In the biblical context, "judgment" refers to the divine assessment and decision-making process concerning human actions, morality, and faithfulness to God's commandments. It is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting God's righteousness, justice, and sovereignty.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, judgment is often depicted as God's response to the covenantal relationship with Israel. The Hebrew word for judgment, "mishpat," encompasses legal decisions, justice, and the execution of justice. The Book of Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance of just judgment, as seen in Deuteronomy 16:18-20 : "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous."

The prophets frequently warned Israel of impending judgment due to their disobedience and idolatry. For instance, the prophet Amos declared God's judgment on Israel for their social injustices and religious hypocrisy (Amos 5:24): "But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

New Testament

In the New Testament, judgment takes on a more eschatological dimension, focusing on the final judgment at the end of the age. Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate judge, as seen in John 5:22 : "Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son." The apostle Paul also speaks of the judgment seat of Christ, where believers will be evaluated for their deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad."

The Book of Revelation provides a vivid depiction of the final judgment, where the dead are judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books (Revelation 20:12): "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books."

Vision

In the Bible, "vision" refers to a supernatural revelation or insight given by God to individuals, often through dreams or direct communication. These visions serve as a means for God to convey His will, guidance, and future plans to His people.

Old Testament

Visions are a common occurrence in the Old Testament, where prophets and patriarchs receive divine messages. One of the earliest examples is the vision of Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28:12 : "And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder." This vision reassured Jacob of God's presence and promises.

The prophets frequently received visions that conveyed God's messages to Israel. Isaiah's vision of the Lord in the temple (Isaiah 6:1-8) and Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) are notable examples. These visions often contained symbolic imagery and were intended to communicate God's plans for judgment, restoration, or redemption.

New Testament

In the New Testament, visions continue to play a significant role in revealing God's purposes. The apostle Peter received a vision that led to the inclusion of Gentiles in the early Christian community (Acts 10:9-16). This vision challenged existing Jewish customs and expanded the understanding of God's salvation.

The Book of Revelation, written by the apostle John, is a series of apocalyptic visions that reveal the ultimate triumph of God over evil. These visions include symbolic imagery and prophetic messages concerning the end times, as seen in Revelation 1:1 : "This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John."

Visions in the Bible serve as a powerful means of divine communication, providing guidance, warning, and hope to God's people throughout history.