By Present Truth NZ

Some people who read the Bible are confused when they find in the Scriptures that God the Father is clearly said to be the Judge, yet in other places there are texts of Scripture that state just as clearly that Jesus is the Judge. The Word of God does not contradict itself, because it was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

The answer as to who is the Judge – God the Father, or Jesus – is very simple – THERE ARE TWO JUDGMENTS BROUGHT TO VIEW IN THE BIBLE – God the Father is the Judge of the first Judgment, and Jesus is the Judge of the second Judgment.

Firstly, let us begin with the texts that refer to God the Father as being the Judge.

GOD THE FATHER IS THE JUDGE

“And the heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is Judge Himself.” Psalm 50:6

“God is the Judge.” Psalm 75:7

“For the LORD [Hebrew JEHOVAH] shall judge His people.” Deuteronomy 32:36

“The LORD [Hebrew JEHOVAH] the Judge.” Judges 11:27

“The LORD [Hebrew JEHOVAH] shall judge the people.” Psalm 7:8

“For the LORD [Hebrew JEHOVAH] will judge His people.” Psalm 135:14

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD [Hebrew JEHOVAH]. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ezekiel 18:30

“To God the Judge of all.” Hebrews 12:23

“The Lord shall judge HIS PEOPLE.” Hebrews 10:30

“The Father, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man’s work.” 1 Peter 1:17

“God judges every man according to his work. Not only does He judge, but He sums up, day by day and hour by hour, our progress in well-doing.” Bible Commentary Vol. 7 987

JESUS: “He who died for the sins of the world was to remain in the tomb the allotted time. He was in that stony prison house as a prisoner of divine justice. HE WAS RESPONSIBLE TO THE JUDGE OF THE UNIVERSE. He was bearing the sins of the world, and His Father only could release Him.” Bible Commentary Vol. 5 1114

ANGELS: “It was the highest sin to rebel against the order and will of God….Satan and his affected ones, who were striving to reform the government of God, wished to look into His unsearchable wisdom to ascertain His purpose in exalting Jesus, and endowing Him with such unlimited power and command. They rebelled against the authority of the Son of God, AND ALL THE ANGELS WERE SUMMONED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE FATHER, TO HAVE THEIR CASES DECIDED.” Spiritual Gifts Volume 1 17,18

Now let us look at the texts that tell us that JESUS IS THE JUDGE

“FOR THE FATHER JUDGETH NO MAN, BUT HATH COMMITTED ALL JUDGMENT UNTO THE SON.” John 5:22

“But He now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30,31

“He shall judge the people righteously….for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth.” Psalm 96:10,13

“Christ Himself will decide who are worthy to dwell with the family of heaven. He will judge every man according to his words and his works. Profession is as nothing in the scale. It is character that decides destiny.” Christ’s Object Lessons 74

“Behold, the Judge standeth before the door.” James 5:9

“For the LORD [Hebrew JEHOVAH] is our Judge, the LORD is our Law-giver, the LORD is our King; He will save us.” Isaiah 33:22

“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” Romans 2:16

“For we shall all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8

“For..He that judgeth me is the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 4:4

“Christ has been made our Judge. The Father is not the Judge. The angels are not. He who took humanity upon Himself, and in this world lived a perfect life, is to judge us. HE ONLY CAN BE OUR JUDGE.” Testimonies Volume Nine 185 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.” 2 Timothy 4:1

“To His Son the Father has committed all judgment. Christ will declare the reward of loyalty. ‘The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son – And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.’ [John 5:26,27] Christ accepted humanity and lived on this earth a pure, sanctified life. For this reason He has received the appointment of Judge. He who occupies the position of Judge is God manifest in the flesh.” Bible Commentary Vol. 5 1134

“Having taken human nature and in this nature having overcome the temptations of the enemy, and having divine perfection, to Him has been committed the judgment of the world. The case of each one will be brought in review before Him. He will pronounce judgment, rendering the every man according to his works.” Bible Commentary Vol. 7 929

That the Bible refers to God the Father as the Judge, and also to Jesus as the Judge, is because there are two separate Judgments. There is a separate Judgment of the righteous, and a separate Judgment of the wicked. The first Judgment, of the righteous is called the Investigative Judgment – before Jesus comes. The second Judgment, of the wicked, takes place after Jesus comes. God the Father is particularly the Judge of the first Judgment – the Investigative Judgment. Together with the redeemed saints, Jesus is the Judge of the second Judgment – the Executive Judgment – the Judgment of the wicked, before they are destroyed in the lake of fire – which is the second death.

