Answers

By   •   November 23, 2005   •   Topics:

Q:

Do you think God judges nations as well as individuals? I have some friends who say He does, and that our nation needs to repent before it's too late. But don't we have a lot of good people in our country also, and won't that keep God from judging us?


A:

Yes, God does judge nations as well as individuals—and we ignore His judgment at our peril. The Bible warns that someday “He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth” (Psalm 110:6).

In that day, Christ will return in all His glory, and “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32). We can barely imagine that dramatic scene—but it is a warning that God’s hand of judgment won’t be held back forever.

At the same time, God’s judgment isn’t only in the future. Even now God works behind the scenes, bringing judgment on both men and nations that defy Him and commit evil. And yes, it could happen to us. When we break His moral law, we eventually have to face the consequences, both in this life and the next. The Bible warns, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).

But the Bible tells us something even more important about God’s eternal judgment: We don’t have to fear it, if we know Christ! God loves us, and on the cross His Son took upon Himself the judgment we deserved. Do you know Him? If not, by faith turn to Christ and ask Him to forgive and save you today.