The title "Righteous Judge" ascribed to Jesus Christ encapsulates His role in divine judgment, characterized by fairness, justice, and truth. This title is deeply rooted in both Old and New Testament scriptures, reflecting the consistent biblical portrayal of Jesus as the ultimate arbiter of human destiny.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of Jesus as a judge is woven throughout the Bible, with prophetic anticipation in the Old Testament and explicit affirmation in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, the anticipation of a righteous judge is seen in passages like Isaiah 11:3-4, which speaks of a figure who "will not judge by what His eyes see, nor decide by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth."

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself affirms His role as judge. In John 5:22-23 , Jesus declares, "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father." This passage underscores the divine authority given to Jesus to execute judgment, emphasizing His equality with the Father in this role.

Attributes of the Righteous Judge

1. Impartiality and Justice: Jesus' judgment is marked by impartiality and perfect justice. Acts 10:42 states, "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead." This appointment by God ensures that His judgment is free from human bias and is executed with divine fairness.

2. Righteousness: The righteousness of Jesus as judge is a recurring theme. In 2 Timothy 4:8 , Paul refers to "the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day." This righteousness assures believers that their faith and deeds will be evaluated with perfect moral integrity.

3. Authority and Sovereignty: Jesus' authority as judge is absolute and sovereign. Matthew 25:31-32 describes the scene of final judgment: "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." This imagery highlights His sovereign authority over all nations and peoples.

4. Mercy and Compassion: While Jesus is a righteous judge, His judgments are also tempered with mercy and compassion. James 2:13 reminds us, "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." This balance of justice and mercy is a hallmark of His divine character.

Eschatological Role

The eschatological role of Jesus as the Righteous Judge is central to Christian eschatology. Revelation 19:11 vividly portrays this role: "Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse, and its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war." This apocalyptic vision underscores the ultimate fulfillment of His role as judge at the end of the age, where He will execute final judgment and establish His eternal kingdom.

In summary, the title "Righteous Judge" ascribed to Jesus Christ is a profound testament to His divine authority, moral perfection, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's justice. Through this title, believers find assurance in the fairness and integrity of His judgments, both in the present and in the eschatological future.2 Timothy 4:8
From now on there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.
Nave's Topical Index

On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ...
... are the titles of our Saviour; lest, therefore, His manifold appellations should
make ... to have followed in his explanation of the names Jesus' and Christ.'. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture x on the clause.htm

Cli. Letter or Address of Theodoret to the Monks of the ...
... define doctrine in both directions devise appellations for the ... the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ." [2228] And ... another place he uses both names at once ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cli letter or address of.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... There are also many other things which Jesus did, the ... itself could not contain the
fulness of Christ's teaching about ... seek to glory in it by the names we employ ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... As for those whose names I mention, their crimes or ... they profess to know and love;
for Jesus Christ's sake. ... Yea, no marvel though God and Christ have so bent ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

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