John 3:18 and the Creed

[jesusmademe]

In the Creed we find: He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

This dont go to well with John 3:18.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

But maybe we are talking about two seperate judgements, ie one that is happening now for the unbelivers and one at the end of the world when the believers is also judged.
What am I getting wrong?

 

[FOG]

But maybe we are talking about two seperate judgements, ie one that is happening now for the unbelivers and one at the end of the world when the believers is also judged.
What am I getting wrong?

There are indeed two judgments, however, they are:
Particular Judgment - which occurs at the time of death, in which the soul leaves the body to reside in Hell, in Heaven, or in Purgatory (and the souls in Purgatory will all see Heaven after their purification).
Final Judgment - at the second coming of Christ, who indeed, “comes in glory to judge the living and the dead”. The outcome of this judgement for those who have received the Particular Judgment will be no different in outcome. At this time the soul will be reunited with the resurrected bodies, and the souls that are still in Purgatory will be released (and reunited with resurrected bodies) to dwell in heaven.

 

[jesusmademe]

Yes, but yes spoke of a judgement happening while we are on earth.
Didn’t he?

 

[FOG]

Yes, but yes spoke of a judgement happening while we are on earth.
Didn’t he?

judgement and condemnation are two different things…we, through bad choices (even though we have free will), condemn ourselves. Jesus judges us, which is just the administration of justice…his judgement does/did not happen on earth yet…it is to come in the future, either through the Particular Judgment at the time of our death, and/or the Final Judgment upon his return.

 

[vivnes]

“He says therefore: I came not to judge the world (John 12:47): because he did not come to judge believers, for he who believes in him is not judged , with the judgment of condemnation, with which no one who believes in him with faith informed by love is judged: he will not come into judgment but passes from death to life (John 5:24). But he is judged with the judgment of reward and approval, of which the Apostle says: it is the Lord who judges me (1 Cor 4:4).”

St. Thomas Aquinas, Ioan, C.3, L.3, 485

 

[jesusmademe]

If He doesnt want to judge why is there a judgement when we die?

 

[vivnes]

The thoughts of the just are judgements, and the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. (Prov 12:5)

The finalities of causes require judgement from the designer. Those who die to themselves with Christ, are a partaker of His approval. They avoided the fate of the wicked world.

 

[FOG]

If He doesnt want to judge why is there a judgement when we die?

Again, “judgment” is an administrative action. Its the separation of the Lambs from the Goats (Judgment of the Nations, Matt 26?).

Judgment need to be passed to determine our eternity: Heaven (with or without Purgatory) or Hell.

If we are condemned, judgment just ratifies the condemnation and passes sentence.

 

[vivnes]

“the just man lives by faith, and by faith the world is overcome.” (St. Thomas Aquinas; 1 Tim, C. 6, L.1, 234)

“But it should be noted that one is instructed by word in two ways: in one way, to learn the truth; in another way, to do what is just. In regard to the first he says, you have fully known my doctrine , i.e., have been instructed in the Catholic faith, so it should be easy for you to avoid them. In regard to the second he says, and my instruction . For instruction is knowledge about doing things which fall under man’s control: everywhere and in all things I am instructed (Phil 4:12).”
(Ibid.; 2 Tim C. 3, L. 2, 114)