Judgment

A Series on the Holiness of God

These Bible study lessons are designed to complement the myriad of study guides and plans available today. Through them, we hope to introduce sound study methodology, build a strong foundation of knowledge from which you can build and integrate a more coherent and comprehensive understanding of God's word and theology.

With a few Hebrew terms, the meaning of "judgment" is with the sense "to rule or govern" with the authority "to punish, vindicate and obtain justice." Divine judgment is the work of God, because it is the consequence of one's sin evaluated against God's holy nature and moral standard. It is absolute, exact and just, and a reflection of the sovereignty of God's plan. And there is one striking aspect of God's judgment that makes Him so unique.

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1. Although some with a legal background may perceive God's judicial process with the Original Sin (Gen 3:11-19), a clearer picture emerges with the Mosaic Law, which the nation of Israel experiences in its administration (Deut 1:16-17; 30:15-20). What do you observe about its forensics, process, consequence, and purpose?

2. Through God's prescribed process, the Mosaic Covenant defined how to atone for sin and avert and appease God's wrath with a substitute. But with the Mosaic Covenant broken, a New Covenant must be inaugurated (Rom 3:23-25; Heb 9:11-28; 1 Pet 2:22-24; 1 John 2:2). Record all of your observations of the elements found in the Mosaic Law's prescribed method of atonement and note the recipient of God's judgment and wrath.

3. In answer to his inquiries, Jesus informs the Pharisee Nicodemus of a new basis for God's judgment (John 3:16-21). What was the old basis? What is the new basis? Think of all the ways they similar and yet distinctly different.

4. Jesus presents a confusing statement, "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son" (John 5:22). Carefully break the text down into component statements and observe what Jesus tells Jewish religious authorities (John 5:20-30). Discern 1) what Jesus is talking about, and 2) how Jesus' work of judgment is similar and / or different from His Father? As you learn more about the Bible, you may encounter other verses of God's word that may shed light to confusing passages (Acts 17:30-31).

5. When Jesus speaks of judgment (Matt 16:26-27; 25:31-32), what does He mean (Rev 5:1-9; 12:7-10; 19:20-21; 20:10, 11-15)?

6. Is God's judgment always with the sense of punishment (2 Cor 5:9-10; Rev 22:12)?

References for Group Study Leaders

1. God's Work of Judgment

2. Jesus Christ's Work of Judgment

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JudgmentA Series on the Holiness of God

Judgment

A Series on the Holiness of God