The Judge of All the Earth: Jesus Christ the Righteous

Because of who He is in truth, Jesus Christ has many titles ascribed to Him in the Holy Bible. Jesus is God our Savior (Titus 1:4; 2:13). He is King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:15). Jesus is our great high priest (Heb 4:14; 10:21); the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29; Rev 5:6, 12); Mediator of the new covenant and between God and man (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24); etc. Here, our consideration turns to Jesus’ role and function as Judge.

First, there is only one Lawgiver and Judge who is able save or destroy (Jas 4:12). Jesus is judge of all the earth (Gen 18:25); the living and the dead (2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5); having been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18). For this reason, all people will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of themselves against the standard of the Law of God (2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:11).

Second, this standard is perfection; and only one man in human history ever fulfilled its demands. Jesus lived without sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15), always doing what was pleasing to God the Father (Jn 5:42), the Almighty. In life and in His death, Jesus fulfilled the Law unto righteousness (Mt 5:17; 1 Jn 2:1).

Third, the Son of Man, who attained right standing with God through His own meritorious work, is the most qualified person to be the Judge of all (Gen 18:25). For this reason, God appointed Jesus and entrusted Him with this role (Acts 17:31).

Fourth, it is appointed once for a man to die because of sin (Rom 6:23); and then comes the judgment (Heb 9:27). It is for every person to know the Name of the Judge he or she must face. It is also imperative for all people to know that Jesus is just and the One who justifies the ungodly (Rom 4:5; 1 Pet 3:18).

Fifth, the Day of Judgment is coming (Acts 17:31; 2 Thess 2:2). Jesus declared this day in His Olivet Discourse on the Mount of Olives at Jerusalem, during His final week, before the Temple authorities arrested Him (Mt 24–25; Mk 13; Lk 21). His teaching, of course, was in alignment with all that the prophets had foretold of the “terrible” and “awful” day, when all people will look upon Him whom they had pierced (Zech 12:10; Jn 19:37).

Sixth, the second advent of Jesus will differ from His first appearance in Israel. Jesus’ first coming did not have an aspect of universal judgment, but He came to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21; Jn 12:47). There was a judgment already, however, in that those who thought they could see were judged by Jesus to be blind (Jn 9:39). It should be noted that every time Jesus told the truth, it was a judgment against those who opposed Him (Mt 23). So, yes, Jesus did judge, locally, at His first advent; but there is a judgment coming that will be universal.

At His second coming, Jesus will descend from heaven with His angels and the saints who died in Christ (Mt 25:31; 1 Cor 3:13). Two realities will occur when all the dead will be resurrected (Jn 5:28–29; 1 Cor 15).

Those who died outside of Christ will be bodily raised for their day of sentencing (Jn 5:28–29; Rev 20:11). The sentence is the second death — eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Mt 25:46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15). Those who died in Christ will be bodily resurrected from their graves and caught up together to meet the warrior Judge at His glorious appearing (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). These will sit down on His Throne and judge the rebel angels (1 Cor 6:3), even as He judges the whole world (Acts 17:31). We will see Jesus face-to-face and be like Him with glorified bodies and souls (Rom 8:30; 1 Cor 15:52; 1 Jn 3:2). We will always be with the Lord (1 Thess 4:17).

Seventh, the wrath of the Lamb will be poured out upon the earth and all the enemies of Christ will be put down (Rev 6:16; 19:11–21). The man of lawlessness, who exalted himself as god in the Temple of God will be blown away by the breath of Him who has come to judge and make war (2 Thess 2:8; Rev 2:16; 19:11–21). Jesus is the warrior King, the dread Champion who will save His people and destroy His enemies on that day (Is 19:20; 42:13; Jer 20:11).

Eighth, Jesus will set the earth ablaze; and it will burn under the judgment of God (2 Pet 3:3–10), who is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29). The filth of sin and the rebellion of humanity will end. The kingdom of this world will have become the kingdom belonging to Christ, the King of glory (Rev 11:15).

Ninth, when the final judgment of history is completed, Jesus Christ, the Creator of all things (Col 1:16; Heb 3:4; 11:10), will create a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells (Jn 14:2–3; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21–22). In it, the New Jerusalem, the heavenly Zion will descend to rest upon the new earth (Heb 12:22; Rev 3:12; 21:2, 10). All things will be made forever new (Rev 21:5).

Finally, the redeemed holy nation of the Lord, then glorified, will forever remember all that Jesus Christ our Lord did for us. His pierced hands, feet, and side — still visible in His glorified body — will remind the saints in glory of God’s love for them (Jn 20:20, 25, 27).

My dear reader, have you drawn near to the righteous Judge and these glorious truths presented here? If not, be wise and repent (Acts 17:30). Turn from sin and this doomed world of sin that spins under the pending wrath of God (Rom 1:18; 1 Thess 1:10; Rev 6:16). There is only one Savior and one way of salvation (Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12). It is the narrow way that leads to life — new, abundant, and eternal (Jn 10:10; Rom 6:4; 1 Jn 5:11–13).

Come to the Judge of all the earth (Gen 18:25; Mt 11:28), Jesus Christ the righteous, today (1 Jn 2:1). If you avoid Him now and harden your heart, you will die in your trespasses and sins (Jn 8:21, 24). The terrifying expectation of judgment is all that you have in this life to look forward to in eternity (Heb 10:27).

The summons to come to Jesus Christ, in humble confession of sin, is acceptable to Him. The shedding of His precious blood on the cross of Calvary is your one trust (Heb 9:22; 1 Pet 1:19). That, too, was a day of judgment some 2000 years ago. The sins of God’s chosen people from every nation and epoch were imputed to the sinless Lamb of God, who bore our sins in His body on the cross (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24). In this is the forgiveness of sins and the declaration “not guilty” by the only blood sacrifice that justifies sinners (Mt 26:28; Rom 5:9; Eph 1:7).

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, His Person and work, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). Draw near to God through the veil of Christ’s body (Heb 10:20); and He will draw near to you (Jas 4:8). Enter the holy place of the true tabernacle of heaven by faith (Heb 10:19). There is open access for a bold approach by those who have been appointed to life (Acts 13:48). If He befriends thee, God will surely give you His Spirit (Jn 14:17, 26; 15:26), and you will be drawn to Christ by the Father through Christ (Jn 6:44, 65), who will never cast you out (Jn 6:37).

There is great joy in heaven when one sinner repents, by His grace (Lk 15:7, 10; Acts 5:31; 11:18), and for His glory. May God be glorified in this very explanation of His salvation, and of course, His judgment.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

March 7, 2024