Elwin R. Roach

Judgment, a word that forms apprehension with many, especially when it is God's judgment that comes to mind, or is declared from church pulpits; such as, the Great White Throne Judgment, Judgment Day, the Day of Judgment, the Judgment Seat of Christ! 

How dreadful these words of judgment can be! Some have gone insane and sent to asylums after believing they had committed the unpardonable sin and would be facing God's judgment of eternal damnation. I knew such a man by mail; but he regained his sanity after reading some studies from some Bible teachers who taught the truth about God's judgment upon mankind.

The general view about the day of Judgment will be when sometime in the future every soul of the human race will be assembled before God and sentenced according to what they did or did not do throughout their lives, and/or whether they got "saved" before dying. The sentence is said to be final. It will be irreversible and will set the eternal destiny for each person whether for heaven or for hell, which, although contrary to the original scriptures, is generally believed that the vast majority of mankind will be consigned to hell, forever, which we will address later on.

Let us, first, draw our attention to what the apostle Peter said about the day of judgment. He indicated that it is not a short span of time; but rather, it could be at least a thousand years, saying: "The heavens and the earth which are now are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgment. But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3: 7-8. 

From this we can see that the judgment day may be a very long period of time of a thousand years or more. Of course, it could be less. Frankly, a day of the Lord is not a set time as we consider time. His days begin when something that has a starting point and finally comes to an end, which could be twenty-four hours, a week, a month, one hundred years, a thousand, or ten thousand years, etc. Peter was showing us the vastness of God's day in comparison to man's. John also spoke of this in the book of Revelation: "And I saw thrones and they sat upon them and judgment was given unto them...and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Revelation 20:4.

Orthodoxy views the Day of Judgment as being a dreadful time of universal doom. For example, in an old Methodist Episcopal Church hymnal is a song written by Sir Walter Scott that describes this presumed judgment:

"He comes! He comes! The Judge severe!

The seventh trumpet speaks him near.

The day of wrath, that dreadful day,

When Heaven and earth shall pass away!

What Power shall be the sinner's stay?

How shall he meet that dreadful day?"

It is a wonder that anyone created in the image and likeness of God could imagine Him being so merciless? Nonetheless, when we examine this view in the light of truth, we will find that it is like many another doctrines which are an absurd mixture of mistranslated scriptures and traditions of men. They often contain just enough truth to mislead the unthinking, but not enough to deliver them from their garbage pits of theological falsehoods.

Hopefully, we will see today a few things that seldom taught, if at all, in most of the churches. Therewith, we will notice another verse that has to do with judgment: "It is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgment." Hebrews 9:27.

The Greek word for judgment is "krisis." from which our English word "crisis" is derived. In the truest sense, it is "a critical period of time, a time of decision, a turning point."

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says the primary meaning of krisis is "a decision." Therefore, when krisis is translated as "damnation," it is very misleading and has surely been instrumental in leading to the spurious doctrine of damnation for the lost. Such casts a dark shadow on God's character and the true judgment of His beloved creation.

Judgment is simply a hallowed decision for or against, and even when God’s judgment is against anyone, the decision is for their good and ultimate correction.

When God makes a decision it initiates a turning point, when a decision is made by a higher authority that is FOR a person, rewards are generally given due to their good works, such as, promotions, raises, plaques, certificates, etc.. Upon looking at the lack of evidence of an accused man, a decision/judgment can also come as an acquittal. Not guilty! But when the situation constitutes it, judgment is levied against a person in the form of remedial punishment. This is the context that the word is most often used in the New Testament.

Concerning God’s judgment/krisis, a deciding time, a trial, upon mankind refers to a point when things make a turn for the better. It is spoken of in such a way that indicates this judgment is given to man as a blessing, as a favor, rather than a horrid bane of eternal torment. One scriptural example of this is found in the Psalms: "...The Lord...he cometh to judge the world. He shall judge the world with righteousness and the people with his truth." Psalm 96:13.

Such declarations should be cause for every soul to shout with great rejoicing. This verse presents the nature of His judgment which is in striking contrast with the general view of the judgment day being a time of unmitigated suffering, horror, and dread with no hope of relief, forever! Just constant agony. When will believers awaken to the truth? Ah, we know! When the Son of revelation shines in their hearts, which we pray is this very moment!

But let us continue. The judgment of man began when Jesus said: "now is the judgment (Krisis) of this world; (Kosmos) now shall the prince of this world be cast out, and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:31-32. 

