Monday, March 23, 2009
Session 82: The Judgment
Sunday School at FBC has been really good over the past few weeks in the youth department. We have had some really good lessons that are exploring some deep topics. I encourage each of you to not miss these oportunities as we go through these important lessons concerning the end times and life after death. This is the first time many of these youth have ever talked openly about these issues. Is it deep? Yes. But, deep is good. It makes ALL of US study more and we are better prepared to teach. Keep up the good work. Judgment is one word that many don't like to talk about. But, all people will be judged to see if their names are written in the book of life. I remember a drama that we had at our church when I was a child. It was a depiction of judgment day as best as we could describe. When some of the characters were told that their names were not recorded, they started weeping and asking for the book to be searched again. I could only imagine, as we are told in the Bible, that many will believe they are saved but on that day their name will not be found. What a tragedy! Live your whole life only with "fire insurance" and not really be saved. Believers works will also be judged. This will be both good and bad. Today at work I overheard a conversation where two of the guys were talking about church. Another coworker asked "Johnny" if he went to church and he replied yes. The other guy said "well I would have never guessed that you went to church. You cuss like a sailor during the week and I guess you are a Christian on the weekend." Johnny replied" I know what I have to do to meet my maker" What a shame! This was a lost guy talking to a supposedly Christian. I don't get excited when I know that one day God will look at my thoughts, my actions, and every other thing about me and I will be judged on that. I realize how short I come from being what God would have me to be. Although our works do not determine how we are judged, they point to whom we belong. Here's the question: Do people know who you belong to without you telling them? They make think of you as my coworker thought of Johnny. They may think you are a child of the devil, not of the KING. Ultimately, it matters not what the preacher thinks, or the youth minister thinks, IT IS WHAT GOD KNOWS THAT MATTERS!! Could everybody please blog this week? Thanks, Billy
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Ok, I’d like to preface this post by saying that the last few week’s lessons have definitely been a challenge for me. So often we learn, of hear things, and take it for granted that the information is correct. If we’re not careful we find ourselves, wrongly, teaching things that reasonably make sense, or things that seem logical. The inspired Word of God seldom fits into our finite way of thinking. The Word is revealed through divine revelation, rather than man’s logic. This is why we must study and meditate on the scriptures, until we’ve digested all God would have us know.
There are many things in life that need to be distinguished. Certain differences must be recognized and understood. For example, snakes are snakes, but most people would want to distinguish between a harmless snake and a deadly snake. Mushrooms are mushrooms, but those who gather mushrooms for eating must make a difference between the kinds that are edible and the kinds that are poisonous.
Our country has fought in different wars. The history student must learn to distinguish between these different wars. The student who confuses these wars and gets them all mixed up in his mind will not do very well if tested. These wars took place at different times. These wars were fought at different locations. There were wars that were fought on American soil and there were wars that were fought in foreign lands. The enemies that we have fought against have been different. In one war we fought against the British. In a more recent war we fought against Japan and Germany. The more a person knows about these different wars the better he will be able to distinguish between them and not get confused.
We (especially me) often get confused as we study the Bible. One of the reasons for this is that we fail to distinguish between things that are different. By the way, confusion is not of God.
With that being said, for the benefit of myself and anyone else, I’d like to review what I’ve gleaned from recent studies and this week’s lesson . If anyone has any critiques, concerns, or arguments, please feel free to comment, as this will help organize my thoughts on these subjects. Oh Billy, I’m also trying to make up for not posting last week.
THE TWO COMINGS OF CHRIST
1. The first coming of Christ was when He was born of a virgin and later died as our substitute on a cross.
2. The second coming of Christ will happen in two phases. The first is called the Rapture. Christ will come in the clouds for all believers (His Bride) at this time. The second coming is called the Second Advent. Christ will come to earth to judge the world and set up His kingdom at this time.
