The Judgement of the Wicked
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Q1. Are the wicked a part of the first resurrection?
Q2. What will happen to those who are alive living sinfully when the Lord Jesus comes?
Q4. What is the particular role of the saints, as priests of God and of Christ?
Q6. After preaching the gospel throughout the world, what will God do with those who do not obey it?
Q7. In the reign of Christ for a thousand years, why cannot his rebellious people rebel and attack?
God will not judge the good and bad at the same time. The good will be judged when they are still alive, as written by the Apostle Peter:
“16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (1 Pet. 4:16-18) (NIV)
Q1. Are the wicked a part of the first resurrection?
A. They are not included, because they will not live until the thousand-year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ with the saints.
“(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.” (Rev. 20:5) (NIV)
Q2. What will happen to those who are alive living sinfully when the Lord Jesus comes?
A. Lord Jesus will rule over them, along with the saints for a thousand years.
“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:6) (NIV)
Q3. How many governments will exist for that thousand years reign of the Lord Jesus throughout the world?
A. Only one government will rule over that one thousand years.
“which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,” (1 Tim. 6:15) (NIV)
Q4. What is the particular role of the saints, as priests of God and of Christ?
A. They will be given authority to the nations.
“26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father.” (Rev. 2:26-27) (NIV)
In a prophetic statement, form of his coming is said to be:
“Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” (Rev. 19:15) (NIV)
The iron rod is the term that symbolizes the prophetic emblem of a king's reign over his enemies. And Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecy.
“For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” (1 Cor. 15:25) (NIV)
And read the verse, 19:15 of Revelation which speaks of the reign of Christ with the iron rod in the 'millennium', is the fulfillment of "the fierceness of God's wrath" of his enemies. Read again at what the Lord Jesus is saying about it.
“7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8) (NIV)
It is shown to us who live today, that at the coming of the Lord Jesus, he will find less faithful people. The only little flock that possesses the name of his Father and his name, are the only ones who have worthy faith. They have been faithful until death (Rev. 2:10), in keeping his teachings. They are, in the last stage of the evil system of this world, are the only faithful survivors who are fighting the false doctrines of the world. They are with the resurrected saints, who will be taken from this evil world. (1 Thes. 4:14-18), to bring in the camp of the saints in Jerusalem. (Rev. 20:9; Isa. 2:2-3).
Q5. For what purpose does the Lord Jesus have to rule the enemies at that time: Should they not be cast into hell?
A. To show God's goodness and sternness.
“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Rom. 11:22) (NIV)
The goodness of God has come before. He has shown kindness and love since the creation of man. The last time when he sent his beloved Son. Until the last days he continues to show his goodness, by preaching the gospel. Consequently, the Apostle Paul's statement:
“1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:1-2) (NIV)
Q6. After preaching the gospel throughout the world, what will God do with those who do not obey it?
A. God will punish those who do not know him and those who do not obey the gospel.
“8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thes. 1:8-9) (NIV)
They are under eternal damnation, because after a thousand years, they will appear on the white throne to receive the judgment of eternal suffering in hell.
Q7. In the reign of Christ for a thousand years, why cannot his rebellious people rebel and attack?
A. Their deceiving leader, Satan, is in prison.
“2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.” (Rev. 20:2-3) (NIV)
Q8. How can the wicked prove their secret hatred in the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ with his saints?
A. Their former leader Satan has easily encouraged them.
“7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.” (Rev. 20:7-9) (NIV)
Notice that, despite a thousand years without Satan in their presence over the land, being released from a deep prison pit, only for a short time, people will become wicked all over the earth and follow their leader to fight the saints.
““Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Mat. 25:26) (NIV)
“16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thes. 4:16-17) (NIV)
Q9. What will be the judgEment of all the wicked?
A. Punishment in eternal fire.
““Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Mat. 25:41) (NIV)
This judgment will occur after the 'millennium', which Christ will bestow:
“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Rom. 8:34) (NIV)
“Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,” (Jn. 5:22) (NIV)
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