WHAT HAPPENS TO US DURING JUDGEMENT ON THAT GREAT DAY?
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from Afrikaans: “Wat gebeur met ons op die oordeel van die groot Dag?”
Translator: Robin Barker
Someone sent me a question regarding Jude 1:6 and asks what came down to this:
“If it is unfair to punish the fallen angels now, when judgement still lies somewhere in the future?”
Let’s first read the section from the Word:
JUDE 1:6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.
This is how I understand the Word regarding this matter:
I believe that what applies to the fallen angels, also apply to people.
On the one side for those who are going to Heaven, because they have accepted Jesus as their Redeemer and Saviour and on the other side for those going to hell, because they did not want to accept Him as their Redeemer and Saviour.
Let me explain:
If you have been caught red-handed committing a crime in this life, you are immediately arrested and thrown into prison until you appear in court and then you will already begin to experience the inconvenience of being in prison, like after your conviction.
Then later you appear in court. Then you are judged, sentenced and for a period sent to prison, but before your sentencing, you were already in prison for a time and you have already started experiencing the inconvenience of a prison, even though you may not have been found guilty as yet. All that has happened in court, you have been given a chance to present your side of the matter and you have heard why you are in prison and how long your incarceration will continue.
The fallen angels, because our Lord is all-knowing and omnipresent, did what they have done, you can say – right in front of His eyes.
In other words, they have been caught red-handed and thrown into prison.
They remain there until they appear, to receive their sentence.
JUDE 1:6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.
Exactly the same apply to people to whom Jesus has knocked on the door of their hearts to accept Him as their Redeemer and Saviour and they refused, continue plodding on after satan. They depart from this life into the Hereafter, while they are still in that state (situation).
For example we read in the following verse Jude 1:7 namely the following:
JUDE 1:7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
Take notice of –
It is not written, that they “suffered” the punishment.
It is also not written, that they “will suffer” the punishment.
It is written –
JUDE 1:7 … those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
They are already going through the punishment.
Because of what our all-knowing and omnipotent Lord is concerned, you can actually say, like the criminal, who was caught red-handed, they already are in the prison and are experiencing what it will be like after they have appeared in court and have been sentenced.
Now what about you and I? For us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Saviour. Where are we after our life on earth and what happens to us on “the great Day of judgement” of which we read here?
We are certainly going to be with Jesus and I use two examples which I immensely love, but I could use many more to emphasize (proof) what I am saying.
You can find another example emphasizing what I am saying, in reading the story of “the rich man and Lazarus”, which Jesus told us and while you read this story, just remember, that Jesus is the only Person, whoever walked on earth, which has complete understanding of Heaven and hell and what happens there and what it looks like.
It is written for us in Luke 16:19-31.
The first example which I now want to use to show where Jesus says His followers will go after they have departed this life, or to put it another way if you want to – what will happen to us when we exchange the temporary with the eternity – is about the man who hung on the cross next to Jesus and asked Jesus to think of him when Jesus was in His kingdom.
Then Jesus answered him:
LUKE 23:43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
As I always say, and I say it again –
Jesus does not say or do anything just to say or do something.
If Jesus says “today” then it will be “today”.
Then there is my great hero Paul, who clearly knew what would happen to him when he departed this life.
PHIL 1:23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
Then eventually everyone – also you and I who accepted Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and Saviour, will stand before the seat of judgement of our Lord.
ROM 14:10 … For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
ROM 14:11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’
Yes, we will all be there.
They who are, in other words, in prison, will be there to receive their sentence and those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Redeemer and Saviour, will also be there – but not to be sentenced, but to be judged
.
Concerning this matter the Word says:
COR 3:11-15
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
About us, His children, Jesus says:
JOHN 5:24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
When you and I depart this life, how lovely, we are really like the one murderer who hung on the cross next to Jesus, we are already with Him.
LUKE 23:42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
LUKE 23:43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
That is why you and I, like my great hero Paul, already have a great lovely desire and eagerly look forward to when we depart this life.
PHIL 1:23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
Listen to what Jesus still says about us, it is now everyone who has accepted Him as Redeemer and Saviour.
JOHN 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
JOHN 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
If today you have read this writing and you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Redeemer and Saviour, you are reading this writing because Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart.
REV 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
REV 3:21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
If you have not yet given your life to Jesus and you are now experiencing the will to give your heart –
Then say to Jesus now:
Jesus, I open my heart to You. Come in and help me, make me Your child.
Now you must look for a Christian congregation which recognises the Whole Bible as the infallible Word of God and accept it and become involved.
Begin by introducing yourself, at the first service you attend, to the shepherd (parson) of that congregation and arrange with him a meeting for further guidance.
Greetings,
Sakkie