Christ the Coming Judge (The Apostles’ Creed 8/13)

This article was first published in French at TPSG.

The world loves the idea of Jesus as a spiritual guru. Many even accept him as a miracle worker. But to suggest that he comes to judge the world in justice? That is a far less acceptable image. Yet both the Scriptures and the testimony of the Early Church attest to this reality. If we look more closely at the next phrase in the Apostles' Creed, we learn more about what it means that Jesus is the coming judge.

 

"He will come"

Let's start with the pronoun "he," which refers to Jesus. This is pretty obvious in the flow of the Creed, but it's important to make it clear. Because we read in John 5:22: 

 

For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.

 

This is a sign of the divinity and kingship of Jesus. But we also read in John 3:17: 

 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

 

To understand this apparent paradox, we must distinguish between the mission of Christ at his first coming and that of his second coming. At his first coming, Jesus came in humility, to serve and not to be served (Mk 10:45).

 

At his triumphal entry, Jesus entered Jerusalem in peace, on a donkey. But at his second coming, he will return as a warrior, riding a white horse (Rev 19:11). 

 

"From There”

"From there" takes us back to the previous line, which says that Jesus is currently at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. And he is waiting. He is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in lovingkindness and faithfulness (Ex. 34:6). Every day that he does not return, every day that he does not rain judgment on the earth, he shows his mercy to sinners. 

 

"To Judge"

Our culture believes that God should never judge us. This worldview has no room for a sovereign God, preferring someone like a genie, who grants us what we want without moral evaluation or accountability.

 

At the same time, when tragedy strikes, these same people are quick to point the finger at God. "Why doesn't he do something?" Whether it's those who beat their wives, those who abuse children, or dictators who commit acts of genocide, even I wonder when the Lord will end these injustices. But the truth is, we want judgment for others, while denying that we deserve to be judged by God for our sins. 

 

The British philosopher G.K. Chesterton was once invited by the London Times to participate in an essay contest to answer the question, "What's wrong with the world Today?" He replied simply: "Dear Sir, I am."

 

A Foretaste of God's Judgment

Although our Lord is slow to anger and eager to save, there will come a day when his patience will reach its end. We have had glimpses of this judgment throughout redemptive history, in the...

·       The universal flood at the time of Noah

·       The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

·       The ten plagues of Egypt

·       The fall of Jericho and the conquest of Canaan

·       The cycles of oppression and deliverance found in the book of Judges

·       David's victory over his enemies

·       The succession of evil kings over apostate Israel and idolatrous Judah

·       The exile and destruction of Solomon's temple

...just to name a few. All these events led to the cross, where God poured out his wrath on his Son as a substitute for sin. This was in fact the greatest act of God's judgment in history to date. But an even greater day of judgment is coming, in which those who have not taken refuge at the cross will bear the brunt of God's wrath. 

 

The Great White Throne 

But what do we make of the coming judgment of believers? In response, it would be helpful to explain the difference between the judgment of the Great White Throne and the judgment seat of Christ. 

 

The phrase " the Great White Throne" refers to the final judgment of the unbelievers. We read in Revelation 20:11-15.  

 

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

 

These words may sound terrifying, in fact. But as believers, we need not fear that day. Romans 8:1 tells us that "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." 

 

The Judgment Seat of Christ 

The judgment seat of Christ, on the other hand, refers to the judgment of believers. At that time, Christians will receive degrees of reward for their service to Christ. There are three main passages that speak of this day, although many others allude to it. 

 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Cor. 5:10)

 

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Cor. 3:10-15)

 

4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. (1 Cor. 4:4-5)

 

The judgment seat of Christ is therefore not about punishment, but about reward. That said, sin and indifference rob us of joy and fruitfulness in this life and reward in the next. To the extent that we choose not to live for the glory of God, we will grieve the Holy Spirit and feel ashamed (1 Jn 2:28). 

 

The Place of Works in the Judgment

Although these two judgments are very different, they have one thing in common: They will be based on what each one has done. Salvation itself is not based on works (Eph 2:8-9). But both of the above passages mention "what each has done." And that makes sense. Hitler, Stalin, or the serial killer who was never caught this side of eternity will experience a greater degree of torment than the everyday law-abiding, generous, and kind non-believer. The same goes for the reward that awaits the apostle Paul, or Jonathan Edwards, Corrie Ten Boom, or the elderly widow who ministered in secret, on her knees, and was never recognized in this life. After all, Jesus himself said: 

 

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.. (Mt 6:20)

 

Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. (Rev 22.12)

 

"The Living and the Dead"

Finally, the last clause refers to the fact that those who will be alive at his return will be judged at the same time as those who have been dead for centuries waiting for the final judgment. The wicked have already been tormented in hell, as we saw in the passage about the Great White Throne judgment. But from there, they will be thrown into the lake of fire, along with those who are still alive on the day of judgment.

 

Implications

1. That Jesus is the coming judge gives us comfort when we see the triumph of the wicked.

God is not mocked. The promise that God will judge those who commit such horrible acts brings us peace. 

 

2. That Jesus is the coming judge gives us strength to warn our loved ones.

Knowing that God's patience will one day end makes me all the more eager to share the Gospel with those around me who have not yet trusted Him. May the reality that God's judgment may come at any moment drive us to our knees in prayer for those we love and galvanize our evangelistic efforts toward them.

 

3. That Jesus is the coming judge motivates us to live for his reward now and in the age to come.

John Piper's book "Future Grace" helped me understand what the Bible teaches about heavenly rewards. He writes:

 

It is terribly confusing when people say that the only righteousness that has any value is the imputed righteousness of Christ. I agree that justification is not grounded on any of our righteousness, but only the righteousness of Christ imputed to us. But sometimes people are careless and speak disparagingly of all human righteousness, as if there were no such thing that pleased God. They often cite Isaiah 64:6, which says our righteousness is as filthy rags. . . . [But] when my sons do what I tell them to do—I do not call their obedience “filthy rags” even if it is not perfect. Neither does God. All the more because he himself is “working in us that which is pleasing in his sight” (Hebrews 13:21). He does not call his own, Spirit-wrought fruit, “rags.” (Future Grace, 151-152).

 

The Scriptures testify, in fact, that God rewards faithfulness:

 

He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Heb 11:26)

 

9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (Heb 11.9-10)

 

Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. (Lk 6:23a)

 

He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. (1 Cor. 3:8)

 

Conclusion

This seventh line of the Creed reminds us that judgment is indeed coming upon the earth. Will we be ready? As we await the return of Christ, may each of us be motivated to hear these words of our Lord found in Matthew 25:23:

 

Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.