Was man judged at the cross along with Satan and the rebellious Angels?

score:3

Accepted answer

Mankind was not judged at the cross. Rather, judgement began - and per that, for the household of God, not mankind en masse.

As for Satan, he's been judged, Jn 16:11. But, the sentence has yet to be carried out, Rev 20:2. He will get a temporary brief from that incarceration, Rev 20:7. Then, have a permanent sentence carried out, Rev 20:10.

Back to mankind, judgement has now begun with the household of God, 1 Pt 4:17. The scripture's "household of God" can be loosely interpreted as "Christians" today. However, keep in mind mainstream religion is not a spiritual body, rather an institution of man, e.g. Matt 13:24-30, I Cor 10:5-6, Rev 17 and more.

The rest of mankind that is not "the household of God" has not entered into judgment, Rev 20:5. They will enter into judgement later, Rev 20:12.

The reference you make to Luke 16:22-24 does not support the poor man died then went to heaven immediately. To make that assertion, one would have to throw out the explicit references in scripture that is not the case, e.g. Heb 11:39-40, Jn 6:44, 54, I Cor 15:51-52.

(Many also use Lk 23:43 in the same context. There is no punctuation in the original Greek. We know the criminal on the cross is not in heaven per the scriptures above, among many, many more).

So, one one's dying and going to heaven, or hell, upon the first death. That's explicitly not the case in scripture. (And, popularity of a belief makes it no more true, scripture is the final authority).

So, in conclusion: judgement began - for a part of mankind, the "household of God" with the cross. The rest of mankind enters into judgement later. Satan is on his own "judgement plan" with God. (And, there's a fourth category, 1 Cor 6:3 concerning the judgement of angels).

More post

Search Posts

Related post