According to Hebrews 6:1, one of the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
that we are held responsible to teach all new believers (as part of the basics)...
Is the doctrine of eternal judgment.
So how would most of us answer the question of what happens when we die?
Most, I believe, would go the simplified route by saying, "We either go to heaven or we go to hell."
That answer, according to the scriptures, is essentially true.
But it leaves out a great deal.
So, if that is the case, what does happen when we die?
Let's take the answer step by step. The scriptures teach there
are only two options (destinations) available to any of us after the death of the body.
The scriptures further teach that either destination is arrived at immediately upon the death of
the body
(2 Corinthians 5:8, Luke 16:19-25).
But at some point in the future, after our bodies die, after we arrive at our final destination,
we will all forcibly be hauled into a courtroom--not a pleasant experience for anyone--whether they are defendant or plaintiff--guilty
or innocent.
When I say forcibly, I mean no one will not be given a choice
in the matter.
This is a court hearing in which no one will have the option of being held in contempt for not showing
up.
Like it or not--we will all show up
(2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:11-12).
All, righteous and unrighteous alike, will stand before the Judge Of All The Earth (Philippians
2:10-11).
All, righteous and unrighteous alike, will have the evidence
of their case presented to the judge.
The written records will
be produced (Malachi 3:16, Matthew 12:36-37, Revelation 20:12).
All, righteous and unrighteous alike, will have witnesses to
attest to the truth of the evidence
that is presented
(1 John 5:7, Matthew 12:41-42).
All, righteous and unrighteous alike, will experience judgment
being passed on their case (2
Corinthians 5:10,
Revelation 20:11-12).
All, righteous and unrighteous alike, will be judged according to the same criteria (Romans 2:16).
But all similarities end there.
Because the righteous, who will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, will stand already aquitted.
(1 John 5:11-13)
The unrighteous will stand before the Great White Throne already condemned. (John 3:18)
The righteous will have an advocate (defense attorney 1 John 2:1) provided for them.
The unrighteous will have only a prosecutor. Because in this
courtroom, all defendents will
have forfeited their right to an
attorney long before the day of the hearing.
The records will be searched. Witnesses will be sought and found for the unrighteous. But no witnesses
will be found that can produce the evidence the defendent will wish with all his heart he had provided when he had the chance
(Matthew 12:36-37, 41-42).
The righteous will receive eternal life and whatever rewards have been earned in addition to that
(1 Corinthians 3:11-15,
Matthew 25:21-23,34,46).
The unrighteous will receive eternal damnation (Matthew 25:41,46).
The Judge of all the earth was put on trial once. But his
courtroom will not be a kangaroo court
like the one he had to
endure (Mark 14:55-65).
Like the unrighteous, by his own free deliberate choice, he had no advocate present at his hearing--only
accusers.
But his choice was a righteous choice. He made such a choice in order to give all the unrighteous
(that would ever be born) the opportunity to have an advocate for their day in court.
Because, unlike earthly courts, in the heavenly courtroom, the
mere presence of the advocate
guarentees aquittal (Mark 15:4, Romans 3:10, 23).
The Judge Of All The Earth had no witnesses to testify on his
behalf--only liars bearing false
witness against him with
absolutely no evidence to back any of it up (Mark 14:56).
But all the witnesses and all the evidence that will be brought
forth in his courtroom will
be absolutely true
(Matthew 12:36-37,41-42, Revelation 20:12).
His judge did not judge righteously, but rather, knowing full well what he was doing, condemned
an innocent man (Mark 15:14-15).
The Judge Of All The Earth, however, will judge righteously.
All who are condemned in his courtroom
will know they deserve it. The evidence will be both true and irrefutable (Romans 2:1-16).
Jesus said by our words, we will be either justified or condemned.
That's a frightening thought for most of us, because during the course of a lifetime, we speak a
lot of words. And we don't always choose them wisely.
But here is what it all boils down to. Our God is merciful and
loving. He doesn't unnecessarily
complicate things.
Romans 10:9-10,13 says that if we confess with our mouth (words) the Lord Jesus, and believe in
our hearts that God raised him from the dead...
We... Will... Be... Saved...
For with the heart man believes unto righteousness (that is the only difference between the righteous
and unrighteous).
And with the mouth (words) confession is made unto salvation!
Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord,
shall... Be...
Saved...