Page 715 - Systematic Theology - Louis Berkhof

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represented only as ministers of Christ in connection with the work of judgment, Matt.
13:30,41; 25:31; II Thess. 1:7,8.
F. THE TIME OF THE JUDGMENT.
Though the time of the future judgment cannot be determined absolutely, it can be fixed
relatively, that is, relative to other eschatological events. It will clearly be at the end of the
present world, for it will be a judgment passed on the whole life of every man, Matt. 13:40-43;
II Pet. 3:7. Moreover, it will be a concomitant of the coming (parousia) of Jesus Christ, Matt.
25:19-46; II Thess. 1:7-10; II Pet. 3:9,10, and will follow immediately after the resurrection of
the dead, Dan. 12:2; John 5:28,29; Rev. 20:12,13. The question whether it will immediately
precede, be coincident with, or immediately follow, the renewal of heaven and earth, cannot
be settled conclusively on the basis of Scripture. Rev. 20:11 would seem to indicate that the
transformation of the universe will take place when the judgment begins; II Pet. 3:7, that the
two will synchronize; and Rev. 21:1, that the renewal of heaven and earth will follow the
judgment. We can only speak of them in a general way as concomitants. It is equally impossible
to determine the exact duration of the judgment. Scripture speaks of “the day of judgment,”
Matt. 11:22; 12:36, “that day,” Matt. 7:22; II Thess. 1:10; II Tim. 1:12, and “the day of wrath,”
Rom. 2:5; Rev. 11:8. We need not infer from these and similar passages that it will be a day of
exactly twenty-four hours, since the word “day” is also used in a more indefinite sense in
Scripture. On the other hand, however, the interpretation of some of the Premillenarians, that
it is a designation of the whole millennial period, cannot be regarded as a plausible one. When
the word “day” is used to denote a period, it is a period which is, as a whole, characterized by
some special characteristic, usually indicated by the genitive that follows the word. Thus “the
day of trouble” is the period that is characterized throughout by trouble, and “the day of
salvation” is the period which is in its entirety noted for its outstanding display of God’s favour
or grace. And it certainly cannot be said that the millennial period of the Premillenarians, while
beginning and ending with a judgment, is throughout a period of judgment. It is rather a period
of joy, of righteousness and of peace. The outstanding characteristic of it is certainly not that of
judgment.
G. THE STANDARD OF JUDGMENT.
The standard by which saints and sinners are judged will evidently be the revealed will of God.
This is not the same for all. Some have been privileged above others, and this naturally adds to
their responsibility, Matt. 11:21-24: Rom. 2:12-16. This does not mean that there will be
different conditions of salvation for different classes of people. For all those who appear in
judgment entrance into, or exclusion from, heaven, will depend on the question, whether they
are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. But there will be different degrees, both of