THERE ARE TWO JUDGMENTS

“IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT.” Hebrews 9:27

“I said in mine heart, God shall judge THE RIGHTEOUS and THE WICKED: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” Ecclesiastes 3:17

“Every individual has a soul to save or to lose. Each has a case pending at the bar of God. Each must meet the great Judge face to face.” Great Controversy 488

THE FIRST JUDGMENT – THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT

“For the time is come that Judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17

“The bottles of God’s wrath cannot be poured out to destroy the wicked and their works until all the people of God have been judged, and the cases of the living as well as the dead are decided.” Testimonies to Ministers 446

“And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: THE JUDGMENT WAS SET, AND THE BOOKS WERE OPENED…I saw in the night visions, and, behold, One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him.” Daniel 7:9-23

“The Ancient of days is God the Father…It is He, the source of all being, and the fountain of all law, that is to preside in the Judgment.” Great Controversy 479

“God judgeth the righteous.” Psalm 7:11

THE SECOND JUDGMENT – THE FINAL EXECUTIVE JUDGMENT

Christ is the Judge who presides in the final end-of-the-world Executive Judgment, where God’s final Judgment is executed and pronounced upon all the unrighteous. There is no advocate for anyone in this Judgment.

“The One who has stood as our Intercessor; who hears all penitential prayers and confessions; who is represented with a rainbow, the symbol of grace and love, encircling His head, is soon to cease His work in the heavenly Sanctuary. Grace and mercy will then descend from the Throne, and justice will take their place. He for whom His people have looked will assume His right – THE OFFICE OF SUPREME JUDGE.” Bible Commentary Vol. 7 989

“What a scene will be presented when the Judgment shall sit and the Books shall be opened to testify the salvation or the loss of all souls! It will require the unerring decision of One who has lived in humanity, loved humanity, given His life for humanity, to make the final appropriation of the rewards to the loyal righteous, and the punishment of the disobedient, the disloyal, and unrighteous. The Son of God is entrusted with the complete measurement of every individual’s action and responsibility.” Faith and Works 17,18

“In that day of final punishment and reward, both saints and sinners will recognize in Him who was crucified, the Judge of all living.” Bible Commentary Vol. 7 958

“For we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

THE PART OF GOD’S PEOPLE IN THE FINAL JUDGMENT

“Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?…Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” 1 Corinthians 6:2,3

“After the saints are changed to immortality and caught up together with Jesus, after they receive their harps, their robes, and their crowns, and enter the city, Jesus and the saints sit in judgment. The Books are opened – the Book of Life and the Book of Death. The Book of Life contains the good deeds of the saints; and the Book of Death contains the evil deeds of the wicked. These Books are compared with the statute Book, the Bible, and according to that men are judged. The saints, in unison with Jesus, pass their judgment upon the wicked dead….This, I saw, was the work of the saints with Jesus through the one thousand years in the Holy City before it descends to the earth.” Early Writings 52,53

“During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection the Judgment of the wicked takes place. The apostle Paul points to this Judgment as an event that follows the Second Advent. ‘Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.’ 1 Corinthians 4:5. Daniel declares that..‘judgment was given to the saints of the most High.’ Daniel 7:22. At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. John in the Revelation says: ‘I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.’ ‘They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.’ Revelation 20:4, 6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, ‘the saints shall judge the world.’ 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion which the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works; and it is recorded against their names in the Book of death.” Maranatha 335

“The priests and rulers had set themselves up as judges to condemn Christ’s work, but He declared Himself their judge, and the judge of all the earth. The world has been committed to Christ, and through Him has come every blessing from God to the fallen race. He was the Redeemer before as after His incarnation. As soon as there was sin, there was a Saviour. He has given light and life to all, and according to the measure of light given, each is to be judged. And He who has given the light, He who has followed the soul with tenderest entreaty, seeking to win it from sin to holiness, is in one its Advocate and Judge. From the opening of the great controversy in heaven, Satan has maintained his cause through deception; and Christ has been working to unveil his schemes and to break his power. It is He who has encountered the deceiver, and who through all the ages has been seeking to wrest the captives from his grasp, who will pass judgment upon every soul. And God ‘hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.’ Because He has tasted the very dregs of human affliction and temptation, and understands the frailties and sins of men; because in our behalf He has victoriously withstood the temptations of Satan, and will deal justly and tenderly with the souls that His own blood has been poured out to save – because of this, the Son of man is appointed to execute the Judgment.” Desire of Ages 210

