THE JUDGMENT OF GOD
By John R. Funk
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whosoever believes in Him might have hope of eternal life."
(John 3:16). That is pretty comforting, isn't it? God is a loving, compassionate
and merciful God who sacrificed His Son on the cross at Calvary as a substitute
sin offering for all of mankind. Jehovah God loves us more than we can possibly
imagine. The depth of His love is limitless. Many times it seems that the
focus on the attributes of God falls mainly upon that love and rightly so,
for God has displayed His love throughout history, from His placing of Adam
in the Garden of Eden through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ. There is even a "love chapter" in the Bible.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 |
** New International Version
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King James Version
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1
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I
am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift
of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I
have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record
of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease;
where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge,
it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a
child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like
a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now
we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face
to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully
known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the
greatest of these is love.
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1. Though
I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity,
I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I
have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge;
and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have
not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed
the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,
it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity
envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not
behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the
truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,
endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies,
they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether
there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.9 For we know in part, and
we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect is come, then
that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake
as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when
I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through
a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then
shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope,
charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
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Not only is the Bible replete with examples of that love,
individuals have experienced it even beyond the pages of Scripture. There
is anecdotal evidence of the love of God that is beyond measure. In my own
life I can point to numerous situations where God demonstrated His love
for me, even though I was completely undeserving.
On the other hand, God is also holy, righteous and just. He
is perfect in His sense of justice. Nothing escapes His notice and His patience
can be exhausted. One of the adjectives sometimes used to describe God is
"longsuffering"; that word does not mean limitless. We see situations
in the Bible where God's patience was finally exhausted.
The first instance in the Bible where we see God's patience
exhausted is in the Genesis account of Noah. Following creation, man became
so wicked that God was actually grieved by His creation.
Genesis 6:5-8, 11-12 |
** New International Version
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King James Version
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5
The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and
that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth,
and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will
wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men
and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of
the air--for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah
found favor in the eyes of the LORD. * * * 11 Now the earth was corrupt
in God's sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the
earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their
ways.
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5
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and
that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually.6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the
earth, and it grieved him at his heart.7 And the LORD said, I will
destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man,
and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it
repenteth me that I have made them.8 But Noah found grace in the eyes
of the LORD.* * * 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the
earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth,
and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon
the earth.
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We know how this story ended. God levied judgment upon mankind
and, by doing so, destroyed the earth with a great flood, leaving only Noah
and his family to replenish creation.
The next instance where we see God's divine judgment visited
upon a sinful people involved the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham,
the father of the nation of Israel, had entered into the land with his nephew,
Lot, and the two of them had gone their separate ways. Lot had chosen the
land that appeared to be fruitful and good for grazing but in this land
were wicked people. Lot elected to settle amongst them in the town of Sodom.
The sin of the people actually cried out to God and the result was the total
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 18:20-21, 19:12-13, 19:24-29 |
** New International Version
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King James Version
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20
Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is
so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see
if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me.
If not, I will know." * * * 12 The two men said to Lot, "Do
you have anyone else here--sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone
else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13 because
we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against
its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it." *
* * 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from
the LORD out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and
the entire plain, including all those living in the cities--and also
the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she
became a pillar of salt. 27 Early the next morning Abraham got up
and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28 He
looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the
plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from
a furnace. 29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered
Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew
the cities where Lot had lived.
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20
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great,
and because their sin is very grievous;21 I will go down now, and
see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it,
which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.* * * 12 And the men
said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons,
and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them
out of this place:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry
of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath
sent us to destroy it.* * *24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and
upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;25 And
he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants
of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.26 But his wife
looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.27 And
Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before
the LORD:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all
the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country
went up as the smoke of a furnace.29 And it came to pass, when God
destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and
sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the
cities in which Lot dwelt.
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These accounts provide us with another view of God's being
that many do not want to address. Most people, understandably, would prefer
to think of God in terms of His patience and His willingness to forgive.
They will point to the many instances where God stayed His hand in rendering
judgment. They will even deny the concept of accountability, thinking that
God will somehow overlook the way they've lived their lives.
There are many who seem to believe the salvation experience
is a "get out of jail free card" when in reality it is a "union
card." With this belief system, it is no wonder that many "Christians"
live like the devil instead of facing the fact that great responsibility
comes with the gift of grace. When "Christians" deny their responsibility
and compromise their witness in the process, the unbeliever gets the wrong
impression about Christianity. I have heard it said, "The two reasons
many people do not come to Christ is because they do not know a Christian;
the other reason is that they do."
Later in the Old Testament, the Psalmist talks about the things
that displease God.
Psalms 11:4-7 |
** New International Version
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King James Version
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4
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. 5 The LORD examines
the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul
hates. 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot. 7 For the LORD is righteous, he
loves justice; upright men will see his face.
