SNT 1224 The Three Judgments
The Three Judgments
Teaches about the three judgments in the Bible, who they are for, where, and when they will occur.
SNT – 1224
April 29, 1984
Format: audio
Publication Date: 04-29-1984
Victor Paul Wierwille was a Bible scholar and teacher for over four decades.
By means of Dr. Wierwille's dynamic teaching of the accuracy and integrity of God's Word, foundational class and advanced class graduates of Power for Abundant Living have learned that the one great requirement for every student of the Bible is to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Thus, his presentation of the Word of God was designed for students who desire the in-depth-accuracy of God’s Word.
In his many years of research, Dr. Wierwille studied with such men as Karl Barth, E. Stanley Jones, Glenn Clark, Bishop K.C. Pillai, and George M. Lamsa. His formal training included Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees from Mission House (Lakeland) College and Seminary. He studied at the University of Chicago and at Princeton Theological Seminary from which he received a Master of Theology degree in Practical Theology. Later he completed his work for the Doctor of Theology degree.
Dr. Wierwille taught the first class on Power for Abundant Living in 1953.
Books by Dr. Wierwille include: Are the Dead Alive Now? published in 1971; Receiving the Holy Spirit Today published in 1972; five volumes of Studies in Abundant Living— The Bible Tells Me So (1971), The New, Dynamic Church (1971), The Word's Way (1971), God's Magnified Word (1977), Order My Steps in Thy Word (1985); Jesus Christ Is Not God (1975); Jesus Christ Our Passover (1980); and Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed (1982).
Dr. Wierwille researched God's Word, taught, wrote, and traveled worldwide, holding forth the accuracy of God's "wonderful, matchless" Word.
Remarks about E.W. Bullinger
1Co 2:8, 9; Rom 8:30; Ecc 3:1,17; Eph 1:11,12; 2:7; 1Pe 1:4; 1Co 15:50-58; Eph 2:8-10; Rom 8:1;
Rom 14:9-14; Eph 2:6, 7; 1Co 13:10-12; 15:39-49; Eph 3:20, 21; Mat 25:31-46
Mat 25:32, 34, 40; Eph 1:4; Num 23:9, 10; Isa 34:1, 2;
Joe 3:1, 2, 11, 12; Rev 20:4-8, 11-15; 21:1-4; 1Co 15:27, 28, 58
_______________________
The Three Judgments
Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille
Sunday Night Teaching 1224
Tonight, I’m going to teach on the three judgments, and it is Dr. Bullinger who inspired me along this line.
Traditional Christianity teaches and it claims there’s only one judgment, but there are three. But each in its time and its place.
Tonight, I’d like for you to again look at 1 Corinthians Chapter 2, because when it comes to the three judgments, you’ve just got to remember some of these verses. And here’s one that you’ll always have to remember. Verse 8 of the second chapter of 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 2:8-9:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, [verse 9] Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
In Romans Chapter 8. These are just preliminary scriptures to what I want to share tonight. Romans Chapter 8, verse 30.
Romans 8:30:
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also [what?] {justified:} and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
We’ve got to go to Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament for two wonderful verses of scripture that you must understand and see regarding the judgments. Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes, verse 1.
Ecclesiastes 3:1:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
And verse 17.
Ecclesiastes 3:17:
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every [what?] work.
See it? Traditional Christianity claims there’ll only be one judgment, but there are three – but each in its time and in its place.
The first judgment, the time is the day of Christ. The place, or where it will be held, is the bema B-E-M-A, the judgment seat of rewards. And the inheritance is in Ephesians Chapter 1. In whom . . . verse 11.
Ephesians 1:11-12:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be . . . the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
And in chapter 2 of Ephesians, in verse 7.
Ephesians 2:7:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
And in 1 Peter Chapter 1, verse 4.
1 Peter 1:4:
To an inheritance [what?] incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Those who appear in this judgment are the members of the body of Christ, with the dead raised and the living changed.
1 Corinthians 15, verse 50. 1 Corinthians 15:50.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58:
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, [not all in the Church of the Body shall die] but we shall all be [what?] {changed,}
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we [those that are living] shall be [what?] {changed.}
53 [verse 53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on [what?] {immortality.}
54 [verse 54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 [verse 58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in [what?] the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
We do not work to get saved or to stay saved. Ephesians Chapter 2, verse 8 says,
Ephesians 2:8-10a:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 [verse 9] Not of works, lest any man should [what?] boast.
10 For we are his [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, . . .
We don’t work to get saved, people. We do good works to get rewards in the judgment.
2 Corinthians, Chapter 4. That’s not the verse I'm looking for. That’s the wrong one. I’ll try
1 Corinthians 4, see if that’s any better. That’s not it either. Well, you’ll just have to forgive me for screwing it up. I don’t know where it is, but I know where Romans 8 is. That one I know from memory. Verse 1.
