Judgments of God
by Harley Pinon
In this article, we want to consider the judgments of God. I divide God's judgments into two broad categories. Preliminary judgments, and the final judgment. God's preliminary judgments are many. That stands in sharp contrast to the final judgment, of which there will only be one. I think it is fair to say that only God knows all the preliminary judgments which He has brought upon the world, or upon mankind. Having said that, I'd like to review some of the more outstanding preliminary judgments. If I've left out one that you think I should have included, please, contact me by e-mail, and share your thoughts. Comments for Harley
Preliminary Judgments of God
Adam and Eve: The very first preliminary judgment of God was that of Adam and Eve. When the human race had just begun on earth. "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"; {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: 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. Refuting the claim of scoffers, Peter said, "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,
The Destruction of
Sodom and Gomorrah:
The destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah was another preliminary judgment of God that came early in man's
history. 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) Two points to notice:
Jude speaks of the judgment of the great day; (that
I call the final judgment) and describes their punishment as
"suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." We
know that fire is no longer burning, but the effect has been an eternal
destruction.
The plagues against Egypt:
We may not think of it very often,
but God dealt very severely with Egypt in order to bring about the release of
His people. How serious were God's judgments? Listen to what
Pharaoh's servants have to say, 'Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, "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) That's very strong language, but as
bad as things had been, they would get much worse as God took the first born in
every home in Egypt. Only the Children of Israel were exempt from this
judgment against Egypt.
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 as the Children of Israel marched into the land to take it at God's command, because now the wickedness of the inhabitants was such that God decreed they should be destroyed. The children of Israel did wickedly and were punished. Sometimes it was hardships that they may have refused to acknowledge as being from God. Speaking for God, Isaiah says, "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. {6} From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, Or soothed with ointment. {7} Your country is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire; Strangers devour your land in your presence; And it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers." (Isa 1:4-7 NKJV) These were judgments of God that were intended to bring the people to repentance, but they didn't.
In addition to these things, the children of Israel, and later the children of Judah were carried away into captivity. Even after the loss of their land, and the loss of their temple, only a remnant ever returned to their land and their God.
The Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. 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.
The destruction of Jerusalem was a terrible ordeal according to the record of Josephus, and I'm sure other historical accounts, but it was not the end of the world, or the end of the Jewish age, as some like to make it. It was neither of these. Jesus death on the cross ended the need of animal sacrifices. God indicated that He was through with the Jewish system by tearing the veil of the temple in two. "Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split," (Mat 27:51 NKJV) Only the high priest was to enter the most holy place and even he was only to enter once a year. Now that the veil was torn in two what had been concealed from the Holy Place was now visible. This should have gotten their attention, but it didn't.
Some like to mark the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple as being the end of the age, or what many of us call the end of the world. What happened in the destruction of Jerusalem was horrible, but when we look at preliminary judgments of God, it pales into almost insignificance when compared to the flood of Noah's day. Jerusalem was only one city. It was an important city to be sure, and it was the center of Jewish worship, but I do not see how we can honestly say that the destruction of Jerusalem was the end of the Jewish age. Their temple had been destroyed in the days of the Old Testament, so the destruction of the temple was not a unique event.
Re-examine what the Bible says about the flood of Noah's day, "And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth." (Gen 6:13 NKJV) That sounds like the end of the world: "The end of all flesh has come before Me, Compare that with what Peter says, "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." (2 Pet 3:5-7 NKJV)
The Final Judgment is Yet to Be
What does Peter say? "the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water." He says it perished! It was the end of the world, but was it the final ultimate end of the world? No. Why not? Because we are still here. If that were not reason enough, Peter goes on to say, "But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment." There is a destruction of this world, which I call the end of the world, that is yet to be. Peter says it is "reserved for fire until the day of judgment." It is that day of judgment that I call the final judgment. All other judgments of God have been preliminary judgments. Serious? Yes, in fact serious is hardly the word. God said of the flood, "The end of all flesh has come before Me," Was it? God said it, but it was "all" in a comparative sense, not in an absolute sense. What was left of mankind mathematically speaking was "nothing." If "nothing" was left, then all flesh died. We use such expressions. A tornado may destroy a home, and that's what we say, "It was a total loss." Even in such circumstances, there are usually a few boards and other pieces left. There were eight souls left after God said, "The end of all flesh has come before Me," but there is a judgment yet to come which will be a final judgment. There is an end yet to come which will be the end of this world system as we know it.
The New Heaven and New Earth: Peter tells us of a new heavens and a new earth: Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Pet 3:13 NKJV) God also tells us, through the Revelation to John, that there is to be a new heaven and a new earth. "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea." (Rev 21:1 NKJV) He also said, "the first earth had passed away." Peter tells us what happened to it: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Pet 3:10 NKJV) I say, it hasn't happened yet. Yes, I've heard the arguments of some who want to contend that this has all taken place, but it is clear to me that it hasn't happened.
We are still waiting for that last great day when, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Rev 11:15 NKJV) This passage from Revelation is speaking of things that are yet to be. 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. There are some who teach that the resurrection has already taken place. The same scripture should be applied to them as it was to those of the first century, "And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, {18} who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some." (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. It is a hope that should be taken from no one by the teaching of men that "overthrow the faith of some."
May God help us all to be ready for that great day when the Lord returns in glory. It is a blessed hope.
Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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