The Mandate of Judgment

One of the best pieces of information found in the pages of God’s inspired word would have to be the words scribed in John 14:1-3.  There the Bible reads, “(1) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”(KJV) One word can be used to describe that piece of Messianic information:  exhilarating!  It is encouraging to know that we are promised a chance at a heavenly home with God, upon the return of His Son.  So here’s the question:  is heaven a prepared place for a “prepared people” or is it just a prepared place for “all people?” 

The manner in which individuals answer this question enrages some, awakens others, and proves the naïveté of the rest.  However, when the Scriptures speak on the fact, there is one clear answer.  The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27 that it is a fact that all men are subject to inevitable death and after that death, the Day of Judgment.  Now, our American legal system has equipped us with a keen knowledge of judgments.  The idea of judgment means there will be a determination.  The understanding of any determination is that one will be guilty or innocent; condemned or set free.  This idea of judgment is not foreign to Christianity.  Examining both sides of the verdict the Bible says this in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “(9) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (10) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionist, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (11) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”(KJV) Now, before we deal with the obvious, let’s note the “good news.” 

The Bible states that there has been a change in the life of some, in that they have been washed (baptized), sanctified (reborn), and justified (exonerated of all sins).  These individuals will stand before the Divine Judge in the same manner that any exonerated criminal would before a secular judge.  The individual would be freed based on his vindicated and pardoned state.  Judgment will happen for these individuals; however, the end is guaranteed to be favorable.  However, verses 9 & 10 paint a different picture.  The sins named in these two verses serve as labels for the guilty, meaning they have not been made new; rather, the sins noted, factually serve as the identifying factor of who they are, absent of the Blood of Jesus.  Judgment will occur for these as well as for the first.  On the other hand, this verdict is not only unfavorable, but it’s also set.  “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived…”  It is in light of God’s proof in His Divine Word that we affirm that the Day of Judgment is not only real, but it is a mandated date, that only “prepared” or justified people will be granted access to the Lord’s Heaven.

Kevin D. Jones, Sr.
Minister
Eastland Church of Christ