And I saw a great white throne, and Him that 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, stand before [Elohim/God]; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and the grave delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and the grave were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11 -15
The certainty of a future judgment of mankind is without question. Every human being that ever lived will face this judgment. One’s country of origin, lineage, stature in society, wealth, profession, religion, age or gender will not exclude them from the coming judgment.
Who will judge mankind?
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before Yahweh: for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth. Psalm 96:12-13
A day is coming when Almighty Yahweh, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, will judge the world (mankind). He will not judge as fallible man judges, being prone to mistakes, influenced by bribes, or judging for personal gain. Yahweh will judge with righteousness because He is righteous and just.
Through whom will Yahweh judge mankind?
Yahweh’s first righteous act of judgment was to ordain a highly qualified judge to act in His stead.
[Yahweh] now commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day in the which He will judge the world by righteousness through that man whom He has ordained, whereof He has given assurance unto all men in that He has raised him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31
That man is the Master Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ), the Son of Yahweh. It was Yeshua whom Yahweh raised from the dead.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Yeshua Messiah of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom [Elohim] raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:8-10, 12
It is Yeshua whom Yahweh has chosen to sit as the ultimate judge over the world.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to what he hath done whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10.
For the Father (Yahweh) judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son (Yeshua): John 5:22 (Parenthesis mine throughout article except in Romans 2 below)
How will Messiah Yeshua judge mankind?
And if you call on the Father (Yahweh), who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 1 Peter 1:17
As seen in our opening passage (Revelation 20:11-15) and here, men will be judged according to their works (the deeds done throughout one’s life). Country of origin, lineage, stature in society, wealth, profession, religion, age or gender will have no bearing on whether one is found guilty or innocent.
Some of the works that will result in a detrimental judgment are seen in the following passages:
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of [Elohim]. Galatians 5:19-21
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8
In keeping with judgment according to works, Yeshua described the kind of works that will either lead to everlasting fire or eternal life.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Master, when did we see you hungry, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink? When did we see you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came unto you?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was hungry, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Master, when did we see you hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto you?
Then shall he answer them, saying, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:31-46
In this passage, Yeshua is referring to the good works men did or failed to do for his “brethren” (those that believe in him and are spiritually related to him). Those that are not his brethren are those who refused to come to him so that theirs sins would be forgiven and that they would be given eternal life. Therefore, Yeshua calls them “cursed”. He will not allow them to be united to himself and receive the blessings promised to those who love him.
Another criteria used for judging mankind is stated by Yeshua in the following verses:
Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of’ Judgment. For by thy words you shall be justified, and by thy words you shall be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37
For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. Luke 12:2-3
“Idle” words are words that do not work for good such as words of love or edification. Idle words are words that are false or that injure others. The opposite of idle words are words with great value such as one’s confession of faith in Messiah Yeshua. Come Judgment Day, all such words will be brought to light. Nothing will be hid from the discerning Judge.
A third criteria for judging is found in Yeshua’s words below.
He that rejects me and receives not my words, has one that judges him. The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:48
Not only will idle words be held against people, but Messiah’s own words will judge him. Messiah’s words are his teachings and commands that men either believe and obey or despise and reject. It is extremely important to learn what Yeshua’s words are so we can believe and obey them.
One last criteria for judgment will be as follows:
Not everyone who says unto me, Lord, Lord enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out devils and in thy name done more wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me you that work iniquity (lawlessness). Matthew 7:21-23
Not only will Messiah’s words (revealing his will) be held against mankind, but his Father’s will as revealed in His words will judge him. Yeshua’s Father is Almighty Yahweh, the Creator. His will is revealed through His commandments, especially the “Ten Commandments” as they were written. When we break Yahweh’s commandments, it is called sin or iniquity. To “work iniquity” is to break Yahweh’s laws. Stealing, idolatry, adultery, bearing false witness, coveting, and Sabbath breaking are all examples of works of iniquity.
The Apostle Paul gave a thorough explanation of the future judgment of mankind in Romans chapter 2.
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge do the same things. But we are sure thatthe judgment of [Elohim] is according to truth against them which commit such things. And think you this, O man, that judges them which do such things, and do the same, that you shall escape the judgment of [Elohim]? Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of [Elohim] leads you to repentance? But after your hardness and impenitent heart treasure up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of [Elohim]; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with [Elohim]. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before [Elohim], but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when [Elohim] shall judge the secrets of men by Yeshua Messiah according to my gospel. Romans 2:1-16
When will this judgment of men take place?
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27
I charge thee therefore before [Elohim], and the Master Yeshua Messiah, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Timothy 4:1
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Master come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of [Elohim]. 1 Corinthians 4:5
After the dead in Messiah are resurrected unto eternal life, Yeshua will return to set up the Kingdom of Yahweh on earth and judge mankind.
Yahweh loves mankind whom He created and does not want any to perish. He allows most people plenty of time to repent of their sins and wicked deeds.
[Yahweh] is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Most men have until they die to repent of their sins. However, it is certainly not a wise decision to delay repentance, thinking you have time to continue to live in sin, for two reasons.
- You do not know when Messiah Yeshua will return from heaven to judge the world.
- You do not know when you will die. Death can come suddenly. The present moment may be your last.
How can we be found innocent?
In order to secure a favorable judgment on Judgment Day, the following verses provide good instruction.
For [Elohim] so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For [Elohim] sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of [Elohim]. John 3:16-18
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law. So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. James 2:10-12
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment. James 2:13
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of [Elohim]: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of [Elohim]? 1 Peter 4:17
[Yahweh] knows how to deliver the pious out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 2 Peter 2:9
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Yeshua is the Son of [Elohim], [Elohim] dwells in him, and he in [Elohim]. And we have known and believed the love that [Elohim] has to us. [Elohim] is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in [Elohm], and [Elohim] in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:14-17
Dear reader, you will someday stand before the judge of all mankind. How will you fare? Do you think that you will be able to convince the judge to not appoint you to everlasting fire? On what grounds should he allow you eternal life instead? Have you committed any sins in your life? Have you ever stolen anything, committed adultery, lied, worshipped any being other than Yahweh (idolatry), not believed in Yeshua for your salvation? Surely you have for the Scriptures say, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of [Elohim];” Romans 3:23. Have you had your sins forgiven by Yahweh? If not, your final destination is certain and your judgment sure.
Come to Yeshua. Believe in him and he will take your sins off of you and put them upon himself for he is Yahweh’s chosen sin bearer.
Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:10-12
Allow his shed blood to spiritually cleanse you of all your sins and all your unrighteousness. Only then will you have him say to you, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
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