Even when we ignore Him, God’s judgment comes. Belshazzar had mocked God and thought the city defenses would keep them safe. Their enemies diverted the Euphrates River and entered the city under the gates.[1] The enemy came into the banquet hall and killed the king. Daniel 5: 30 That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed. 31 And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two. [2]
This is a warning to all of us. Many in our culture want to ignore God and seek pleasure for themselves. God-mocking videos are common on social media. The people who produce these either are ignorant of God’s judgment or choose to ignore it. Yet, all of us will stand before God.
Biblical Warnings about Judgment
The Apostle Paul gave the Corinthian church a severe warning. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. [3]
Jesus also gave His disciples a warning. Matthew 12: 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.[4] These warnings are frightening, but as we follow Jesus, He can give us hope.
Jesus Saves Us From Judgment
Early in His ministry, Jesus gave insight into hope in the midst of judgment. John 3: 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”[5]
We can never be good enough to win our own salvation. Only the blood of Jesus can pay the price for our sins. But as we trust Him, He gives us the promise of salvation when God’s judgment comes.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/handwriting-on-the-wall
[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Da 5:30–31). Victor Books.
[2-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.