Loving God in Judgment

 “...the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” -Psalm 19:9B

My wife belongs to an "end times" comment group on Facebook, and several days ago she was blessed to see that a 70 year old man he had seen from Biblical study that the return of Jesus (rapture) comes not before the tribulation, but after. This is the truth, but few will accept it, so you can imagine the backlash of comments that followed!

One woman particularly responded that she could not love a God who would make her go through the tribulation period; unfortunately for her, that IS the what the Christian God has said.

But this woman's view isn't uncommon, and brings up a subject that many Christians struggle with; how can a loving God also be a God of harsh judgments? You can tell this is a problem from the lack of Bible teachings about it in churches, and the reciprocal focus on God's love, and the worth of individuals.

To say that "God is love" may be true, but it is hardly the focal point of divine characteristics in the Bible. Judgment, justice, righteousness, holiness, are all much more frequently addressed. The God is love phrase occurs only twice, and both times in one chapter, I John 4:8 &16. For the more comfortable description, MERCY is the word to look for. In fact, the Word of God (KJB) never says that God's love endures forever, but that His mercy endures forever. And so, brethren, how do you handle the concept of God's judgments? I'd like to look at 4 applications of judgment:

A) General world judgment. For this we would consider things like the Flood of Noah, the fall of "Mystery Babylon," and Armageddon. Do you agree that these are deserved? Of course, 2 of the 3 are yet to come, and we are all likely either to see these final 2 or be involved in them. We are detached from Noah's flood, so we probably agree with it. If you are really born again you are in line to be raptured just before Armageddon, but depending on where you live you could face the Mystery Babylon judgment. God orders us to FLEE from this area, or we will get caught in its destruction- see Revelation 18:4,5, but also Jeremiah 51:5-9, which is a pattern to learn from. Yes, God is warning His people to flee out of Babylon to escape destruction, but He will bring His judgment whether or not we heed His warning. Do you accept this as right? What if a loved one lived there? At least you should warn them, as Lot tried to warn his sons-in law in Genesis 19. Even so, if they are saved through the blood of Jesus, all will be well for them eternally. God will take care of His own!

B) Criminal punishment. As much as some struggle with the concept of a judging God, everyone wants to see the evil doers punished. How can God be truly holy and righteous, and not judge those that have criminally hurt others? We would also agree that justice should be brought for those that the the criminals have hurt. While we likely agree with this type of judgment, God's standards against evil are infinitely higher than ours, and He has concluded ALL people to be sinful.

C) Loved ones. Any time we attend a funeral, the deceased person is always declared to be "good" and now in Heaven! How quickly we forget about the real spiritual condition the person was in at the time of his/her death. Does our love for them translate into their righteousness? This kind of Judgment can be hard to face, as we are blinded by love for them. But what about our love for God, the Father of Jesus Christ? Do we trust Him in faith, and believe His written Word? God never takes away our free will, and though He is not pleased to condemn any soul, He is justified to do so. D) Our judgment. For the living, born-again Christian this is considered more as chastening. Clearly, we do not like this concept, but it is essential for a true child of God. If we cannot accept the Lord's chastening, we are none of His!

"If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." -Hebrews 12:7,8.

" For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." -I Corinthians 11:31,32.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." -Revelation 3:19.

God urges us to study the Bible for ourselves, so that no part is neglected (Psalm 119:98-100, Acts 17:11 2 Timothy 3:16,17). The anointing He gives us through the Holy Spirit is also well adequate to lead us into the truth (I John 2:27). God's love simply cannot be pure and holy without also bringing justice toward evil. Jesus' death on the cross provided for God's justice, as He poured out upon His Son the wrath that each of us deserves: yet this substitution in our place plainly shows the love and mercy of God almighty toward us at the same time. I think this is fantastic! I pray that you will find peace in this, as well.

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." -John 3:36.

"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" -I Thessalonians 5:9

I also did a YouTube video on this subject. You can find it at https://youtu.be/1xBVNYY_yZ8