LESSON 19
The Final Judgment
The Final Judgment
The jury is in, the verdict read, case closed! Few thoughts could be more sobering. The day is approaching when all who have ever lived will have their lives reviewed before the all-knowing God (2 Corinthians 5:10). But don’t let this alarm you — take heart! Millions have already found the judgment message revealed in this lesson to be very good news! The Bible mentions judgment more than a thousand times, and almost every Bible writer refers to it. Note: there are three phases of the final judgment — watch for them as you study this lesson!

1. The first phase is called the pre-advent judgment because it precedes the second coming. What group is considered in this phase? When does it end?

Read what the Bible says: 1 Peter 4:17; Revelation 22:11,12.

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Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17): those — living or dead — who claimed to be Christians are considered. This phase ends just before the second coming of Jesus. (The beginning date, 1844, is established in Lesson 18.)

2. Who presides at the judgment? Who is the defense attorney, the judge, the accuser, the witness?

Read what the Bible says: Daniel 7:9,10; 1 John 2:1; John 5:22; Revelation 12:9,10; 3:14; Daniel 7:22.

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God the Father, the Ancient of Days, presides at the judgment (Daniel 7:9,10); He loves you very much. Satan is your only accuser (Revelation 12:9,10). Jesus, who loves you, will be your Advocate, Judge, and Witness (1 John 2:1; John 5:22; Revelation 3:14). And He promises the judgment will be decided in favor of the saints (Daniel 7:22).

3. What is the source of evidence in the pre-advent judgment? By what standard will all be judged? Why have a judgment if God knows everything?

Read what the Bible says: Daniel 7:10; Revelation 20:12; James 2:12; 1 Corinthians 4:9; Romans 8:1; 1 John 3:4; 2 Timothy 2:19.

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Evidence comes from books in which all the details of life are recorded (Daniel 7:10; Revelation 20:12). The standard of judgment is the Ten Commandment law (James 2:12); breaking it is sin (1 John 3:4). The judgment is not to inform God, who already knows everything (2 Timothy 2:19), but to reveal to the whole universe how righteously God has dealt with sin — the vindication of God’s character (1 Corinthians 4:9). The judgment will confirm that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

4. What portion of a person’s life is considered in the pre-advent judgment? What will be confirmed? How are rewards decided?

Read what the Bible says: Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 13:30,41; Revelation 22:12; James 2:26.

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Every detail of life is reviewed, including secret thoughts and hidden actions (Ecclesiastes 12:14). This is why the first phase is called the investigative judgment. The judgment will confirm who among those who claimed to be Christians will be saved. Although we are saved by grace, rewards are given according to works that prove the genuineness of a Christian’s faith (James 2:26).

5. What group is involved in the heavenly judgment during the 1,000 years of Revelation 20? What is the purpose of this second phase?

Read what the Bible says: 1 Corinthians 6:2,3; Revelation 20:4; 22:11,12.

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The saints — the saved of all ages whom Christ takes to heaven at the second coming — will participate in this second phase (1 Corinthians 6:2,3; Revelation 20:4). The life of every lost person (including Satan and his angels) will be reviewed by the saved, who will agree with Jesus’ decisions about each one’s eternal fate. It will become obvious that the judgment is not arbitrary but simply confirms the choices people have already made (Revelation 22:11,12). (For a review of the 1,000 years, see Lesson 12.)

6. When and where will the third phase of judgment take place? What new group will be present?

Read what the Bible says: Zechariah 14:4,5,10; Revelation 21:2; 20:7,8; 20:5.

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The third phase will take place on the earth at the close of the 1,000 years, after Jesus returns to earth with the holy city (Zechariah 14:4,5,10; Revelation 21:2). All the wicked who ever lived, along with the devil and his angels, will be present. At the close of the 1,000 years the wicked dead of all ages will be raised (Revelation 20:5), and Satan will convince the nations that they can capture the holy city (Revelation 20:7,8).

7. What happens next?

Read what the Bible says: Revelation 20:9.

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The wicked surround the city and prepare to attack (Revelation 20:9).

8. What interrupts their battle plan, and with what results?

Read what the Bible says: Revelation 20:12; 19:11–21; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:11,12; Philippians 2:10,11.

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Suddenly God appears above the city (Revelation 19:11–21). Every lost soul since the world began, including Satan and his angels, faces God in judgment (Revelation 20:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Each recalls his life: God’s calls to repent and the repeated refusals. Then one by one all fall to their knees, admitting that God was more than fair (Philippians 2:10,11; Romans 14:11,12). They clear God’s name from all false accusations. God stands vindicated before the universe.

9. What final steps will eradicate sin from the universe and provide a secure home for the righteous?

Read what the Bible says: Revelation 20:9,10; Malachi 4:3; Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:3,4.

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Fire from heaven will fall on the wicked and completely eradicate sin and those who cherish it from the universe forever (Revelation 20:9,10; Malachi 4:3). This will be a time of deep sorrow for God’s people. Then the Lord will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4) and create new heavens and a new earth for His saints (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13), and dwell with them forever (Revelation 21:3).

