Who will judge the World?

By C. Warren Andreasen

rev 12/6/23

To the question of “who will judge the world” most of us would automatically respond with “Jesus”, but when asked, “how do you know?” we might not be so quick to respond. My approach in this paper will be to show both by logic and by the Word of God. Who will be the judge on that fearful day of judgment (fearful if you are not ready).

To take a logical look at the question we would have to ask who the possible judges might be. We could think of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Angels, Satan, and the Saints. Working in reverse order, “Saint”:

There is no such thing as a “Saint”, that is a creation of the Catholic Church. We are all “saints” and we cannot judge ourselves. There are no heavenly beings called “Saints”.

(Romans 8:27)

And he (Jesus) who searches out hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

The next possible judge would be Satan, but that cannot be because he is our accuser (Rev 12:10) and he himself is under judgment.

Next we have the Angels, but logic says “no” to them since angels are always ministering spirits (Heb 1:14) and a third of them are with Satan and are under judgment themselves.

We are now down to the Triune Godhead and logic will not resolve beyond this except that we know the Holy Spirit is our Counselor (John 14:26), and we know that Jesus lived on Earth as a man, so He would seem well qualified, if we dare evaluate the Godhead at all.

So much for logic… it is of limited value on this subject. Let us move on to God’s Word (Bible).

(John 5: 22-23)

Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father,

(Acts 10:42)

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he (Jesus) is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

(Acts 17:31)

For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed, He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.

(Romans 2:16)

This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ…

(2 Timothy 4:1)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who will judge the living and the dead…

(2 Timothy 4:8)

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. (Note: “Lord” is one of the names given Jesus).

(Heb 10:30)

For we know him who said, “it is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people”.

As I conclude this, I point out that judgment generally refers to the final “Great White Throne” judgment, however a judgment has already taken place. When Christ returns for his bride, and takes us to be with Him, is this not judgment” As Christ sends his angles to “weed out the tares” from the harvest (Matt 13: 39 & 41) judgment is made as to who belongs to Christ and who does not. Those of us that make up the bride have no fear of the coming judgment as we have already been found worthy (yet we will stand before the judgment throne and be judged and rewarded according to our deeds). If our name is in the book of life, there is no “Great White Throne” judgment to fear, our names are already in the Book of Life.

(2 Cor. 5:10)

For we must all appear before the judgment by Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

There is much confusion as to exactly what and how things happen as God’s plan draws to a close, but this is perhaps because it is simply not for us to know the details, but make no mistake, we know Jesus will judge, he is our only salvation, and if we put our trust in Him we WILL be saved. Apart from our claim in Jesus and His blood, there is no salvation and we stand condemned already. The judgment is a time of review (of our lives) and then reward or punishment.