Judgment Day

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

One of the descriptions of Christ in Revelation 1:16 pictures Him as having a sharp two-edged sword protruding from His mouth.  What is the purpose of a sword?  First, it is a means of defense.  Years ago, my cousin took a college course in fencing.  She learned how to protect herself from her opponent, but also learned to go on offense, which, secondly, indicates that a sword is also used as a weapon of war.  A sword can protect, but it also cuts severely and deeply.

God’s Word, as symbolized by a two-edged sword, discerns, that is, recognizes, understands, and exposes one’s thoughts as to motive and intent.  One side of the two-edged sword of God’s Word displays the wrath of God upon sinful unbelievers while the other side purges believers from anything that distracts from living a godly life.  The Bible scholar, Matthew Henry, wrote over 300 years ago that the sword of God’s Word “both wounds and heals”.  It wounds a heart of sin so that the heart can heal unto righteousness.  God’s Word is the standard by which all people will be judged.

Speaking of judgment, many folks live like they don’t believe that they will be judged before Almighty God.  However, there will be two separate judgments at some time in the future.  The first is known as the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11).  All souls who appear at this judgment will be those whose names are not written in the book of life, the registry of everyone who has repented and trusted Christ for salvation and eternal life, that is, all those who are born again.  Since the names of all those who rejected Christ, God’s only way to be reconciled unto Him, are not found in God’s book, Jesus’ sacrifice to pay the penalty for sin does not apply to them, and thus they must answer for their own sin and be judged by their works (Revelation 20:12).

The other judgment, known as the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema seat, is where believers will stand before Jesus to give an account of what they have done in life, whether good or bad (II Corinthians 5:10), and receive whatever rewards that Christ deems appropriate.  The Bema seat is not a judgment as to one’s salvation because that was settled when one repented of his or her sin and received Christ as Lord and Savior.  Our sins were forgiven when we were born again unto new life in Christ.  Even so, knowing that we will still have to give an account of our lives on earth as believers is a real incentive to live Christlike lives.  And why wouldn’t we want to live as close to Christ as possible for all that He has done for us?