Eternal Judgment: As taught by Jesus

Preface: From the Jewish perspective the teachings of Christ were always based on Old Testament records which literally came through the Jewish nation and Jewish men of God. Within these records we have:

1. The Torah (Law and 613 commandments) (First 5 books)
2. The Prophets
3. The Psalms

The teachings of the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms were confirmed by the words of Christ in the four Gospels.

1. Matthew
2. Mark
3. Luke
4. John

The subject of Eternal Judgment from the Old Testament is remarkably interesting yet very vague unless one studies the Old Testament in detail.

Life beyond the grave is the Eternal picture of an unseen world and spiritual abode of the dead. Within this Eternal and unseen world, you have reward and punishment; spiritual life and death; and body resurrection. All of which were opinionated even documented by the mysticism of Talmudic teaching and/or other doctrines of Jewish men that are not scripturally based.

If we examine the teachings of Christ who was considered a teacher at the age of twelve, even teachers of the Sanhedrin were amazed at how this boy Jesus knew God’s Word.

• Luke 2:46-47… And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
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At the age of 30 Jesus according to Law Jesus was legally allowed to teach in the Jewish Temple and customarily allowed to teach in the synagogues. Behind the scenes of man’s Law Jesus, the Messiah and son of God was actually the author of God’s moral Law for Israel.

• John 1:1-2…In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.

• John 1:14… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,

Jesus taught and elaborated on “Abrahams Bosom” a Jewish perspective on the unseen world and spiritual abode of the dead. Abraham’s Bosom was an Eternal place for God’s punishment or God’s reward.

• Luke 16:22-23… And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Jesus taught Abraham’s Bosom was a place of Eternal Judgment. It was recognized as a place of Eternal Life known as Heaven or Eternal punishment known as Hell. Heaven and/or Hell was the picture of Jesus’ teaching of Eternal life with the Father in the unseen world and the spiritual abode of the faithful in God. Jesus said:

• John 14:2-3… In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Even though Jesus (God in the flesh) was born and lived as a man for 33 years He knew the “moral righteousness of the Law for humanity” and taught it. Moral righteousness is what saved the Jewish man from an adverse “life beyond the grave” called Eternal Damnation.

• Mark 3:29… But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Jesus a Jew and teacher of Judaism taught Eternal punishment from the Jewish perspective.

 

• Matthew 25:45-46… Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry He taught consequences as well as rewards of Eternal Judgment. Consequently, He taught more about Hell and Hell’s damnation and fire more than He did Heaven.

• Mark 9:43… And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

• Matthew 23:33… Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Within the realm of Eternal Judgment inside the Old Testament and teachings of Christ - you also had the subject of body resurrection. Body resurrection is the union made between body and soul, beyond the grave.

• John 5:28, 29… Marvel not at this: 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 damnation.

• Matthew 22:31, 32… But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

At the crucifixion of Christ Jesus spoke of life beyond the grave in a glimpse of the spiritual abode of the dead. As He spoke to the two thieves, He mentioned the condemnation and reward. He termed the reward as “Paradise” where they would make their abode together in Heaven (Abrahams’s Bosom).

• Luke 23:39-43… And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

The prophetic picture of a resurrected Christ (taken from the book of Psalms)

Psalm 16:9-11...Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

This prophecy about the promised Messiah and His resurrection from the grave. It was  foretold and written by David in the book of Psalms. God made this prophetic statement through David and described how the physical body of Christ "would not" see corruption as David's physical body would in death to the physical. In this prophecy the miracle of a Savior was foretold.  At the time of death David's body was placed in the sepulchre (the grave) and still remains there. At the time of death Christ's body was placed in a tomb...but was miraculously "changed" or "glorified" in the miracle of a resurrection. Christ's body did not see corruption (after death) nor does Christ's body remain in a tomb at present.

Psalm 16:10...For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

David's prophetic utterance in Psalms 16:10 about, "Leaving the soul in Hell"...is a Biblical description of the "unseen world" or the "spiritual abode of the dead". Souls of just and unjust men will go to the unseen world (the abode of the dead) when their physical body is laid in the grave. In the Old Testament records the unseen world and abode of the dead was known as Abraham's Bosom. Abraham's bosom was defined by Christ in Luke 16 - as place of comfort; and a place of torment. Lazurus and the rich man both went to Abraham's Bosom and could see each other but could not cross the great gulf between both places. Paradise (which is Heaven) and Hades (which is Hell) are both places inside of Abraham's Bosom.

