Frequently Asked Questions about Final Judgment
So many believers fear judgment because they do not understand the Scriptures
Who will be judged?
Great White Throne
All those who have never believed will stand before the Great White Throne to give an account to God for their works.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Revelation 20:12–13.
Judgment Seat of Christ
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10
Every human being will answer to God. He is the final authority. The unbelievers are judged for what they did and didn't do. The believer will be rewarded for the good works that they did.
Who is the judge at the final judgment?
Jesus
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: John 5:22
Jesus who you have accepted or rejected will be the judge on Judgment Day.
What evidence or records will be used in the judgment process?
Books have been kept.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Revelation 20:12–13.
If you are born again and your name is in the Book of Life, you will not be judged by unbelievers.
Will believers be judged differently from non-believers?
Yes
The believer's judgment has been placed on Jesus Christ. He paid your sin debt, and you accepted that gift of grace. Jesus, by His death, paid for your sins and failures, taking your sins on Himself.
The unbeliever has chosen to stand on his own before God without the benefit of the lawyer Jesus Christ. He will be judged according to his works, good or bad.
Will our thoughts and intentions be judged?
Our words
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36.
This is, of course, the words of an unbeliever. The words of a believer have been forgiven and will be remembered no more. All of your sin has been placed in the depths of the sea, never to be brought up again.
Thoughts and Intentions
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 1 Corinthians 4:5.
The believer will only receive rewards. There is no purgatory, no woodshed, no public humiliation for the believer. Christ has already taken that.
Will I answer for this at the judgment seat of Christ?
There are consequences for sin here and now in this world. If you do wrong, you will reap what you sowed sooner or later. But for the believer, there is no shame, judgment, harsh words, or rebukes when you arrive in Heaven.
You are welcomed, accepted, and expected in Christ, glorified with Him, and so much more that I can't name it all.
The unbeliever will answer for everything. For the believer, Christ already answered for us. He is our lawyer, our judge, and our savior.