WCF 33.1

33.1. Of the Last Judgment

God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

Proof texts

• Acts 17:31 — [31] because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
• John 5:22, 27 — [22] For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, [27] And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
• 1 Cor. 6:3 — [3] Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
• Jude 6 — [6] And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day —
• 2 Pet. 2:4 — [4] For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;
• 2 Cor. 5:10 — [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
• Eccles. 12:14
• Rom. 2:16 — [16] on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
• Rom. 14:10, 12 — [10] Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; [12] So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
• Matt. 12:36, 37 — [36] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Acts 17:31 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q37 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q38 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q37 · WSC Q38 · WLC Q82 · WLC Q88 · WLC Q89 · WLC Q90 · BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 31.1 · SC60 6.2 · IAR 9.1 · IAR 9.2 · IAR 9.3 · IAR 9.4 · SHC 9.1 · SD 31.1