Judgment
Bible Question: Will you kindly explain and harmonize Romans 2nd chapter, 7th to 10the verses inclusive?
Answer:—In the 6th verse the Apostle says :—"Who will render to every man according to his deeds"—at the time when God's judgments will be manifested as stated in the 5th verse. Coming to the seventh verse, he points out that those who patiently continue in well doing, seeking for glory, honor, and immortality shall receive eternal life, at the time indicated in the preceding two verses. And, at that time, those who will persist in wrongdoing, shall be punished by experiencing Divine indignation and wrath. But those who, when the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth, will comply with the principles of righteousness shall experience Divine favor and blessings, both Jews and Gentiles. This presentation of the matter is in harmony with the general teachings of the Scriptures which show that the Church of Christ, now being selected out from the nations of the earth, shall receive "glory, honor, and immortality"; while the world of mankind—the righteous and obedient—whose trial for eternal life will follow the glorification of the Church, shall receive the "glory, honor, and peace" of perfect human conditions.
Bible Question: What is meant by the term "Doomsday?"
Answer:—It is that last dreadful day in the which (according to the antiquated theories of an obsolete theological formation) the Lord will return to the earth, and take His seat upon a great white throne, and then all nations will be gathered before Him, for judgment. As the judgments proceed, the mountains and the rocks will come tumbling down, and the sea and all the waves will roar under the agitations of a mighty storm. About this time a terrible earthquake will shake things up so severely that all the things that can be shaken will be removed. In connection with these terrifying phenomena of nature, there will be the sounding of the last trump, and tremendous voices will be heard in the air. Amidst this deafening uproar, while "the wreck of matter and the crush of worlds" is transpiring, the 20,000,000,000 and more of the human race will be judged, and all within the limitations of a twenty-four hour day. When the final summing up takes place, the Great Judge will invite the few saints, "the little flock," to enter into the conditions of bliss, while to the vast majority of the race He will issue the command to depart into an eternity of torment in fire and brimstone. With the pronouncement of the final sentence of doom, a terrible fire will break forth; the elements shall melt with fervent heat; and the heavens and earth being on fire shall be dissolved! This lurid picture of the judgment time was evidently formed by some one with highly developed imaginative powers, who gathered together a number of symbolic and figurative expressions from the Scriptures with which to produce this amusing sketch of "doomsday," which has served to frighten some good and bad children nearly to death!
Bible Question: What is meant by the "Judgment Day," and when will it be? Is it to be a 24 hour day?
Answer:—The term "Judgment" includes a hearing or trial and the final conclusion or result of that trial. Not all are judged at once. To illustrate, the Church is now on trial or judgment, which trial or judgment has been in progress since Pentecost. The faithful in this judgment shall be rewarded, as we read, "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life." (Rev. 2:10.) The Judgment Day as applied to the world in general is entirely a different matter. It is manifest that the whole world could not be tried and judged within 24 hours. The Apostle says, "God hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31). Again we read: "That one day is with the Lord as a thousand years" (2 Peter 3:8). The judgment of the world by Christ will cover a period of one thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6). That the judgment of the world had not come in the Apostle Paul's day is clearly shown by his words in the Scripture above noted (Acts 17:31). This and other Scriptures clearly show that Christ is to be the Judge of the world when he sets up his kingdom at his second coming. In Matthew 25:31-46 our Lord gave a description of the judgment of the world, clearly pointing out that it would take place at His second appearing. This is conclusive proof that the world's judgment is not yet in progress.
Bible Question: Can you explain the first three verses of the sixth chapter of Hosea?
Answer:—These verses, doubtless, refer to Israel's judgments and their final repentance and reconciliation. The three days we understand to be the days of the larger week, one thousand years to each day. In this larger week the seventh day will be the seventh thousand-year period—the Sabbath of rest from sin and Satan. Recognizing time from this standpoint and applying to each thousand years the parallel day of the week—we find that, as over four thousand years had passed and the fifth thousand had begun at the time the Jews had experienced the judgments of the Lord in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, it was therefore at a time corresponding to the fifth day of the lesser week, namely Thursday, the first day of the three mentioned. Friday the second day, and Saturday (the seventh-day Sabbath) the third, in which the Israelites will be revived and raised up to Divine favor and life. It is to be early in the morning of this third day—the thousand years of Messiah's reign—that "All Israel shall be saved"—Rom. 11:26. Then will be the seasons of refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord as indicated in the "rain" mentioned in the third verse and referred to by the Apostle Peter—Acts 3:19-21.
Bible Question: Mat 25:30 and several others talk about outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth...is this not describing a place of torment?
Answer: The weeping and gnashing of teeth implies sorrow and disappointment. It occurs to several groups of people in the
scriptures, and it seems to denote each time that they are sad and regretful at something they missed. For example, in the
Matt 25:30 instance, it is a parable where a one-talented man tried to keep his talent safe and did not use it as profitably
as he could have. He did not do anything sinful with it; he just was not careful to use the talent the Lord gave him. Because
of this, he was cast into outer darkness. This man represents a Christian who had consecrated his all to God, but he was not
completely faithful in sacrificing his earthly will to do God's will. Therefore, he will not receive a full reward to be part
of the church who will reign with Christ. But he will receive a lesser reward, serving "before the throne" rather than "in the
throne," as Rev. 7:13-15 describes: "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white
robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne
of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. "
Rev. 7 indicates that this is a large class, "a great company," who in the time of trouble will experience weeping and
gnashing of teeth because there will be sorrow and disappointment that they were not more faithful to their vows of
consecration. This in no sense means that they will be tormented forever. In fact, Rev. 7 tells us that after their sorrow,
they will rejoice in the lesser reward they will be given: Rev 7:16, "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more;
neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall
lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
Another instance of weeping and gnashing is found in Matt. 22: Mat 22:13, "Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand
and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This parable
describes a Christian who takes off his wedding garment, or, in other words, repudiates Christ's ransom sacrifice. This
describes someone who left the light of Christ and returned into a place of outer darkness of the world and of nominal
Christianity. If he continues in such a course, he will eventually go into the second death, complete destruction. (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26) Again, there is no indication of an eternity of torment.
Another group described as weeping and gnashing teeth is found in Matt. 13: Mat 13:41, "The Son of man shall send forth his
angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into
a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." This is describing Christ separating his true wheat (the
church) from the false wheat or tares (Christians in name only). Christ will cast out the tares when he is selecting his
church. The tares will be greatly disappointed in the future when they realize they were not really true Christians. But,
again, it does not imply eternal torment. Their profession of being true Christians and receiving a spiritual reward are what
is burned (or destroyed) in the fire. The individuals will not take part in the heavenly kingdom (the Church), but they will
be given an opportunity in Christ's kingdom on earth, along with all mankind, of enjoying perfect everlasting life on earth.