Let’s look now at a few points about THE JUDGMENT. There is so much more that we could say about the “end times,” and particularly about the judgment. The judgment is part of what the Bible has to say about Eschatology, the study or doctrine of end times.

The judgment day will take place in heaven before the throne of God. Let’s look at this judgment scene in Revelation, chapter 20, beginning with verse 11. Remember that when John wrote Revelation by inspiration, he was exiled on the Island of Patmos. He was been given a vision. He was given the ability to look into eternity, and this is part of what he saw: “Then I saw a great white throne and Him Who sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 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. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” So there is a depiction that John gives of that judgment scene. [Romans 2:16—“in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.”]

Paul writes that every human being will face God in the judgment. Every human being will be accountable for the things done in this life. He says, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God,” Romans 14, verse 12.

Jesus spoke often of the judgment: [Matthew 5:21-22 —“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…”; Matthew 12:36-37—“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”; Matthew 10:11-15 — “Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the Truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”; Matthew 23:33 —“Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”; John 5:24, 28-29 —“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My Word and believes in Him Who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life…Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His [the Son of Man’s] voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”].

There are other numerous other passages referring to the judgment. They include: Acts 17:31—“because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man Whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”; Acts 24:25—“Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’”; 1 Corinthians 4:5—“Therefore 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. Then each one’s praise will come from God.”; 2 Corinthians 5:10—“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”; 2 Timothy 4:1—“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:…”.

The Bible teaches us that the soul of every man will live forever. The wise man writes in Ecclesiastes, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God Who gave it,” Ecclesiastes 12, verse 7.

And, there are two destinations—two and two only—for the soul, where the soul will exist and will live eternally: Daniel 12:2—“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.”; Matthew 25:46—“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”; John 5:24-29—“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My Word and believes in Him Who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”; Mark 16:15-16—“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”; Romans 6:23—“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”; Galatians 6:8—“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”