Jesus’ statement that his words would do the final judging of unbelievers is in harmony with the text which declares that in that happy time the Lord will judge the people “with his truth.” (Ps. 96:13) This is a beautiful thought. It means that all mankind are to be enlightened with the truth concerning God, and upon the basis of this enlightenment they will be given an opportunity to obey and live.
This glorious fact, so clearly taught in the Scriptures, brings into focus many texts and promises of the Bible which are otherwise contradictory. For example, John 1:9, which says Jesus is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” Certainly this was not true of those who died before Christ came! Nor has it been true of countless millions since. But this text has real meaning because of the blessed assurance that there is to be a future day of enlightenment.
In a wonderful prophecy of that day, the thousand year period of Christ’s reign, the promise is made that “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”—Isa. 11:9
Zephaniah, in a revealing prophecy now being fulfilled in the disintegration of a social order described by the Apostle Paul as “this present evil world,” (Gal. 1:4) tells us that following this period of distress, the Lord “will . . . turn to the people a pure language [message], that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.”—Zeph. 3:8,9
The Prophet Jeremiah tells us of a future time when the Lord will make “a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah,” explaining that then the divine law will be written in the hearts of the people. The knowledge of the Lord will then be so universal that all shall know him, “from the least of them unto the greatest of them.”—Jer. 31:31-34
The Apostle Paul says, “God . . . will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”—I Tim. 2:3-6
At first glance the sequence given here seems contrary to other scriptures which insist that one must have a knowledge of the Truth first, then, upon the basis of this knowledge, believe and be saved; for here the apostle speaks of being “saved” first, and then receiving a knowledge of the Truth.
However, in this instance Paul is not using the word “saved” to describe the eternal salvation which results from believing and obeying the Gospel. Rather, he is telling us that it is God’s will that all who have died in ignorance of the only name given whereby we must be saved, shall be awakened from death to have an opportunity to come to a knowledge of the Truth. In other words, Paul uses the word “saved” to describe what Jesus promised when he said that all in their graves would hear his voice and come forth.
The great truth which all must learn and accept in order to obtain everlasting life is that Jesus Christ by the grace of God tasted death “for every man.” (Heb. 2:9) Paul speaks of this as a “ransom for all,” and it is this great truth that is to “be testified [made known] in due time.” The expression “due time” is very significant. It indicates that God’s loving plan for the redemption and salvation of the human race progresses in an orderly and prearranged plan in which there is a due time for every feature of his loving designs. The present age, and the present life, is the due time for some to comprehend the Truth and thus to believe and obey. During the millennium, and after the unenlightened world is awakened from death, will be the due time for them to have the Gospel testified in an understandable manner. Then it will be their due time to obey and live.