The Judgment: The Certainty of, a Motive to Prayer and Watchfulness
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The concept of divine judgment is a central theme throughout the Bible, serving as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, justice, and holiness. The certainty of judgment is not only a future expectation but also a present reality that influences the lives of believers, urging them towards prayer and watchfulness.

Certainty of Judgment

The Bible affirms the certainty of God's judgment, emphasizing that it is an inevitable event for all humanity. In Ecclesiastes 12:14, it is written, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil." This verse underscores the comprehensive nature of divine judgment, where every action and intention is subject to God's scrutiny.

The New Testament further reinforces this certainty. In Hebrews 9:27, it states, "Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment." This passage highlights the inescapable reality of judgment following death, affirming that all individuals will stand before God to give an account of their lives.

Motive to Prayer

The certainty of judgment serves as a profound motive for prayer. Recognizing the holiness and justice of God, believers are compelled to seek His mercy and guidance. In light of impending judgment, prayer becomes a means of aligning oneself with God's will and seeking His forgiveness. Psalm 139:23-24 exemplifies this attitude: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting."

Prayer also becomes a channel through which believers intercede for others, desiring that all may come to repentance and avoid the consequences of divine judgment. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul urges, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people... This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Motive to Watchfulness

The certainty of judgment also calls believers to a life of watchfulness. Jesus Himself warned His followers to be vigilant, as the timing of the final judgment is unknown. In Matthew 24:42, He instructs, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." This call to watchfulness is a reminder to live in a state of readiness, maintaining a life that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God.

Watchfulness involves a conscious effort to live righteously and to avoid the snares of sin. In 1 Peter 5:8, believers are admonished, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This vigilance is not only defensive but also proactive, encouraging believers to actively pursue holiness and godliness in anticipation of the Lord's return.

In summary, the certainty of judgment is a foundational truth that permeates the biblical narrative, urging believers towards a life of prayer and watchfulness. It serves as a constant reminder of God's ultimate authority and the accountability that all humanity has before Him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Mark 13:33
Take you heed, watch and pray: for you know not when the time is.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Index of Subjects.
... with riches, [177]166; the root of all good, [178]291; true motive of, what, [179 ...
Judgment, The, why compared to threshing, [998]72; certainty of, [999 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm

section second.
... with love, will give leniency to his judgment of whatever ... of persons cannot be proved
with equal certainty. ... 22] This consciousness furnishes the motive to such ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/section second.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... example for a soldier, [1133]241; prayer of, [1134 ... makes forgiving harder,
[1214]343; of Judgment is for ... from nature only, but from higher motive of pleasing ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

The Christian Described
... Can you give me some motive to self-denial ... of the vanity of this world, of the severity
of the law, certainty of death, and terribleness of judgment to come ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... 140; His care in propounding the Judgment and the ... commands, and mammon's, [364]147;
His motive for reasoning ... miracles without, His lesser with, prayer, [378]ib ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm

From his Entrance on the Ministry in 1815, to his Commission to ...
... but not feeling that weight and certainty which I ... person living acquainted with my
entire motive, but my ... his preaching, without pronouncing a judgment upon it. ...
/.../chapter ii from his entrance.htm

The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
... had dragged Paul and Silas to the judgment seat and ... And we have remembered the moral
motive of that ... Let us cherish this blessed certainty, and develope it into ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter iv the christians peace.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... The one firm certainty which Socrates seems to have held, "No ... great calamity, which
priest or soothsayer interprets as a divine judgment. ... Hear my prayer, O Lord ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... other, and always merciful, bears upon the side of Truth that judgment may be ... of
its precepts are untarnished in their purity by any selfish ulterior motive! ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... As may with each good Pilgrim's fancy suit; And may it persuade some that go astray,
To turn their feet and heart to the right way, Is the hearty prayer of The ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

Resources
What is the Judgment Seat of Christ / Bema Seat of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

What happens at the final judgment? | GotQuestions.org

What does it means that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13)? | GotQuestions.org

Judgment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Judgment

Judgment Hall

Judgment Seat

Judgment: According to Opportunity and Works

Judgment: The General

Judgmental People

The Judgment of Christians, by the Gospel

The Judgment of Heathen, by the Law of Conscience

The Judgment of Jews, by the Law of Moses

The Judgment: A Day Appointed For

The Judgment: A First Principle of the Gospel

The Judgment: Called The: Day of Destruction

The Judgment: Called The: Day of Judgment and Perdition of Ungodly Men

The Judgment: Called The: Day of Wrath

The Judgment: Called The: Judgment of the Great Day

The Judgment: Called The: Revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God

The Judgment: Christ Will Acknowledge Saints At

The Judgment: Devils Shall be Condemned At

The Judgment: Final Punishment of the Wicked Will Succeed

The Judgment: Neglected Advantages Increase Condemnation At

The Judgment: None, by Nature Can Stand In

The Judgment: Perfect Love Will Give Boldness In

The Judgment: Predicted in the Old Testament

The Judgment: Saints Shall be Rewarded At

The Judgment: Saints Shall Sit With Christ In

The Judgment: Saints Shall, Through Christ, be Enabled to Stand In

The Judgment: Shall be Administered by Christ

The Judgment: Shall be Held Upon: All Men

The Judgment: Shall be Held Upon: All Nations

The Judgment: Shall be Held Upon: Quick and Dead

The Judgment: Shall be Held Upon: Small and Great

The Judgment: Shall be Held Upon: The Righteous and Wicked

The Judgment: Shall be in Righteousness

The Judgment: Shall be of All: Actions

The Judgment: Shall be of All: Thoughts

The Judgment: Shall be of All: Words

The Judgment: Shall Take Place at the Coming of Christ

The Judgment: The Books Shall be Opened At

The Judgment: The Certainty of, a Motive to Faith

The Judgment: The Certainty of, a Motive to Holiness

The Judgment: The Certainty of, a Motive to Prayer and Watchfulness

The Judgment: The Certainty of, a Motive to Repentance

The Judgment: The Wicked Dread

The Judgment: The Wicked Shall be Condemned In

The Judgment: The Word of Christ Shall be a Witness Against the Wicked In

The Judgment: Time of, Unknown to Us

The Judgment: Warn the Wicked of

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The Judgment: The Certainty of, a Motive to Holiness
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