Our Resurrected Bodies & The Final Judgment Week 9

We are finishing up our study on esquetology. I hope to finish tonight. We'll see if we get there or not. And then after that's done, if you need the notes, we're on pages 14 to 15 notes. Raise your hand. Ricky will bring it to you. Or again, download at ohio.urch/live. And um if you look on there, we're down towards the bottom of page 14. We're looking at Shaw Hades, the temporary place of paradise, Abraham's bosom. Before Christ died, he took paradise to heaven with him and left uh Shaw, Hades or hell uh down under the earth and that's where the unsaved people are waiting for the judgment and we as Christians to be absent for the body is to be present with the Lord.

We believe there's a section of heaven that's identified as paradise and we have access to that. Um we're down towards the end of that section and we're talking about letter D there. to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. And um we know that he told the thief, "This day thou shalt be in paradise." Paul, you Paul talked about this that we know we're going to be with him. And so we know that for sure. Now the question is, what will we be like when we're with him and uh we know that we'll get a new body when we're at the rapture. Now, what happens between our death and the rapture if we die before the rapture?

We do know we go up to heaven to be in paradise. Uh we don't believe we're going to be spirits floating around up there. We believe that God will give us some kind of a physical body. Uh but it will not be our new body. It may be this old body that's resurrected and brought back to to to life again or it may be some other uh we don't know. There's nothing that I know of in the Bible that gives us any clue exactly what we're going to look like during that period. But what we do know is that when we get that new body, we will be like Christ in Philippians chapter 3 21. Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

And so we know that he's going to change this vile body, this this this wicked flesh and this this uh this um temporary body we have. and he's going to change it and it's going to be like Christ. Also, 1 John chapter 3 and uh verse number two, 1 John chapter 3 and verse number two, it says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God. It does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall be we shall see him as he is." And so, we know that we'll be like Christ. We we know that. Now, what does he mean by like Christ? Uh I think that we will when remember after he resurrected uh the first thing is he was not easily recognizable because remember Mary saw him and did recognize him as Christ.

Now that that happens I don't know if you've ever had that happen where you meet somebody in a place you don't expect them and you're not looking for them and you don't even you know maybe a really close friend. We had that happen one time. We were out in the Northshore taking some people around to see some sites and uh right there a guy walks up and says, "Pastor Wayne and and uh just somebody that I had not seen for years, did not know they were in Hawaii." Uh we were going through an airport another time and somebody said, "Are you Pastor Wayne?" And and I walked right by this person and I knew them very very well, but I wasn't looking for them in airport in the middle of nowhere in the in the US there.

And so um that can happen. You don't recognize somebody. And even those of you in the military, when you're in your uniform, you all look alike, you know, especially when you got your hats on and everything. And so, uh, it's hard to tell the difference sometimes. But what what we do know is that his appearance was not [snorts] unremarkable or remarkable. It was it was unremarkable in the sense that nobody made comments about how different he looked or how, you know, it, you know, I think most of what Mary not recognizing was because she wasn't looking for him. Uh but later on all the disciples seemed to have no problem realizing that's Jesus.

Remember even when out in the fishing boat out in the water far away from they saw him and said that's Jesus. And uh and and so he was recognizable as a man. Now we know that when he died he was about 30 30 years old or so in that age range. And so we do know that about him. We do know that of course he's perfect. And uh so what we can guess is that if we're going to appear like him, and we're assuming we're going to appear like him, he what he did on earth, not like he's going to be later on Revelation with that sword coming out and everything like that. Uh but we can guess that we are going to look probably like around a 30-year-old adult.

We're not going to be little children. We're not going to be old like me, you know, and all the rest of it. We're going to be around 30 years of age in appearance from what we're used to. Uh that that we do know. We also know that he has a physical body. So, we'll have the physical body. We know that he could eat. He chose not to um but he could eat and um we know other things about him. So, there we we we do know that that's generally what we're probably going to look like because we'll appear like him. And uh we know that God's going to take this body and reassemble it. whether you are cremated, whether you, you know, drown bottom the sea or whether you're blown up into bits or whether you're buried in the ground, that God's going to take the DNA from this body, the the basics of it, and he'll reassemble it and create it into a uh what we would again appear around a 30-year-old person.

