In our previous post we mentioned how only the Church have as yet been reckoned freed from the originally condemnation which resides upon the world, and that only they are presently on trial for life or death at this time. But according to our theme text (Acts 17:31) He has likewise appointed another day; the millennial day, a day in which he will judge the rest of the world.
How can this be? Has God changed his mind? Has he concluded that his decision in the trial of the first man and the general sentence were unjust, too severe, that he now concludes to judge the world individually?
No; were such the case, we should have no better guarantee of a just decision in the future trial than in the past.
It is not that God considers his decision in the first judgment unjust, but that he has provided a redemption from the penalty of the first judgment, in order that he may grant another judgment (or trial) under more favorable conditions to the entire race–all having then had experience with sin and its results.
(See “The Permission of Evil” and “The Great Mystery of Evil”)
God has not changed one iota from his original purpose, which he formed before the world began. He distinctly informs us that he changes not, and that he will by no means clear the guilty. He will exact the full penalty which he justly pronounced. And that full penalty has been provided by the Redeemer or substitute whom God himself provided–Jesus Christ, who, “by the grace [favor] of God, tasted death for every man.”
Our Lord having provided a ransom for Adam’s race, with his own life, can justly give a new offer of life TO THEM ALL. This offer to the Church is under the Covenant of sacrifice (Psa. 50:5; Rom. 12:1): and to the world it will be under the New Covenant. (Rom. 14:9; Heb. 10:16; Jer. 31:31)
We are further informed that when God gives the world this individual trial, it will be under Christ as Judge, whom Jehovah will thus honor because of his obedience even unto death for our redemption. God has highly exalted him, even to the divine nature, that he may be a Prince and a Savior (Acts 5:31), that he may be able to recover from death and grant judgment to ALL whom he purchased with his own precious blood. God has committed all judgment unto the Son, and has given him all power in heaven and in earth. (John 5:22)
It is, then, the highly exalted, glorified Christ, who so loved the world as to give his life as its ransom-price, who is to be the Judge of the world in its promised future trial. And it is Jehovah himself who has appointed him to that office, for that very purpose. Since such are the plain declarations of the Scriptures, there is nothing to dread, but on the contrary there is great cause for rejoicing on the part of all, in looking forward to the Judgment Day. The character of the Judge is a sufficient guarantee that the judgment will be just and merciful, and with due consideration for the infirmities of all, until the willing and obedient are brought back to the original perfection lost in Eden.”
“A judge, in ancient times, was one who executed justice and relieved the oppressed. Note, for instance, how, when under oppression by their enemies because of transgression against the Lord, Israel was time and again released and blessed by the raising up of judges. Thus we read, “When the children of Israel cried unto Jehovah, Jehovah raised up a deliverer…Othniel. And the spirit of Jehovah came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war, and prevailed, and the land had rest forty years.” (Judges 3:9-11) So, though the world has long been under the power and oppression of the adversary, Satan, yet shortly he who pays for the sins of all with his own precious blood will take his great power and reign. He will deliver and judge those for whom he so loved as to redeem.
With this conclusion all the prophetic declarations agree. It is written: “With righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.” (Psa. 98:9) A 141-143
Continued with next post.
