GOD's JUDGMENT (No Escape)

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The, Bible teaches that God is indeed a God of judgment, wrath, and anger. God is going to judge man. Jesus did not stop preaching about judgment in His days.

"It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you (Matthew 11:22). "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36). "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son " (John 5:22).

What about the Apostles? Silent about the judgment of God because of grace? "Because He hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Act 17:31).

"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrew 9:27). These are just a few scriptures attesting to the fact that God will judge His creatures, no one will escape it.

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There are different kinds of judgments: These judgments of different groups, at different times and for different reasons, form the composite picture of judgment in the events disclosed in prophetic scripture.

a Judgment for sin:

The judgment took place on the Cross. The Bible states "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2Cor. 5:21).

This is why the scripture testifies that "There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). The judgment the sinner deserves was exchanged on the Cross.

The guilty was discharged and acquitted on the Cross. The just took the place of the unjust. Nothing can be more clearer than what Jesus Himself said in this regard "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation;

"But is passed from the death unto life " (John 5:24). The believer, because Jesus finished the work of redemption (John 19:30) will never stand at God's judgment bar. That storm is over. It took place on the Cross. This is "God's foolishness" that is wiser than men (ICor. 1:25).

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b The judgment of the Believer:

This is not judgment for condemnation because we have settled that at the Cross. This can be seen as judgment to evaluate the believer's works after salvation.

This is the time when the Lord shall reward His followers. It is called 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 that he hath done, whether it be good or bad"
(2Cor. 5:10). The believer does not work to be saved because it is not by works (Eph 2:9).

The works and labors we rendered as Co-laborers will be tested at Bema Judgment for the purpose of rewards. I Corinthians chapter 3 mentions the type of works in question: Gold, Silver, precious Stones, Wood, Hay, Stubble. The foundation of building these works is Jesus' finished work.

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The works will be tested by fire. The works that will abide are termed: gold, silver and precious stones. Wood, hay and stubble will burn. The works done to the glory of God, out of pure motive will survive whereas, the eye-service works, self-interest, or personal ambition works will burn. But the believer will retain his salvation as by fire.

Several crowns or rewards mentioned by scriptures are:

(i) The Incorruptible or Imperishable crown (ICor. 9:25).
(ii) The Crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8)
(iii) The Crown of Life (Revelation 2: 10)
(iv) The crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4)
(v) The Morning Star (Revelation 2:28)
(vi) The Crown of Rejoicing or Exaltation