Bible Study Seattle

Are immortal people subject to judgment?

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,” Hebrews 9:27

If the saints are raised immortal, how can they be judged?

“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household…” 1 Peter 4:17

Is the judgment of God’s household only in this first life? But Hebrews says the judgment is after death. The only logical solution is that the church is not raised immortal.

“God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.” 1 Timothy 1:15-16

This was written after Jesus’ resurrection, yet it says only God is immortal.

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

There must be more than one resurrection. The first brings us back to a mortal state, whether in heaven or on earth. The second brings us into the New Creation, after Jesus’ 1000-year reign, after death itself has been destroyed.