In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married, until the day Noah entered the boat. They knew nothing about what was happening until the flood came and destroyed them. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes.

MATTHEW 24:38–39

DENALYN AND I RECENTLY SPENT HALF A SATURDAY watching our daughter Andrea play in a middle school volleyball tournament. The first game was at eight o’clock and the second at eleven o’clock. In between the two contests, one of the parents invited the rest of us parents to eat breakfast at her restaurant. Not “a” restaurant, but “her” restaurant. Not wanting to miss a free meal, a dozen or so of us piled into our cars and off we went.

The food was served cafeteria style, so we all stood in line. All, that is, except our hostess. She stood next to the cash register. Being the owner, she wanted to make sure we didn’t pay for our food. The attendant totaled the bill and rang up the charge, but we never gave a penny. As each of us took our turn before the register, our generous friend would tell the attendant, “I know him, he’s with me. His bill is covered.” Ah, the joy of knowing the right person.

Consider what happened that morning. The kindness of our hostess was magnified. Every time a debt was pardoned, her generosity was revealed. Also, those who knew the hostess were rewarded. Our trays were full and soon were our bellies. Why? Well, we simply accepted her invitation. And, those who did not know her had to pay the price. Though her generosity was abundant, it was not universal.

It may seem odd to hear someone analyze a breakfast invitation. Either I am hinting for another breakfast, or I am about to make a point. Actually, I’m going to make a point (though breakfast sounds good). What we saw that Saturday morning is a sampling of what we will all see when Christ comes.

The day Christ comes will be a day of judgment. This judgment will be marked by three accomplishments.

First, God’s grace will be revealed. Our host will receive all the credit and attention.

Second, rewards for his servants will be unveiled. Those who accepted his invitation will be uniquely honored.

And third, those who do not know him will pay a price. A severe, terrible price. Jesus refers to this price in Matthew 24:38–39: “In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married, until the day Noah entered the boat. They knew nothing about what was happening until the flood came and destroyed them. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes.”

As Jesus sought for a way to explain his return, he hearkened back to the flood of Noah. Parallels are obvious. A message of judgment was proclaimed then. It is proclaimed still. People didn’t listen then. They refuse to listen today. Noah was sent to save the faithful. Christ was sent to do the same. A flood of water came then. A flood of fire will come next. Noah built a safe place out of wood. Jesus made a safe place with the cross. Those who believed hid in the ark. Those who believe are hidden in Christ.

Most important, what God did in Noah’s generation, he will do at Christ’s return. He will pronounce a universal, irreversible judgment. A judgment in which grace is revealed, rewards are unveiled, and the impenitent are punished. As you read the story of Noah, you won’t find the word judgment. But you will find ample evidence of one.

The era of Noah was a sad one. “People on earth did what God said was evil, and violence was everywhere” (Gen. 6:11). Such rebellion broke the heart of God. “His heart was filled with pain” (Gen. 6:6). He sent a flood, a mighty purging flood, upon the earth. The skies rained for forty days. “The water rose so much that even the highest mountains under the sky were covered by it. It continued to rise until it was more than twenty feet above the mountains” (Gen. 7:19–20). Only Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark escaped. Everyone else perished. God didn’t slam the gavel on the bench, but he did close the door of the ark. According to Jesus: “It will be the same when the Son of Man comes” (Matt. 24:39). And so a judgment was rendered.

Talk about a thought that stirs anxiety! Just the term judgment day conjures up images of tiny people at the base of a huge bench. On the top of the bench is a book and behind the bench is God and from God comes a voice of judgment—Guilty! Gulp. We are supposed to encourage each other with these words? How can the judgment stir anything except panic? For the unprepared, it can’t. But for the follower of Jesus who understands the judgment—the hour is not to be dreaded. In fact, once we understand it, we can anticipate it.

Let’s deal with some fundamental questions, and I’ll show you what I mean.

Who will be judged? Everyone who has ever lived. According to Matthew 25:32, “Before him [the Son of Man] will be gathered all the nations” (RSV). In 2 Corinthians 5:10 Paul writes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (NIV). Just as the whole earth was judged in the days of Noah, all humanity will be judged on the day Christ comes.

This stirs a hornet’s nest of dilemmas, not the least of which is: What of those who never heard of Christ? What of those who lived before the time of Christ or who never heard his gospel? Will they be judged as well? Yes, but by a different standard.

Men will be judged on the basis of the light they had, not on the basis of a light they never saw. The person in the remote jungle who never heard of Jesus is judged differently than the person who is only a broadcast or open Bible away from the gospel.

