Christ is the Lord of All vs. Christ is the Judge

 

Christ is the Lord of All vs. Christ is the Judge

Acts 10:36: "Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)"

Acts 17:30-31: "now he 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"

2 Timothy 4:1: "Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead"

Revelation 20:11-15: The judgment at the great white throne 

Aspects of Comparison	Christ is the Lord of All	Christ is the Judge
Meaning	Christ is the Lord of all people (both Jews and Gentiles), and His authority and salvation extend to everyone.	Christ is appointed by God as the executor of judgment for both the living and the dead, who will judge the world with righteousness.
Reason	Because Christ has ascended to heaven, God has made Him Lord of all things, and His lordship transcends race and nationality.	Because God has appointed a day when He will execute judgment through Christ; Christ's resurrection from the dead is the evidence established by God.
Distinction	Emphasizes Christ's universal sovereignty and salvation, as well as God's impartial love toward all people.	Emphasizes Christ's authority to judge and His righteousness, as well as human accountability for their actions.
Examples	Christ accepts those who fear God and work righteousness from all nations; Peter preaching to Cornelius and other Gentiles demonstrates that the gospel has come to all people.	Christ will judge the living (judging the nations of the earth on His glorious throne before the millennium) and the dead (judging the dead at the great white throne after the millennium).
Application	Believers should recognize Christ's universal lordship and preach the gospel to all peoples regardless of race or nationality; they should fear God and practice righteousness.	Believers should recognize the inevitability of Christ's judgment, repent, fear God, and conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Lord.
Interrelationship	Christ as the Lord of all is a present reality, His grace and salvation extend to all people; this identity demonstrates God's mercy and inclusiveness.	Christ as the Judge is a future office, His righteousness will come to all people; this identity demonstrates God's justice and holiness.
Relevant Scripture	Acts 10:34-35: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right" 1 Timothy 2:4: "who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth"  Revelation 5:9: "because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation"	1. Acts 10:42: "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead"  2 Timothy 4:1: "Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead" 1 Peter 4:5: "the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead" Matthew 25:31-46: Christ judging the nations on His glorious throne

 

Conclusion:

This comparison highlights the importance of Christ's dual identity: as Lord of all, He demonstrates God's impartial love and acceptance of all people; as Judge, He manifests God's justice and holiness. Although these two identities have distinctions, they complement each other to fully express Christ's complete work.

This table helps us gain a deeper understanding of Christ's identity and work, as well as how we as believers should respond: we need to acknowledge both His grace as Lord of all and fear His justice as Judge.

 

*Please refer to the April 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training General Topic: Oneness and Vital Aspects of Acts Chapter 4: Resurrection, Ascension, and the All-inclusive Christ