Judgment
Understanding the time of judgment, mankind's opportunity for salvation, and the three judgment periods described in God's plan.
The time of one’s judgment is the time of his opportunity for salvation, extending from one’s calling by God until his death (or the resurrection). During this judgment period, a person’s mind is opened to understand God’s way, and his actions and attitudes are being evaluated by God in the light of His way of life and His law. All human beings from all time shall have a full opportunity for salvation either now (for the Church), or during the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth, or in the Great White Throne Judgment. Those who shall qualify for God’s Kingdom –– the overwhelming majority –– shall inherit eternal life, and those who deliberately reject God’s way shall be consumed in the lake of fire.
An Opportunity for All Mankind
One of the most awesome truths of God is that all mankind from all time shall have an opportunity for salvation –– the attainment of eternal life in the family of God. No human being is doomed forever simply because he has never heard of Christ’s name or never really understood God’s purpose and plan.
God makes it adequately plain that He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He intends to give everyone a chance to know and understand His truth and to have the opportunity to be with Him in His glorious Kingdom (cf. 1 Timothy 2:4).
Combined with this thrilling truth that all men shall have an opportunity for salvation is the fact that all men will not receive this opportunity at the same time. The time during which each individual is receiving his chance is the time of judgment.
The term “judgment,” as used in this context, is not restricted to passing sentence. It rather implies a process, a period of time during which a person’s mind is opened to understand God’s plan, and during which his actions are under daily scrutiny by God in the light of that understanding.
God is intimately concerned with His children, and works in their lives to produce the best ultimate results. The parable of the tares of the field shows that Christians start out as seeds and must grow until the harvest (Matthew 13:36-43). This judgment process shall in most people’s lives cover a period of many years.
Judgment also involves the reward that God shall give to each person who qualifies. There are different positions and responsibilities in God’s family. The parable of the pounds (Luke 19:12-27) and the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrate these rewards.
Three Great Judgment Periods
God has divided His plan into three judgment periods, each dealing with a different classification of people.
Judgment of the Church
The first period began at the creation of man and continues until the return of Jesus Christ. Those whom God has called in this age compose the Church or “house of God,” for whom judgment is now.
Christ's Thousand-Year Reign
During Christ's thousand-year reign, God's government shall be reestablished on earth. Those living during this period shall have their minds opened and receive their opportunity for salvation.
Great White Throne Judgment
Those who lived and died without having had their opportunity for salvation shall be resurrected to physical life and given a full understanding of God's laws and truth.
Read These Scriptures in Your Own Bible
Use the following passages to reinforce the major points covered in this lesson.
Questions
Work through each question before opening the answer key at the bottom of the lesson.
Not every person who has ever been born will have an opportunity for salvation. True or False?
Those who lived their lives never hearing the name of Jesus Christ will not have an opportunity for salvation. True or False?
Everyone who has ever lived will have their opportunity to know all truth, enter the Salvation Process and, if successful there, enter the Kingdom of God with eternal life. True or False?
All of mankind receives the opportunity at salvation at the same time. True or False?
Judgment is…
- a) a sentence to life or death
- b) a process
- c) a period in which a person's mind is opened
- d) a period in which one's actions are under God's scrutiny
- e) all of the above
For most people, this period of judgment spans many years. True or False?
When does God make a decision whether or not a person shall enter His Kingdom?
- a) soon after He calls you to a judgment period
- b) sometime during the judgment period
- c) at the end of the judgment period
- d) any of the above
Judgment and reward are the same thing. True or False?
How many judgment periods does God have in His salvation plan?
- a) 1
- b) 2
- c) 3
- d) 4
The first judgment period began with the creation of man and will end at the return of Jesus Christ. True or False?
The judgment period for the present-day Church of God is now. True or False?
Those whom God is calling now are for the express purpose of…
- a) preaching the gospel to the world as a witness
- b) preparing to become rulers in God's millennial Kingdom
- c) both
- d) neither
Those who have qualified for God's Kingdom from Adam to the return of Christ shall be resurrected as spirit beings…
- a) soon after their death
- b) at the return of Jesus Christ
- c) during the 1,000-year reign
- d) at the end of the 1,000-year reign
The second period of judgment will be…
- a) 100 years
- b) 500 years
- c) 1,000 years
The millennial reign of Christ marks the second period of judgment. True or False?
Offspring will continue to be born during the 1,000-year reign of Christ. True or False?
The third judgment period is known as…
- a) the First Resurrection
- b) the millennium
- c) the White Throne Judgment
The White Throne Judgment is also known as the Second Resurrection. True or False?
The Second Resurrection is for those who lived and died without having their opportunity at salvation. True or False?
Those resurrected in the White Throne Judgment are resurrected to…
- a) physical life — a physical body
- b) spiritual life — a spirit body
God wants…
- a) all to come to the knowledge of God and obtain salvation
- b) to remain unconcerned one way or the other
- c) to pour down His wrath upon all mankind
Not everyone offered the opportunity at salvation will accept it. True or False?
The three judgment periods exemplify the…
- a) wrath and harshness of God toward mankind
- b) fairness, concern and love of God toward mankind
- c) lack of specific concern toward mankind