That is to say, the judgment of the human race began with Himself, the pattern for all living. The process by which Satan was, and continues to be judged, will end for him when he is cast out of everyone’s life:

" And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Romans 16:20.

...and

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Hebrews 2:14-15.

Isaiah indicated that God's judgment would be a blessing for the Gentiles: "A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench; He shall bring forth judgment unto truth (Heb. stability). He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he has set judgment in the earth."  Isaiah 42:3-4.

The same prophet declares again in the twenty-sixth chapter that God's judgment is a blessing:"Yea in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for Thee; the desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee. With my soul have I desired Thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early, for when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:8-9. 

We can see why the prophet desired the Lord's judgments upon the nations, and we should also; for then – ALL will learn righteousness.

In another place we read that Jesus said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life." John 5: 24 RSV). Here is a people spoken of who are not judged with the world. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians: "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned (judged against) with the world" 1 Corintians 11:31-32.

They who judge themselves are part of the first resurrection. Their souls are made to come alive and stand up in their Lord Jesus Christ! They yield themselves to God. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness." Romans 6:16–19.

They who judge themselves:

 1.  Humble themselves  

 2.  Present their bodies a living sacrifices unto God

 3.  Reckon themselves dead

 4.  Crucify the flesh 

 5.  Mortify the deeds of the flesh   

 6.  Judge themselves  

 7.  Freely give themselves up to God's molding hand

 8.  Gain the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

 9.  Fall on Christ to be broken, crucified, mortified and perfected

 10.           Know the power of His resurrection 

 11.           Do not frustrate the grace of God

 12.           Do not resist the truth

This is the list that speaks of what the overcomes do; but Jesus said this of others: "Whosoever shall fall on this stone (Christ) shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall it will grind him to powder."  Matthew 21:42-44.

Those who fall on Christ will be broken, crucified, and perfected through suffering; but for those who will not fall on the Stone, it will fall on them. Thereby, will they truly be ground to power, utterly destroyed? Not in a million years, or ever! Surprising to most, they will be freed from their sin, corruption, and death. For fhey will be "winnowed."

The latter part of this verse, "grind him to powder," are mistranslations. Neither of the two words in the Greek for the phrase are likmaō and autos even suggests grinding anyone to powder. Nowhere else in the New Testament is likmaō found, and according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, likmaō means: "a winnowing fan or basket, to winnow, to part the chaff from the grain" and autos means, "a baffling wind from the root word aēr, as to breathe."

In Jeremiah 4:11 there is an equivalent to the Greek word , likmaō, The Hebrew word is zarah which means to winnow and is translated to the English as to fan.

Therefore, in all honesty, Matthew 21:44 should be read as, "upon whomsoever it shall fall will be winnowed." Even though the process can be severe, they will be benefit from it in the end. Separating the chaff/carnal nature/sin, can be very painful; but the outcome is very good!

With this, we can see that the original text shows that those judged are blessed by being delivered from their chaff, their sin and rebellion, rather than being totally destroyed or damned to a burning hell forever. Now, that is the justice of the true God who is love!

During the process of His judgments, however, He can be seen as the God of good but also as the God of evil. And the following list of scriptures reflect this divine dichotomy:

1.   "Come and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." Hosea 6: 1

2.   "He maketh sore, and bindeth up, He woundeth, and His hand make whole" Job 5:18

3.   "The Lord killeth and maketh alive He bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up. 1 Samuel 2:6 

4.   "He turneth man to destruction, and saith, return ye children of men." Psalm 90:3 

5.   "For thou, O God, hast proved us; thou hast tried us as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins; thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place." Psalms 66:10-12

The same God that brought them into hardships for their discipline and deliverance from sin and rebellion, raised them up into a wealthy place. 

Not everyone is judged the same way. Depending on what is necessary will determine the type of judgment that is measured out. Some are saved by grace as Ephsians 2:5 relates, while others are saved as by fire (1 Corinthians 3.15). And regardless of how we are judged, whether it is from the God of good or the God of evil, whether by mercy or by wrath, we can know that it will be judgment unto victory! Rather than being utterly undone and destroyed to never find a release from torment, as orthodoxy would have us to believe, it will be a victorious eternal life in our Lord Jesus Christ. They will be qualified to rule, reign, and judge along side their Lord; for it will be by the same Spirit of love and nature that they do so.

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them…and they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." Revelation 20:4,6.

