Have you ever wondered why we have the New Testament? You probably know one reason—to tell the story of Jesus. But there’s another important reason.
The New Testament documented the time of Jesus’ ministry and the time leading up to the judgment on Judah at the hands of the Romans. These two big events—the eternal Kingdom and judgment—combined to be the powder that launched our age.
Jesus heralded his coming rule over all nations – starting small like a tiny seed then spreading across the rest of the world. After His resurrection, Jesus said:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go and make disciples of all nations… I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
But Jesus also spoke about judgment, a cataclysmic event that would mark a time when He would fully come into His kingdom. The Bible connects this judgment with the Kingdom.
What Is the Judgment on Judah?
The nation of Judah was the remaining portion of the nation. The northern Kingdom of Israel had already been destroyed in judgment. The prophet Hosea warned Israel about their sins, like worshiping idols and committing acts of violence. Because they didn’t listen, God allowed the Assyrians to destroy their nation and scatter them.
God warned about these consequences in Deuteronomy 28:
“The Lord will bring a nation against you… They will besiege you in all your towns… and scatter you among all peoples.”
Hosea described Israel’s punishment:
“My God will reject them because they have not listened to Him; they will be wanderers among the nations.”
Even though this was about the Northern Kingdom, Judah (the southern kingdom) was guilty of the same sins. Hosea said:
“The Lord has a case against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his deeds.”
Jesus used similar words in Matthew 16:27-28:
“For the Son of Man is going to come… and repay every person according to their deeds. Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Many think this verse is about the end of the world, but Jesus was talking about His generation. He warned the religious leaders of Judah, calling them hypocrites for pretending to honor the prophets while rejecting His message.
In Matthew 23, Jesus said:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees… You say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part in killing the prophets.’ But you testify against yourselves… You are guilty of all the righteous blood shed on earth… Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.”
Jesus warned that Judah would face judgment for its sins, just as Hosea and Isaiah had warned in the past.
How Did Prophecy Foretell Judah’s Judgment?
The prophet Isaiah spoke about Judah’s sins and the coming punishment. Isaiah said:
“I will repay into their laps both their own wrongdoings and the wrongdoings of their fathers.”
However, Isaiah also gave hope. He spoke about a remnant, a small group of faithful people who would be spared:
“Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it… I will act on behalf of my servants.”
This remnant would be saved by a Redeemer. Isaiah 59 says:
“A Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from wrongdoing.”
Isaiah 53 describes this Redeemer:
“By oppression and judgment, He was taken away… He was cut off from the land of the living for the wrongdoing of my people.”
The Redeemer is Jesus, who came to save Judah from the curse of the law. He offered a way of escape through repentance and faith in His sacrifice.
Questions from the Comments
1. Why did Judah face judgment?
Judah faced judgment because of its sins, including idol worship and violence. The prophets warned that these actions violated God’s covenant, leading to punishment. Jesus confirmed these warnings in His own teachings.
2. How did Jesus provide a way of escape?
Jesus, the Redeemer, offered salvation through repentance and faith. Isaiah 59 and 53 predicted this. By trusting in Jesus, individuals could avoid the judgment that fell on the nation.
3. Was the judgment about the end of the world?
No, the judgment Jesus talked about in Matthew 16 and 23 was for His generation. It referred to the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, not the end of the world.
4. What happened to the remnant?
The remnant—those who repented and believed in Jesus—were spared spiritually. They became part of the growing Kingdom, spreading Jesus’ message to the nations.
Judgment and the Kingdom
The judgment on Judah and the coming Kingdom were connected. Isaiah 49 says:
“It’s too small a thing for you to raise up the tribes of Jacob. I will make you a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.”
Judgment marked the end of one era and the beginning of the Kingdom spreading worldwide. In the next article, we’ll explore how the prophets foretold the exact timing and details of this judgment.