“IT’S IN THE BOOKS.” ROM. 14:10-12, 1 COR. 3: 10-15, REV. 20: 11-15.
PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO ROMANS 14.
The Life Question addressed in today’s lesson is, “Since I’m going to die any way, what difference does it make how I live?” The Biblical Answer is that every person, believer or not, will stand before God in judgment and give an account for his life.
That all people face death once is a given. Heb. 9: 27 proclaims “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” There is another death that can follow physical death, and it is considered a second in respect to natural death.
The condition for this second death is one’s relationship with God, for the second death speaks of a final separation from God. It is a spiritual death that follows physical death.
The book of Revelation ties the second death to the image of the lake of fire and points to an eternal punishment----a never-ending death. The second death is only applicable to the wicked, and the wicked ultimately describes those who have not had their wickedness and sin removed through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Many adults are today unprepared to give an account of themselves to God. They are unprepared because they (1) reject or do not know about the Bible’s teaching of God’s judgment after death, (2) have not received Christ and had their names written in the Book of Life, or (3) have lived shoddy lives as professing Christians.
Yet the Bible teaches that everyone---believer as well as unbeliever---will stand before God for judgment. Unbelievers will be condemned to hell. Believers will be saved, but they will also be judged and dealt with according to their works.
PLEASE READ ROMANS 14: 10-12.
The issue was larger than eating meat. It also included observing special days. In Rome, these issues arose from the Jewish and Gentile backgrounds of the believers. In Vs. 10 Paul addressed the weak group. Their tendency was to judge those who ate meat and who did not keep their special days.
The tendency of the strong group was to look down on those who judged them for eating meat and not observing special days. Vs.10 repeats the two points Paul already made in vs. 3: “The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted Him.”
The last line gives one reason for not passing judgment on a fellow Christian---the Lord has received him. Paul gave a second reason in vs. 4: “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
In vs.10-12 Paul gave a third reason the two groups should not judge each other---all believers of both groups face divine judgment. Jesus taught His followers not to judge others because human judgments of others magnify the sins of others and ignore one’s own.
Only God is qualified to judge. Only He has all the facts, and only He has the character to judge people. In other words we have no warrant to climb on to the bench, place our fellow human beings in the dock, and start pronouncing judgment and passing sentence, because God alone is judge and we are not, as we will be forcibly reminded when the roles are reversed.
In a sense, both the weak and the strong were passing judgment. The weak thought of the other group as sinners; the strong treated the weak as ignorant or unenlightened. (by the way, the ones Paul called “weak” probably considered themselves “strong” because of their convictions.)
Neither group probably thought of their actions as sins for which they were accountable. Yet judging others or looking down on others are sins of pride and the opposite of love. In addition, the differences of opinion threatened the fellowship of the church, which is a serious sin.
Therefore, Paul was warning both groups when he wrote, “We shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ, or the judgment seat of God.” The only person who has any right to judge anyone is God; and least of all, has the man who will stand at the bar of God’s judgment any right to judge a fellow man who also stands at that bar. Judgment seat is the word bema, which was used of the place of judicial judgment. We might say “the bar of justice,” There is a divine bar of justice before which all of us will stand.
The idea of a judgment seat was not something foreign to Paul’s first readers in Rome. Roman justice required more than one judgment. In the great basilicas and colonnaded porches around the Roman Forum, magistrates would sit dispensing justice. It was a familiar sight to the people to see a person standing before the judgment seat.
However there will be only one judgment seat we will stand before, and that is the judgment seat of God. Because according to John 5: 22, 27, God through His Son this judgment seat can be said to belong to both the Father and the Son. This judgment of believers climatically demonstrates God’s lordship. Paul emphasized that we will all stand there.
Paul reminded his readers of what Isaiah the prophet said on this matter in Isa. 45:23; “As I live says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God”. There is no surer reality than the living God, and He swears by Himself—as I live---this will happen. One day every person who has ever lived----or will live---will acknowledge God for who He is. For those who previously committed their lives to Him by faith it will be a joyous exclamation of the lordship of Christ.
For all others who live in unbelief or rebellion, it will still be an acknowledgement of God’s lordship, but it will be expressed in a spirit of defeat. Even those who previously lived for themselves will be compelled to confess God and acknowledge His praiseworthiness. His is a universal lordship.