More than a few believers are unaware that the elect of God, those with His name, their Father's name written in their foreheads (having His mind) will be kings, priests, and judges in His Kingdom. But there are numerous scriptures relating to this:

1.   "Ye that have followed me, in the regeneration, when the son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matthew19:28

2.   "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Revelation 3:21) 

3.   "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? Know ye not that we shall judge angels?..." 1 Corinthians 6:2-3.

4.   "SAVIORS" (plural) shall come upon Mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau." Obadiah 21.  

Now that we see the saints are crucial in God's judgment upon the world, even angels, we also see that it not only delivers people from themselves but raises them up to a higher place in Christ. Frankly, God's judgment works to the salvation for ALL! Bar none! For instance, when "The kingdom is the Lord's and He is the governor among the nations. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Him." Psalms 22:28,27.

It is overlooked by many; but creation is anxiously waiting and groaning for this judgment by the saints, the Sons of God, that Paul wrote about in Romans 8:19. It is then that they will know the same liberty of life that all those who are God's children, His family.

Hopefully, the process and purpose of God's judgment is becoming clear; namely, to rid the judged of sin and raise them up in incorruptible life of the ages. It is also seen that His judgment is met out by His saviors, His elect, and Peter told us that it was to be initiated by them. Of course, the King James Version leads us astray by mistranslating one word in what he wrote: "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God" 1 Peter 4:17.

This article was almost finished when Preston Eby's latest study came, and he addressed this verse which shows the importance of translating the scriptures properly, even down to a two letter word:

"We are living in an hour when God is moving mightily in the hearts of His called and chosen people preparing them to bring forth righteous judgment in the earth. 'For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God' (I Pet. 4:17). Judgment begins at the house of God, saith the Lord! Oh, how that message has been butchered by the ministers of Babylon!

"Do you know what most folk believe it means? They think it’s saying that God is going to bring the hammer down on His people. To them it speaks of severity or an awful day of accountability and reckoning. That’s not what the inspired apostle is saying at all! First of all, as we have noted, “judgment' is not a negative, it’s a positive. It translates the Greek word krisis from which comes our English words crisis, critical, and criteria. A krisis, a crisis or critical time, is a turning point.

"Very sick people often reach the point of crisis where they reach and then pass through their most critical point following which their fever breaks, or they regain consciousness; it is the turning point in their illness, the crisis where their condition begins to improve. God’s judgments do not themselves save us, but they condition and prepare us for HIM who IS our salvation. They cause us to turn to the Lord in repentance and we find that He has been drawing us to Himself through it all.

"People quote the scripture, 'Judgment must begin at the house of God,' and their first thought is, 'Oh, my, Ananias and Sapphira are going to fall over dead any minute now!' But that’s not what this passage is saying. The King James translation is faulty. 'Judgment must begin at…' At is the Greek preposition apo meaning 'away from.' It is not a picture of God bringing wrath down upon the people of God, but it’s a picture of His righteous, redemptive judgments flowing like a river out from or away from the house of God!

"It is not the house of God receiving the judgment, but it is the house of God dispensing the judgment! Young’s Literal translation reads, 'It is the time of the beginning of the judgment from the house of God.' The Concordant New Testament says, 'It is the era for the judgment to begin from the house of God.' The Emphatic Diaglott renders, 'Because the season is coming for the judgment to begin from the house of God.'

"The message is clear — contrary to what we have been taught and have believed — God is not moving us toward the time when His judgment must begin upon the house of God, even though we have certainly been experiencing His judgments in our lives; rather, all He is doing now within us is moving us towards that time when His judgments can begin to PROCEED FROM, FLOW OUT FROM THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD!

"As the prophet has said, 'But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain (kingdom, government) of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains (above, over all the strong kingdoms), and it shall be exalted above the hills (weaker kingdoms, institutions); and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain (kingdom) of the Lord, and to the house (people, body of Christ) of the God of Jacob, and He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And HE SHALL JUDGE among many people…' (Micah 4:1-3).

"Can we not see by the passage above that the house of God, the mount Zion of God, which is the sons of God, and the holy city Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb, are the source of the law of God, the word of God, and the judgment of God! Oh, yes, the judgment does indeed begin or start with each one of us as He does His wonderful work within; then as our own house has been thoroughly judged and made right, and the sons and the bride are perfected and made ready, this judgment goes from or out from the household of God to bring correction and blessing to the nations. It cannot flow out until it has first been wrought within! It is within God’s own people that the judgment of God first does its perfect work.