Romans 8:1a:
There is therefore now [what?] {no condemnation} to them which are [where?] in Christ Jesus, . . .
The time for this judgment is the day of Christ. The place or where is the bema. And the bema is the dais from which rewards, prizes and trophies are given and handed out. You can check Bullinger’s Concordance and Lexicon on that word if you like.
The bema is not a judgment bench from which judgments and sentences are pronounced and set, because we have already been judged in Christ Jesus. And that’s why it says in Romans 8, there is no condemnation, in verse 1. And in verse 30,
Romans 8:30:
. . . [those] he did predestinate, . . . he also [what?] called . . . justified: and . . . he also glorified.[1]
See? The whole judgment in the first of the three judgments I’m going to share with you tonight is a judgment of rewards. It’s a judgment of giving prizes, trophies.
In Romans 14, verse 9.
Romans 14:9-14:
9 For to this end Christ both died, and [did what?] {rose,} and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat [the bema ] of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 [verse 14]. . . I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
This is the standing before the judgment seat of verse 10, which is the bema. There’s an entirely different word used in the scriptures for a judgment seat where punishment is meted out. We will never meet at that judgment seat. We will only meet at the bema where rewards are given.
In Ephesians Chapter 2, verse 6, it says,
Ephesians 2:6-7:
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places [in the heavenlies] in Christ Jesus:
7 [verse 7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Isn't that beautiful? Raised us up and made us sit together in the heavenlies. Here we are in this fellowship on this Sunday night, and the Word of God says that the born-again sons of God, the Body of the Church, is already seated with him in the heavenlies. So, if we’re already seated with Him, you can’t miss it if you try it because you’re already sitting there. So what more can there be? Only thing there can be more is rewards. That’s all that there can be more. You receive rewards for works and deeds done, and then you receive also the crown of righteousness in this judgment.
1 Corinthians 13, verse 10.
1 Corinthians 13:10-12:
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 [verse 12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to [what?] face: [right] now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 15, verse 39.
1 Corinthians 15:39-49:
39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, . . . another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, . . . another glory of the moon, . . . another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 [verse 42] So also . . . [in] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 [47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 [48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 [verse 49] . . . as we have borne the image of the [what?] {earthy,} we shall [absolute tense] also bear the image of the heavenly.
So this judgment is not a judgment of condemnation, it’s a judgment of reward. And we being raised from the dead or being changed to be immortal, corruption put on incorruption and mortal put on immortality. Then we receive rewards for the faithfulness of our stewardship and what we have done for Him since we’ve been born again – since we’re Christians.
This thing has been in my heart for a long time. I've been wanting to teach it. It’s the best I can do right now, but maybe our research department will carry this to its final conclusion. But our people just do not see the greatness of the rewards throughout all eternity.
So many of our Way people are just like wordly people; they are into the rewards that they can get now – the sharpness in business and other fields. And they are not thinking sufficiently down the line of the return of Christ and the judgments. For in that judgment you are rewarded for what you did for Him since you’re born again. Whether you were a faithful steward or a sloppy one. And that reward is throughout all eternity. Any rewards that you and I are getting in the here and now are only temporary.
In Philippians Chapter 3, verse 20,[2]
Ephesians 3:20-21:
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
That’s the first judgment, people, and the rewards will last throughout all eternity. The people from Greece that came to the Vision Building Day brought me the great prize for the greatest athletes in all Greece. When they ran the Olympics, and they were the greatest in the Olympics, this is the prize that they received. It’s an olive wreath, exactly like they received. They didn’t receive any money like the professional athletes do today, they just received the recognition. And this was the greatest recognition they could get upon this earth. The greatest recognition our athletes get today, for the most part is money or they make the Hall of Fame.
But if this is like I see it in the Word, you and I got something. Crowns far better than that one coming, and rewards throughout all eternity. So we just have to start walking day by day, laying up for ourselves not treasures upon earth, but treasures which are in heaven.
The second judgment in the Word of God, the time is when the Son of Man sits upon the throne of his glory. The place or where it is is before the throne of his glory.
In Matthew Chapter 25. There are other places that mention this judgment but none as comprehensively as this section in Matthew, and that’s why I want to read this section with you. Matthew 25, verse 31 through 46.
Matthew 25:31-46:
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 [verse 34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was . . . [hungry], and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous [the self-righteous] answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee . . . [hungry] and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, . . . or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Verse 34 in the section I just read for you gives the inheritance. I told you the time, where, and this gives you the inheritance. It’s a reward prepared for you, what’s the next word? “. . . ‘from’ the foundation of the world.” Now, that is unique. This judgment reward there, the inheritance is that which has been prepared from the foundation.
But according to Ephesians Chapter 1, verse 4, to the Church of the Body, we were called “in him before the foundation”. You got it? The Church of the Body is before the foundation. This judgment here, the reward is that which is from the foundation. The persons that will be judged in this judgment will be the nations. Verse 32.