Vs. 10 states without equivocation that all believers will be judged. This judgment will not entail a decision regarding one’s salvation because according to John 5: 24 the believer has already crossed over from death to life. According to 1 Cor. 3: 10-15 eternal life is a present possession. There will, however, be for every believer a judgment of the quality of his or her life.
Just before this Paul had been thinking of the impossibility of the isolated life. But there is one situation in which each of us is isolated, and that is when we stand before the judgment seat of God; And yet this is not the whole truth. We do not stand alone at the judgment seat of God, for we stand with Jesus Christ. If we have lived with Christ in life, we shall stand with Him in death and before God’s judgment seat He will be the advocate to plead our case.
PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO 1 CORINTHIANS 3: 10
PLEASE READ 1 CORINTHIANS 3: 10-15.
The best commentary on Scripture is always Scripture itself, and this passage in 1 Corinthians will help clarify the picture of the judgment seat of God we studied in Romans 14. Here in 1 Corinthians, Paul’s context for dealing with the Day of Judgment was the divisions that had developed in the Corinthian church. The Church at Corinth was Paul’s problem church.
Paul identified the problem of people dividing into groups based on whether they were partial to Paul, Peter, Apollos, or Jesus, as their spiritual leader. Paul returned to this problem here in Ch. 3, explaining that the divisions were unnecessary because the believers were all working and ministering for the same reason. He primarily spoke of Apollos because Apollos had also been directly involved in the life of the Corinthian Church. Paul and Apollos may have had different roles---but vs. 8 points out that “the one who plants and the one who waters”--- they are equal.”
Paul dealt with this issue all the way through ch. 4. In 3: 1-9 he used Apollos and himself to illustrate how God uses different preachers at different stages in the life of a church. For example, with regard to the Corinthian church, Paul compared it to a field. Paul sowed the seed and Apollos watered it, but they were only ministers because God gave the increase.
In vs. 9, the Apostle changed the analogy from a field to a building. Because we are so familiar with the literal church buildings, it is easy to forget that in the first century there were no such things. The church was simply people, and Paul used several comparisons to help these believers grasp the nature of the church. One analogy was an agricultural field; another was the human body. In the present focal verses, Paul compared the church to a building under construction. Paul was the first builder of this church. He reminded the Corinthians that he was the one who laid a foundation for the Church. The Corinthians were the next generation responsible for working, aware that the Owner will one day inspect the quality of work done on His structure.
Acts 18 gives us the account of Paul’s arrival in Corinth and his involvement in the birth of that church. Paul’s role as an apostle was that of a foundation-layer, a church builder. Today we call such men “church planters.”
Because of that calling, Paul was constantly on the move. The longest we know he stayed in one place was in Ephesus, where he stayed for three years. He stayed for 18 months in Corinth, but his tenure of less than a month in Thessalonica may have been more typical of his pattern. We can trust that wherever he went Paul always laid the same foundation.
In 1 Cor. 3:11 Paul reminded us that the foundation is: Jesus Christ. He is also the foundation for the life of every child of God. Therefore, what is said of the church in this passage also applies to each Christian.
The first phase in a building is a strong foundation. Paul said that he laid the foundation. This was not something he did on his own. He followed the plan of the wise master builder, God Himself. Paul acted according to the grace of God, which God gave him.
Paul never forgot that his conversion----indeed, the conversion of every believer----is according to God’s undeserved grace that was given as a free gift. Here he stressed the very ability to do good works is also a gift of grace. We must never forget that in our own endeavors.
His successors in Corinth built on that solid foundation. Because of the nature of the foundation, each successor needed to take heed how he built on the foundation. Vs. 11 is a key verse. Paul identified the foundation: “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Paul indicated that as a builder he was always on site supervising the work and developing God’s ideas into the materials.
This was not an egotistical statement for Paul, because he also acknowledged that he was only carrying out his role according to God’s grace that was given. We know that God gives grace to all of us, because it is by that grace we are saved. It is God’s grace that He uniquely gives to each one of us to carry out whatever calling He has for us. Paul had been given just such a special and singular grace that enabled him to lay the foundation and start the church in Corinth. It was that grace that made him skilled.
The work of the church does not stop with the master builder. Others come along and build on the foundation. We don’t shift it; we don’t add to it; we simply build on it.