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4
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his
eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. 5 The LORD trieth
the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul
hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone,
and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 7
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth
behold the upright.
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God is a holy, righteous and just God. From His heavenly throne,
He sees all; He examines man; and He hates the wicked and those who love
violence. It is promised that they will reap a terrible price for their
actions (fiery coals, burning sulfur or brimstone and a terrible scorching
storm). This is beginning to sound a lot like a picture of hell. However,
the upright man will see His face as God loves righteousness and justice.
It should be noted at this point that none are righteous in the eyes of
God absent salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:10-20 |
** New International Version
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King James Version
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10
There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together
become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips." 14 "Their
mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 15 "Their feet
are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery mark their ways, 17 and
the way of peace they do not know." 18 "There is no fear
of God before their eyes." 19 Now we know that whatever the law
says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth
may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore
no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law;
rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
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10 As
it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none
that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are
all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there
is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre;
with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under
their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their
feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their
ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear
of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the
law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth
may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore
by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:
for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
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Later, we see Solomon addressing this idea that certain actions
don't merely displease God - He hates them, He detests them and these actions
will visit calamity upon the perpetrator.
Proverbs 6:12-19 |
** New International Version
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King James Version
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12
A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, 13 who
winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,
14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart--he always stirs up dissension.
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly
be destroyed--without remedy. 16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,hands
that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours
out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
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12
A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13 He
winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with
his fingers; 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief
continually; he soweth discord. 15 Therefore shall his calamity come
suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16 These six
things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in
running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he
that soweth discord among brethren.
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We could talk all day about these things. In many ways the
listed actions mirror the ways of the world. How many do we know that meet
the definition of being a scoundrel and a villain, of being wicked and who
spread corruption with their mouths? How often do we encounter a person
who tries to trick us, who tries to pull one over on us, who refuses to
act honorably, who pats you on the back with one hand and stabs you in the
back with the other? How many around us plot evil and sow discord? Do you
ever meet or deal with someone who is prideful? Who lies? Who sheds innocent
blood such as the abortionist or the terrorist? Who spends their time scheming
and who do not shun evil? When do we encounter the liar who wants only to
cause trouble? The problem is that we not only see it in the world around
us each and every day of our lives, we also see it in those who would have
us call them "brother" or "sister."
There is a day coming when God will dispense His righteous
judgment. That judgment will be meted out for the believer and the unbeliever.
If we stand upon the law asking God to judge us for all we have done, good
or bad, we will stand condemned on that day. That day will be the day of
the Second Coming of Jesus Christ when He will arrive as the conquering
King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come with His army arrayed in glory
and splendor and He will visit destruction upon those who have dared to
defy Him. It will be total and complete destruction.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 |
** New International Version
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King James Version
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5
All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result
you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are
suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble
you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.
This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing
fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know
God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished
with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the
Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be
glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those
who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony
to you.
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5
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye
may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:6
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation
to them that trouble you;7 And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty
angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:9 Who shall
be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the
Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
(because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
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To stand before the judgment of a Holy God should make one
faint with fear. There are those who foolishly state that they will tell
God that He has no right to render judgment over them. They now believe
that they will continue to defy God. They will be so wrong for "every
knee will bow . . . and every tongue confess" that Jesus Christ is
Lord. (Romans 14:11). There will be no exceptions.
How is one to escape this horrible end? What must I do to
flee before Almighty God? Is there any way out or must I resign myself to
this unimaginable destiny?
Luke 9:23-26 |
** New International Version
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King James Version
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23
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he
must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For
whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his
life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the
whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 If anyone is
ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him
when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the
holy angels.
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23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever
will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life
for my sake, the same shall save it.25 For what is a man advantaged,
if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?26 For
whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the
Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in
his Father's, and of the holy angels.
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The good news is that there is a way to escape the righteous
judgment of God. That escape is the free gift of salvation by faith in Jesus
Christ who died on the cross at Calvary. No matter what anyone else may
tell you, there is no other way to escape the terrible judgment of a Holy
God. You cannot be good enough; you cannot be contrite enough; you cannot
be "religious" enough. Thank goodness this is the case because
there is no other way that I could get there myself. But I know that I will
have Someone standing beside me Who will be able to testify that the price
of my entry into the presence of God has already been paid - it was paid
almost two millennia ago on a hill outside of Jerusalem. My God paid my
price. He did it not because I deserved it but because I didn't. He died
for me and paid that awful price because He knew that I couldn't. He will
do the same for you if you will just let Him.
** A modern language quote is provided
for readability together with the accompanying KJV version which is believed
by many to be a more accurate representation of the original scripture.
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