Uh we also know that there'll be no pain, there'll be no tears, uh there'll be none of that. And so, uh we're not going to have to put up with that. And I hope I hope when we get to heaven we're better looking than we are. At least some of us. And um you know in that way as well. And uh I know I have a good friend that used to say I hope when I get to heaven God gives me a taller body. He was a real short guy. He said I want God to give me a taller body. And so uh we don't know any of that for sure. Uh and and and but I do believe that when we get to heaven and I'm walking down those streets of gold and you walk by me, I'm going to be able to say, "Hey, brother."

And recognize you. I'm not going to not know who you are. And we'll have that ability to recognize whether it be the physical appearance or whether it be just something about that spirit and soul of that person. Uh it's just that you're going to recognize that person each other. Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse number 49. 1 Corinthians 15 and verse number 49. And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. So, we'll have an earthly appearance as we are created, but we'll also have a heavenly. So, you know, a lot of times when you see movies, they picture somebody dead that are like an angel and and we're not going to be like the angels, but we're going to have some kind of a it'll be different in in that way.

And so, we we know that we're going to appear like Christ and we will have a spiritual body. It's going to be a physical body, but it'll be a spiritual body that is incorruptible and glorious. Let's look at 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption is raised in incorruption. Is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness is raised in power. It is sown in a natural um uh sorry natural body. The physical body is raised a spiritual body. So it is a body but it's different. And there is natural body and there is a spiritual body.

So they they are different, but there are some similarities as well. Again, the Bible doesn't describe it in detail. And I think the reason why is because if we really knew what we're going to be like when we get to heaven, we would not want to wait. I I suffer from what's called um cluster headaches. And cluster headaches, I feel like somebody stabbing you in one eye and shoving it through the outside the other side of your head. and uh and and and they're very very very painful. In fact, their nickname the suicide headache because back before there was any cures for it, uh people would just want to commit suicide rather than put up with the headache was so bad.

And it's one of the most painful things known to man, in fact. And um I'm not telling you that to get your sympathy, but I want you to understand when I would go through those headaches sometimes, I would think, you know what, I'd just rather die. Now, I I I I don't believe I would ever committed suicide, and I didn't, obviously. Uh but uh there was a point where I thinking, man, anything to get out of this pain. And I really think if we knew what our new bodies were going to be like, and how much no more pain, no more aches, no more arthritis, no more joints that don't work, no more nothing, you know, then we would just be saying, "I'm not waiting."

And so, I think God doesn't give us a full description of heaven. I think God does give us a full description of what we're going to be like because we would not be willing to wait for it. And uh I I really believe that. But he does give us enough to know I have to put up with this anymore. It's going to be much much better. And that's the good news. All right. Then number 13 there, the judgments going to John chap 12 and verse number 48. John chapter 12 and verse number 48. John 12:48 uh he that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words hath the one that judges him the word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in that last days.

So we are going to have a judgment. Everybody is going to be judged. We know that. And the essential purpose of the final judgment is to reveal man's work. Uh go over to 1 Corinthians chapter 3. And we've talked about these judgments. I'm kind of just summar summing it up here now a little bit, but 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse number 13. Every man's work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every man's work of what sword it is. So a big purpose of the judgment is really to reveal man's work, both saved and unsaved. Saved for whether we receive reward or loss of reward.

unsaved whether to be judged and cast into hell for eternity. In Revelation chapter 12, we know that the books are open and one of the book is open is the book of life uh the book of works and and that book will show the works of each individual person and uh reveal that onto everybody. So every mouth will be stopped because we will have no excuse. Um each will receive the wages or reward. Romans 6:23, a very well-known verse. Uh, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The wage we have earned death in hell for eternity. That's our wage.

And and when we are judged, God's going to show that we, you know, because sometimes we look, well, that person doesn't deserve to go to hell, but God's going to show they do. Every one of us deserves hell. And uh so it reveals that 1 Corinthians chapter 3 14-15 if any man's work abide which he buildeth there upon he shall receive a reward. If any man's works should be burned he shall suffer loss but he himself shall be saved yet so as by fire. And so again the will it will all be revealed and shown and will receive either reward or the wage um the the the loss of reward as well. And then Revelation 22 and verse number 12.

Revelation 22 and verse number 12. And behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be. So every man will receive according to the work. Again, Christians reward or loss of reward and the unsaved he heaven or hell or the unsaved hell of course. And then um that judgment. Go to John chapter 3. If you've ever memorized, and you probably have just by hearing it so many times, memorize John 3:16. That's great. But memorize these other verses with it. There's some other great verses in that passage. Verse 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned.

