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Sharing insight on what judgment really means

Each week the Village News now features a different Bible passage (or other thought-provoking message relating to faith) so that readers can share their insight and/or opinions.

This interactive section allows those of various denominations and faiths to participate equally and respectfully, sharing their individual thoughts, commentary, viewpoints and/or insight on particular Biblical verses and themes.

All comments and insight shared will also go on the newspaper’s Web site (www.thevillagenews.com) so it can be reviewed and commented on further.

If you would like to recommend Bible passages for this discussion venue, please e-mail [email protected].

Revelation 20:10-12

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that 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.”

At the end of Revelation, God judges men and women by their actions on earth. This is a particularly difficult verse to swallow, as it points to the fact that not all those on earth will go to heaven.

How should people read this part of the Bible? Is this something to be prepared for and fearful of?

Pastoral Commentary

Pastor Phil Tukua

of Christ The King Lutheran Church says,

“It’s so clear that Jesus Christ came to save all who will put their trust and belief in Him, and it’s God’s will that none would perish, but have eternal life. As you look at Revelation, God does have judgment for us at the end of time but as Christians, we realize that our judgment is one of Christ in us.

“Eph. 2:8-10 says: ‘For it’s by grace that you’ve been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, but a gift from God; not by works, so that no one can boast for we are God’s workmanship created in Jesus Christ to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.’

“St. Paul makes it clear that none of us are saved by what we do, but we’re saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Good works are part of the fruit of what happens when you and I receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, and so God has created us to serve Him and we should do that not out of fear but as a joyful response for Jesus giving His life for us.

“If we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ, we do not have to fear that judgment and we can prepare for it by trusting Christ daily, living for Him daily, and serving Him joyfully.”

Pastor Rudy Verdin

of Fallbrook Apostolic Church says:

“These verses are some of my favorite passages for the following reasons.

“The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 that it is appointed for men to die once and then go to judgment judgment. However, God does not want humanity to perish (John 3:16), but the ‘wages of sin is death.’ (Rom 6:23)

“God loves us and offers humanity the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. If we live a life that shows acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then we die as Christians embracing the free gift of ‘eternal life.’ This acceptance also permits us to live life without the fear of judgment.”

Reader Commentary

Tucker Braun

Heartland Baptist Bible College, Oklahoma City, OK, says,

“The word ‘rapture’ means ‘to seize or catch.’ The rapture is the next event on God’s time table. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, wrote to comfort the Thessalonians who thought that they had missed the ‘catching away.’ (I Thes. 4:16-17)

“The rapture consists of those who are saved born again believers. Jesus will come and take His bride, the church, away to be with him. During the time immediately after, the Church will stand before the Judgment seat of Christ in heaven to be judged by their works for reward. This is not to determine an eternal dwelling place; it is a reward for what they did for the Lord after they were saved. (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; Romans 14:15) No unsaved person will be in heaven.

“So the answer to the question ‘Who will be taken in the rapture?’ is all saved individuals who make up the church past ‘the dead in Christ’ and present. Those not taken in the rapture are set for judgment and tribulation for the next seven years. Our vile bodies shall be fashioned like unto His glorious body (1 Cor. 15:51-52, 1 John 3:2) and we shall receive reward according to our works done for Christ. (I Cor. 3:11-15) We will receive the rewards and crowns to cast at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ! (Rev. 4:10) The Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified. This is God’s eternal purpose in all that He sets out to accomplish that He might be glorified. Amen!”

Heaven: Revelation 21:1-4

Heaven is what Christians strive for, the reason that they live their lives to the best of their ability for. But what can a Christian expect Heaven to be? Is there truly an eternal paradise, or is it something that can never really be achieved? Is Heaven a full knowledge and understanding, or is it an actual place?

To comment on any of the above, e-mail [email protected].

 

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