We Will All Appear Before the Supreme Court

Last week, all eyes were upon the U.S. Supreme Court because of the potential overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8, which would help redefine marriage as we know it today.

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, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, 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” (ESV).

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 (see 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: “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before Him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, 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 an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus also tells us in Matthew 12:36-37, “I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
 
The apostle Paul took Judgment Day so seriously that he lived his life based on its court proceedings. 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 says, “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. 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. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.”

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 presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

While the whole world is presently watching the U.S. Supreme Court for direction regarding to the future of marriage, we must realize that God is also watching and judging our words, motives and actions based on His law, His 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!

In conclusion, we need to pray for our leaders, including the Supreme Court of the United States. These justices are about to make perhaps the biggest decision of their lives, a decision that will impact the lives of millions of Americans for generations to come! As they make this decision, I pray they realize that one day, they will have to give an account to God for this and every other decision they make. In spite of their great position of influence in the world, on 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 has been in full-time ministry since 1980 and is currently the presiding bishop of Christ Covenant Coalition and Overseeing Bishop of Resurrection in New York, a multiethnic congregation of 40 nationalities that has successfully developed numerous leaders and holistic ministry in the New York region and beyond. Click here to visit his website.