But he that believeth not is condemned already. Why? Because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten son of God. Look at verse number 36. He that believeth on the son hath everlasting life. and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. We're already condemned. The judgment is just pronouncing that. So the condemnation, the judgment has already been pronounced. And and only by trusting Christ are we taken out on for we're under God's judgment. When I receive Christ, I'm taken out of that judgment. I'm no longer judged anymore. I'm no longer condemned without Christ as my savior.

And I'm not condemned for not having Christ, you know, not having Christ will keep me from salvation. But I'm condemned because of my works. And the only way I can be saved is not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy. It's only by trusting Christ that I can no longer be condemned. All right. The judge, of course, God is the judge of all. Look at 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verse number 8. 2 Timothy 4:8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them also that love is appearing.

So the Lord's going to he is going to be the judge. And uh also Hebrews 12 and verse number 23 Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 23. to the general assembly in the church of the firstborn which are written in heaven and um and to God the judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect. So ultimately God is the judge of all but Jesus is the one who will sit in judgment for the judgment seat of Christ. Look at John chapter 5 and verse number 22. It's important in whatever study we do to understand the in the trinity each of the godhead and what their responsibility is. They have chosen to divide among themselves.

God is ultimately the judge of all but he gave to the son the the the judgment of Christians especially the judgment seat of Christ the beacy of Christ. And the holy spirit has a part in that. He judges us now. He's the one that convicts us now. If I listen to the Holy Spirit when he convicts me and judges me and confess my sin, then I will not be judged by Christ. And so we need to understand the the each of their roles within what they do in our lives. And in John 5 22, for the father judges no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the son. And then chapter 13 and verse number three. Chapter 13 and three Jesus knowing that the father hath given all things into his hands and that he was come from God and went to God.

So he has given to Christ the the judgment rights over you and I as Christians. Now the great white throne judgment he's no he's not the judge there. He is our he is our sacrifice. And so that's why he's not judging at the great white throne judgment. And then saints will stand in judgment with him. Go to 1 Corinthians chapter 6. 1 Corinthians chapter 6 and verses 2 and 3. 1 Corinthians 6 2 and 3. Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? If the and the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?

And so in some way or another, you and I are going to judge the angels. I I don't know exactly what that means. Look at Revelation chap 20 and verse number four. Revelation 20 and verse number four. And I saw thrones in the day that sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or to their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. So at the judgment, you got people that are involved in that judgment as well.

Again, we don't know. We know that the angels are looking down and said, "What's wrong with you people?" And they're kind of in heaven right now, not judging us, but they're shaking their heads saying, you know, Jesus really died for these guys, you know, uh, don't they understand how how great they have it? And and all the rest of it, one day you and I will judge them. And and in 1 Corinthians 6, what he was trying to tell the Corinthians is, listen, if you're going to judge the angels, then should not you be able to work out things between yourselves? I have a a budding lawyer for a son now. He's halfway through law school and every time I talk to him he's talking about more, you know, the things that are involved in law and especially he says, "Now, Dad, with your with your will and all that stuff, you need to make sure this is right and that's right.

You better have this right and that right and if you're going to go to court." And he says, "Same thing with the church. Make sure all these things are right because if you ever go to court and and there's a lot of details to that." Well, you know what? Same thing happens with you and I. If we're going to judge the angels, shouldn't we not be able to work out issues between the two of us? And how do you do that? When you go to court, you have rules to abide by. And when you have an issue with another Christian, there's also rules. Matthew 18 says, "Go to them alone, and if they don't hear you, take one or two with you and or two or three others.

And if they don't hear you, take you to the church." There's a process to follow. And uh and and and we ought to be able to follow that process. If you don't follow the law, then everything, you know, you're not going to win the case. And and we got to follow the law of judgment as well. If one day we're going to sit with Christ in judgment, and I'm not sure if that's going to be all of us or not. Uh and Revelation indicates there's certain ones like martyrs that get to sit in judgment and a few others. And maybe we all don't get to be part of that process. I don't know. Or as a group, he's going to turn to us and what do you guys think?

I'm not sure exactly what's all involved with there, but it's clear we're going to have some responsibility here. And so, let's learn to do it right now. You know, I talked about this the about four weeks ago in a series on 1 Corinthians 13. When you have when your brother have ought against you or you have ought against your brother, go and there's a process, a procedure to follow. You know, Caleb's working in an externship and one of the things he's saying is before you can go to court, you got to do this first, then you got to do this and you got to do that. If you go to court without doing those things, they're going to throw it out because you haven't followed the procedures.

