Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Christ Executes Judgment

How will the decisions of the judgment be executed? BR-ASI9 171.5

“And out of His [Christ’s] mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Revelation 19:15. BR-ASI9 171.6

Why is the execution of the judgment given to Christ? BR-ASI9 171.7

“For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.” John 5:26, 27. BR-ASI9 171.8

How was the opening of the judgment to be made known to the world? BR-ASI9 171.9

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” Revelation 14:6, 7. BR-ASI9 171.10

Note.—There are three phases of the judgment mentioned in the Scriptures: the investigative judgment, preceding the Second Advent; the judgment of the lost world and wicked angels by Christ and the saints during the one thousand years following the Second Advent; and the executive judgment, or punishment of the wicked at the close of this period. The investigative judgment takes place in heaven before Christ comes, in order to ascertain who are worthy to be raised in the first resurrection, at His coming, and who among the living are to be changed in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trump. It is necessary for this to take place before the Second Advent, as there will be no time for such a work between the coming of Christ and the raising of the righteous dead. The executive judgment on the wicked occurs after their cases have been examined by the saints during the thousand years. (Revelation 20:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3.) The investigative judgment is that which is announced to the world by the angel’s message of Revelation 14:6, 7. BR-ASI9 171.11