The Kingdom of God, Mentor Guide, MG02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

Amos 1.2; 9.1-4; Joel 3.2; Mal. 3.2-5), who all will be cleansed and purified as to rid God’s creation of all things that offend his holiness and loving-kindness. The glorious result will be the universal knowledge of God among all peoples and nations, with the knowledge of God touching every clan, people, tribe, and nation (Isa. 11.9). In the New Testament, the final judgment is perceived in light of the Kingdom of God, and Jesus’ role as the final Judge (2 Tim. 4.1), who himself will oversee and superintend the final resolution and state of all human beings (Mark 15.62; Matt. 10.15; 11.22, 24; 12.36, 41-42; 23.33). The judgment is a time of winnowing and separation, of identifying all that offends and separating it from God’s new, refreshed earth (Matt. 13.41-43, 47-50). The final judgment has been given to the Son by the Father (5.26-27), and will be followed by the resurrection of the just and the unjust (5.28-29 and 1 Cor. 15.22-25). Moreover, the final disposition of all things is connected to its qualities: the final judgment under Christ’s oversight will be perfectly just (Rom. 2.11), extend to all people everywhere (Rom. 2.6; 14.10; 2 Cor. 5.10), and precisely complete (Rom. 2.16). Though it tarry it will come, for certain (2 Pet. 2.4-10; Jude 5-7). It is important to recognize that the propitiation and justification experienced by believers changes both the end and flavor of the judgment for Christians. Because the sin question has forever been settled at Calvary (Rom. 3.21-26; 8.1, 31-34; Heb. 10.10,14), disciples of Jesus are judged regarding their rewards for service to Christ (Rom. 14.10; 1 Cor. 9.24-27; James 1.12; 2 Cor. 5.10; 1 Cor. 3.13-15). Undoubtedly the most terrifying tragedy in all of life is the fact that, as a result of the final judgment and disposition of unbelievers, they will be eternally separated from the presence and life of God (1 Thess. 5.3; 2 Thess. 1.9; Phil. 1.28; 3.19; Rom. 6.21); divine judgment is both a present and future reality (Rom. 1.18-32). Offering a kind of general timeline of events, the book of Revelation provides clues into the final resolution of those who resist the reign of God. Through the judgments of the seven trumpets (8-11) and the seven bowls (16), we see the awesome woes and troubles upon humankind before the final judgment appears. In the last chapters of the Apocalypse of John we see the judgment of the blaspheming leaders, who are reckoned to the lake of burning sulphur, itself a powerful image of suffering,