And then, you know, and and when you bring if you ever chose to be one of those others to go with them, then you have a responsibility how to arbitrate it and how to work this out in the right way. We need to follow the biblical process. If we're going to be judges one day, let's learn it now. Now let us see the final judgments that we have coming is uh first of all of course the beac seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 and verse number 10 for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that everyone may receive the things done in his body according to that he done whether it be good or bad we talked about the beac seat we're judged there by our works by our words by our thoughts and by our motivation all four of those things will be judged and that which is done right is going to receive reward and that which is done wrong is going to receive loss of reward.

And uh and and so we we understand that's going to happen. And then um you've got the tribulation on earth. The earth is the earth is going to be judged. Revelation chapter 16 and verse number 7. Revelation 16 verse 7. And I heard another uh out of the altar. Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. And he's judging the world with these seven vials and all the rest of the judgments that we read about in Revelation. Then we have the judgment of the tribulation saints in Revelation 20 and verses 4-6. This is a a special judgment of those who get saved during the re the tribulation and especially those that are martyed during the tribulation as well.

And um and so in that passage, it talks about this resurrection and and this this judgment that will happen with them as well. And then in uh number four is is judgment of the Old Testament saints. We see that in Daniel uh 12. Let's look at Malachi 3 and 16 and 17. They the Old Testament saints will be judged separate from us because they had different responsibilities. In Malachi chapter 3 16-1 17 then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. The Lord hearkened and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name and they shall be mine sayith the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up my jewels and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

So if you're somebody who thinks about the Lord that speaks about him then every time you do that that's written down in God's book. That's how important it is. How often this week have you spoken about the Lord? How often have you h have you feared the Lord and and u and spake often one to another about him? That he writes down in a special book and that book is going to be open and and we're going to be judged out of that. And then um is in and Israel and the gentile nations. Revelation 19 and verses 11 and 12 is Israel's going to be judged. The nations are going to be judged. Matthew 25, the same thing.

This is at the end of Armageddon. There's a judgment of all those who rebelled against God. And then you have Satan and the angels. Let's look at Matthew 25 and verse number 41. Matthew 25. Verse number 41. 2541. There it is. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, "Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." And that's when they're going to be judged. In Revelation 20, they're cast into the bottomless pit. And and earlier on, and in Revelation 20 and verse 10 is that final judgment where they're cast into hell forever. And then the wicked dead in Revelation chapter 20, those are unsaved will be judged.

And um we talked about that. One of the things I I really want to reemphasize is this is I believe from my studies that you and I will be there that day that the the unsaved are judged and cast into hell. And at the very least we will be spectators to watch. You're going to watch as that neighbor you never witnessed to is cast into hell. You're going to watch as a loved one that you never shared your testimony with. You know, we're going to see all of that. Um, there are some I've read and heard of that believe that we're actually going to be some we're actually be tasked with a job of casting them into hell for eternity.

I don't know. But I do know this, the tears are not wiped away until after that. And I believe a lot of us will be standing there with tears falling down our cheeks saying, "I wish I had witnessed to them. I wish I had shared the gospel with them. I wish I'd been more faithful to God." And so, we have to understand that. All right? And then you have the eternal state. And the eternal state of the wicked is not annihilation. It is not restoration like um you know purgatory. It is an everlasting punishment. And again we've kind of covered all of this. It's eternal. It's forever. It never ends. Uh it's an unquenchable fire.

It's a place of outer darkness. It's a fire that burns so so hot it burns away the light. It's an undying worm. And the one thing we we we believe is there are are somehow in hell there are degrees of punishment. Now degrees of punishment to me are like degrees of weather. There in my mind there's not difference between zero degrees and 20 below zero or 30. I mean it is colder. I'm clear on that. You you definitely if you've ever been in it that's colder. But once you get down to zero, the rest of those numbers don't matter anymore. It's cold. But there are degrees of cold. I mean, in Minnesota, it could get as many with with a windchill, it could get down to 80 degrees below zero, and you walk outside and you're everything on you would freeze immediately.

You know, you just didn't even go outside. So, there degrees of cold, but there's a point where those degrees don't matter anymore to my opinion. And and there's seems to be degrees of punishment. I want to look at this real quick. Luke chap 12 and verse number 47. Luke 12 and verse 47. And that servant which knew his Lord's will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes. And that's something here in verse 48. But he that knew not and did not commit things worthy of strife shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall much required and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask the more.

