The Judgment of the Righteous Dead
By J. O. CORLISS
The Final Adjustment of Human Awards—No. 3
The Judgment of the Righteous Dead
From previous Scripture references, it is clear that all the cases of the righteous are decided before the Lord comes to earth for them. It therefore follows that the tribunal at which their destiny is fixed is not located on earth. The prophet Daniel was favored with a distinct view of the judgment in session, from which we may draw a correct idea of its place of action. Thus he says: “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment9was set, and the books were opened.” Dan. 7:9, 10. In this scene Jehovah sits as judge. The millions of attendants ministering to his call are the angels, as explained in Rev. 5:11. The “books” here introduced are those out of which the dead are to be judged, as is made clear in Rev. 20:11, 12. One of these is the “book of life,” in which is written the names of those who enter the service of God. Phil. 4:3; Ex. 32:32. The other is the “book of remembrance” in which is recorded the life deeds of those who are to be judged. Mal. 3:16. But this description does not complete the scene; for Daniel goes on to relate, in verses thirteen and fourteen: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him.” The “Son of man” here brought into the scene is no other than the Lord Jesus, who, being brought before the Father’s judgment-seat, is there crowned King, and receives his kingdom, preparatory to his advent to earth as King of kings, seated “upon the throne of his glory.” Matt. 25:31. This is as the Lord himself has presented the matter. Upon a certain occasion in his earthly mission, when some were of the opinion that the kingdom of God would then be set up in the earth, he spoke the following parable in order to disabuse their minds of the false notion: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. . . . And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called.” Luke 19:12, 15. Approaching this point from another side, the conclusion will be the same. Thus, if the Father’s judgment-seat, before which Christ appears to receive his kingdom, is located on earth, it would necessitate the Father’s advent in majesty and glory, and the conveying of Christ from heaven to be brought before Jehovah’s throne. But we learn that when Christ comes to earth, God sends him (Acts 3:20), which implies that the Father remains in heaven during that time. So when Christ comes, it will “be in the glory of his Father.” Matt. 16:27. But be it remembered that he is then a King, seated on his own throne of glory (Matt. 25:31; Rev. 19:11-16); because his coronation had before taken place at the Father’s tribunal. See again Dan. 7:7-14. Let us now briefly review a few of the points covered, connecting with them additional thoughts. We have already learned that the righteous dead who rise to immortal life in the “first resurrection,” are first accounted worthy of that honor before receiving it. Rev. 20:4-6. This reveals the fact that these could not have appeared personally before the Father’s throne to be judged, not having been raised to life until after their names were passed in review at the judgment. How, then, were their cases examined? From Rev. 20:12 we learn that the dead are to be “judged out of those things which were written in the books.” The life deeds of the dead written in the open books of the judgment, reveal with distinctness the individuals therein represented, and are sufficient data upon which to base the decisions of that august occasion. “For though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God.” Jer. 2:22. The records of these books are kept by angels who attend the saints in life. Matt. 18:10; Eccl. 5:6. As an angel presents the record of one whom he attended through the time of probation, Christ appears as the faithful Advocate and High Priest of the soul whose case is under consideration. If the record shows that his Christian career has been consistent, the Saviour pleads before all, that the sins recorded be blotted out, and that the name be retained in the book of life. Thus is fulfilled this promise of our Lord himself: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Rev. 3:5. But not every name will be thus retained. As the text infers, some will be blotted from the holy page. Ps. 69:28. Those only will be accounted worthy to have a resurrection unto life when Christ comes, whose records show them to have been perfect overcomers.