12MODULE 1 : CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION AND GROWTH

LESSON 8 : ETERNAL JUDGEMENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Definition of Term

* Eternal Judgment – a pronouncement or a sentence passed by God that upon its execution,
separates parties, and calls all creation to account for all eternity. (Heb 9:27; Mat 25:46; Isa
66:24)

1.2 An Enlightening Study

* In the study of Eternal Judgment of God, a diligent Bible student will develop a true sense of
respect and fear of “Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28) but, at the
same time, will rejoice in the knowledge that there is “now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”. (Rom 8:1)

2.0 THE JUDGE

2.1 God is the Judge of all
 A righteous judge
 A good and patient judge
 A fair (impartial) judge
 A firm, unchanging judge
- Heb 12:23; Psa 50:6; Psa 75:7
- Rom 2:5
- Rom 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9
- Prov 24:23; Acts 10:34-35
- Num 23:19

2.2 Jesus Christ – the Savior and the Executor of Judgment

 The Savior – “for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world
through Him might be saved.”
 The Executor for Judgment – “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. (John 5:26-27)

3.0 JUDGMENT OF GOD

3.1 Eternal
It is called Eternal Judgment because the sentence passed is fixed for all eternity. Upon the execution of
the sentence, the penalty received is also for all eternity.

3.2 Basis of Judgment – Rom 2:1-16

 According to the truth (v 2)
“Jesus said, I am the TRUTH” – John 14:6
 According to our deeds (v 6)
“Jesus said, without me, you can do nothing” – John 15:5
 According to the light that we have received (v 12)
a. Through the creation (Rom 1:19) which Christ upholds. (Heb 1:3)
b. through the law (Rom 2:13) which Christ fulfilled (Mat 5:17)

In conclusion, the only basis of God’s judgment is CHRIST JESUS.

“In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.” (Rom 2:16)

4.0 JUDGMENT IN TWO PARTS

If we consider the element of time, Eternal Judgment, is composed of two (2) parts. The first part is when the
sentence is passed. The last part is when the sentence is executed.
 God rendered His eternal judgment on three (3) parties – satan, the world, and man.

4.1 Eternal Judgment on Satan

Part I: The Passing of the Sentence

When Lucifer rebelled against God, he was judged. Sentence was passed on satan. “Yet you shall be
brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depth of the Pit”. (Isa 14:15)

Intermediate Period
Satan and the fallen angels are awaiting for the execution of their sentence. They only have a short
time (Rev 12:12). They have no part in the salvation plan of God. Jesus said’ “the ruler of this world .
. . has nothing in Me.” (John 14:30)

Part II: The Execution of the Sentence

At the start of the 1,000- year reign of Christ, satan will be bound. After the 1,000 years, he will be
released from his prison, (Rev 20:7) for a while and then he will be cast to the lake of fire. (Rev 20:10)

4.2 Eternal Judgment on the World System

Part I: The Passing of the Sentence

The world system is satan’s government here on earth. It was judged in Calvary, when Jesus was
“lifted up from the earth”. (John 12:31-32)

Intermediate Period
God gave man a GRACE period between the passing of the sentence and the execution of the sentence
because "He is not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance.” (2 Pet 3:9). During
this period, man can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus. The “old man” (sinful nature) is
condemned already. Christ, crucified, provides death to this “old man”. Christ, resurrected, provides
life to the new man. (Rom 6:6-8)

“Through one Man’s (Christ’s) righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting unto justification
of life”. (Rom 5:18)

5.0 THE EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT

5.1 Judgment Seat of Christ – Bema

All the born-again believers will appear before the Bema not to be condemned (Rom 8:1) but to
receive their rewards according to their works.
a. Two (2) classes of works (1 Cor 3:11-15)
a.1 “gold, silver, precious stones”
a.2 “wood, hay, stubble”

b. The fire that will test our works

Rev 1:14-15 – Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, has eyes that were as flame of fire

c. The only works that can stand the test of fire

c.1 Gold – all works done for God’s glory (Rev 4:11)
c.2 Silver – all works done according to God’s word (Psa 12:6; Eph 2:10, Col 1:1; Gal 1:1).
God has prepared in advance the good works for each of us.
c.3 Precious Stones – all works done under the discipline and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Precious stones are produced through extreme pressures underneath the earth. (Zech 4:6;
Rev 21:11, 19-20)

NOTE:
 Wood, hay, and stubble will be burned. The New Jerusalem will have no use for these kinds
of materials. (Rev 21)

d. The five (5) kinds of rewards or crowns

d.1 Incorruptible Crown – (1 Cor 25:27) for Christians who put their bodies under subjection
for the service and glory of God.
d.2 Crown of Life – (Rev 2:10) for Christian martyrs, those who suffer for Christ.
d.3 Crown of Glory – (1 Pet 5:2-4) for every elder who qualifies under 1 Pet 5:2-4.
d.4 Crown of Righteousness – (2 Tim 4:8) for Christians who “love the appearing” of our
Lord.
d.5 Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thess 2:19-20) for Christians who win souls for Christ.

5.2 The Great White Throne Judgment

All the wicked dead or those whose names are not found in the book of life (Rev 20:15), will get
the full penalty of sin. This judgment will be executed at the end of the Millennium (1,000-year
reign of Christ).

“Those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” . (John 5:29)
The final destination of all the wicked dead is the lake of fire. (Rev 20:15)