Understanding the Judgements of God

With Bishop Ronald K. Powell

Introduction

(The following is an attempt to give an order to the unfolding of God’s judgments. There may be others that some would include in the following list, but I feel this list fairly represents the more broad and universal judgment activity of God.

1. THE HEAVENLY REBELLION JUDGMENT

This occurred in the pre-creation period when Lucifer rebelled against God in Heaven and exalted himself as God.

He and the angels who rebelled with him were cast out and removed from their glorious ministry of worshiping God (Isaiah 14:11-13).

2. THE CURSE OF SIN JUDGMENT

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, the curse of sin came upon the Earth and upon all future humanity (Genesis 3).

Romans 5-6 teaches us that through Adam sin reigned in all men. Sin carries its own consequence which is death or “separation.” Sin separates us from God and His eternal purposes for our lives.

When a person sins, that sin, will produce the consequence of corruption (Gal. 6, Romans 8:1).

The principle of sin reigns through the flesh (fallen) nature of man and has to be put to death through the new nature imparted by Christ.

God’s wrath is always working against sin (Romans 1:18) through the pronouncement of the curse.

3. THE GLOBAL FLOOD JUDGMENT

This occurred in the days of Noah when God brought judgment upon the Earth through means of a flood due to the growing wickedness and evil imaginations of man. He responded with Grace to Noah in preserving a family to replenish the Earth and ultimately bring about redemption through the sending of His Son, Christ Jesus (Genesis 6-8).

4. THE CALVARY JUDGMENT

When Jesus died on the cross, he bore our sins. He said, “It is finished.” He took upon himself the judgment for our sins. When a person believes and confesses Christ as Lord, what Jesus did on the cross is imputed to them. The believer is pardoned from the ultimate penalty of sin which is eternal separation from God (2 Cor. 5:20-21).

5. THE WOODSHED JUDGMENT

When the judgment of the cross is applied through faith to a person’s life, they begin living as a child of God (John 1:12). When a child of God sins, the Father of the family brings correction.

In the old days, a phrase was used, “Daddy is going to take you to the woodshed.” This implied getting a spanking. It was to bring correction. It was to change behavior. The Bible says, “Whom the Lord loves, He chastens.” (Hebrews 12:6)

6. THE WRATH OF GOD JUDGMENTS

In the Book of Revelation, we see a season and series of judgments hurled upon the Earth during the end times to judge the worldly antichrist structures that have been instituted. These judgments are severe, rapid, and very terrible.

7. THE BEMA JUDGMENT

Paul in writing to the Corinthians (2 Cor.5.10), teaches us that there will be a judgment where believers will be judged on the basis of what they have done with what they have been given. The motives of a believer’s heart will be revealed.

This is not a judgment in the sense of weeding out believers from unbelievers but of purifying and bringing to light Heaven’s perspective of how we have lived our Christian lives. It will result it Christ being glorified and the purer works of believers being identified.

8. THE NATIONS JUDGMENT

When Jesus returns at the Second Coming, He will judge the nations (Matt.25.31-32). Not only do individuals have a responsibility to steward God’s blessings but so do nations.

9. THE DEVIL’S FINAL JUDGMENT

Satan will be restrained to start with for a period called 1000 years in a bottomless pit. Then he will be momentarily released and will face the final judgment of God where he is cast into the lake of fire with his cohorts. (Rev. 20)

10. THE CELESTIAL AND GLOBAL CLEANSING JUDGMENT

Peter teaches us that the Firmament, the heavens, and the Earth will be purged with fire and a new Earth will emerge. As the Earth was first judged by water, it will in the latter end be judged by fire (2 Peter 3:10-13).

11. THE WICKEDS FINAL JUDGMENT

This is referred to as The Great White Throne Judgment. All people who have rejected Christ will stand before God and their lives will be examined.

If there is no covering of their sins through the blood of Jesus there will be no salvation. They enter into the Lake of Fire for eternity. This is the most sobering truth of all Scripture (Rev.20.11-15).

Let’s Pray