"Therefore do we stand upon the glassy sea singing with all our hearts, 'All nations shall come and worship before Thee; FOR THY JUDGMENTS ARE MADE MANIFEST!' Where are God’s judgments — their reality, power, purpose, and accomplishment — made manifest, made apparent, visible, plain, clear, discernable, perceptible? IN THE LIVES OF GOD’S ELECT!

"Ah, here is a people that knows the ways of His judgments, a people in whom and through whom the righteous judgments of God can be executed! The scriptures are continually revealing this grand and glorious truth. The Lord Jesus Himself explained it on this wise: 'For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son…and hath given Him authority to execute judgment…because He is the Son of man' (Jn. 5:22,27).

"To the faithful in Christ Jesus we now proclaim this message — that judgment which is committed to the Head Son is executed through His body, His many brethren, just as John saw in vision: 'And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them…and they reigned with Christ.' (Rev. 20:4)." — End quote.

With this, we can clearly see the importance of properly translating the scriptures, even down to the one and two-letter words. What a difference it makes when judgment proceeds from the house of God rather than at His house.

Notwithstanding, the fruit of God's judgment, whether harsh or gentle, upon every soul and nation will be for their good, for their deliverance from sin, from rebellion, from all things contrary to God, His life, and His kingdom. Not one person will be left under the bondage of sin and corruption. For it will be as Isaiah declared the word of the LORD:

"There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear." Isaiah 45:21-23. 

Paul tells us that this universal confession will be glorious: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should (Grk omits should) bow(s), of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should (Grk also omits should) confess(es) that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11. (Parentheses supplied for clarification).

Since the confession is to the glory of God the Father, it could be no other way than bein voluntary and from the heart. It is the same as when a child not only knows his mommy and daddy are his parents, but he loves them dearly and "confesses," Mommy and Daddy, I love you so much. The confession comes from the heart and never from coercion or duress, unless, of course, the parents are egotistical monsters that demand adoration and praise. And, sadly, such is the way many think of our God who is Love.

Paul wrote:"We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:10, and "For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God." Romans 14:11 HCSB. Be sure to know, and I'm sure you do, giving praise to man or God is more than lip-service or mouthing words. Praise comes only from the will and heart of the person.

Let us share a similar verse which expresses a high caliber of praise from every living creature, especially the human creature: "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Revelation 5:13.

This verse is very plain that every heart will be brought into the love and harmony with God, and every tongue shall willingly praise him. It will not be some sort of religious scenario that has been imagined; such as, "Well, I got caught by a greater power than myself, so I will say that he is God, and Jesus is his son. And since I will say it is so, whether I believe it or not, I guess it will please him and somehow bring him glory in some fashion or another. But, sadly, He says that I'm still going to burn in hell forever for not admitting to it before I died. How bazar and cruel is that?"

It certainly would be bazar and cruel if this scenario was remotely true; but it is as far from the truth as the devil is from Jesus. God's judgment never ends in pain and permanent loss, but health and wealth. 1 Chronicles relates to this, that when the Lord comes to judge the earth, it brings a time of universal joy and gladness:

"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness...The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns!' Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:29-34 NIV.

"And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off." Micah 4:3. Which do we suppose this judging and rebuking brings, a blessing or a cursing? A great blessing, of course; for the next two verses says:

"But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever." Micah 4:4-5.

Also, "...He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isaiah 2:4.

Sounds to us that severe judgments are blessings. They are always the expression of His care, concern, His unending love. He judges not for man's hurt, but for his good.

What we see transpiring in today in this nation, The United States of America, is judgment, as well as the rest of the world. Moreover, as surely as the Sun rises every morning from the east and sets every evening in the west, it is by the word from the house of God! There are watchers whose decrees are enforced by the powers from on high, and the political players, although loud, lying, boasters claiming to be your saviors have no say in the matter. This is God's doing via the voice from His house whether for good or evil.

Surely, this is a Day of Krisis that is upon this nation as a decree of life or death, of blessing or cursing, of restoration or destruction. And only God and His watchers know what it will be. Notwithstanding, regardless of which way it goes, we rejoice in knowing it will ultimately be judgment unto victory!

We can now heartily join the prophet as he wrote in Isaiah 26:9 and resound with joy: In the way of Thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for Thee, with our soul have we desired Thee, for WHEN THY JUDGMENTS ARE IN THE EARTH, THE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Now, isn't THE JUDGMENT Good News?