Rom. 2:1-16, 5 Great Judgments

The wrath of God is being “revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18).  The verb “revealed” indicates an ongoing present tense.  In other words, God is dealing with the wicked during their lifetime.  He is not ignoring sin.

However, there are specific times when God will bring judgment on all people.  For the most part, we are talking about times that are future.  Let’s review the “5 Great Judgments.”

·       The judgment of all sin (Rom. 3:21-26).  We said these judgments were future “for the most part.”  Here is the exception.  By the grace of God believers are the ungodly (sinners) who are justified freely.  This can only happen “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation.”  As our propitiation our Lord took the sins of the world upon Himself and bore God’s wrath.  Sin was judged.  Thus believers are declared righteous.

·       The judgment of believers (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).  All believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged for the things done in the flesh.  This is not, of course, a judgment as to salvation; their faith in Christ has secured the blessing of His propitiation to settle that matter.  But it is an issue of reward and loss of reward.

·       The judgment of Israel (Malachi 2:17-3:5).  God’s judgment upon Israel has been ongoing throughout the “times of the Gentiles” and will continue until the return of Christ.  It culminates in “the Day of the LORD” when Christ will be “like a refiner’s fire and like launderers soap.” 

·       The judgment of the nations (Joel 3:1-16; Matt. 25:31-46).  This judgment concerns the way the nations have treated Israel.  The nations are God’s tool in the judgment of Israel, but the nations go beyond God’s plan.  Instead they seek to completely destroy the Nation that God’s has promised to preserve.  This judgment culminates with Armageddon, God’s judgment in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

·       The judgment of the wicked dead (Rev. 20:11-15).  This is the “Great White Throne Judgment.”  It is a judgment of all who have rejected Christ.  One book is opened to show that their names are not in the Book of Life.  Then “books” are opened to reveal their wicked deeds. 

Today’s passage speaks of several truths about God’s judgment that apply to each of these five judgments.  God’s judgment is inescapable (2:3-4) and according to truth (2:2), righteousness (2:5) and works (2:6-10).  It is without partiality (2:11), according to available light (2:12-15) and inevitable (2:16).  [Detailed studies on these points are available on our Blog, March 2-4, 2015.]

People have often thought that God doesn’t really judge the wicked because they don’t see it happening.  Like the Psalmist (Ps. 73:15) they are untrue to their generation to promote such a view.  Heb. 9:27 puts it this way: It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judgment. All humanity will stand in judgment.