TOPIC 44 OF 47
The Final Judgment
Christ will reveal the truth and set all things right.
THE MAIN TRUTH
When the Lord Jesus returns in glory, all people, righteous and unrighteous, will be bodily raised from the dead and gathered like sheep and goats before his throne for the final judgment.
The teaching
From the book · pages 134–136
When the Lord Jesus returns in glory, all people, righteous and unrighteous, will be bodily raised from the dead and gathered like sheep and goats before his throne for the final judgment. Everything hidden will be uncovered, and the truth of our lives will be revealed in the light of Christ’s presence.
Each person will be judged according to his or her works, whether good or bad. Our works will demonstrate the faith or unbelief of our hearts. Those who rejected God’s grace in Christ will have condemned themselves. Those whose names are written in the Book of Life—clothed with the righteousness of Christ by faith— will be declared forgiven, righteous, and holy in God’s sight. Some will experience the wasted parts of their lives being burned up like wood or hay, yet they themselves will be saved. Good works inspired by Christ will endure, like gold passing through fire, and will be rewarded.
Some of the righteous will shine with brighter glory than others. But all the righteous will share equally in the joy of God’s heavenly presence. God’s righteousness will be fully vindicated when all things are set right.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
The passages describe judgment according to works while directing believers to Christ’s righteousness. Works reveal the faith or unbelief of the heart; they do not purchase salvation.
12 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
John 5:28-29 ↗
“. . . a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear [the Son of Man’s] voice and will come out. Those who have done good will rise to live, but those who have practiced evil will rise to be condemned.”
Book page 135
SCRIPTURE 02
Matthew 25:31-32 ↗
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”
Book page 135
SCRIPTURE 03
Luke 8:17; Hebrews 4:13 ↗
“For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing is secret that will not be made known and come to light.” “And there is no creature hidden from him, but everything is uncovered and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we will give an account.”
Book page 135
SCRIPTURE 04
2 Corinthians 5:10 ↗
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he did while in the body, whether good or bad.”
Book page 135
SCRIPTURE 05
Revelation 20:11-13, 15 ↗
“Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it . . . I also saw the dead, great and small, standing in front of the throne, and books were opened. Another book was also opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged by the things written in the books, according to what they had done . . . If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire.”
Book page 135
SCRIPTURE 06
John 3:18 ↗
“The one who believes in him is not condemned, but the one who does not believe is condemned already. . .”
Book page 136
SCRIPTURE 07
Matthew 12:36-37 ↗
“I tell you that on the day of judgment people will give account of every careless word they have spoken. In fact, by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Book page 136
SCRIPTURE 08
1 Corinthians 1:30 ↗
“. . . you are in Christ Jesus . . . our righteousness. . .”
Book page 136
SCRIPTURE 09
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 ↗
“In fact, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone is building on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each person’s work will become evident. The Day will make it plain, because it is going to be revealed in fire, and the fire will test each person’s work to show what sort of work it is. If what someone has built remains, he will receive a reward. If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but it will be like an escape through fire.”
Book page 136
SCRIPTURE 10
1 Corinthians 15:41-42 ↗
“. . . one star differs from another in glory. That is the way the resurrection of the dead will be.”
Book page 136
SCRIPTURE 11
Matthew 25:23 ↗
“Well done, good and faithful servant! . . . Enter into the joy of your master.”
Book page 136
SCRIPTURE 12
Revelation 16:5 ↗
“You are righteous, the one who is and who was, the Holy One, because you have made these judgments.”
Book page 136
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
Why does the final judgment include the revealing of our works?
How can a believer face judgment with confidence in Christ?
How does the promise that God will set things right shape patience and responsibility now?
A prayer
Righteous Lord, bring truth and justice to completion. Keep us clothed in Christ’s righteousness and lead us to lives of faithful love as we await his coming. Amen.