What is the final judgment?

TL;DR:

At the final judgment, those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation will be rewarded with eternal life, while those who have rejected Him will face eternal punishment. This judgment is a decisive moment that separates the eternal destinies of individuals—either to eternal life with God or to eternal separation from Him. It is the culmination of God's justice and mercy in addressing sin.

what does the bible say?

The final judgment is the decisive event where every person is judged by God, with the righteous receiving eternal life and the unrighteous facing eternal punishment. The Bible teaches that this judgment will be based on one's response to Jesus Christ, with those not found in the book of life being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11–15). While the Old Testament speaks of God's justice and resurrection, it does not detail the final judgment as clearly as the New Testament. The New Testament emphasizes that this judgment is certain and unavoidable, with all actions being exposed before God (Hebrews 4:13). To escape eternal separation from God, one must trust in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16).

from the old testament

The Old Testament does not explicitly describe the "final judgment" in the way the New Testament does, but it speaks of God’s ultimate judgment, justice, and the resurrection of the dead. Passages like Daniel 12:2 describe a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked, leading to either eternal life or shame.

from the new testament

The Bible teaches that every person will face a final judgment. Hebrews 9:27 notes, "it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment."
The final judgment is described most clearly near the end of the Bible in Revelation 20:11–15. These verses explain that every person whose name is not found in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire. The final judgment is known as the great white throne judgment.
Matthew 25:46 teaches that at the final judgment, the unrighteous "will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." There will be no changing the condition of one's plight following death.
Hebrews 4:13 adds, "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Every person and his or her actions will be known.

implications for today

How does a person escape this lake of fire and spend eternity with God in heaven? First, it is clear heaven is not reached because of our goodness. All people have sinned (Romans 3:23). No one deserves to live in the presence of God (Isaiah 64:6). The final judgment is certain and dependent on whether or not we trust in Christ for salvation. Paul declared in Acts 17:31, "[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

A person who wants to escape a sentence to the lake of fire at the final judgment must do so God's way. Jesus Christ is the judge (John 5:22). To avoid His judgment, a person must believe in Him as God's Son by faith. Ephesians 2:8–9 shares, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." John 3:16 further emphasizes, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

For those who have believed, Ecclesiastes 11:9 offers further advice for life: "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." The believer can rejoice that he or she will spend eternity with the Lord. However, believers must live with eternity in mind, knowing God watches the way we live our lives.

understand

The final judgment separates the righteous to eternal life and the unrighteous to eternal punishment.
Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the determining factor for the final judgment.
The final judgment is certain, with no opportunity for change after death.

reflect

How does the certainty of the final judgment influence the way you live your life today?
In light of the final judgment, how are you living out your faith in Jesus Christ today?
What role does the grace of God play in your understanding of the final judgment and your hope for eternal life?

engage

How does the reality of the final judgment challenge or confirm the way we view salvation and its importance in our lives?
How can we help others understand the urgency of trusting in Christ for salvation, given the consequences of the final judgment?
How does the biblical teaching about the lake of fire shape our understanding of God's character?