Whatever is built, though, needs to be in total conformity with the foundation. In construction, many skilled workmen get involved, but they are not free to follow their own whims: they must match the master plan and what they build must fit on the foundation.
We have all seen homes, usually older homes, where the owner later added an addition. You can tell it was a later addition because the owner made no effort to match the original design of the house. Those homes have always looked odd and out of place to me. The church also looks odd when it starts out on the one foundation, Christ, but over time it loses its mission and focus. Such a building may have church in its name, but it doesn’t look or act like a church.
That is why Paul warned that each one must be careful how he builds on the foundation. The situation in Corinth leads us to see that Paul was writing to the church leaders who were causing the divisions, but the principle is applicable and consistent with the expectations placed on all members of the church. We must all ensure that what we are doing is in full harmony with the church’s one foundation, Jesus Christ.
There may be only one foundation, but how we build on it may vary greatly. Therefore, Paul turned his discussion to the superstructure. Paul mentioned six different building materials, but these materials can be easily divided into two groups. Gold, silver, costly stones represent those building materials that are of high quality; wood, hay, and straw represent those building materials that are inferior.
In reality, wood is a stronger building material than gold, but we must not forget that Paul was speaking metaphorically: rich and full of quality as opposed to cheap and perishable. Costly stones may be a reference to precious stones and gems used for ornament, or it could refer to blocks of marble, the great and costly stones built into the temple of old. Because gold and silver would not be used for structural strength but more as ornamentation on the surface. I would conclude that to keep the metaphorical building materials parallel, the costly stones were also gems used in ornamentation. But again we should not read too much into what each building material represents or how it was used, because Paul was being metaphorical. Straw could be used as a building material, especially for thatching a roof. But not for the Church
Paul was building.
Worthy buildings are built as much as possible of fireproof materials. No human construction can be totally safe against all possible hazards, but a life built of lasting materials will withstand whatever comes, even the searing fire of divine judgment. Fire is a familiar description of divine judgment. When the fire of judgment comes, only lasting things will survive. “Every man’s work shall be show for what it is”. The day refers to the time of judgment in connection with the Lord’s coming. The day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.”
What qualities of life are comparable to the gold, silver, and precious stones? The most general answer is the kind of person you have become. The quality of a life grows out of decisions that lead to habits that lead to character that determine destiny.
Most of what some people treasure are things that moth and rust corrupt and thieves steal. If these earthly treasures survive all these threats, the fire of divine judgment will consume them. The things that last are our relation to God, our love for Him and others, and our service in His name.
Vs. 14 says, “If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.” Rewards represent a challenging biblical subject. A key passage is Matt. 19: 27-20:26. After the rich young ruler turned away, Peter asked what would be the reward of those who forsook all to follow Jesus. The Lord gave a twofold answer.
First, He assured Peter of rewards: then He told a parable that teaches that every reward is a gift of grace. The parable of the sheep and the goats in Matt. 25: 31-46 also gives insight into rewards. Both groups in the story were surprised. We expect the loveless group not to have seen Christ in the needy. We might expect the compassionate group to have seen Jesus in the needy. But in Jesus’ story, they too are surprised. This seems to mean that they were not helping people to receive a personal reward. They were helping people because that was what Jesus did and what He taught them to do.
While Jesus appeals to reward, he never uses the ethic of merit. Faithfulness must never be exercised with a view to reward: the reward itself is utterly of grace.
The opposite kind of builder builds a life comparable to a shanty on a vast foundation. When the fires of divine judgment come, this man’s work shall be burned. He built his life of flammable materials. He shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
He will be like people who escape a fire that destroys all they own except the clothes on their backs. All those who are here considered are saved. The distinction is not between the lost and the saved, but among the saved between those who have built well and those who have built poorly.
Everything that has been to the glory of God will be looked upon in that day as gold that has His approval. Only that which has been done for Christ will be rewarded in that day.
Herschel Hobbs wrote: “Reward is prominent in the picture of heaven. Rewards will be by degrees in keeping with service.” Some will be saved ‘as by fire.’ The nature of rewards in heaven remains something of a mystery. How can there be degrees of reward in a place of joy?
John A. Broadus offered one explanation: “There will doubtless be different capacities for sharing in the joy of our Lord, but every one will enjoy to the full.”
