The erroneous idea that there is to be one great general judgment
which is to take place at the end of the world, when all mankind
shall stand before the great white throne, is to be guarded against.
The judgments of the Bible differ as to time, place, subjects, and
results.
1. THERE IS A JUDGMENT THAT IS ALREADY PAST--THE JUDGMENT AT THE
CROSS.
John 5:24; 12:31; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; 1 Pet. 3:24. At this judgment
bar Satan was judged and his power over the believer broken. Here
also the sins of the believer were judged and put away.
2. THERE IS A PRESENT JUDGMENT WHICH IS TAKING PLACE DAILY IN THE
LIFE OF THE BELIEVER.
1 Cor. 11:31, 32; 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20; cf., for illustration, 2 Sam.
7:14, 15; 12:13,14. This continual judgment must be going on in
the life of the believer or there will be judgment from God because
of the consequent failure to grow in grace. There must be constant
and continual judging of sin as it comes up in the believer's life
(1 John 1:5-7).