Question:
Please explain John 5:22, which says, “the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” If Christ is our judge, who is our mediator?
Answer:
There are different phases to judgment work. There is the examination of cases, pronouncing the sentence, and the execution of the sentence.
In the closing of Christ’s work as our High Priest, the Father presides over the judgment. Daniel 7:9, 10 says, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
In the execution of the judgment, the work is committed to Christ. John 5:27 says, “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” In adjudicating the cases of the wicked and meting out their punishment, Christ associates His people with Himself:
“Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” (1 Corinthians 6:2-3)
“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalms 149:6-9)
(See the sermon series “THE ORDER AND EVENTS OF THE JUDGMENT” for a good understanding of this important topic.)
