p. 6 (118) | The Judgment by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 19, 1902

The Judgment.

By G.

Every person has a case on the docket of the Supreme Court of the universe. Each case is of a criminal nature, for every one has violated the law. “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), and “sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. The fact that “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12) shows that God is the judge before whom every case will be tried. Again it is said that “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:14.

It is possible, however, for each person to have his case “settled out of court,” so that when it shall be called, it will be dismissed at once without prosecution. We have Christ presented in this connection in a quadruple capacity. (1) He occupies the throne with His Father (Heb. 1:3; 8:1; Col. 3:1; Rev. 3:21), and is therefore associate Judge.

(2) He is an advocate for all who will entrust their cases to His care. And He is the only Advocate who is qualified to practise in that court. “If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1, 2. See, also Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24.

(3) Christ is a kind of court commissioner in the cases of all persons who seek settlement out of court, or prior to the calling of the case in court. Up to this time “the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” John 5:22. All are given time and opportunity to avail themselves of this manner of settlement, and thus to avoid prosecution, by virtue of Christ’s pardon. Christ has authority to settle all cases thus filed with Him, and settlement of which is sought through faith in Him. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Verse 24. To allow one’s case to go on into court without employing the Advocate, and without previous settlement with the Court Commissioner, is to come into condemnation. After such neglect, there is no chance for acquittal. All acquittal from this court is based on pardon, and pardon must be secured before the case is called in court, else conviction follows by default. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:3. The power and authority of the Court Commissioner is tersely stated in two other texts: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9); and “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Heb. 7:25. Those who confess their sins and those who do not are represented in this wise: “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” 1 Tim. 5:24.

(4) Christ will finally execute the judgment of the great Supreme Court of the universe. “As the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.” John 5:26, 27. Also Matt. 25:31–46; 2 Thess. 1:7–10; Jude 14, 15.

It is also the privilege of every individual to have a prominent part in the judgment of his own case. The Word says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Cor. 13:5. We have before noted that neglect to place our own cases in the hands of the Advocate, is to finally suffer the condemnation that is already passed upon sinners. John 3:18. But there is “now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:1. Of the sons of God the apostle says, “When He [Christ] shall appear, we shall be like Him.” 1 John 3:2. But this achievement must have been reached beforehand; for “as He is, so are we [true disciples] in this world.” Ch. 4:17. And there never was any righteous condemnation of Christ at any time. Here is a test that the Lord has given us by which to examine ourselves: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” Ch. 3:14. And the love of the brethren is a test of our love toward God. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” Ch. 4:20. The love of the brethren in the light of God’s law (Matt. 22:37–40) will connect one inseparably with God. For “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment.” 1 John 4:16, 17.

We need not have any fear with reference to our cases when they are called in the judgment, if all our sins have gone before unto judgment, if they have been before our Mediator in time for pardon. In such case, when the name is called, the Advocate will simply present His righteousness in behalf of the individual, declaring the case previously settled, and the Court will pass on to the next case. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”