The Coming Judge
Living in Light of Eternity
There's a question that persistently haunts every human heart: Will justice ever truly be done?
We see it everywhere. The guilty walk free while the innocent suffer. The powerful exploit the weak without consequence. Even when justice is served through our legal systems, there remains a nagging emptiness—a sense that the scales haven't been fully balanced.
Something deep within us knows that every wrong needs to be made right. You can see it in children crying, "It's not fair!" You can feel it in courtrooms where families wait anxiously for verdicts. You can hear it in the streets where people demand accountability from those in power.
But what if I told you that a day is coming when every hidden thing will be brought to light? A day when every wrong will be made right? A day when every person—without exception—will stand before the Judge of all the earth?
The Certainty of Judgment
Scripture doesn't suggest that judgment might happen. It declares with absolute certainty that judgment will happen.
The Apostle Paul, writing to his young protégé Timothy, issues a solemn charge: "I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead." Notice the language—not "might judge" or "could judge," but "is going to judge." It's as certain as tomorrow's sunrise, as inevitable as death itself.
This truth echoes throughout Scripture. The Psalms declare that God "is coming to judge the earth." The book of Acts tells us that "God has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness." Hebrews reminds us that "it is appointed for people to die once, and after this comes judgment."
For those who say, "I can't believe in a God who judges," the reality is this: judgment isn't an optional doctrine of Christian faith. It's central to the gospel itself. The good news of Jesus only makes sense against the backdrop of justice. If there is no judgment, there is no need for a Savior. And if there's no need for a Savior, then the cross becomes meaningless.
The Universal Scope
The coming judgment extends to every single person who has ever lived. Paul speaks of "the living and the dead"—two categories that encompass all of humanity. There are no loopholes, no technicalities, no delays.
This includes those who think they've escaped justice in this life. Every corrupt ruler, every abuser, every oppressor who commits evil, thinking they can get away with it, will be brought before God. None will escape His gaze.
It also includes those who appear righteous on the outside yet have hearts untouched by grace. God knows every heart. He sees everything. Even if you've convinced everyone else, you cannot deceive the all-knowing Judge.
The Scene of Judgment
In Revelation 20, we're given a glimpse of what this day will look like. The Apostle John describes seeing "a great white throne and one seated on it." The throne is great because of its majesty and authority—no earthly power can compare. It's white because it represents purity and perfection. Every judgment rendered from this seat will be absolutely right.
The one seated on it is Jesus Christ Himself. The crucified Savior is now the exalted Judge. He has both the authority and the right to judge because He took on flesh, lived perfectly, died sacrificially, and rose victoriously.
John describes creation itself fleeing from His presence. Mountains, oceans, stars, galaxies—all of it melting away in His glory. Every false refuge, every place people used to hide from God, will vanish. All that will remain is the throne and the truth.
Standing before this throne will be "the dead, the great and the small." Emperors and slaves, presidents and peasants, the famous and the forgotten—all will stand on level ground. Death will not exempt anyone. Position will not protect anyone. Wealth will not buy anyone out.
The Books Are Opened
In this courtroom scene, books are opened. These books symbolize the complete record of every human life. Recorded in them is every thought, word, action, and motive. Everything known and unknown is written there.
Jesus Himself said, "There is nothing covered that won't be uncovered, nothing hidden that won't be made known." God doesn't need to reconstruct events or call witnesses. He never forgets. He doesn't misinterpret motives because He sees every heart perfectly.
The text says people "were judged according to their works by what was written in the books." This doesn't mean salvation by works—it means judgment by works. The deeds of one's life reveal the reality of one's heart. Works don't earn salvation, but they expose the authenticity of faith.
For unbelievers, these works will testify against them, showing a life of rejection of Christ. For believers, works will also be examined—not for condemnation, but to reveal the fruit of faith and form the basis for reward.
The Book of Life
But there's one more book mentioned—the most important one. It's called the Book of Life.
This book represents God's gracious record of the redeemed, the names of those purchased by the blood of Christ. It's not a list of moral achievers. It's a list of forgiven sinners.
When a person turns from sin and trusts in Christ, his or her name is written in that book—secure and eternal. Jesus told His disciples to "rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
When judgment comes, no one whose name is in the book will be lost. And no one whose name is absent will be saved. Salvation won't depend on how much good you've done, church attendance, Bible knowledge, or service. The only thing that will matter is whether you are united to Christ, who did everything necessary for salvation in your place.
Two Destinies
The final judgment comes down to this: life or death. Every person will experience one of two outcomes.
Those whose names are not in the Book of Life face what Scripture calls "the second death"—complete and conscious exclusion from God's grace. This isn't symbolic extinction. Jesus described it as "outer darkness, weeping, gnashing of teeth, eternal fire." These aren't metaphors for temporary discomfort. They're the most serious warnings ever given.
Yet even here, God's justice shines perfectly. None who end up in this place will be able to protest the verdict. They will know it is both correct and rightly deserved.
But for those whose names are written in the Book of Life—those who have trusted in Christ—judgment will not be condemnation but vindication. The verdict has already been rendered: not guilty. Their sins were judged in Jesus' body on the cross. When they stand before the throne, they won't hear condemnation but confirmation that their faith was real, their Savior sufficient, and their name secure.
Living in Light of Eternity
So how should we live knowing the King of the universe and Judge of all the earth is coming?
Live with readiness. Christ could return at any moment. What do you want Him to find you doing? This question should guide your decisions, integrity, relationships, worship, time, and money.
Live with urgency. If judgment is certain, evangelism is essential. We're surrounded by people who will one day stand before that throne without a mediator. God has placed you in their path for a reason—to share the hope you have so their names can be written in the Book of Life.
Live with endurance. When suffering comes, when injustice prevails, when righteousness seems forgotten, remember the Judge is standing at the door. Every act of obedience, every unseen moment of faithfulness will be rewarded. This life is momentary affliction compared to eternal reward.
Live with assurance. While the day of the Lord brings terror to those outside Christ, it brings peace to those within. Romans 8:1 declares, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus." You don't need to fear hell because you won't be condemned. At the cross, the verdict was already given, and Jesus experienced all the judgment you deserve.
The same Christ who ascended will return not only to judge but to restore. The same Savior who bore our sin will make all things new. The same Judge who rules the nations will welcome His people into eternal joy.
The question isn't whether this day will come—it's whether you'll be ready when it does. Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation. The Judge who will one day condemn sin offers you a pardon now through His cross.
But that offer has an expiration date.