Matthew 25:32a:
. . . before him shall be gathered all [what?] nations: . . .
Again, if you want to look this up in a Bullinger’s Concordance and Lexicon or in any other one, the words that are used here is T-A – the ethnē. E-T-H-N-long E. Ethnē – nations. The nations. Now, this word ‘ethnē’ is translated in the King James ‘nations’ 64 times, it is translated ‘Gentile’ 93 times, ‘heathen’ five times, and ‘people’ twice. The word is used a total of 164 times.
See, in this judgment, the Church of the Body cannot be, for the Church of the Body is called out from both Israel or Judean and Gentiles. It’s a new Body. Therefore, this cannot apply to the Church of the Body at all. It talks specifically a judgment for nations. And that also means that Israel cannot be in this judgment, only Gentiles. It says this very plainly in Numbers Chapter 23. Sure is wonderful to be able to work this with you tonight. I don’t expect you to remember everything. I expect you to work the Word and take your notes and check it out for yourself. Chapter 23 of Numbers, verse 9.
Numbers 23:9:
For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
Here we’re talking about the people of Israel, out of Jacob. The people shall not be reckoned among the nations. Israel has never been, and never will, according to God’s Word, be reckoned among the nations – among the Gentiles.
The place, the throne of his glory, that is upon earth, people. It’s here upon earth. In the Book of Isaiah Chapter 34, verse 1.
Isaiah 34:1:
1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.
2 [verse 2] For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.[3]
Joel. The Book of Joel Chapter 3, verse 1.
Joel 3:1-2:
1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of
Jehoshaphat, . . .
Verse 11.
Joel 3:11-12a:
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, [this is that word ‘Gentile’, remember? Translated, I told you, ‘heathen’ five times] and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen [verse 12] be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: . . .
In Matthew 25, I read to you earlier that this judgment was only regarding one specific thing. Matthew 25, verse 40.
Matthew 25:40:
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
This judgment is how the Gentiles treat Israel. I’m not talking about the Israel over there today, or Jews, I’m talking biblically about the biblical Israel. There’s basically only one specific work that they’re judged by, how they treat Israel. And in that entire section in Matthew, and in this whole treatise on judgment in the category that I’m teaching you now, there is not one word any place about a resurrection. So these people do not need to be resurrected because they are living ones at the time. And you and I dare not put a resurrection in where God deliberately leaves it out. So that’s the judgment, the second of the three judgments that I wanted to share with you tonight.
The third one is immediately after the thousand years. That’s the time. And that marks it off from all other judgments. Revelation Chapter 20, verse 4.
Revelation 20:4-8a:
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, . . . for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 [verse 6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7 [Now watch verse 7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, . . .
And that’s why this judgment here, is verse 11,
Revelation 20:11a:
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it,…
This is the white throne judgment. That’s the place where it will occur, before the white throne.
Verse 12.
Revelation 20:12:
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.
You see, our names are not in the book of life. I hear that used once in a while, maybe I've used it myself, but that’s not really biblically true. For we don’t have to be in book, we’re already seated with Him. We’ve already passed from death unto life. He doesn’t have to open a book and read it, He’s got the record all up there. We’re all there. Already there. This one here, they’ve got names in the book of life.
Thirteen says,
Revelation 20:13-15:
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.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
14 [14] This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
It’s a judgment of Israel, and it’s a judgment of resurrection. Everybody’s going to be resurrected. All the dead are going to be resurrected.
And after this third judgment comes the record in the 21st chapter of the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 21:1:
And I saw a new heaven and a new [what?] {earth:} for the first [or the former] heaven [that’s the one we live in now] and the . . .[former] earth [the one we live in now] were passed away; and there was no more sea.
I don’t know what you fellows are going to do that like to boat. Or they are, I don’t know. Can’t sail away without a sea.
Revelation 21:2-4:
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, [verse 2] coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 [verse 3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 [verse 4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things [all the things of this administration or this period of heaven and earth, all of those things] are passed away.
In connection with this, I’d like to close tonight these great truths from 1 Corinthians 15. Verse 27.
1 Corinthians 15:27:
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he [Jesus Christ] is excepted, [he is not there] which did put all things under him.
28 [verse 28] . . . when all things shall be subdued unto him, [unto God] then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Verse 58.
1 Corinthians 15:58:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know . . . your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Now, my people, that’s the best I know about the three judgments in the Word, and I know there’s a lot of other work that can be done on it. I've not nearly exhausted it. I've only exhausted myself, not the Word. But that’s all we’re going to do on it tonight.
Thank you, Father, for allowing me to be with your people here at International, and those that are listening in by telephone. Thank you for all your love and grace and thank you for allowing me to share your Word with your people this night. Through Christ Jesus our lord. Amen.
[1] Romans 8:30: Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
[2] Dr. Wierwille says Philippians but reads Ephesians.
[3] Audio broke off in the middle of this scripture reference in verse 2.