Concerning the Supreme Court, This Is The Most Vital
The Supreme Court is made up of nine unelected justices who are appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Once confirmed, they serve for life. These justices have been making so many landmark decisions the past several decades that many are saying our nation is no longer a republican democracy but rather an oligarchy (a nation run by a team or committee of people).
Although those who serve on the Supreme Court swear an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States it seems many of them make decisions based on where the political/sociological winds are blowing instead of basing decisions on the original intent of the writers of the Constitution.
This issue of same-sex marriage has divided Americans almost in half, with many confessing Christians even advocating for same-sex marriage because they believe it is an issue of equality and/or because they want to receive cultural affirmation.
No matter what your position on this or any other matter, including your religious affiliation, one thing is for certain: One day we will all stand before the true Supreme Court of the Universe! This court will be convened by a person not appointed by man but ordained by God to judge the world in righteousness! Acts 17:30-31 says: “God overlooked the times of ignorance, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent. For He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed, having given assurance of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
This Supreme Judge will not be swayed by human opinion, affirmation or flattery. He needs not our affirmation because He has already been given a name above every other name (Phil. 2:9)! What is highly esteemed by men is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15)!
Not only that, His court will sit in judgment of every human and every nation that ever existed, based on the heavenly books that accurately record every thought, word and activity in history.
Regarding Jesus as Judge of the nations convening His court, we read in Daniel 7:9-10:
“I watched until the thrones were cast down and the Ancient of Days was seated, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool. His throne was like the fiery flame, and its wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came out from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
Jesus, our final Supreme Judge, has already told us by what standard we will be judged: Ultimately every life will be judged based on the standard of His law. Matthew 5:18-20 says:
“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one dot or one mark will pass from the law until all be fulfilled. Whoever, therefore, breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus also tells us in Matthew 12:36-37: “But I say to you that for every idle word that men speak, they will give an account on the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Paul the Apostle took Judgment Day so seriously that he lived his life based on its court proceedings. Read 2 Corinthians 5:9-11:
“So whether present or absent, we labor that we may be accepted by Him.10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his recompense in the body, according to what he has done, whether it was good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men. But we are revealed to God, and I trust we are also revealed in your consciences.”
On that Day, it won’t matter how much money, fame or man-centered accolades we received; only the Lord will be glorified and only those whose names are written in the Book of Life will enter His heavenly kingdom!
Revelation 20:11-15 is perhaps the most ominous section in all of Scripture that describes the final Judgment Day:
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. From His face the earth and the heavens fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God. Books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to their works as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one by his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
While the whole world is presently watching the U.S. Supreme Court for direction regarding to the future state of things in our nation, we must realize that God is also watching and judging our words, motives and actions based on His Law-Word. It is our responsibility to uphold biblical standards in our spheres of influence. Of course, all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and none will enter His kingdom apart from faith in the precious blood of Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose from the dead as the King of kings and Lord of lords! He alone is worthy to be our Judge!
Those who are wise in this world will serve and obey Him and put Him above their ethnicity, nationality, color, economic status and political affiliation.
In conclusion, we need to pray for our leaders, including the Supreme Court of the United States. We need to pray that they realize that one day they will have to give an account to God for every decision they make. In spite of their great position of influence in the world, on the Judgment Day they will face a greater Judge who will not be appeased by anything man can offer Him; on that Day, no lawyer, judge or legal process will be able to save those who stand before Him. The only thing that will appease Him will be the righteousness He freely bestows on all who trust in His precious blood!
Joseph Mattera is an internationally known author, futurist, interpreter of culture and activist/theologian whose mission is to influence leaders who influence nations. He leads several organizations, including “The United States Coalition of Apostolic Leaders (uscal.us).” He also has a blog on Charisma magazine called “The Pulse.” To order one of his books or to subscribe to his weekly newsletter go to josephmattera.org.