Is the Great White Throne the Same Judgment of Matthew 25

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Table of Contents

Introduction
The scope of the judgment
Judgment as explained in Matthew
Judgment as explained in Revelation
The differences between the two judgments
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Many scriptures in the bible have predicted the coming of judgment which will be executed by God on all people on earth. For instance, the book of Psalms 98:13 in the Good News Bible (p. 514) clearly describes the period when those on earth will be judged, for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; he shall judge the world with righteousness and the people with his truth. According to Paul, God has instituted a time in which He is going to judge the world, and he writes in Acts 17:31 to state that, because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead (Good News Bible, p. 948). From this evidence, it is clear that the Christian community is convinced of an inevitable day of judgment in which God is going to separate the righteous from the wicked. At the same time, the subject of judgment can be seen as a larger one in the word of God and it is composed of various types of judgments that God will carry out at an appointed time (Pentecost, p. 412).

Of importance are the four types of judgments that have eschatological implications, which include; the judgment of the nations which has been explained in the books of Matthew 25:31-46, Isaiah 34:1-2 and Joel 3:11-16; the judgment on fallen angels that have been outlined in the book of Jude 6; the judgment on the nation Israel that has been elaborated in the books of Ezekiel 20:37-38 and Zechariah 13:8-9; and lastly, the judgment of the great white throne which has been explained in the book of Revelation 20:11-15. With these various types of judgments, the discussion of this research paper will be to identify if the Great White throne is the same as the judgment outlined in Matthew chapter25.

The scope of the judgment

There have been varying stories of how the judgment by God will take place. Unlike in most cases of human beings where judgment takes place in courtrooms, the final judgment by God will be different (Rhodes p.163); it will be individual and personal as it is described in the book of Romans 14:10, We will all stand before Gods judgment seat and each one of us will be judged on an individual basis. Generally, the judgment will have nothing to do with determining whether or not the Christians will remain saved for it is obvious that those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ have received salvation and there is nothing that can deter that. At the same time, it is evident that believers have been eternally secured in their salvation. Moreover, the judgment that the majority envision has to do with the receiving or losing of the promised rewards. From the evidence outlined in scriptures, the judgment day will see some believers denied some rewards and which in turn will lead to them suffering some degree of penalty and disgrace (Rhodes 163). Reading 1 John 2:28, the receiving and losing of rewards are highlighted as watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but you may be rewarded fully.

Therefore, reading the various bible scriptures, it becomes evident that the scope of the judgment includes: 1) actions whereby the judgment day will to extent pay attention to the Christians personal stewardship of the gifts, talents, opportunities, and responsibilities which they have been blessed with in life. The whole life of Christians and how they lived it will be brought to open since every action has done is under the watch of Christ (Rhodes, p. 164). According to Psalms 62: 12, Christ will reward individuals by paying attention to what he or she has done in the world. In Ephesians 6:8, Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 2) Thoughts whereby on judgment day, Christ will not only be interested in Christians actions but also in their thoughts. Jeremiah 17:10 states that I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve. This indicates that the LORD will bring out whatever is hidden in our minds whether good or bad and expose it in open (1 Corinthians 4:5). The book of revelation 2:23 sums up this by stating the LORD is the one who has the ability and power to look into the heart and minds of people. 3) Words; the final scope of a judgment is that one involving words, whereby all words that people speak will be judged. For instance, the book of Matthew12:35-37 observes that, during the judgment day, all people will be required to give details and accounts of all words they speak without care; this will be necessary as it is easy for people to sin by the power of the tongue.

Judgment as explained in Matthew

Matthew 25:31-46 gives an account of judgment that will involve the nations which will take place at the beginning of the thousand years reign. The nations from the verses are comprised of the sheep and the goats, which represent those who are saved and those regarded as lost. According to Matthew 25:32, these two groups of people have mixed up and therefore it will be necessary to separate them by a special judgment. This judgment will take place after the second coming of Jesus Christ and it will involve those living on earth as described in Matthew 25:31, when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. Further according to Matthew 25:31-33, this judgment of nations will take place on earth after the battle of Armageddon and it will involve choosing the righteous people who will enter the kingdom of heaven which is seen as a reward to the sheep due to their treatment of the brethren belonging to Christ and in this case the Jewish remnant, at the same time the unsaved people will be isolated and cast into the lake of eternal fire, in this case, they represent the goats who will have shown indifference and cruelty to the Jewish remnant.

Largely what this judgment represents is the opportunity for Christ to come back to the world and he is going to put together his kingdom from all the nations particularly those who have listened to his message, been obedient to it, and have cared for his messengers (Ironside, p. 153).

Judgment as explained in Revelation

The book of Revelation 20:11-15, gives an account of the Great White Throne judgment and the judgment will take place following the millennial kingdom. This particular judgment is to take place at the close of the thousand years reign and those who will be judged will constitute the unsaved dead and not the living nations. Revelation 20:7-10 indicates that this judgment will take place after the millennium and after Satan, the beast, and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. The judgment, which will take place away out in space will see Christ sitting upon a great white throne and the earth and heaven together will fly away from His face. The lost sinners will be dragged out of Hell and will face Jesus Christ and at that moment, Gods books of record will be opened and each sinner will receive the wages in accordance to his or her sins. The sinners names will be called and they will be required to publicly confess their sins and afterward, the sentence will be passed upon them before the assembled beings of all the universe of God. This will be the last judgment of the unsaved dead.

The differences between the two judgments

There exist some differences between the above two outlined judgments and to extend which makes it impossible to regard the two judgments the same. 1) In Matthew 24:31, there is no mention of resurrection before the judgment and what is described is a gathering of Christs elect, but in Revelation, the resurrection of the sinners is mentioned. 2) In Matthew 25:31-33, the judgment will take place on earth; but Revelation 20:11 indicates that the earth and heaven have fled away and hence judgment will take place at the Great White Throne. 3) In Matthew 25:31, the judgment will be for the living nations and will take place at the second coming of Christ contrary to what Revelations postulate where the judgment will involve the dead and will occur following the millennial kingdom. 4) The judgment in Matthew does not explain about books of life to be brought forth and of consultation to take place; however, Revelation judgment books will be opened which will contain peoples records, with those failing to appear there in being condemned to perish in eternal fire. Judgment in Matthew 25:32 mentions three groups of people; sheep, goats, and the brothers while Revelation judgment involves the unsaved dead. Judgment in Matthew does not mention resurrection but resurrection does take place with the Great White Throne judgment. Lastly, in Matthew, the basis of judgment is the treatment of the Christ brethren whereas, in Revelation judgment, the basis is on the evil works of the unsaved dead.

Conclusion

Some Christians have held the belief that the two judgments speak of the same thing since they are concerned with final judgment while others have opposed this view. Those who see these judgments to be the same are convinced that Matthew 25: 31-46, largely describes what takes place at the Great White Throne judgment. Whichever the position each Christian holds, it is important never to lose sight of the inevitability of judgments and that Christ will be the one to judge; moreover, believers will be rewarded while sinners will be punished in accordance with their actions.

Works Cited

Good News Bible. Good News Bible. Second edition. NY, American Bible Society. 1994.

Ironside, Henry A. Revelation. MI, Kregel Publications. 2004.

Pentecost, Dwight J. Things to come: a study in biblical eschatology. MI, Zondervan. 1965.

Rhodes, Ron. The Popular Dictionary of Bible Prophecy. OR, Harvest House Publishers. 2010.

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