A period of about six thousand years intervenes between the world’s first and second judgment days, and during this long period God has been selecting two special classes from among men, and specially trying, disciplining and training them to be his honored instruments during the period or day of the world’s judgment.
These two classes are respectively designated by Paul (Heb. 3:5, 6) as the house of sons and the house of servants, the former being composed of those over-comers tried and found faithful during the Christian dispensation, and the latter being composed of the faithful over-comers who preceded the Christian dispensation (the Ancients of old). These special selections in no sense interfere with the judgment or trial promised to the world of mankind in the age to follow this Gospel Dispensation. Those who successfully pass the trial for either of these special classes will not come into judgment with the world, but will enter upon their reward when the world is coming into judgment. They will be God’s agents in the blessing of the world–in giving to men the instruction and training necessary for their final testing and judgment. “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (1 Cor. 6:2)
These specially selected classes, like the rest of mankind, were once under the Adamic condemnation, but became sharers by faith in the benefits of Christ’s death. After being first justified by faith in God’s promises, and having then fulfilled the subsequent CONDITIONS of their respective callings, they are accounted worthy of high exaltation to stations of honor and authority.
The trial or judgment of both these classes has been much more severe than the trial of the world will be in its judgment day; because these have had to withstand Satan, the prince of this world, with all his wiles and ensnarement’s, while in the world’s judgment day Christ will be reigning, and Satan will be bound, that he may not deceive the nations. (Rev. 20:3)
These have suffered persecution for righteousness’ sake, while THEN men will be rewarded for righteousness, and punished only for unrighteousness. These have had great stumbling blocks and snares in the way (various lures and enticements to the flesh as well as false prophets, teachings and errors to ensnare them), which will be removed when the world is placed on trial. But though the trial of these two special companies has been much more severe than the trial of the world will be, the rewards are correspondingly greater.
Under the sophistries of the great deceiver, Satan, both the world and the Church nominal have been robbed of the blessed assurances of the coming time of righteous judgment. They know that the Bible tells of a coming judgment day, but they regard it with only fear and dread; and because of this fear, there is to them no more unwelcome tidings than that the day of the Lord is at hand. They put it far away from them, and do not wish to hear it even mentioned.
Such are they who refuse to hear the Lord’s messengers, who proclaim the Day of the Lord is here, the day of his parousia (or presence), no such are more comfortable with the word of the blind guides who have no idea of the hour, who still believe the day of the Lord (his Second Advent) is a long way off.
They have no idea of the blessings in store for the world under that glorious reign of him whom God hath appointed to judge the world in righteousness. Among the greatest of the blinding influences which Satan has devised to keep men in ignorance of the truth regarding the judgment day have been the errors which have crept into the creeds and hymn books of the various religious sects. Many have come to esteem these errors as of paramount importance to the Word of God.
How differently did the prophets and apostles regard that promised Day of Judgment! Note the exultant prophetic utterance of David (1 Chron. 16:31-34). He says:
“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field rejoice, and all that is in it. Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord, FOR HE IS COMING TO JUDGE THE EARTH. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
To the same day the Apostle also points, assuring us that it will be a glorious and desirable day, and that for it the whole creation is groaning and travailing in pain together –waiting for the great Judge to deliver and to bless the world, as well as to exalt and glorify the Church. (Rom. 8:21, 22)
In John 5:28, 29 a precious promise for the world of a coming judgment-trial for life everlasting is, by a mistranslation, turned into a fearful imprecation. According to the Greek, they that have done evil–that have failed of divine approval–will come forth unto *resurrection [rising up to perfection] by judgments, “stripes,” disciplines. See the Revised Version.” (A 145-147)
See “Understanding the Resurrection”
Thus seen with a proper understanding of the Day of Judgement there is nothing to fear, but rather it should be looked forward to even as David proclaimed, as a day of rejoicing.