“In the final execution of the Judgment it will be seen that no cause for sin exists. When the Judge of all the earth shall demand of Satan, ‘Why hast thou rebelled against Me, and robbed Me of the subjects of My kingdom?’ the originator of evil can render no excuse. Every mouth will be stopped, and all the hosts of rebellion will be speechless.” Great Controversy 503

“AS SOON AS THE BOOKS OF RECORD ARE OPENED, AND THE EYE OF JESUS LOOKS UPON THE WICKED, THEY ARE CONSCIOUS OF EVERY SIN WHICH THEY HAVE EVER COMMITTED.” Great Controversy 666

“Not until the final settlement, when the cases of all will be decided, and the acts of our entire lives will be laid open to our view in the presence of God and the Lamb and all the holy angels, will [professed Christians] realize the almost infinite value of their misspent time.” Fundamentals of Christian Education 29

“Then men will have a clear, sharp remembrance of ALL their transactions in this life. Not a word or a deed will escape their memory.” 7 Bible Commentary 986

ALL THE WICKED ARE CLASSIFIED TOGETHER

“In the great Judgment Day, those who have not worked for Christ, those who have drifted along, carrying no responsibility, thinking of themselves, pleasing themselves, will be placed by the Judge of all the earth with those who did evil. THEY RECEIVE THE SAME CONDEMNATION.” Christ’s Object Lessons 365

“The whole wicked world stand arraigned at the bar of God, on the charge of high treason against the government of heaven. They have none to plead their cause; they are without excuse; and the sentence of eternal death is pronounced against them.” Story of Redemption 425

“When sinners are compelled to look upon Him who clothed His divinity with humanity, and who still wears this garb, their confusion is indescribable. The scales fall from their eyes, and they see that which before they would not see. They realize what they might have been had they received Christ, and improved the opportunities granted them. They see the Law which they have spurned, exalted even as God’s Throne is exalted. They see God Himself giving reverence to His Law. What a scene that will be! No pen can describe it! The accumulated guilt of the world will be laid bare, and the voice of the Judge will be heard saying to the wicked, ‘Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.’ Then those who pierced Christ will remember how they slighted His love and abused His compassion; how they chose in His stead Barabbas, a robber and murderer; how they crowned the Saviour with thorns, and caused Him to be scourged and crucified; how, in the agony of His death on the Cross, they taunted Him, saying, ‘Let Him now come down from the Cross, and we will believe Him.’ ‘He saved others; Himself He cannot save.’ They will seem to hear again His voice of entreaty. Every tone of solicitude will vibrate as distinctly in their ears as when the Saviour spoke to them. Every act of insult and mockery done to Christ will be as fresh in their memory as when the satanic deeds were done. They will call on the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of Him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Review and Herald June 18 1901

THE BOOKS OF RECORD IN THE JUDGMENT

“In the Judgment, the Books are opened – the Book of Life and the Book of death. The Book of Life contains the good deeds of the saints.” Early Writings 52,53

“When we become children of God, our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Bible Commentary Vol 7 987

“The names of all those who have once given themselves to God are written in the Book of Life” Lift Him Up 326

“The Book of Life contains the names of all who have ever entered the service of God.” Great Controversy 480

“Obedience to God’s commands will enrol our names in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” This Day with God 87

“At every baptism, the candidates who have renounced the world and have received Christ into the soul temple..have entered into the family of God, and their names are inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” God’s Amazing Grace 143

“All who persevere in obedience, all who will not sell their souls for money or for the favour of men, God will register in the Book of Life.” Selected Messages Book 3 402

“The Majesty of Heaven will write the name of the faithful mother in the Book of immortal fame.” Adventist Home 238

“Every righteous act will be recorded in the Book of Life, and will be remembered and rewarded of God.” Signs of the Times June 23 1881

“In the Book of God’s remembrance every deed of righteousness is immortalized. There every temptation resisted, every evil overcome, every word of tender pity expressed, is faithfully chronicled. And every act of sacrifice, every suffering and sorrow endured for Christ’s sake, is recorded.” Great Controversy 481

