Is Christ the Judge of Mankind?

Certain verses indicate Christ as the Judge: • John 5:22: “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.” • John 5:27: “And has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.” • Acts 10:42: “And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.” However, John says Christ did not come to judge: • John 3:17: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” To understand, let us examine the surrounding verses: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” God’s purpose in sending His Son was not to judge but to save the world. We often think of God solely as a Judge due to His omnipotence and the fear that He might condemn us. However, this thought is influenced by human limitations. When the Son of God appeared, He was not there to judge the people but to bring them salvation. Interpretation: The purpose of Christ’s first coming was to offer salvation, not judgment. Yet those who reject Him will ultimately face judgment, as John 3:18 states, “He who does not believe is condemned already.” Salvation is available for those who believe; those who do not will experience judgment. Thus, Christ’s first mission on earth was not to condemn, yet He is indeed appointed as Judge in the last days. Additional Explanation (John 8:15-16) In John 8:15, Jesus says, “You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.” Yet He adds, “And if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.” Here, Christ differentiates His mission and His method of judgment from the way people judge. While He refrained from judgment during His earthly mission, His judgment remains just and unified with the Father. Christ came with grace, not as a condemning judge, and yet in the final days, He will judge, based on His words. Explanation (John 12:47-48) “If anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me and does not receive My words has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” The statements of Christ serve as the standard by which unbelievers will be judged. While His first mission emphasized mercy and salvation, His words carry the authority that will be used in judgment. The Church Fathers also offer insights: • St. John Chrysostom explains that Christ’s words about “not judging” reflect His present mission to save, leaving judgment for a later time. • St. Augustine remarks that Christ’s words, though saving in nature now, will ultimately become the means of judgment for those who reject Him. Christ did not come initially to condemn humanity but to offer salvation. The judgment He will bring is spiritual, and His words will serve as the criterion for judgment on the last day.