In the last post we looked at how the traditional Jewish view of Elohim is the Name of God as the Creator and Judge of the universe. The main focus was on God as creator. This post will look at the second part, praying to God as the Judge of the universe.
I would like to point out one other thing about the name Elohim before we proceed. The name Elohim is unique to Hebraic thinking: it occurs only in Hebrew and in no other ancient Semitic language. What makes it unique is the fact that the masculine plural ending does not mean “gods” when referring to God, since the name is mainly used with singular verb forms and with adjectives and pronouns in the singular. This is one of the evidences in the Old Testament that reveal the plurality within the Godhead.
Okay, on to the main point. Scripture reveals two separate judgements that will take place.
2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” Now let me point out that this judgment does not determine salvation, which is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), but rather it is the time when believers will give an account of their lives in service to Christ. Our position in Christ is the foundation spoken of in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. That which we build upon the foundation can be the “gold, silver, and precious stones” of good works in Christ’s name, or it may be the “wood, hay and stubble” of a life of just getting by. It reminds me of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. However, 1 Corinthians 3:15 makes clear that this is not concerning salvation, “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” The Judgment Seat of Christ will reveal all of this.
With that in mind, knowing that I will be standing before Christ and giving an account of my life, I'm humbled. My prayers should turn from being those of what He can give me to asking for ways that I can be of greater service to Him! I don't want to “be saved, yet so as through fire.” I want to make Him proud. So with Christ as my Judge, my prayers turn to seeking every opportunity I can to make Him proud. Which ironically brings us to the second judgment.
The second judgment is the Great White Throne judgment spoken of in Revelation 20:11-15. This is the judgement where the unbelievers will stand before God, not to determine salvation, rather, these are those who have rejected Christ in life and are therefore already doomed to the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12 says that unbelievers will be “judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Those who have rejected Christ as Lord and Savior will be judged based on their works alone, and because the Bible tells us that “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (Galatians 2:16), they will be spending eternity in hell.
This should give us pause.
The Bible is clear that the way to hell is wide and the path to heaven is narrow (Matthew 7:13-14). This should turn our prayers toward seeking the lost. The judgement seat of Christ should turn our prayers toward service, and the Great White Throne judgment should turn our prayers toward the lost. I don't think that this is a coincidence. Seeing God as our judge should bring our focus away from ourselves to praying and working toward seeking and saving the lost.
What better service is there than bringing honor and glory to Elohim by seeking the lost?
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