"Psalm 16:10... concerning the resurrection of Christ was preached by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2, and also by the Apostle Paul in Acts 13. Both Apostles pointed the fact that Christ "rose" from the grave in a bodily resurrection. The body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was resurrected and did not experience decay or corruption like David's body experienced."

The miracle of the death, burial, and resurrection of the the Holy One (Christ) fulfilled David's prophecy of Psalm 16:9-11.

Psalm 16:9-11...Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Here are three other prophecies about the resurrection of Israel's promised Messiah. All prophecies of a resurrected Lord were foretold and recorded  by King David in the book of Psalms.

Psalm 2:7...I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Psalm 110:1...The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psalm 132: 11...The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

Biblical facts on the Anti-Christ, resurrection of the body, and the Judgment Seat of Christ (conclusion)

Righteous judgment made by Christ will take place at the beginning of the one thousand year reign. Tribulation saints will likewise reign with Christ until the one thousand years expire.

*Please note at the Judgment seat of Christ…Saints (who have no evil works) are rewarded according the good works they have done in this life. Sinners (who have no good works) are punished according to the evil works they done in this life. Punishment begins in Hell and is further condemned by God at Judgment seat of the Great White Throne.

· Rom 14:10-12…for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

· 2 Cor 5:10…For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

· 2 Tim 4:1…I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom*.

*This Kingdom on Earth is where the saint’s reign with Christ for a thousand years. This Kingdom is Biblically termed as the “Kingdom of Heaven”. The Kingdom of Heaven is a future Kingdom upon physical Earth where Christ and the saints reign. The Kingdom of God is already here spiritually, in the hearts and lives of those who trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

In relation to the Divine Judgment of God, two significant resurrections are taught in the Bible. These are the resurrection of the righteous dead and the resurrection of the wicked dead. Both resurrections are an execution of Judgment made by Christ upon the just and the unjust. The first resurrection called the resurrection of life, are those taken out from among the wicked. Like Christ these are the firstfruits.

· John 5:27-29…And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: 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 damnation.

· Acts 24:14-15…so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Secondly, the resurrection of damnation upon the wicked dead is the Eternal damnation pronounced by Christ upon the physical bodies of the wicked dead. All the wicked dead in the history of mankind since Adam are resurrected at the end of the one thousand year reign of Christ. All souls from Hell are united with their physical bodies through bodily resurrection. These are condemned by God into a physical and everlasting damnation, called the second death. All those who partake in second death are cast by God into the Lake of Fire for everlasting and final punishment and torment.

· Rev 20:11-14…And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

· Jude 14-15…And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him

“Final Judgment” takes place upon the wicked dead from the Great White Throne. Why final Judgment? After final Judgment there is no more need for redemption of the soul or physical bodies of men. The Devil is judged at the Great White Throne. Death and Hell is judged at the Great White Throne. All men and women upon the entire Earth will be holy and physically eternal after that Judgment. There will be no more sin, no more sickness, and no more sorrow.

Then, the Bride of Christ descends from Heaven to Earth where Christ will unite with His Bride (the Church in Heaven) and reign as King from His earthly Throne in Jerusalem. At that time Eternity will be restored (like in the Garden of Eden) and time as we know it, will cease to exist.

· Rev 19:7-8…Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

· Rev 21:2-5…And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new

Inspired by the Spirit of God, foundation laid by Hubert Lindsey, an Apostle by the resurrection of Christ

Biblical facts on the Anti-Christ, resurrection of the body, and the Judgment Seat of Christ (pt.3)

At the resurrection of Christ, He was called the firstfruits of many that rose from the Grave. Note the fact that many bodies of the saints were resurrected when Christ resurrected.