THE TWO RESURRECTIONS
1. All of the dead’s earthly bodies , whether saved or unsaved, will be raised up at some point and receive a new body.
2. The first resurrection will include all saved people and will happen in three phases. (I think) First, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ which has already occurred. Second, will be the church age dead believers, and the living believers (the rapture). The third phase will resurrect the Old Testament believers, and the believers that die during the Tribulation. This will happen after the seven years of tribulation.
3. The second resurrection is reserved for all non-believers. All of the un-saved will be resurrected together and will travel straight to the Great White Throne to be judged. They’ll receive new bodies specially designed for hell, to be tormented and tortured eternally.
THE FIVE JUDGEMENTS
1. Judgement of the Cross- God the Father’s judgement fell on Christ that the believer will never be judged or condemned as a result of sin in their life.
2. Self Judgement of the believer- The believer must continually acknowledge and confess sin to God, to avoid chastisement.
3. Judgement Seat of Christ- This is for the saved only. We will be judged on how faithful we lived our lives and rewarded accordingly. Unfaithful believers will suffer loss of rewards but not loss of salvation. This judgment will occur immediately after the rapture.
4. Judgement of the Nations- This judgement is for the people that survive the Great Tribulation. The saved (sheep) enter the kingdom, and the lost (goats) are eternally burned in the fire of hell. This judgement happens on earth.
5. The Great White Throne Judgement- This is for all unsaved people. The bible calls these people THE DEAD. Their name will not be found in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and they are cast into the lake of fire. I think saved people will be present in this court.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
1. We’ve talked about whether or not a person can be saved during the Tribulation. What about the thousand year reign?
2. Is God the father, the judge in the five judgements listed above?
3. Anyone have any thoughts about those resurrected in Matt 27: 52,53?
John, what did you mean in your last #3, does anyone have any thoughts? Are you ignoring me on purpose and did you actually forget I read this blog? OF COURSE I GOT THOUGHTS! OK, OK, I'm making fun of myself for being so opinionated.
Your last 3;
1. Some scholars think so and I do to. There is no biblical support for this, so it is theory based on the reason Satan is loosed for a short season at the end of the millennial. Children that die in this age before the age of accountability, and if children are born during the millennial, need the opportunity to choose Christ. I know it is weak, but what would be the reason for Satan's release?
2. Yes, through Christ His son.
3. Matthew is the only one that mentions these folks, so there is not a lot of info. Was it all OT Saints? Or just a select, chosen to witness to the resurrection of Christ? I kind of wonder if it was Saints of that day that people would recognize. Otherwise would they be recognized as resurrected saints or just strangers?
I don't think I have anything to add to what all of you guys have said. I, too, have learned alot of things while studying these past weeks. It has been sooooo much fun to dig deeper and to teach and see the "light" go on in some of our students. We think just because they are "church" kids they have heard it all before. Not so, especially in the way it is being presented in a S. S. setting when you can answer their questions instead of through a sermon. I can't wait each week to pick up on Sunday afternoons and start studing for the next week. (Especially when family is NOT visiting.)
I agree with you Paula. And I do like these lessons, the kids are really thinking now. Please keep my class in your prayers as I alway pray for your classes.
Love in Christ Heather
I agree ladies. This is what I like about Doctrine. My favorite question last week was; "you mean we are going to be here on earth?" I have really like this curriculum. These kids will be either in college or work force in a few years(or next year) and they need Doctrine.
I challenge you to walk up to an adult tomorrow morning and ask them what Judgment they will be apart of? Or ask will they live with Christ on earth or up in Heaven?
These lessons have definitely been challenging and make me dig deeper into the word. I know the kids will have some interesting questions. I remember a couple of years back one of the kids in 6th grade asked me that if all the saved people will be raptured then who would be on earth to witness to unbelievers during the tribulation? Good question. I know that all will have a chance to hear the gospel but there will be babies born during that time. But I guess if you believe the 7 years is 7 years literally then none of those will reach the age of accountability. Anyway, I still believe in pre-tribulation and realize that God is so complex that our human minds can not comprehend all that will happen. I totally agree with John we have to study as much as possible, meditate on the scripture, and have faith.
Crystal
So at what age are you saying children are accountable Crystal?
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