. Then Jesus tells a short parable about a man going away. He assigns his servants in charge, each with their assigned task and tells the one who watches the door to keep watch. Therefore we must keep watch because we don’t know when the homeowner shall return: evening, midnight or when the rooster crows or at dawn. Don’t slumber or sleep. “Watch!”

²³ So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. (Mark 13:23)

³³ Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. (Mark 13:33)

In 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 repeats the same theme of not sleeping but keeping alert and sober. Those who sleep and get drunk do so at night, but we don’t. We must remain sober and alert.

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. (1 Thess. 5:4-6)

C. We must keep alert

Matthew 25:13 is clear: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or hour” of Christ’s return, when he will judge the whole planet.

X. The Timing of the Day of Judgment

A. The timing is unknown

Matthew 24:26-28 says that the Son of Man’s coming will be like a flash of lightning visible from the east and west, and the Son of Man will come on the clouds of glory, sending angels with a loud trumpet call, to gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the earth to the other. We need to keep watch because no one knows the time of his coming, but he will come as a thief in the night. He will come at an hour when we don’t expect him (v. 42).

²⁶ “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. ²⁷ For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸ Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. (Matt. 24:26-28)

⁴⁰ You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40)

Luke 12:40 teaches us the same thing. The Son of Man will come at a time we least expect him.

As noted, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 says Paul does not need to write about the signs that happen before the Lord’s second coming because no one knows when it is.

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thess. 5:1-3)

Why Didn’t Jesus Know the Day or the Hour of His Return?

B. What we learn from those verses

In those verses, we learn that the day of judgment is linked to Christ’s second coming, and we don’t know when that day or hour is. So watch!

XI. The Wrath of God

Let’s talk about the scary word “wrath.”

A.. It is judicial and logical and reasonable.

It flows out of his love for justice and people

B. Basis

It is based on law. God’s wrath is legal. When people consistently break the law through crime and sin, they must be caught, judged and punished. This judgment and punishment is called “wrath” (Rom. 13:1-5)

C. It is not malicious or spiteful or vengeful or irrational.

D.. Illustrations

Let’s end with these images of God’s judgment and wrath, one inaccurate, the other accurate:

God’s judgment / wrath is not like this:

(Source)

But like this:

(Source)

This picture of an English judge in full regalia is an (imperfect) representation of God in judgment, showing his protective wrath and love over his people.

The Wrath of God in the Old Testament

The Wrath of God in the New Testament

Do I Really Know God? He Shows Wrath

XII. Knowing God through His Justice and Righteous Judgment

A. The best guarantee

We don’t know when the day or hour of his return and judgment will happen. The best guarantee for an acquittal at final judgment is to be sure your name is written in the book of life by following Jesus, who will lead you to do his works, which are always good and needed and appears in the right context. As Martin Luther said: “God does not need my good works. My neighbor does.”

B. Do good works

And somehow good and bad works must be factored into God’s righteous judgment. We are not saved by works, but we will receive rewards for good ones. Therefore, seek the Lord for his specific works that he calls you to do.

C. Warning for seeming disciples

If we perform miracles in his name but do not do the will of the Father and have a personal relationship with Jesus, but instead practice lawlessness, he will tell us that he never knew us (Matt. 7:21-23).

D. Personal relationship with God

God wants a personal relationship with us. He offers it to us. Receive it by faith in Jesus. Then he will know us at final judgment and allow us to enter his eternal kingdom.

RELATED

Bible Basics about Hell

Bible Basics about Heaven

Everyone Shall Be Judged by Their Works and Words

Are There Degrees of Punishment, Rewards after Final Judgment?

Are All Sins Equal?

1. Hell and Punishment: Eternal, Conscious Torment

2. Hell and Punishment: Terminal Punishment

3. Hell and Punishment: Universalism

What Do Words ‘Eternity,’ ‘Eternal’ Fully Mean in the Bible?

SOURCES

Works Cited

At that link, look for NIV Study Bible