The Final Judgment
A Sermon on the Final Judgement
Originally preached May 27, 1955
Scripture
Sermon Description
All people have thought about the end of time and what will happen at that point. What does Scripture teach? In this sermon on the final judgment, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the final judgment as the final solution to the world’s trials, yet many people run to temporary fixes while ignoring this key doctrine. Some reject the idea of this judgment because they cannot reconcile it with the truth of God being loving. Others, however, reject it because they don’t see the need for it since their fate will already have been determined on earth. However, Scripture is clear that it is the day when the verdict will be announced, not determined. It will be a very public event. What is its purpose? Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that it is ultimately about the glory of God. Many people wonder about who the judge will be, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates from Scripture that it will be the Lord Jesus Christ. He will judge not only humans, but also the angels who rejected Him in the beginning. What about verses that refer to other judgments? Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions and more, using the topic of the final judgment as a means to help the listener grow in their appreciation of the glory of the Lord.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins with Dr. Lloyd-Jones explaining that the first part of the recording is missing. He says that he has been preaching through Christian doctrine and has arrived at the doctrine of the last judgment.
- He says that a lack of understanding about the last judgment is why people today lack interest in doctrine and do not flee from the wrath to come. The popular view today is universalism - that everyone will be saved.
- Some dislike the idea of judgment and think God is only love. Some think punishment is only remedial. Some evangelicals think our fate is decided in this life by faith in Christ, so why is a final judgment needed?
- Lloyd-Jones clarifies that the final judgment does not determine our fate but only announces the verdict. Our fate is decided in this life. The final judgment will happen at the end of time when Christ returns.
- The purpose of the final judgment is the glory of God - to assert his glory before those who have not given him glory. The glory of God the Father, Son, and Spirit will be displayed.
- There are many Scriptures that teach a final judgment, like Acts 17:31, Hebrews 9:27, and Revelation 20:11-15.
- The judge will be the Lord Jesus Christ, as shown in Matthew 25:31-32, John 5:22-23, 27, Acts 10:42, 17:31, Philippians 2:10, and 2 Timothy 4:1.
- Those to be judged include believers, unbelievers, and fallen angels, as shown by the resurrection of all, the two books opened in Revelation 20, and 2 Peter 2:4.
- The judgment of rewards for believers, mentioned in Luke 12 and 1 Corinthians 3:15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10, may happen at the final judgment or later. All will be happy but there will be differences in rewards.
- Unbelievers will go to hell, the second death. Believers will enter the new heavens and new earth, living in glorified bodies with no sin or suffering, as described in Revelation 21 and Isaiah 11 and 65. We will live in God's presence and glory.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions on the Last Judgment
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the reason for lack of interest in doctrine today?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the lack of understanding regarding the last judgment is largely responsible for the lack of interest in doctrine today. He states that "if men and women only realize the truth about this last judgment, well, then, of course, they would flee from the wrath to come, as they were exhorted to do by John the Baptist and by our Lord himself and by all the apostles in their preaching." People's failure to grasp this reality causes them to be more concerned about their subjective moods and states rather than recognizing they live under the eye and judgment of God.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define what the Bible means by "the last judgment"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones clarifies that the last judgment in Scripture is not an event that determines our fate but rather the occasion when our fate will be announced. He explains: "It does not represent it as something which is going to determine our fate. It is simply the great occasion on which our fate will be announced, when the verdict will be promulgated. It isn't the occasion on which the verdict will be arrived at." He emphasizes that it will be a "great public event" at the end of time, not something that happens when individuals die.
According to the sermon, who will be the judge at the final judgment?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes it clear that the Lord Jesus Christ will be the judge. He explains: "Who will act as the judge and make this great pronouncement? And here there can be very little doubt but that judgment will be given by the Lord Jesus Christ." He cites multiple scriptures supporting this, including John 5:22-23 where it states "the father judgeth no men, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son," and 2 Timothy 4:1 where Paul charges Timothy "before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead."
Will believers be judged at the last judgment according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Yes, Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes that both believers and unbelievers will appear at the judgment. He addresses those who believe only unbelievers will be judged, stating "surely that cannot quite be right" since the resurrection is of both "the evil and the good together." He points to Revelation 20 where two books were opened—the books of works and the book of life. While believers have passed from judgment to life, they will still appear to hear the promulgation of the verdict, where they will hear "well done, thou good and faithful servant."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the differentiation among believers in eternity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that while all believers will be saved by grace through faith, there will be differentiation among believers based on their works after salvation. He references 1 Corinthians 3 (works tested by fire), 2 Corinthians 5 (appearing before the judgment seat of Christ), and 1 Corinthians 15 ("one star differeth from another star in glory"). He clarifies: "Though we are all same, it does not mean that we'll be identical or in identical positions." However, he emphasizes that this doesn't mean some believers will be unhappy: "We shall all be perfectly and entirely happy and full of bliss and of joy. And yet there will be these differences."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the eternal state for believers?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the eternal state for believers as life in a perfect, renewed world. Drawing from Revelation 21, he describes "a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness" where believers will have glorified bodies. He states: "What we call heaven, if you like, is life in this perfect world as God intended men to live in." In this state, there will be "no sorrow, no sighing" and God will "make his tabernacle with men." He explains that even nature will be transformed, as Isaiah prophesied, where "the lion will lie down with a lamb, and the wolf will eat his straw with the ox." Ultimately, believers will be "forever with the Lord ever enjoying the glory of God."
Great Biblical Doctrines
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.