Are There Two Judgments?

The Scriptures make it sound like there’s a judgment at the very end, and also a judgment immediately after a person’s death. Does this mean that there are two judgments? To answer this question it’s really important that Hebrews 9:27 be taken in its context to understand it in comparison to Revelation 20:11-15.

So this is Daniel’s question. “Do the Scriptures teach that two separate judgments will occur between the gospel age and the age to come? Before coming to any conclusion on my eschatology, I am not a dispensationlist, I am an Amillennialist. The reason why I am prompted to ask this question is because according to Hebrews 9:27.” So let us all turn to Hebrews 9:27.

Do you understand the question? Do the Scriptures teach that the two separate judgments will occur between the gospel age and the age to come. And he’s asking that question because he feels like according to Hebrews 9:27… And if you have your bibles opened to Hebrews 9:27, you see that it says, “And just as it is appointed for a man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” And Daniel says, “Just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes the judgment.” In the text, after the words, “die once”, it says “and after.” It sounds like it is stating that after the death of an individual, saved or lost, judgment will occur right after. Yet you go to Revelation 20, versus 11-15. So keep your finger here and go to Revelation 20:11-15.

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

So Daniel says, “Yet you go to Revelation 20:11-15 which this passage is notoriously known as the Great White Throne Judgment…” I don’t think you have to say notoriously because obviously the text does say there’s a great white throne and there’s a judgment but I think I think Daniel’s probably alluding to.. Well, rather than me putting thoughts in your own head, why do you say notorious? (Person speaking.) The heading in my Bible says, “Great White Throne Judgment”, I recognize its not inspired. I don’t think we have to be so notorious because it is a judgment that happens at the Great White Throne. “It speaks about another judgment involving the dead the book of life books being opened, being judge for our works, and Death and Hades been thrown into a fire. This judgment will occur at the end of the age. How do you properly interpret both of these passages?”

So basically his question is this: It sounds like there’s a judgment at the end but it sounds like there’s a judgment immediately after death. Okay, let’s go back to Hebrews 9:27. Daniel was basically going off of what Hebrews 9:27 sounds like it’s saying when taken all by itself. But it’s really important that that text be taken in its context. Because the author of Hebrews is not primarily talking about death and judgment. He’s primarily talking about Christ and His one sacrifice.

(Rest of the transcript may come at a later date.)