The Cross—The Judgment Throne

Psalm 96:13 declares,

“He comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.”

At first glance, this verse may sound fateful, as if God is coming to condemn the world. But through the lens of the New Testament, we see something far more wonderful unfolding.

Jesus said in John 5:22,

“The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.”

And in John 12:31-32, He reveals how and when that judgment takes place:

“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw (drag) all people to myself.”

The judgment of the world happened on the cross.

John said in 1 John 3:8b, NASB, “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” In Colossians 2:15 BSB, Paul said, “Having disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

There, Jesus exposed the systems of darkness, violence, and rejection that enslave humanity. He took into Himself all the sin, shame, and death the world threw at Him, and returned only love. In doing so, He judged the world not by condemning it, but by revealing Himself, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” and offering redemption.

Psalm 96 says He judges “in righteousness” and “in faithfulness.” These are covenant terms—relational words. His judgment is not retributive, but restorative. Christ, as Judge, heals what is broken.

At the cross, judgment is not separation—it is union.
It is not wrath—it is mercy.
It is not condemnation—it is the grand unveiling of God’s love for the world.

So when we read that “the Lord comes to judge the earth,” we do not need to fear. The Judge has already come, and His judgment was the outpouring of love that saves all creation.