The General Judgment

"What is the final judgment?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

At Christ's second coming, all people will be judged publicly. The hidden things of history will be revealed, and Christ's justice will be made manifest to all.

Quick Overview

Imagine a courtroom where all of history is reviewed. Every hidden motive exposed. Every secret kindness revealed. Every injustice addressed. That's the general judgment—God's final word on human history, making everything right publicly and forever.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

Matthew 25:31-32

"When the Son of man shall come in his majesty... before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them."

Why This Matters

Jesus describes the public, universal judgment of all nations at the end of time.

2 Corinthians 5:10

"We must all be manifested before the judgement seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper things of the body, according as he hath done."

Why This Matters

Everyone will appear before Christ's judgment seat—none exempted.

Revelation 20:12

"I saw the dead, great and small, standing in the presence of the throne, and the books were opened."

Why This Matters

All the dead will stand before God's throne for judgment.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

At the Last Judgment, Christ will come to judge the living and the dead. All thoughts, words, and deeds will be revealed. God's providence over history will be vindicated (CCC 1038-1041).

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Augustine

c. 420 AD

"On the last day, all human beings will appear before the tribunal of Christ... to give an account of all they have done, thought, and spoken."

— Enchiridion, 110

St. Jerome

c. 400 AD

"At the last day, when all flesh shall rise again, we shall be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ."

— Commentary on Matthew, 25:31

Particular Judgment

Sanctity of Life

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