READING • 1 CORINTHIANS 15
Judgement is serious - but it is also part of the gospel hope
The Bible teaches that Jesus will return, raise the dead, judge those who are accountable to him, and establish the Kingdom of God. Judgement should not be used simply to frighten people. Scripture places it beside God’s mercy, forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.
Why the Bible speaks about judgement
The first disciples preached both the grace of God and the certainty of a future judgement. The two ideas belong together. God offers forgiveness through Jesus Christ, but he also calls men and women to respond to the gospel and to live as disciples.
For the faithful believer, the judgement seat is not meant to be a subject of hopeless terror. Paul could look forward to the return of Jesus because he trusted the righteous Judge and had confidence in God’s mercy.
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:”
2 Timothy 4:8 (excerpt) • King James Version
Paul was not claiming that he had never sinned. His confidence rested in the Lord whom he had served and in the promise of resurrection and reward.
Who will be the Judge?
Human judges can make mistakes because they are limited by imperfect knowledge. The future Judge appointed by God is different. The New Testament repeatedly identifies Jesus Christ as the one who will judge.
“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”
Acts 10:42 • King James Version
In the King James Version, “quick” means living. Jesus will judge both the living and those who have died and are raised.
“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 • King James Version
Notice the connection
Paul joins three things together in one sentence: the appearing of Jesus, judgement, and his Kingdom. The return of Christ is therefore not an isolated event. It begins a great change in the government and condition of the earth.
A righteous Judge
The Old Testament prophets describe the character of the ruler whom God would provide. Psalm 72 speaks of a king who judges with righteousness and cares for the poor. Isaiah 11 describes the promised descendant of Jesse who will not judge merely by outward appearance.
“He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.”
Psalm 72:2 • King James Version
“But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth:”
Isaiah 11:4 (excerpt) • King James Version
Jesus will know the truth perfectly. Nothing will need to be hidden from him, and no one will be disadvantaged because of wealth, poverty, influence or lack of influence. His judgement will agree completely with the righteousness of God.
We are responsible for the way we live
The apostles teach that disciples must take the coming judgement personally. Our words, choices and behaviour matter because faith is intended to shape the whole of life.
“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 • King James Version
This does not mean that salvation can be earned by accumulating good deeds. Earlier lessons have shown that salvation is by the grace of God. But genuine faith produces a changed life. The judgement reveals whether our profession of faith has been real.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Romans 14:12 • King James Version
Resurrection comes before judgement
Many who are accountable to Christ will have died before he returns. The Bible therefore connects judgement with resurrection. Jesus himself taught that the dead would hear his voice and come forth.
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,”
John 5:28 • King James Version
“And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
John 5:29 • King James Version
The word “damnation” in the King James Version here means condemnation or adverse judgement. The important point is that resurrection is not simply a return to mortal life; it brings people before Christ for his decision.
The hope of 1 Corinthians 15
The reading for this lesson is one of the great resurrection chapters of the Bible. Paul explains that the resurrection of Jesus is the guarantee that God’s purpose with faithful men and women will not end in the grave.
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
1 Corinthians 15:20 • King James Version
“Firstfruits” were the beginning of a harvest. The resurrection of Jesus is therefore presented as the beginning of a greater resurrection harvest. Those who belong to Christ will be raised at his coming.
“But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
1 Corinthians 15:23 • King James Version
What will the Judge be looking for?
SCRIPTURE
PRINCIPLE
2 Corinthians 5:10
Our conduct matters. We are accountable for what we have done.
Romans 14:10-12
Each disciple gives an account personally; judgement is not an opportunity to condemn fellow believers.
Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus places great importance on practical love, mercy and care for others.
John 12:48
The words of Jesus themselves become a standard by which men and women are judged.
James 2:14-18
Faith that never produces action is empty; living faith shows itself in works.
We should therefore prepare for judgement now - not by trying to appear impressive, but by allowing the teaching of Christ to change us. Repentance, forgiveness, prayer, service, humility and love are all part of the life of a disciple.
The judgement seat is also a place of reward
Revelation 11 presents the future judgement as the time when God gives reward to his servants. The emphasis of the gospel is not simply on what faithful people are saved from, but on what they are invited to receive.
“...and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great;”
Revelation 11:18 (excerpt) • King James Version
Jesus uses similar language in Matthew 25, where the King welcomes those accepted at his judgement into the Kingdom prepared by God.
“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:”
Matthew 25:34 (excerpt) • King James Version
The Kingdom begins with the return of Jesus
The Bible does not describe the Kingdom as an idea existing only in people’s hearts. It is the future rule of God upon the earth under Jesus Christ. The angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would receive David’s throne and reign.
“And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
Luke 1:33 • King James Version
Psalm 72 gives a broad picture of the extent of this rule. The promised king will not govern one small territory only.
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”
Psalm 72:8 • King James Version
The Kingdom is centred on God’s purpose with the earth
Jesus returns from heaven to rule. The hope of the Bible is resurrection, judgement, and life in God’s Kingdom on the earth - not the permanent removal of the faithful to heaven.
Jerusalem and Israel in the Kingdom
Many prophecies place Jerusalem and the people of Israel within the future work of God. Zechariah 14, Isaiah 2, Micah 4 and other passages describe nations coming to Jerusalem and learning the ways of the LORD.
This does not mean that only natural Israel can receive salvation. The gospel invites people from every nation to become associated with the promises of God through faith in Christ. At the same time, the prophets make it clear that God has not forgotten his purpose with Israel and Jerusalem.
