Judge and Judgment – Does Man Judge Himself?

“And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel”. Mat 19:28.  It would appear on the surface that the apostles or perhaps all the saints are promised that they will one day judge.  But this is not the case.

If the twelve had been told that Jesus was not referring to them personally, but all of the believers who belonged to the Body of Christ.  We will only partake and share in the glory of His Kingdom. No one, except God Himself can effect judgement on others.  Not even an angel.  Scripture clearly teaches that only God is worthy and qualified to sit on a throne and judge.  “And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to loosen its seals?  “And no one in Heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book or to look at it.  And I wept very much, because no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, nor to look at it. And one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals of it”. Rev 5:2-5

Again Jesus proclaimed and spoke very clearly; “For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son”, Joh 5:22  Does Rev 5:2-5 and John 5:22 contradict one another? No.  The “Father” who is the Lord of Heaven and Earth, The Creator and giver of life “judges no man”.  He, the “Father” has assigned that task to “the Son”.  In this case, the Son means the WORD;  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”. Joh 1:14  This is the true revelation, the knowledge of and purpose of the Creator God, the WORD.  Therefore, mankind judges themselves.  The universal principles of God’s creation and His kingdom cannot be violated or overruled.

“And if it seems evil to you to serve Jehovah, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served Beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. But as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah” Jos 24:15.  A human being always has eternity staring at them in the face.  It is inescapable.  It requires a decision.

“And if any one hears My Words and does not believe, I do not judge him, for I do not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me and does not receive My Words has one who judges him; the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of Myself, but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say, and what I should speak. Joh 12:47-49

Is it a contradiction of terms when Jesus said; “I do not Judge”?.  Is it a contradiction of terms Jesus said; “For the Father Judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son”?.  So if the Father nor the Son judge, then by what terms does judgment take place with a human being after they die, and pass into the next realm?

There is only one plausible reason.  That is that the human judges himself.  During the time they have lived in the world, they have had the opportunity to accept Creator God, or reject the notion of Creator God.  It all boils down to that.  The laws of the universe, the moral laws, the gospel presentation, and other witnesses of the existence of a living Creator God.  As the Apostle Paul explained; “For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse”. Rom 1:20.  We are accountable.  We cannot blame the goofy televangelist on television asking for money.  We cannot blame the hypcritical professed Christians we encounter in every day life.  Because then, we are looking horizontal.  We are not looking vertical, UP to behold the glory of our Creator.  We refuse to see the love and mercy He has toward us.  We shut it out like a jail cell door slamming shut!  If anyone tries to open that jail cell, we become enraged at the intrusion.  How dare you come into my personal space!.

The Word goes on to say; “Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen”. Rom 1:21-25.

“But speaking boldly, Paul and Barnabas said, It was necessary for the Word of God to be spoken to you first. But since indeed you put it far from you and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the nations”.  Amen and Amen.