Bible Studies
Relevant Truth Article 10, Eternal Judgement
This is the second last article covering the principles of the doctrine of Christ referred to in the book of Hebrew 6:1-2. It must be reiterated: these articles are in no way complete. The purpose of these particular articles is not to cover each principle extensively, but to give a fundamental understanding from which one can build the accurate doctrine of relevant truth for daily living.
Here, we deal with the aspect of “judgement,” a subject from which many like to steer away. It is not a pleasant subject, at least not in the context of which it is spoken of in Hebrew 6:2.
There are two key words here:
1/ eternal (Greek: aionios)
The word simply means everlasting and without end. However, in the context of this verse, it implies the verdict of the judgement rendered is absolutely final and without appeal. There is a negative connotation here which is understood better when we examine the second word.
1/ judgement (Greek: krima)
The Bible teaches different kinds of judgements for different classes of people. For example, believers who live for the Lord Jesus will be judged differently (and thankfully, not for their sins for which Christ bore the penalty on the cross) than those who reject Him and live for themselves [John 3:18; 1 John 4:17]. In this verse, the implication is that of condemnation, of being answerable to the proceedings of justice; the Divine justice of God Almighty.
Hebrews 9:27 speaks of an inescapable appointment that awaits every human being: …it is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgement. There is a time coming when every person who has lived will stand before God and face judgement. The question is: will it be as a believer and member of the family of God; or as an unbeliever and member of the human family who is a child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3)?
There is a school of thought holding the belief that because of the finished work of Christ, everyone is forgiven of their sinful deeds, and the only thing held against anyone is their rejection of Christ as Saviour and Lord. The scripture commonly used is 2 Corinthians 5:19 …God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. However, this can only refer to those who have already repented of their sins and been reconciled to God by faith in Christ. Otherwise, many scriptures make no sense.
For example, we recite the Lord’s Prayer and at one point say…forgive us our debts (sins), as we forgive our debtors (those who sin against us)… [Matthew: 6:12] There is no point in praying such a thing if forgiveness of specific sins is not a requirement both of God, and from God. In fact, Jesus continues on at the end of the “Lord’s Prayer” by saying…For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses. In other words, there must be some record of sins committed for Jesus to say such a thing.
In the book of Revelation, there is a powerful scene described where books are opened, and all who are not in the family of God will be judged by what is written or recorded in them:
Revelation 20:11-15:
And I saw a great white throne, and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead who were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
It would be correct to say those who reject Christ will be judged and sentenced to damnation regardless of what sins they committed, but God is a righteous judge. He will not disregard nor gloss over the details of one’s life, whether good or bad.
Romans 2:6b-8, [God]…will render to every man according to his deeds.
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality - eternal life:
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness - indignation and wrath…
The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes summarizes what should be the main focus and point of human existence and why it is so critical to living it out.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Jesus spoke of it in Matthew 16:26:
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He shall reward every man according to his works.
Paul wrote of it in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10:
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.
He goes on in verse 11 to say this fact of coming judgement is another reason why he and his fellows preach the gospel:
Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…
The good news for all of us who believe and live for Jesus is that we have the opportunity to live in a state of holiness and righteousness before God. When we do commit sin as believers we are convicted by the Holy Spirit and made aware of the sin, and can then come to God for forgiveness and cleansing. Once this occurs, it is taken care of by God and as the Bible says, As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Palm 103:12)
1 John 2:1: My little children, these things I write unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Hebrew 4:16: Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
In our 7th and last Principle of the Doctrine of Christ, we will cover in more detail the process of spiritual growth and maturity. Although not mentioned directly in Hebrews 6:1, it is definitely inferred when the writer speaks about leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ and going on unto perfection
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...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
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