Understanding what judgment day will look like for the Christian has been a topic I've been trying to wrap my head around for a while now. Does anyone know of some good resources (systematic theologies, etc) on the topic? Free resources online would be especially nice. The reason I've been giving this topic a lot of thought is because I feel like I don't often consciously live my life in light of the fact that I will give an account to God one day. I want to understand this doctrine very clearly theologically so it will drive me practically in holiness and in realizing even more my dire need of God's grace.
Anyways, the following is my understanding: Scripture is clear that God will render to every man according to his deeds without partiality (Rom 2:6-11, Rev 20:12-13). Since we call this impartial Judge "Father," we should spend the time of our sojourning in fear (I Peter 1:17). Christ himself will be the Judge, since the Father has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22), and he will do so at his appearing and his kingdom (2 Tim 4:1). When Christ comes in the glory of his Father with his angels, he will reward every man according to his works (Matt 16:27). When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts (I Cor 4:5). We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and every one of us will have to give account of himself to God (Rom 14:10-12, I Peter 4:5). Every one will receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done whether good or bad...so we labor that we may be accepted of him, and knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men (2 Cor 5:9-11). We know that every person will be judged according to the light he received (Matt 10:15, 11:21-24, Romans 1-3) because to whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48). Every man's work will be made manifest because it shall be revealed by fire and tested to see what sort of work it is (I Cor 3:13-15) -- for the man whose work abides, he will receive a reward...but for the man whose work is burned, he will suffer loss and be saved as by fired. When we are persecuted for Christ's sake, give alms in secret, love our enemies and do good, etc, we should know that our Father who sees us doing this in secret will reward us openly (Matthew 6, Luke 6:35). When we give a cup of cold water in Christ's name to one who belongs to Christ, we know we will not lose our reward (Mark 9:41). When we are good and faithful servants, faithful over a few things we're entrusted with as stewards, we know God will make us ruler over many things and will tell us to enter into the joy of the Lord (Matt 25:21). To all those who love Christ's appearing (the righteous judge), he will give them a crown of righteousness on "that day" (2 Tim 4:8). Saints shall judge the world and angels (I Cor 6:2-3).
That said, am I understanding this doctrine and these verses properly/correctly? Did I use any of these verses out-of-context/improperly? (I know this is a lot of verses in different contexts, and some are parables whereas some are teaching in epistles...so it can be a little bit hard to formulate things) With those verses in mind, I have a few questions in relation to the Christian on Judgment Day.
(1) When God renders to every man according to his deeds on that day, will Christians be rendered according to only our righteousness in Christ? Or will we again be declared righteous and then rendered according to our specific deeds of righteousness that we did as Christians in this life?
(2) When we Christians all give account to God, will our unrighteous deeds be exposed? Or will they not even be mentioned since they are forgiven? But will we not have to give account for them? Or will they just be burned up by fire?
(3) Will there only be one judgment, including both the righteous and the unrighteous? (Matt 25) If it is to be one combined judgment, when will the saints judge the world and angels (I Cor 6:2-3)?
Thank you very much!
Anyways, the following is my understanding: Scripture is clear that God will render to every man according to his deeds without partiality (Rom 2:6-11, Rev 20:12-13). Since we call this impartial Judge "Father," we should spend the time of our sojourning in fear (I Peter 1:17). Christ himself will be the Judge, since the Father has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22), and he will do so at his appearing and his kingdom (2 Tim 4:1). When Christ comes in the glory of his Father with his angels, he will reward every man according to his works (Matt 16:27). When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts (I Cor 4:5). We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and every one of us will have to give account of himself to God (Rom 14:10-12, I Peter 4:5). Every one will receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done whether good or bad...so we labor that we may be accepted of him, and knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men (2 Cor 5:9-11). We know that every person will be judged according to the light he received (Matt 10:15, 11:21-24, Romans 1-3) because to whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48). Every man's work will be made manifest because it shall be revealed by fire and tested to see what sort of work it is (I Cor 3:13-15) -- for the man whose work abides, he will receive a reward...but for the man whose work is burned, he will suffer loss and be saved as by fired. When we are persecuted for Christ's sake, give alms in secret, love our enemies and do good, etc, we should know that our Father who sees us doing this in secret will reward us openly (Matthew 6, Luke 6:35). When we give a cup of cold water in Christ's name to one who belongs to Christ, we know we will not lose our reward (Mark 9:41). When we are good and faithful servants, faithful over a few things we're entrusted with as stewards, we know God will make us ruler over many things and will tell us to enter into the joy of the Lord (Matt 25:21). To all those who love Christ's appearing (the righteous judge), he will give them a crown of righteousness on "that day" (2 Tim 4:8). Saints shall judge the world and angels (I Cor 6:2-3).
That said, am I understanding this doctrine and these verses properly/correctly? Did I use any of these verses out-of-context/improperly? (I know this is a lot of verses in different contexts, and some are parables whereas some are teaching in epistles...so it can be a little bit hard to formulate things) With those verses in mind, I have a few questions in relation to the Christian on Judgment Day.
(1) When God renders to every man according to his deeds on that day, will Christians be rendered according to only our righteousness in Christ? Or will we again be declared righteous and then rendered according to our specific deeds of righteousness that we did as Christians in this life?
(2) When we Christians all give account to God, will our unrighteous deeds be exposed? Or will they not even be mentioned since they are forgiven? But will we not have to give account for them? Or will they just be burned up by fire?
(3) Will there only be one judgment, including both the righteous and the unrighteous? (Matt 25) If it is to be one combined judgment, when will the saints judge the world and angels (I Cor 6:2-3)?
Thank you very much!