The Saints in Judgment

What work did Daniel see finally assigned to the saints?

“As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21,22.)

How long will the saints engage in this work of judgment?

“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.)

Who will thus be judged by the saints?

“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! (I Corinthians 6:2,3.)

Christ Executes Judgment

How will the decisions of the judgment be executed?

“Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He trends the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” (Revelation 19:15.)

Why is the execution of the judgment given to Christ?

“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself, and he has given authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.” (John 5:26,27.)

How was the opening of the judgment to be made known to the world?

“And then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear god and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6,7.)

Note – There are three phases of the judgment mentioned in the Scriptures: the investigative judgment, proceeding the second advent; the judgment of the lost world and the wicked angels by Christ and the saints during the thousand years following the second advent; and the executive judgment, or punishment of the wicked at the close of this period. The investigative judgment takes place in heaven before Christ comes, in order to ascertain who are worthy to be raised in the first resurrection, at His coming, and who among the living are to be changed in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trump. It is necessary for this to take place before the Second Advent, as there will be no time for such a work between the coming of Christ and the raising of the righteous dead.  The executive judgment on the wicked occurs after the saints have examined their cases during the thousand years. (Revelation 20:4,5; I Corinthians 6:1-3.) The investigative judgment is that which is announced to the world by the angel’s message of Revelation 14:6,7.

Recap:

Christ ministers today as our High Priest and Advocate before the throne of His Father in the heavenly sanctuary. He is the only mediator between God and man.

Every individual must face judgment for deeds “done in the body,” whether good or evil. And we should not forget that the standard of that judgment is the holy law of God, the Ten Commandments.

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