10. How did the Day of Atonement service symbolize the judgment and God’s plan to eradicate sin?

Read what the Bible says: 1 Corinthians 15:3; 5:7; Hebrews 4:14–16; Romans 8:29; Revelation 20:12; Acts 3:19–21; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 21:8; Psalm 37:10,20; Nahum 1:9; 2 Peter 3:13.

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The symbolic steps of the earthly sanctuary represent the literal atonement events from heaven: A. Jesus died as humanity’s substitute (1 Corinthians 15:3; 5:7). B. Jesus, as our High Priest, restores people to God’s image (Hebrews 4:14–16; Romans 8:29). C. The judgment provides records to confirm lives, then removes the records of sin (Revelation 20:12; Acts 3:19–21). D. Satan bears ultimate responsibility for originating sin (1 John 3:8). E. Satan is banished into the wilderness (the 1,000 years). F. Satan, sin, and those who cling to sin are eradicated (Revelation 21:8; Psalm 37:10,20; Nahum 1:9). G. A new earth is created for God’s people (2 Peter 3:13).

11. What is the good news about the judgment revealed in this lesson?

Read what the Bible says: Revelation 19:2; Daniel 7:21,22; Nahum 1:9; Revelation 21:3–5; Malachi 4:1; John 5:22; Romans 8:1; Daniel 12:1.

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God will be vindicated before the whole universe (Revelation 19:2). The judgment will be decided in favor of God’s people (Daniel 7:21,22). Sin will be eradicated and will never rise again (Nahum 1:9). All Adam and Eve lost will be restored (Revelation 21:3–5). The wicked will be turned to ashes, not tortured endlessly (Malachi 4:1). Jesus is our Judge, Advocate, and Witness (John 5:22). There is no condemnation to those in Christ (Romans 8:1). And the heavenly books will show how God led His people in their deliverance (Daniel 12:1).

12. God promises to acquit you in the heavenly judgment if you invite Jesus into your life and let Him remain in control. Will you invite Him in today?

Write your answer and reflections here.

Your Questions Answered

1. What is the difference between accepting Jesus as Savior and accepting Him as Lord?

The difference is significant. Accepting Him as Savior gives you the new birth — from sinner to saint. But Jesus’ plan is that you also grow up to become like Him (Ephesians 4:13). Accepting Him daily as Lord and ruler of your life, you grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18). The problem is that we want to run our own lives. The New Testament calls Jesus Lord 766 times, showing how important it is to know Him as Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5).

2. Since the sins of God’s people were transferred to the scapegoat, doesn’t that make it our sin-bearer? Didn’t Jesus alone bear our sins?

The scapegoat, which represents Satan, in no way bears or pays for our sins. The Lord’s goat, slain as a sacrifice, represented Jesus, who assumed and atoned for our sins at Calvary. Jesus alone takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Satan will be punished for his own sins: originating sin, his own evil deeds, and influencing every person to sin.

3. The Bible says God forgives all confessed sins (1 John 1:9), yet the record remains until the end of time (Acts 3:19–21). Why aren’t sins blotted out when forgiven?

There is a good reason. The heavenly judgment is not complete until the judgment of the wicked — immediately before their destruction at the end of the world. If God destroyed the records before this final phase, He could be accused of a massive cover-up. All records remain open for viewing until the judgment is completed.

4. Some say the judgment took place at the cross. Others say at death. Can we be certain the timing shown in this lesson is correct?

Yes. God specified the timing three times in Daniel 7: the little horn ruled AD 538–1798; the judgment began after 1798 (in 1844) and continues until the second coming; then God’s new kingdom is established. So the judgment does not take place at death or at the cross, but between 1798 and the second coming. The first angel’s message proclaims that the hour of God’s judgment has come (Revelation 14:6,7).

5. What important lessons can we learn from our study of the judgment?

A. God may seem slow, but His timing is right; no one will be able to say “I didn’t know.” B. Since the final judgment is God’s work and He has all the facts, we should stop judging others. C. God leaves us free to decide whom to serve, but we must be prepared for serious consequences if we decide against His Word. D. God gave us the books of Daniel and Revelation to make these end-time issues clear. E. Satan is determined to destroy each of us; without Jesus’ resurrection power working daily, we will be ensnared.

Summary Sheet

Check the correct options.

1. How many phases are there of the final judgment?
2. Check the true items regarding the first phase of the judgment:
3. Which items tell the truth about the second phase of the judgment, during the 1,000 years?
4. Jesus will serve in three capacities. What are they?
5. The wicked will be present in person for judgment at the close of the 1,000 years, after they surround the holy city.
6. God will make it clear to every lost person and angel why he or she is lost.
7. At which phase are all who ever lived, plus all evil angels and Satan, present in person?
8. Why are record books needed in heaven’s judgment?
9. “Atonement” means “to bring all things into total divine harmony.” Which items below are part of the great heavenly atonement?
10. Which items are good news from the judgment?
11. What is the truth about Satan as the judgment scapegoat?
12. The judgment is not arbitrary; it confirms the choices people have already made — to serve Jesus or another master.
13. The main purpose of the judgment is to make clear to people, Satan, the angels, and other worlds that God has handled the sin tragedy wisely, equitably, and righteously.
14. God promises to acquit you in the heavenly judgment if you invite Him into your life and let Him remain in control. Will you invite Him in today?
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