The Nature of Judges

In our last blog we learned a fundamental principle of the Kingdom of God. “In Heaven above, then earth below.” The evil spiritual hierarchy over the earth, described in Ephesians 6:12, must be brought down first. It’s tantamount to the earthly rendition of cutting off the head of the snake. And we all know who that is. Satan, of course, is full of wrath, now that he’s fallen from the heavenlies a second time.
 
He attempts to wiggle his evil tail and strut his stuff for 3 1/2 years, but we know where that ends. There’s a repeat performance of Moses’ actions before Pharaoh. Daniel calls the series of plagues Operation Consume & Destroy. OK, that’s our term, but it comes from Daniel 7:26. You may know them as the trumpet and bowl judgments. Either way, the operative word here is destroy.
 
Such warfare may surprise some who think that when Christ comes a second time, the Kingdom of God is completely established on this earth. All is peaceful and blissful. You know, the lion and the lamb lie down together and we study war no more.
 
I hate to remind you of this, but that is not how judging works. Following the example of the Old Testament judges, such as the first judge, Othniel, from the tribe of Judah, reigning begins with
treading. The judges first had to deliver God’s people from the oppressors who sought to destroy Israel. Justice had to be served and their enemies defeated.
 
Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 15:24-26. Before the end of the ages can come, when Jesus delivers the Kingdom to the Father at the end of the 7th Day, Christ “must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” That also happens at the end of the 7th Day, after the final white throne judgment.
 
This is the Day of the Lord—the condensed version. Don’t worry, we’ll bring you the glorious as well as the gory details in the blogs to come.