September 8: THREE JUDGEMENT PHASES
…saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Revelation 14:7
The phase of judgement proclaimed by this first angel of Revelation 14 begins with the church. The record of all who have declared allegiance to God and to Christ is viewed in the heavenly court (see Daniel 7:9-10). Notice that before this judgement begins in heaven, there is someone speaking pompous words (v.8) on the earth. This is the leader of the church who has fallen into apostasy. Notice again (v.11) that someone is still bloviating pompous words right up until the very end. Though many have attempted to help, correct, and reform, God knows the future even better than we know the past; He has stated clearly that this power repeatedly refuses to accept correction (see Isaiah 47:7-8; Jeremiah 50:29,31-32,38; 51:6,9; Daniel 9:27; 11:31; Revelation 18:7). Peter spoke of this first phase of the judgement: For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17) This opening phase of judgement will be complete just before Christ’s second coming. It reveals that those Jesus gathers for transport to heaven have loved God supremely - more than this world, and thus can be fully trusted as law-abiding citizens of the eternal kingdom (see Daniel 3:25; 6:22; John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14).
The second phase of the final judgement also occurs in heaven. The saved will spend a thousand years in the heavenly Jerusalem taking part in this phase of judgement (1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 20:4). They will not be determining salvation for anyone, but will access the books of heaven. The awful accuracy of these records will provide answers as to why certain people they expected to see in heaven are not there; their lack of repentance and failure to receive the righteous guidance offered by the Holy Spirit will be plainly recorded. These gifts repeatedly offered by the Spirit of God, having been spurned, will reveal that God is both gracious and just. Jesus’ statement, “whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:32) refers to hardened hearts through repeatedly pushing away, grieving away, the Holy Spirit’s gentle attempts (see Isaiah 63:10; Romans 2:4; Ephesians 4:30).
The end of the millennium brings the third and final phase of the judgement. This is the great white throne judgement (Revelation 20:11). The lost will be raised from their graves on the earth and allowed to review the books, examining their own lives (v.12). For a moment they will agree: God’s judgement is just (see Isaiah 45:22-24; Philippians 2:10). But during this brief period while alive again to face God, Satan will gain their attention and deceive them into believing that they can rally and capture the holy city (see Revelation 20:3,9; 22:15). All of the wicked who have ever lived, including the devil and his angels, will be devoured in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:9). Each one’s judgement will vary; some will burn longer than others and the punishment will fit the crime.
“For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day that is coming shall burn them up,” says the LORD of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch… they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this,” Says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 4:1,3