The New Testament and Judgement
The New Testament and Judgement
As the judgement of God came upon the nation of Israel for their persistent apostasy and sin, so it will come upon our world for its godlessness and immorality. In a striking passage Jesus compares "the day when the Son of man is revealed" (i.e. when he returns to the earth), to the judgements of the Flood and of Sodom and Gomorrah.
"As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man ... " (Luke 1 7:26-30).
It is the consistent theme of the New Testament that there is to be a day of judgement for the world. Paul assures the faithful in Thessalonica that God will judge 11 at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus ..." (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 -- the whole passage should be read).
This is such a forthright description of judgement that it shocks most modern thinkers. But Paul is using the language of the Law and the Prophets: the "vengeance" is that righteous retribution already discussed; those who "know not God" are not so much the ignorant as those who do not "acknowledge Him"; and to "obey not" the gospel is really actively to reject and disobey. Whatever we may feel, there is no doubt about Paul's message.
But the New Testament also declares that when Christ returns there will be an individual judgement for those who have known the gospel. A distinction will be made between "the righteous", those who have sought to be faithful, and "the wicked". the unfaithful. As Paul declares:
"We shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ ... So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:10-12).
Judgement, then, is part of the revelation of the purpose of God, His determination not to tolerate lasting sin, sometimes called in the Scriptures, "the wrath of God".
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