Jesus explains as much with his harsh criticism of the cities Chorazin and Bethsaida:

In the towns where Jesus had worked most of his miracles, the people refused to turn to God. So Jesus was upset with them and said: “You people of Chorazin are in for trouble! You people of Bethsaida are in for trouble too! If the miracles that took place in your towns had happened in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have turned to God long ago. They would have dressed in sackcloth and put ashes on their heads. I tell you that on the day of judgment the people of Tyre and Sidon will get off easier than you will.” (Matt. 11:20–22 CEV)

The phrase “get off easier” is a revealing one. Not everyone will be judged by the same standard. The greater our privilege, the greater our responsibilities. Chorazin and Bethsaida saw much, so much was expected of them. The gospel was clearly presented to them, yet they clearly rejected it. “The saddest road to hell is that which runs under the pulpit, past the Bible and through the midst of warnings and invitations.”1

On the other hand, Tyre and Sidon saw less, so less was expected. They, to use the words of Christ, will “get off easier” than others. The principle? God’s judgment is based upon humanity’s response to the message received. He will never hold us accountable for what he doesn’t tell us.

At the same time, he will never let us die without telling us something. Even those who never heard of Christ are given a message about the character of God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard” (Ps. 19:1–3 NIV).

Nature is God’s first missionary. Where there is no Bible, there are sparkling stars. Where there are no preachers, there are springtimes. Where there is no testament of Scripture, there is the testament of changing seasons and breath-stealing sunsets. If a person has nothing but nature, then nature is enough to reveal something about God. As Paul says: “The basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being” (Rom. 1:19–20 MSG).

Paul goes on to say, “God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God’s yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences” (Rom. 2:15–16 MSG).

We do not know how God will take the differences into account, but he will. If you and I, in our sinful state, are concerned about it, we can be sure that God in his holiness has already settled it. We can trust the witnesses who cry from heaven: “Yes, Lord God All-Powerful, your judgments are honest and fair” (Rev. 16:7 CEV).

Having established who will be judged, let’s ask another question.

What will be judged? Simply put: all things that we have done in this present life. Again 2 Corinthians 5:10 is clear: “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” (NIV). This includes deeds, words, and thoughts. Isn’t that the understanding of Revelation 20:12? “The dead were judged by what they had done, which was written in the books.” Similar statements are found elsewhere.

“God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Eccles. 12:14 NIV).

“On the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter” (Matt. 12:36 RSV).

Jesus summarizes the matter in Luke 12:2: “Everything that is hidden will be shown, and everything that is secret will be made known.”

Even for the believer? Will we be judged as well? Hebrews 10:30 states as much: “The Lord will judge his people” (NIV). The apostle Paul concurs: “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. . . . So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:10, 12 NIV).

Did I detect an eyebrow arching? Why would a Christian be judged? Not a bad question. Let’s make it our third.

Why will Christians be judged? Don’t we have a new wardrobe? Aren’t we clothed in the righteousness of Christ? Haven’t our sins been cast as far as the east is from the west? They have. And we can stand firmly on this underpinning truth: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1 NIV). Because we are clothed in Christ, we can be without fear on the day God judges us.

But if we are clothed in Christ, why do we need a judgment at all?

I can find at least two answers. First, so our rewards can be unveiled, and second, so that God’s grace can be revealed.

Let’s talk for a moment about rewards. Salvation is the result of grace. Without exception, no man or woman has ever done one work to enhance the finished work of the cross. Our service does not earn our salvation. Our service does, however, impact our rewards. As one writer stated, “We are accepted into heaven on the basis of faith alone, but we are adorned in heaven on the basis of the fruits of our faith.”2

If this strikes you as strange, you aren’t alone. Scripture offers just enough teaching to convince us of rewards, but not enough to answer our questions about them. In what form do they come? How are they dispensed? We aren’t told. We are simply assured they exist. In addition to the crowns of life, righteousness, and glory, Scripture indicates that there are other rewards.

Some of the clearest writing on the topic is found in 1 Corinthians 3:10–15. In these verses, Paul envisions two lives. Both are built on the foundation of Christ; that is to say, both are saved. One, however, adds to that foundation with valuable works of gold, silver, and jewels. The other is content to take the cheap route and makes no substantive contribution to the kingdom. His work is comprised of flammable wood, grass, and straw.

On the day of judgment, the nature of each work will be revealed. Paul writes: “That Day will appear with fire, and the fire will test everyone’s work to show what sort of work it was. If the building that has been put on the foundation still stands, the builder will get a reward. But if the building is burned up, the builder will suffer loss. The builder will be saved, but it will be as one who escaped from a fire” (1 Cor. 3:13–15).

Please note: Both builders will be saved, but only one will be rewarded. And that reward will be on the basis of works. Exactly what forms the rewards will take, we do not know. I was once counseled to maintain a “reverent agnosticism” on the question. Translated: be peacefully ignorant.

My feeling is that the rewards will come in the form of added responsibility, not added privilege. Such is the indication from Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (NKJV). The worker appears to be given more duty rather than more relaxation. But again, we don’t know for sure.

