The nature of the judgement befalling mankind
Our next inquiry, would naturally be, what would be the nature of the judgment, which shall befall mankind? Is it something to be feared and dreaded by mankind as many have suggested? Once again let us turn to the scriptures to answer this question.
“… for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.” John 5:28, 29
“They that have done evil” To whom does this imply?
This includes all those who have not come up to the divine standard of worthiness for the resurrection of life. That would include all of the remainder of the world, all who have not been approved by God; not only the heathen, non-believers, but also the MAJORITY of the professing church, professed believers, as the scriptures clearly show. Of this latter group the scriptures say,
“These people draw near to me with their mouths, and honor me with their lips; but their hearts are far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matt 15:8, 9
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…” 2 Tim 3:5
“Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father which is in heaven. MANY (Not only a few, but “MANY”) will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you who practice iniquity (unrighteousness).” Matt 7:21-23, also see Isa 66:15, 16
It should be noted in the above passage the Lord says nothing about these individuals being eternally lost, nor that they shall not receive of the same salvation, the “common salvation” (Jude 3) offered the rest of mankind, he merely states that they have lost their opportunity of being of the special class called out now during the Gospel age, having failed to take advantage of the opportunity afforded them during the “acceptable time”. Apparently they were too busy about their own plans and schemes in regards to the Gospel to see what God’s plans were and how He would accomplish the work. Thus they have not only missed their opportunity of being in the heavenly phase of the kingdom, but likewise of participating with their Lord in his inheritance, and in his reward.
Many of these who, having heard something respecting Jesus, have not fully responded to the privileges afforded them, not having consecrated themselves fully and completely to God, as the apostle Paul instructed believers in Rom 12:1
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, (fellow believers in Christ) by the mercies of God, that ye (take the second step) present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
IT IS IMPORTANT to understand that ONLY those who have fully consecrated themselves to the Lord are begotten of His spirit. Those who merely profess a faith in the Lord and the work of redemption accomplish at Calvary have only taken the first step towards justification. That is the reason for the apostle Paul’s injunction in Rom 12:1
And thus (they) are still un-justified both by a true faith based on the truth which they have never really received, (having not received the Holy spirit which leads them to that truth), and on obedience to that truth, thus such have not escaped “the condemnation that is on the world.”
It is also important to grasp, and understand fully that one cannot be “justified”, “set-free” by error nor by a mixture of truth and error, this is clearly stated by the word of the Lord Himself.
“The Lord’s Word”, “…If ye abide in (my word), [then] are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31, 32
“The Fathers Word”, “I have given them (Your word)…Sanctify them (Set them apart), by your truth, your word is truth.” John 17: 14,17
“Of his own will he begot us BY THE WORD OF TRUTH, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.” James 1:18
We must break here due to character limits but with our next post will return to our initial question, what will be the nature of the judgment, which shall befall mankind?
Our next inquiry, would naturally be, what would be the nature of the judgment, which shall befall mankind? Is it something to be feared and dreaded by mankind as many have suggested? Once again let us turn to the scriptures to answer this question.
“… for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.” John 5:28, 29
“They that have done evil” To whom does this imply?
This includes all those who have not come up to the divine standard of worthiness for the resurrection of life. That would include all of the remainder of the world, all who have not been approved by God; not only the heathen, non-believers, but also the MAJORITY of the professing church, professed believers, as the scriptures clearly show. Of this latter group the scriptures say,
“These people draw near to me with their mouths, and honor me with their lips; but their hearts are far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matt 15:8, 9
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…” 2 Tim 3:5
“Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father which is in heaven. MANY (Not only a few, but “MANY”) will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you who practice iniquity (unrighteousness).” Matt 7:21-23, also see Isa 66:15, 16
It should be noted in the above passage the Lord says nothing about these individuals being eternally lost, nor that they shall not receive of the same salvation, the “common salvation” (Jude 3) offered the rest of mankind, he merely states that they have lost their opportunity of being of the special class called out now during the Gospel age, having failed to take advantage of the opportunity afforded them during the “acceptable time”. Apparently they were too busy about their own plans and schemes in regards to the Gospel to see what God’s plans were and how He would accomplish the work. Thus they have not only missed their opportunity of being in the heavenly phase of the kingdom, but likewise of participating with their Lord in his inheritance, and in his reward.
Many of these who, having heard something respecting Jesus, have not fully responded to the privileges afforded them, not having consecrated themselves fully and completely to God, as the apostle Paul instructed believers in Rom 12:1
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, (fellow believers in Christ) by the mercies of God, that ye (take the second step) present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
IT IS IMPORTANT to understand that ONLY those who have fully consecrated themselves to the Lord are begotten of His spirit. Those who merely profess a faith in the Lord and the work of redemption accomplish at Calvary have only taken the first step towards justification. That is the reason for the apostle Paul’s injunction in Rom 12:1
And thus (they) are still un-justified both by a true faith based on the truth which they have never really received, (having not received the Holy spirit which leads them to that truth), and on obedience to that truth, thus such have not escaped “the condemnation that is on the world.”
It is also important to grasp, and understand fully that one cannot be “justified”, “set-free” by error nor by a mixture of truth and error, this is clearly stated by the word of the Lord Himself.
“The Lord’s Word”, “…If ye abide in (my word), [then] are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31, 32
“The Fathers Word”, “I have given them (Your word)…Sanctify them (Set them apart), by your truth, your word is truth.” John 17: 14,17
“Of his own will he begot us BY THE WORD OF TRUTH, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.” James 1:18
We must break here due to character limits but with our next post will return to our initial question, what will be the nature of the judgment, which shall befall mankind?