So people sometimes, well, you mean that Hitler and this little old lady who's been so nice, the sweet little lady living next door to me, both of them are going to go to hell and suffer the same punishment. They're both going to be in hell because they don't have Christ. Now, I don't like to say that and you know, and and sometimes it's hard to, you know, that's what the Bible says. They're going to be in hell without Christ, no matter how sweet they are, how nice they are. But I do believe there are there are levels of punishment that they'll receive. Um, and so somebody like a Hitler or whoever else might receive worse.

I think the worst level hell is not for Hitler. It's going to be for the religious person who knew the truth and rejected it and also helped led others to reject it as well. Um, look also at um Matthew 11 and verses 29- 24. Matthew chap 11 verse 29- 24 I'm sorry 29 that shouldn't [clears throat] be 22 24 uh that's not right reference there I will try to figure let's look at go backwards here see if I got it um yeah look look yeah start with 21 should probably be 21 wo on to the chzani Woe unto thee Bedada, for it is if the mighty works which were were done in you had been done in Tira and Siden.

They would have repented long ago in sackcloth and a ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Ty and Sid in the day of judgment than for you. And thou capernium which are exalted unto heaven shall be brought down to hell. For if thy mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Siden, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it should be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee. So here's Sodom. We know Sodom was a wicked, terrible place. And yet there's a worse judgment for people who rejected the truth. And so that's the there there seems to be degrees of punishment.

Look at Romans chapter 2. How those degrees work, I don't know. You know, you'd think being in fire is fire. You know, uh how they work, I don't know. But Romans chapter 2:es 5 and 6. But after the hardness and impendent heart treasures up under thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render every man according to his deeds and and so there does seem to be some kind of degrees of punishment. Again, we don't know what that is, but there does seem to be that. And then the eternal state of the redeemed, there will be a new heaven and a new earth uh completely made over.

Now, during the thousand-year reign, the the heavens earth that we have now are just recreated, so to speak. They're they're they're renewed. But at the end of that, there'll be a new heaven and a new earth. Um if you look at um Revelation or let's look at second Peter first. Second Peter chapter 3 and:es 6-12. 2 Peter 3 6-12. whereby the world that then was being overflowed with water perished. But the heavens and earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and predition of ungodly men. But beloved, be not ignorance one thing that one day is with the Lord is a thousand years and a thousand years one day.

The Lord not not slack concerning his promise. So we know there's going to be a new heaven or earth. And it goes on in the next verse talks about that be totally dissolved and made over again. And uh so there'll be no more sin. And I'm going to fill these in quick because we want to finish up. But there's no more sin. There's no sin in heaven at all. Uh there's no more curse, the sickness and weakness and all the rest of it that we have to deal with, the aging, all of that. There's no night. Now, some people kind of think of that, well, I like the night. I like to see the stars and stuff. I think we'll still be able to do that.

I think it's going to be a different It's going to be totally different than we know. Um and we'll be able to see space. I think like space really is. It's going to be an amazing thing. Uh but there is no night. Uh God will rule from a re recreate Jerusalem. There'll still be a capital city so to speak and it will be inhabited by God, the angels and redeemed mankind. All of us will be together. Right now we don't mix with the angels. Uh except where they you know fallen angels come and tempt us and uh and the angels unawares that we have help us out sometimes. Uh there's no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain.

All that's gone and we shall serve and worship. People say, "We're going to sit up in heaven and play harps the whole time." No, we will have jobs and positions and things to do that will will make us, you know, I was talking to somebody today about retirement. Said, "I can't wait till I retire and do nothing." I said, "You won't enjoy that very long because we like to have something to accomplish and we'll have we'll have tasks to accomplish. It's not going to be just sitting around all the time playing harps." Um and one of our big things will be to worship the Lord. We're we get to worship him.

You know, right now we come together on Sunday and worship. We'll be doing this all over the place, you know, spontaneous and just worshiping the Lord. And then we shall serve, we shall be Christ's bride and God's sons. And exactly what that means is a picture that we don't again don't fully understand, but we shall be the bride of Christ and the sons of God for all eternity. So, it's just a great great thing to understand. And there's so little. We know this much out of that much. But this much just makes us want to, you know, can't wait to see all the rest of it.