What we do know is this: We are saved by grace, and we are rewarded according to deeds. Anything beyond that is speculation. In fact, any speculation beyond that is dangerous lest we grow competitive.

But won’t we be competitive in heaven? Won’t the distribution of awards create jealousy for some and arrogance for others? No, it won’t. In our sinless state our focus will finally be off of ourselves and onto Jesus Christ. We will gladly adopt the attitude Christ commands in Luke 17:10: “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’ ” (NIV).

Still the question remains, why must our deeds be exposed? According to Jesus, “Everything that is hidden will be shown, and everything that is secret will be made known” (Luke 12:2). Is Jesus saying that all secrets will be revealed? The secrets of sinners and saints alike? He is, but—and this is essential—the sins of the saved will be revealed as forgiven sins. Our transgressions will be announced as pardoned transgressions. That is the second reason believers will be judged. The first, so our acts can be rewarded and second, so that God’s grace can be revealed.

You’ve probably heard the story of the couple who resorted to do-it-yourself marriage counseling. They resolved to make a list of each other’s faults and then read them aloud. Sounds like a constructive evening, don’t you think? So she made hers and he made his. The wife gave her list of complaints to the husband and he read them aloud. “You snore, you eat in bed, you get home too late and up too early . . .” After finishing, the husband did the same. He gave her his list. But when she looked at the paper, she began to smile. He, too, had written his grievances, but next to each he had written, “I forgive this.”

The result was a tabulated list of grace.

You’ll receive such a list on judgment day. Remember the primary purpose of judgment: to reveal the grace of the Father. As your sins are announced, God’s grace is magnified.

Imagine the event. You are before the judgment seat of Christ. The book is opened and the reading begins—each sin, each deceit, each occasion of destruction and greed. But as soon as the infraction is read, grace is proclaimed.

Disrespected parents at age thirteen.

Shaded the truth at age fifteen.

Gossiped at age twenty-six.

Lusted at age thirty.

Disregarded the leading of the Spirit at age forty.

Disobeyed God’s Word at age fifty-two.

The result? God’s merciful verdict will echo through the universe. For the first time in history, we will understand the depth of his goodness. Itemized grace. Catalogued kindness. Registered forgiveness. We will stand in awe as one sin after another is proclaimed, and then pardoned. Jealousies revealed, then removed. Infidelities announced, then cleansed. Lies exposed, then erased.

The devil will shrink back in defeat. The angels will step forward in awe. And we saints will stand tall in God’s grace. As we see how much he has forgiven us, we will see how much he loves us. And we will worship him. We will join in the song of the saints: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were killed, and with the blood of your death you bought people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9).

What a triumph this will be for our Master!

Perhaps you’re thinking, It will be triumph for him, but humiliation for me. No, it won’t. Scripture promises, “The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6 NIV). But how can this be? If the hidden is known and the secret is shown, won’t I be embarrassed beyond recovery? No, you won’t. Here is why.

Shame is a child of self-centeredness. Heaven’s occupants are not self-centered, they are Christ-centered. You will be in your sinless state. The sinless don’t protect a reputation or project an image. You won’t be ashamed. You’ll be happy to let God do in heaven what he did on earth—be honored in your weaknesses.

Heads bowed in shame? No. Heads bowed in worship? No doubt.

By the way, won’t it feel good to have it all out in the open? No more games. No more make-believe. No more cover-ups. No more status seekers or ladder climbers. The result will be the first genuine community of forgiven people. Only one is worthy of the applause of heaven, and he’s the one with the pierced hands and feet.

So don’t worry about feeling shame. The believer has nothing to fear from the judgment. The unbeliever, however, has much to fear. Which takes us to our final question.

What is the destiny of those who don’t know Christ? Remember the three purposes of judgment? God’s grace will be revealed. His rewards will be unveiled. And those who do not know him will pay a price. A severe, terrible price.

Let’s return to the story of the free meal at the restaurant. What would have happened if a stranger tried to horn in on the breakfast? No one did, but someone could have tried. He could have slipped in between the invited guests and acted like he was a part of the group. Would he have succeeded? Would he have fooled our hostess? No. She knew all her guests by name.

So does Christ. “The Lord knows those who belong to him” (2 Tim. 2:19). Just as our hostess stood next to the cash register, so our Savior will stand at the judgment seat. Just as she covered our debt, so Christ will forgive our sins. And just as she would have turned away the ones she did not know, Jesus will do the same. “I don’t know this person,” she would have said. “Get away from me, you who do evil. I never knew you,” Jesus will declare (Matt. 7:23).

For that person, the day of judgment will be a day of shame. His sins will be revealed, but not as forgiven sins. Can you imagine the same list minus the proclamation of pardon? One deed after another until not even the sinner questions God’s right to punish. For those who never accepted God’s mercy, judgment will be a day of wrath. It will be like it was in the days of Noah. But that is a topic for the next page.