Judgment and Separation from God's Presence in Scripture
Judgment and Separation from God's Presence in Scripture
The concept of judgment and separation from God's presence is deeply rooted in Scripture, with various passages describing the consequences of sin and the ultimate judgment by God. The biblical account emphasizes that God is the ultimate judge, and His judgment is righteous [3].
In the Old Testament, judgment is often associated with God's sovereignty and justice. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various forms of judgment, including abandonment by God, pestilence, famine, and captivity, citing passages such as Deuteronomy 28:21-22 and Amos 4:10 [1]. The final judgment is also predicted in the Old Testament, with Psalm 9:7 and 96:13 affirming that God will judge the world.
The New Testament reaffirms the theme of judgment, with Jesus Christ designated as the judge of all humanity (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27). According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, the final judgment will be administered by Christ, and all individuals will be held accountable for their actions (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52) [2].
Separation from God's presence is a consequence of sin and is described in various biblical passages. In 2 Thessalonians 1:9, it is written that those who do not know God will suffer "destruction from the presence of the Lord" [4]. This separation is not merely physical but also spiritual, resulting from a rejection of God's love and salvation.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of self-judgment and repentance to avoid God's judgment. According to Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:31, self-judgment implies confession of sin and repentance, which can avert God's judgment [8]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:29 note that not discerning the Lord's body in the Lord's Supper can lead to judgment [5].
The biblical concept of judgment and separation from God's presence serves as a warning to individuals to live righteously and to seek God's mercy and forgiveness. As John Gill notes on Psalms 94:15, "judgment shall return unto righteousness," emphasizing God's ultimate justice and righteousness [6].
The nature of God's judgment is further described in Hebrews 4:12, where it is written that God's word is "heart-searching" and will judge the secrets of individuals [7]. This underscores the comprehensive and penetrating nature of God's judgment, which is not limited to outward actions but also examines the heart.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgments — Are from God -- De 32:39; Job 12:23; Am 3:6; Mic 6:9. Different kinds of Blotting out the name. -- De 29:20. Abandonment by God. -- Ho 4:17. Cursing men's blessings. -- Mal 2:2. Pestilence. -- De 28:21,22; Am 4:10. Enemies. -- 2Sa 24:13. Famine. -- De 28:38-40; Am 4:7-9. Famine of hearing the word. -- Am 8:11. The sword. -- Ex 22:24; Jer 19:7. Captivity. -- De 28:41; Eze 39:23. Continued sorrows. -- Ps 32:10; 78:32,33; Eze 24:23. Desolation. -- Eze 33:29; Joe 3:19. Destruction. -- Job 31:3; Ps 34:16; Pr 2:22; Isa 11:4. Inflicted upon Nations. -- Ge 15:14;”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Judgment, The final — The sentence that will be passed on our actions at the last day (Matt. 25; Rom. 14:10, 11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). The judge is Jesus Christ, as mediator. All judgment is committed to him (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; Rev. 1:7). "It pertains to him as mediator to complete and publicly manifest the salvation of his people and the overthrow of his enemies, together with the glorious righteousness of his work in both respects." The persons to be judged are, (1) the whole race of Adam without a single exception (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52”
- Job “Job 8:3 (Webster) — Doth God pervert judgment; or doth the Almighty pervert justice?”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 1:9: Who--Greek, "persons who," &c. destruction from the presence of the Lord--driven far from His presence [ALFORD]. The sentence emanating from Him in person, sitting as Judge [BENGEL], and driving them far from Him (Mat 25:41; Rev 6:16; Rev 12:14; compare Pe1 3:12; Isa 2:10, Isa 2:19). "The presence of the Lord" is the source whence the sentence goes forth; "the glory of His power" is the instrument whereby the sentence is carried into execution [EDMUNDS]. But ALFORD better interprets the latter clause (see Th2 1:10), driven "from the manifesta”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:29: damnation--A mistranslation which has put a stumbling-block in the way of many in respect to communicating. The right translation is "judgment." The judgment is described (Co1 11:30-32) as temporal. not discerning--not duty judging: not distinguishing in judgment (so the Greek: the sin and its punishment thus being marked as corresponding) from common food, the sacramental pledges of the Lord's body. Most of the oldest manuscripts omit "Lord's" (see Co1 11:27). Omitting also "unworthily," with most of the oldest manuscripts, we must translate”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 94:15: But judgment shall return unto righteousness,.... Which may be understood either of the judgment and righteousness of God, which seemed to be parted, and stand at a distance from each other; his conduct and government of the world from his justice; the righteous being persecuted and afflicted, and wicked men suffered to prosper; which sometimes makes it difficult to reconcile the judgment of God, or his government of the world, to his justice; see Jer 12:1, but as this has been made manifest in the destruction of the Jews, and in the downfall of Rome Pagan, the first”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:12: For--Such diligent striving (Heb 4:11) is incumbent on us FOR we have to do with a God whose "word" whereby we shall be judged, is heart-searching, and whose eyes are all-seeing (Heb 4:13). The qualities here attributed to the word of God, and the whole context, show that it is regarded in its JUDICIAL power, whereby it doomed the disobedient Israelites to exclusion from Canaan, and shall exclude unbelieving so-called Christians from the heavenly rest. The written Word of God is not the prominent thought here, though the passage is often quoted as if ”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:31: 11:31 Self-judgment (which implies confession of sin and repentance) averts God’s judgment.”