“For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 2:3 (excerpt) • King James Version
The beginning of the Kingdom will involve judgement on the nations
The prophets do not present the change from human government to the righteous reign of Christ as effortless. Zechariah 14 and other passages describe conflict and divine judgement before peace is established. This is a solemn part of the Bible’s picture of Christ’s return.
We should be careful not to turn difficult prophecies into confident predictions about every modern event. Their central message is clear enough: human rebellion will not continue for ever, and God will establish righteous rule through his appointed King.
Peace, justice and healing
Once the righteous rule of Christ is established, the prophets describe conditions very different from the violence and injustice of the present age. The Kingdom brings peace, security, instruction in God’s ways and great blessing to mortal people who live under Christ’s rule.
PASSAGE
KINGDOM PICTURE
Isaiah 2:2-4
Nations learn God’s ways and turn weapons of war into tools for peaceful use.
Isaiah 11:1-9
The King judges righteously and the earth is filled with the knowledge of the LORD.
Isaiah 35:1-10
Healing, joy and restoration replace suffering and desolation.
Psalm 72
The poor and needy receive justice and the righteous flourish in peace.
Zechariah 14:9
The LORD’s rule is acknowledged throughout the earth.
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.”
Isaiah 35:5 • King James Version
These descriptions show that mortal human beings will live during the Kingdom age. They can experience healing, learn God’s ways and live under the government of Christ and the immortal saints.
The saints will reign with Christ
Those whom Christ accepts and makes immortal are not merely rescued from death. Revelation describes them sharing in the work of the Kingdom. They serve God and reign with Christ.
“...they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Revelation 20:6 (excerpt) • King James Version
This gives the Millennium - the thousand-year reign - a purpose. Christ and the immortal saints will govern, teach and bring the earth progressively under the righteous ways of God.
Mortal and immortal people
IMMORTAL SAINTS
MORTAL PEOPLE IN THE KINGDOM
Raised or changed and accepted by Christ
Survive into, or are born during, the Kingdom age
Receive immortality
Remain subject to ordinary mortal life
Reign with Christ
Live under the government of Christ
Serve as kings and priests
Learn God’s ways and receive the blessings of righteous rule
No longer subject to death
Death has not yet been finally removed from the earth
This distinction helps us understand why the prophets can describe sickness being healed and long human life during the Kingdom, while the New Testament also promises immortality to the faithful saints.
What happens at the end of the thousand years?
Revelation 20 describes a further resurrection and judgement after the thousand years. The chapter uses powerful symbolic language, and not every detail is explained. The broad sequence, however, agrees with Paul’s teaching that the reign of Christ continues until every enemy has been subdued.
The purpose of the Kingdom is therefore not merely to improve the present world. It moves God’s creation towards the complete removal of sin and death.
“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
1 Corinthians 15:25-26 • King James Version
Christ will finally deliver the Kingdom to the Father
Paul ends this part of 1 Corinthians 15 by looking beyond the thousand-year reign. When Christ has completed the work given to him, the Kingdom is delivered to God the Father. God’s purpose then reaches a condition in which rebellion and death have been abolished.
“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father;”
1 Corinthians 15:24 (excerpt) • King James Version
The Bible does not reveal every detail of life beyond that point. It tells us enough to see the direction of God’s purpose: from sin and death towards righteousness, peace, immortality and complete harmony with God.
The final picture: no more death
Revelation closes with a beautiful picture of the completed purpose of God. The tears, pain and death that have marked human history are finally removed.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:”
Revelation 21:4 (excerpt) • King James Version
This is why judgement belongs to a message of hope
The purpose of God is not judgement for its own sake. Judgement separates what is faithful from what is rebellious so that the Kingdom can lead at last to a creation in which death itself has disappeared.
What should this mean for us now?
The future judgement makes present discipleship important. We do not know the day of Christ’s return or the day of our death. The right response is therefore not speculation about dates but faithful preparation.
DO NOW
WHY
Believe the gospel
God calls us to understand his purpose and trust his promises.
Repent and be baptised
The New Testament joins faith with repentance, baptism and a new life in Christ.
Read the Bible
The words of Christ shape the standard by which disciples live.
Pray for forgiveness and help
We depend on God’s mercy rather than our own perfection.
Serve others
Jesus teaches that practical love is evidence of living faith.
Watch for Christ’s return
The promise of the Kingdom should influence daily priorities.
What have we learned?
1. God has appointed Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom.
2. Jesus is a perfectly righteous Judge who knows the truth and judges without human prejudice or error.
3. Resurrection brings accountable men and women before Christ, and the faithful receive the gift of life and a place in the Kingdom.
4. Salvation is by God’s grace, but genuine faith changes conduct; our lives therefore matter at the judgement seat.
5. The Kingdom is the future rule of God on the earth under Jesus Christ, not simply a spiritual idea or a permanent life in heaven.
6. Jerusalem and Israel remain important within Bible prophecy, while the gospel invitation extends to people of every nation.
7. The establishment of the Kingdom includes divine judgement on human rebellion, followed by righteous government, peace and blessing.
8. Accepted saints are made immortal and reign with Christ, while mortal nations live under his rule during the thousand years.
9. Christ reigns until every enemy has been subdued. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
10. At the completion of Christ’s work, the Kingdom is delivered to the Father and God’s purpose reaches its final fullness.
Passages to read
Psalm 72 • Isaiah 2:1-4 • Isaiah 11:1-10 • Isaiah 35 • Daniel 12:1-3 • Matthew 25:31-46 • John 5:24-29 • Acts 10:34-43 • Romans 14:7-13 • 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 50-58 • 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 • 2 Timothy 4:1-8 • Revelation 11:15-18 • Revelation 20-21
VERSE TO LEARN • 1 CORINTHIANS 15:26
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5