Some people teach that “eternal judgment” occurs at the return of Christ on earth, when Millenium starts. Others, think after the Millenium. While some say now, at this current life for all. Notwithstanding, has there been judgments already? Let us all seek for the truth. Otherwise, together will we be “hoisting our own petard”?.

Eternal vs ephemeral judgments

It is true that there were many instances and events that were considered “judgments”,viz.,

Sin of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:14–24; (Genesis 3:17–18; and they were judged, punished with vanishment from the garden of Eden and eventually experienced death.

Note: The sin of one-man Adam was accounted for all so that one man-Jesus will take on the consequence of sin which is eternal/irreversible death. Romans 8:20–22; (Hebrews 2:9). (Isaiah 53:4–8

The antediluvian world of Noah(Genesis 7:17–24); Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:5–9); ten plagues against EgyptExodus 7—12). And so on.

But these are “ephemeral judgments” as all will have a chance in their future(after their resurrection) to repent of their sins and partake of the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit.

This is in contrast to “eternal judgments” which is final, not temporary nor any more resurrection. Read:final judgment at “Gehenna fire” on the unrelenting wicked and all who reject the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as payment for their sins (Matthew 10:15; Romans 2:2; Hebrews 9:27; 10:26–27). And these “final judgments” also are many, according to how people respond to determine who among them will eventually “end up at Gehenna fire”.

Who is the Judge?

The Bible is clear on this. The Father is the ultimate Judge but he entrusted this function to only one person: the Son of God. Notice the following verses:

“A scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom” (Psalm 45:6). “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22).

Psalms 82:8 “Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance”.

Judgement Begins when?

How could a person be judged if he/she doesn’t know good from evil; and how will they truly know right from wrong if not equipped with “tool” to understand?

Remember what Jesus said at the cross: “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.“ Luke 23:34

We are “deaf and blind” to spiritual truth. Our physical “eyes and ears” need to be opened spiritually. And, the ability to empower us to have spiritual understanding only comes from God. And this power can only be given to man-Christ Jesus who had to die first and resurrect.

Notice what Jesus said why he had to die: “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7

As Jesus had to die and be resurrected to receive this energy/power for us, so we must be accounted as “dead in Christ yet alive in the flesh, to receive it from him. With this “new empowerment”, Jesus can now fulfill his plan as a “Potter” in Jeremiah 18:4 to form (marred clay) into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him” for “ongoing creation”. We are not yet saved but being saved.

The Creator God YHVH Elohim created the angelic beings and 1/3 went against God; not all of them were one with him nor the Father, as planned. So, after creating all things, he made mankind temporarily “lower than angels but later to be “above angels”. But, the “new creation” was planned to be “one” with him and the Father; awesome for mankind’s destiny.

And with that “new energy” for us, that was given by the Father to resurrected Jesus, he then gave that power first to his disciples , then in a general way at Pentecost. And this “new creation” is a process that takes time, like any other natural/physical processes of creation to reach fulfillment. It is being given now to those chosen by God to participate to become “firstfruits”. Then, during the Millenium to others and aftetwards to the rest post-millennial.

The Holy Spirit empowered man-Jesus from the time of in-dwelling at River Jordan that enabled him to overcome Satan, do miracles and ultimately at garden of Gethsemane to “take the cup”.

This Advocate /Comforter/Holy Spirit is the energy/power ( identified as Jesus Christ; NOT another person in the Trinity) that guides us to develop wisdom to choose good instead of evil. This process is for our sanctification through a mechanism not dissimilar but more complex and reflective of physical creation by bonding of 2-strands of DNA.

Along the way, there will be ups and downs. But, God is our patient Shepherd; he forgives; but don’t finally reject the Holy Spirit and commit “unpardonable sin”. Jesus in us through the Holy Spirit will patiently nurture us to grow and develop spiritually with “thy rod and staff they comfort me”. (Psalms 23:4)

To whom do eternal judgments begin?

The time has come to begin judgments to those with the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit as in:

“For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? I Peter 4:17

Judgments are occurring now in the church for: Self-evaluation (1 Corinthians 11:28); to purify the Body of Christ (Matthew 18:15–17). To be more like Christ (Ephesians 4:21–23).”For Divine discipline (Hebrews 12:5–11).

As a father lovingly corrects his children, so the Lord disciplines His own; that is, He brings His followers to a place of repentance and restoration when they sin. In so doing, He makes a distinction between us and the world: “When we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32). Whom Christ loves, He chastens (Revelation 3:19).

Summary

There are many judgments already done in the Bible but were “temporary” and prelude to “final and eternal” judgments that end up in Gehenna fire. Everyone will be judged at their own time as planned by God. First, the “firstfruits (with in-dwelling of the Jesus/Holy Spirit)before the Millennium, then those alive but still flesh-composed during Millennium, then to follow are those who died after the Millennium as “latterfruits”,

Like “temporary judgments, these “final judgments” also are for many, according to how people respond to determine who among those with “in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit” will eventually “end up at Gehenna fire”, the final/eternal death ( Read also Death, what is?)

Jesus was the only one entrusted by the Father to judge his creation. But, for judgment to exact true justice, the person judged has to truly know and differentiate good from evil. Spiritual truth cannot be understood without “spiritual tool” to awaken “physical blind eyes and deaf ears”. This tool is the “energy/power” aka “Holy Spirit” which was promised to be given to Jesus after his resurrection (therefore “Spirit OF Jesus) and subsequently given to those he chose as planned at time appointed(Ecclesiastes 9:11;3:1) Jesus gave this to his disciples and then to others at Pentecost; hence to others.

Judgment “has to begin and has come with us in the household of God” as in I Peter 4:17 The “household of God” is neither Jew or Gentile as in: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. Galatians 3:28

We will experience sufferings in this life as in James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:7, 4:12-13; Job 23:10.

Paul echoes this theme in Romans 8:17: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

For those with “in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit”, beware of repeating your folly/sin and not to “vomit this energy/power” according to the admonition in Proverbs 26:11 “Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.”

But, when we sin we have a High Priest (our ADVOCATE/Comforter)to go to and seek forgiveness. Still, remember, “God is not mocked” as in Galatians 6:7

God bless🙏😇

Hyperlink version original post: October 9, 2020.

Dedicated to my beloved on a special day.

Reposted: 4/20/2021

Critique is welcome at foundationacts@yahoo.com