“Do not hesitate to work for the Lord because you think you can do but little….He will write your name in the Book of Life as one worthy to enter into the joy of the Lord.” Messages to Young People 23

“All who believe present truth must stand, not in their own wisdom, but in God; and raise up the foundation of many generations. These will be registered in the Books of heaven as repairers of the breach, the restorers of paths to dwell in. We are to maintain the truth because it is truth, in the face of the bitterest opposition.” Bible Commentary Vol 4 1152

“We loved Ellen [a little girl who had died], for she was ever gentle, kind and affectionate. We believe she was a subject of grace, and at an early age adopted into the family of God, and her name recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Youth’s Instructor April 1 1859

“Oh, how sad the sight, a mother witnessing the last agonies of her loved one, her only child. We prayed for sustaining grace for the father and mother, that they might be perfectly reconciled to the will of God, that the little one’s name was enrolled in the Lamb’s Book of Life, to be called forth immortal at the resurrection of the just.” Ellen G. White: The Early Years Volume 1 410,411

“Jesus did not refuse the simplest flower plucked by the hand of a child, and offered to Him in love. He accepted the offerings of children, and blessed the givers, inscribing their names in the Book of Life.” Desire of Ages 564

“In the Book of God’s providence, the volume of Life, we are each given a page. That page contains every particular of our history; even the hairs of the head are numbered. God’s children are never absent from His mind.” Desire of Ages 313

“When any have sins remaining upon the Books of Record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the Book of Life, AND THE RECORD OF THEIR GOOD DEEDS WILL BE ERASED FROM THE BOOK OF GOD’S REMEMBRANCE.” Great Controversy 483

“We hope to meet you in the Judgment with your names recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life, there to remain as long as God shall exist, and enjoy the blessings of everlasting Life throughout eternal ages.” Review and Herald April 19 1870

“The deepest interest manifested among men in the decisions of earthly tribunals but faintly represents the interest evinced in the heavenly courts when the names entered in the Book of Life come up in review before the Judge of all the earth [God the Father]. The divine Intercessor [Jesus] presents the plea that all from among the fallen sons of men who have overcome through faith in His blood, be forgiven their transgressions, that they be restored to their Eden home, and crowned as joint-heirs with Himself to the ‘first dominion.’ Satan, in his efforts to deceive and tempt our race, had thought to frustrate the divine plan in man’s creation; but Christ now asks that this plan be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His Throne.” Spirit of Prophecy Volume Four 309

THOSE WHO HAVE ONCE WALKED WITH GOD

“It is true that he may once have received forgiveness; but his unmerciful spirit shows that he now rejects God’s pardoning love. He has separated himself from God, and is in the same condition as before he was forgiven. HE HAS DENIED HIS REPENTANCE,AND HIS SINS ARE UPON HIM AS IF HE HAD NOT REPENTED.” Christ’s Object Lessons 251

ALL SINS HELD TO OUR ACCOUNT, IF NOT PARDONED AND BLOTTED OUT

“Jesus is coming!…Those who have lived in sin will remain sinners forever. Those who have confessed their sins to Jesus in the Sanctuary, and have made Him their friend, and have loved His appearing, will have pardon written for ALL their sins.” The Faith I Live By 351

“There is only one provision made for the transgressor – Faithful repentance and confession of sin, and faith in the cleansing blood of Christ, will bring forgiveness, and pardon will be written against his name.” Testimonies Volume Two 293

“From age to age, all who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon written against their names in the Books of Heaven, and in the closing work of Judgment their sins are blotted out, and they themselves are accounted worthy of eternal life.” Spirit of Prophecy Volume Four 309

“A Christian once said that when he reached heaven he expected to meet with three causes of wonder. He would wonder to find some that he did not expect to see there. He would wonder not to see some that he expected to meet, and, lastly, he would wonder most to find so unworthy a sinner as himself in the Paradise of God…..Those whose lives were made beautiful by little acts of kindness, by tender words of affection and sympathy, whose hearts recoiled from strife and contention, who never did any great work in order to be lauded of men, these are found recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Though the world counted them as insignificant, they are approved of God before the assembled universe. They are astonished to hear the word, from the lips of the divine Master, ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” Signs of the Times February 24 1890