Repentance is a fundamental concept in Christian theology, signifying a profound change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and toward God. It is a key component of the salvation process and is emphasized throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for repentance is "shuv," which means to turn back or return. This concept is vividly illustrated in the prophetic writings, where God calls His people to return to Him and forsake their sinful ways. For instance, in Ezekiel 18:30-31 , God implores, "Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to your ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your offenses, so that sin will not be your downfall. Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit."

In the New Testament, the Greek word "metanoia" is used, which means a change of mind. John the Baptist and Jesus both began their ministries with a call to repentance. In Matthew 3:2 , John the Baptist declares, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Similarly, Jesus proclaims in Mark 1:15 , "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!"

Repentance is not merely an emotional response but involves a decisive turning away from sin and a commitment to follow Christ. It is accompanied by faith in Jesus Christ, as seen in Acts 20:21 , where Paul testifies, "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

The Apostle Paul further emphasizes the transformative nature of repentance in 2 Corinthians 7:10 : "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." This passage highlights the distinction between genuine repentance, which leads to life, and superficial remorse, which does not result in true change.

Judgment

Judgment in the Bible refers to the divine assessment and administration of justice by God. It encompasses both temporal judgments in history and the ultimate judgment at the end of time. The concept of judgment is integral to understanding God's holiness, righteousness, and sovereignty.

In the Old Testament, God's judgment is often depicted as a response to the covenantal unfaithfulness of His people. The prophets frequently warned of impending judgment due to Israel's idolatry and injustice. For example, in Isaiah 3:13-14 , it is written, "The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people. The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: 'You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.'"

The New Testament expands on the theme of judgment, emphasizing the role of Jesus Christ as the appointed judge. In John 5:22 , Jesus states, "Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son." This underscores the belief that Christ will execute judgment at the end of the age.

The final judgment is a central eschatological event described in passages such as Matthew 25:31-46 , where Jesus speaks of separating the sheep from the goats based on their deeds. Revelation 20:11-15 provides a vivid depiction of the great white throne judgment, where the dead are judged according to their works, and anyone not found in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire.

Judgment serves as a warning and a call to repentance, as seen in Acts 17:30-31 : "Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead."

The doctrine of judgment assures believers of God's ultimate justice and the vindication of righteousness, while also serving as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the necessity of repentance.