• 1 Cor 15:20… But now is Christ risen from the dead,and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

• Matt 27:50-53…Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

*Biblical resurrection is seen in relation to the Hebrew people and nation of Israel as God continues to redeem those who accept Christ as Savior. Remember, the Church is a living testimony to Israel “Now” and the Church is a testimony to Israel “when it’s removed from this world in the Rapture”. The testimony of the Church that changes the moral make-up of man is a great factor that provokes Israel to jealousy and, her acceptance of Christ before the Great White Throne Judgment. All redeemed saints within the body of Christ receive a holy heart in this present life; but in final redemption there is a reward of Eternal life beyond the grave. Bodily resurrection with a glorified body is Christ’s final redemption.

At the Rapture of the Church a child of God’s body is changed and glorified by the redemptive power of Christ in bodily resurrection. The perfect work of God’s redemption is not limited to the present life only (through deliverance from the bondage of sin). Redemption permits the soul of a believing saint entrance into eternal life in Heaven*. Through the righteous Judgment of a Living God the physical bodies of all believing souls in the Rapture are subsequently changed and glorified into bodies like Christ had after His resurrection.

• Phil 3:21…Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

*For saintly men and women that die before the Rapture of the Church, Heaven is the Eternal abode of all regenerated souls. For those redeemed, natural life passes and the body goes to the grave, thus Eternal life begins “On the other side, in Paradise”. Jesus from the Cross told the penitent thief on the cross beside Him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise”. For those who are not redeemed by the blood of Christ, torment awaits that soul in Hell's Fire of Eternal damnation. In the resurrection of the wicked dead the bodies and souls of the wicked dead are eternally condemned into a second death at the Judgment seat of the Great White Throne. Jesus spoke more on the subject of Hell and damnation, than He did Heaven.

After natural death a saint’s physical body goes to the grave and remains sown in corruption until redemption of that body takes place in glorification. In this operation of God’s redemption of the physical a resurrected body is, “Raised from the grave and changed by God…incorruptible”.

• 1 Cor 15:42-50…So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

• Rom 8:30…Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Through a righteous Judgment of Christ’s redemption of the soul and body, the Rapture of the Church and; the resurrection of the body are seen as an eternal reward received by the child of God. This reward will touch every believer’s soul and body (since the death of Christ), from the “Church in Heaven” where Christ presently makes His abode. The Apostle Paul looked forward to this reward and called it, “the Prize of God’s high calling in Christ”.

• Phil 3:11-15… If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

From the Hebrew basis of the Bible, the firstfruits, the harvest, and the gleanings were various offerings made to God for the redemption of Israel through their worship of God and obedience to the Torah. In contrast to grain offerings and worship made by Israel, living offerings are likewise made by those who receive and accept the Messiahship of Christ.

1. The Firstfruits were Christ himself and all saints that died believing in Him. Like Christ, these Firstfruits were resurrected when Christ rose from the grave.

2. The Harvest, which will happen at the closing of the Church Age are those taken up by God in the Rapture of the Church.

3. The gleanings are those martyred for Christ’s sake during the Great Tribulation and are raised from the grave at the righteous Judgment of Christ. These men and women died for the cause of Christ during the Seven Year Tribulation where the Anti-Christ and satanic activity reigns without the mercy of God. At the end of the seven year Tribulation and the beginning of the 1000 year reign of our Lord the gleanings are glorified, or perfected in a bodily resurrection. That’s why John said, “Blessed and holy is He who has part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power”. Revelation 20:4-6

*Bodily resurrection is God’s redemption of the physical body and a righteous Judgment of believing saints. It takes place at various times in the Bible. Calvary was the first resurrection recorded, then the Rapture, then at the end of the seven year Tribulation. These resurrections which are likened to Hebrew offerings to God are summarized as the Firstfruits, the Harvest, and the Gleanings.

The Firstfruits consist of Christ and those that rose at His resurrection from the tomb.

• 1 Cor 15:20… But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept

The Harvest is the dead in Christ that rise from the graves in the Rapture of the Church.

• 1 Thess. 4:16...For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first

The Gleanings are the Tribulation Saints, who were martyred for the cause of Christ. These men and women are those who accept Christ after the Rapture has taken place. The gleanings are called the first resurrection and are those who would not receive the mark of the Beast during the Great Tribulation. This bodily resurrection for Eternity on Earth takes place at the righteous Judgment seat of Christ where the redeemed saints will reign with Christ for 1000 years.

• Rev 5:9…And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take
the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

• Rev 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.