Perhaps we can illustrate it like this. Two people sit side by side at a concert of classical music. One has developed a deep appreciation for good music; the other has not. Both hear the same sounds, but their capacities for enjoying it are different.
PLEASE TURN TO REVELATION 20.
PLEASE READ REVELATION 20: 11-15.
Hebrews 9: 27-28 says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” The idea of death is presented in Gen. 2: 17 when Adam was warned against disobeying God in eating the forbidden fruit; “For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Our pastor recently pointed out that in these days people never die, they just pass away. The undertaker or embalmer is now a funeral director and the hearse is now a coach, and the cemetery or graveyard is now a memorial park. There are no longer any old people to die, as they are all now senior citizens or golden agars. All this change is to get away from the thought of dieing.
In Rev. 20 John gave the most vivid description of what the Day of Judgment will be like. Throughout his vision recorded in the Book of Revelation we get a vivid account full of symbolism and vivid imagery of all the events that will lead up to the visible return of Christ.
A great judgment day will follow the return and thousand-year reign of Christ. At the time of judgment, John saw in his vision a great white throne. White is the color of purity, and God’s judgments will be pure, holy, and righteous. John also saw the One seated on it. The One seated on the throne was, of course, God Himself.
In he Book of Revelation this Judgment takes place after the final defeat of the Devil. Ch. 20 tells of the binding of Satan, of the 1,000-year reign of Christ, of Satan gathering together enemies of the saints, and of fire from heaven destroying the army of the Devil. In Rev. 20: 10 the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.”
The next thing John saw was a great white throne. The One on the throne had an awesome presence. In Vs. 11 “the Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.” Apparently this scene will take place after the current heaven and earth are gone but the new heaven it not yet a reality. This is the description of God’s work as judge.
As the judgment begins, earth and heaven will flee from His presence. Some people might interpret this symbolically, saying that in comparison to the glory of God sitting on His throne everything else---heaven and earth---fade away by comparison. But this could be literal. In Ch. 21: 1 we read of a new heaven and a new earth. To receive a new heaven and a new earth, the old ones must exit the picture.
Who is judged at this time? I believe this great white throne judgment is a judgment only on unbelievers. They are identified in vs. 5 as “the rest of the dead.” That must refer to the lost. Others believe this is one general judgment for all. They do, however, distinguish the basis on which believers are judged from the way unbelievers are judged. Both recognize that unbelievers are condemned already.
John mentions seeing books and among them the Book of Life. He wrote: “The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works.” This doesn’t mean that good works will save anyone. Bible believers agree that the lost will be condemned because of their rejection of Christ, and also because of their evil works.
The Book of Life contains the names of believers, who are not condemned. The condemnation of those whose names are not in the Book of Life will be announced. Prior to the final judgment the souls of dead unbelievers will already be in a place of punishment. All were judged according to their works.
Satan’s chief allies during the end time will be the beast and the false prophet. They will be cast into the lake of fire before the thousand years. Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire after the thousand years. Now in Rev. 20: 14 “Death and Hades join them.” This marks the final victory over death and over the Devil.
From the Devil’s first appearance in the Bible he has been the father of lies and the great deceiver. From the Bible’s point of view, the outcome had never been in doubt. In Gen. 3: 15 God promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. Christ’s death and resurrection delivered a mortal wound to the serpent’s head, but according to 1 Peter 5: 8 “he still goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” He is determined to take as many as possible with him. But following him is like buying a ticked on the Titanic
Not only will the beast, and the false prophet, and the Devil be cast into the lake of fire, but they also will be joined by whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life. The lake of fire is the second death. The second death has no power over those who experience the first resurrection. It is for anyone whose name is not in the Book of Life. Unbelievers and all who persist in sin will experience the second death.
What are the lasting lessons in Rev. 20: 11-15?
In spite of different opinions about some issues concerning the end times, there is general agreement about these matters: (1) All people will be judged: (2) Unbelievers will be condemned because of their rejection of Christ; (3) Believers will be saved by faith in Christ, but they will be rewarded according to their faithfulness; (4) The fate of the saved and lost is determined at the time of their death, but the final judgment awaits the end time; (5) The second death will be a reality for all who reject Jesus.
NEXT SUNDAY REVELATION 21 RECORDS JOHN’S VISION OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH. A.V. DAUGHERTY <altav@swbell.net>