You are right. Judgment does occur after death in the resurrection. Jesus said, “all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and come forth. They that have done good unto the resurrection of life. They that have done evil unto the resurrection of judgment.” John 5:28, 29. In the King James Version, it reads “unto the resurrection of damnation”. But that is a mistranslation. Almost all modern translations have corrected this error and read, “unto the resurrection of judgment.”
So what is this resurrection of judgment? The Bible’s Judgment Day is 1,000 years long! Revelation 20:4, “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them…. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Jesus and His Bride will reign in judgment over mankind for 1,000 years.
Humanity will not be judged for their present sins. We have already been condemned guilty in Adam. Our punishment is death. “The soul that sins shall die.”
BUT Jesus died so that mankind may have a new trial for life and death. In order to stand trial, mankind will need to be restored to perfection. (Acts 3:19-22) They will need to know and to be able to keep God’s laws (just like Adam and Eve). Hebrews 8:10-12 (NLT), “…I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people…everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already. And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
It is during this teaching period that all people will have the opportunity to dedicate their lives to God. Isaiah 26:9, “…for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
Humanity’s judgment trial will be during the Little Season (Revelation 20:7-8) when Satan is released to deceive people again. All who love God and righteousness will pass their judgment test and receive eternal life on earth. Those who oppose God will go into the second death and their existence will end.
For a more in-depth study of the Judgment Day, download the free PDF: "The Day of Judgment"
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