God’s Righteous Judgment

AN ATTRIBUTE OF GOD for which we give thanks is his righteous justice and judgment. The psalmist expresses such thankfulness, stating: “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,” that is, with all our devotion, will and sentiments.—Ps. 9:1, NASB

The reason for such thankfulness is stated in verse 4, “You have maintained my just cause; You have sat on the throne judging righteously.” (NASB) Justice and righteous judgment are fundamental elements of God’s character. Elsewhere it is stated, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” (Ps. 89:14, NASB) These attributes of God are emphasized throughout the book of Psalms.—Ps. 96:10; 98:9

Righteous judgment is based upon fixed and pure principles, without partiality, and dispensed with love. God desires that all those seeking him also learn to develop righteousness and upright judgment in their own lives. As we are told in the Book of Proverbs, “To do righteousness and justice is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.”—Prov. 21:3, NASB

Today in society there is a growing lack of righteous behavior and at various times a lack of justice. However, God has promised that this will not always be the case. He has promised the time will soon come when his kingdom on earth will be established, when as our Key Verse states, “He will judge the world in righteousness” and “execute judgment for the peoples with equity.”

The Apostle Paul gives a further proof of when and how such righteous judgment will be established throughout the entire earth, stating that God “has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31, NASB) Here the word “judge” is translated from the Greek word krino, meaning the process of a trial, rather than simply a verdict.

The word “day” in Scripture is frequently used to signify a period of time, rather than a literal twenty-four hours. (Heb. 3:8,9) Peter states how long the world’s judgment “day” will last, stating that “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years.”—II Pet. 3:7,8, NASB

The psalmist indicates that God’s judgment day will be a time for rejoicing and joy, because “He will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice … before the Lord, for He is coming … to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, And the peoples in His faithfulness.”—Ps. 96:10-13, NASB

Jesus will have associate judges with him, those who make a full consecration to do God’s will during the present Gospel Age, and who are proven “faithful unto death.” (Rev. 2:10) Paul confirms this, stating, “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” (I Cor. 6:2, NASB) These associate judges are described by the Apostle John as follows: “I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. … They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”—Rev. 20:4,6, NASB