Judgments & Trials of God

Preliminary judgments & The final judgment.

God's preliminary judgments are many.

That stands in sharp contrast to the final judgment, of which there will be only one.

I'd like to review some of the more outstanding preliminary judgments.

Gen 3:22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"; Gen 3:23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. {24} So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life." (Gen 3:22-24 NKJV)

Man has never recovered from that one.

The human race became a dying race, and as a result of that one sin, we have sickness, dying, and all kinds of sin, violence and suffering as a result of Adam and Eve's sin. It was a preliminary judgment with far reaching effects.

The flood of Noah's day is, in many ways, the most awesome preliminary judgment of God of all time. As you know, all but eight people were drowned as a result of that flood as recorded in Genesis 6 - 9.

Peter referred to the flood as an event that destroyed the world that then was.

"For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, {6} by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water." (2 Pet 3:5-6 NKJV)

That's pretty strong language,

the world that then existed perished,

That sounds like the end of the world. It was for all but eight people, and everything was so completely destroyed by the flood that Peter says, the world that then existed perished,

It was certainly a localized judgment, but it was very critical and decisive for those who were involved. As Jude briefly recounted what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah, he said,

"And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; {7} as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude 1:6-7 NKJV)

The plagues against Egypt:

How serious were God's judgments?

"How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?"' (Exo 10:7 NKJV)

There are many other judgments that could be named.

§ These include the destruction of Jericho, and the people that lived in the land of Palestine

"Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. {5} Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints. (Isa 1:4-5 NKJV)

These were judgments of God that were intended to bring the people to repentance, they had a purpose:

Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more.

The destruction of Jerusalem was a terrible judgment of God against the people of that city. The city and temple were destroyed and multitudes of the people were killed. It was indeed a momentous judgment.

As Jesus foresaw what was going to happen, we read:

"Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, {42} saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19:41-42 NKJV)

It was "their day." It was their opportunity to get right with God, but instead of turning to God, they turned against Him and crucified the Son of God. God gave them 40 years to repent of what they had done, but there was no repentance, at least not for most. Instead, they rejected Christ and persecuted those who confessed Him.

What does Peter say? (2 Pet 3:5-7 NKJV) For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, {6} by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. {7} But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

The difference in Preliminary and Final

(Rev 22:11 NKJV) "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."

Many of the preliminary judgments of God have been terrible, but none to date will qualify as being the final judgment of God upon this world and all people.

(2 Tim 2:17-18 NKJV) "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, {12} teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, {13} looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,"

(Titus 2:11-13 NKJV) I'm still "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," He is our blessed hope!

May God help us all to be ready for that great day when the Lord returns in glory. It is a blessed hope.

Then there are trials – not judgments:

(Job 1:1 NKJV) There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.

But we know that Job suffered greatly – through no fault of his!

Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NKJV)

Paul was encouraging Brethren to Stand Firm:

(Acts 14:21-22 NKJV) . . .they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, {22} strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

Trials come close to Our Family:

From Katherine (the wife of my sister’s son Dan)

Friday morning Dan and I met Dr Hughes (our radiation oncologist), the third doctor on my treatment team. I cannot imagine how I could have a more personable, compassionate, qualified team to take care of me. They are fantastic. I feel so very blessed!

1. My mass is 9.2 centimeters wide, which places me in Stage III. Dr. Huges actually measured it. He said I am "in Stage III, at least." Hmmm.

3. Unlike tumors which begin the size of a pea and progress to the shape/size of a grape or walnut, my cancer began as a sprinkling of microscopic seeds throughout my breast and then began to grow in straight lines toward the surface like spokes from a hub. This linear formation makes this kind of cancer very hard to detect on mammograms or by self-exam.

3. The Big Three (oncologist, surgeon, & radiation oncologist) will meet together on Tuesday and make a treatment plan for me.

1: Damage: The actual water level in their house was 16", not 12" as they had guessed. Everything in their house that touches the floor (that includes a LOT :) ) is ruined: sheet rock; hardwood floors and carpet; all furniture; cabinet doors in kitchen and bathrooms; full-size doors; and appliances.

2. Functioning: They had running water, as of today. They still have no electricity. They have no money, b/c banks are not open. (We just mailed them a check today, not realizing they would not be able to cash it for a while!) Gasoline pumps do not work without electricity, so they have to limit their driving.

3. Repairs: Their insurance has refused their claim, stating that their hurricane coverage does not apply to water damage caused by floods. It seems ridiculous to me, b/c the water was from the hurricane. My brother has contacted FEMA to see if they will help in such circumstances.

3. Spirits: My dad is really discouraged. They are in their seventies and have just lost nearly everything. Their primary income came from the day care they ran in their home, and they will not be able to open day care again until the house is repaired. They will have no income for an indefinite period of time. Multiply this scenario by thousands of people.

I thank you for your prayers for me and for my parents! And don't forget Dan; he has looked and felt rather washed out lately. I am doing great so far...but I do realize that I am in for a tough winter. Honestly, I would rather lose a breast than a foot or a hand, like some of our troops in Iraq. That kind of perspective is what keeps me going!

So what is happening to Dan, Katherine, and her parents? Are they suffering the judgment of God?

I don’t think so. Her parents may be suffering because of God’s judgments against those around them.

I think we can say for all of them, that they are suffering trials which many are called upon to go through.

May we help those who are suffering, and ask for God’s help for all of us.