Podcast Summary

Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Episode: The Coming Judgment
Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Sinclair B. Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries)

Overview

In this episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson reflects on "The Coming Judgment," one of the "four last things" traditionally explored during Advent. Drawing from Hebrews 9:27 and Romans 2:1–16, Ferguson unpacks the biblical reality of God's final judgment, addressing misconceptions, the nature of God’s justice, and what this means for believers and non-believers. The tone is thoughtful, pastoral, and sobering, encouraging listeners to consider both the gravity and the hope found in Christ.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Reality of Judgment

• Denial and Suppression of Judgment

  • Many people claim not to believe in judgment, but Ferguson notes:

    “People can actually convince themselves to believe something that they knew wasn't true.” [00:42]

  • He explains, citing Romans 1:18–32, that all people have an inherent knowledge of God and coming judgment, though this truth is often suppressed or denied.

• Importance of Knowing About God’s Judgment

  • Ferguson emphasizes:

    “If God is the judge of all the earth and does what is right, it ought to be important to us to know something about his judgment.” [01:23]

Seven Key Points from Romans 2:1–16

1. God’s Judgment is Righteous

   • God always judges rightly (Romans 2:2, 2:5).
   • Quote:

     “When he judges, says Paul... we know that he judges rightly.” [01:42]

2. God’s Judgment Will Assess Deeds

   • Each person is judged according to their works (Romans 2:6; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10).
   • Insight:

     “God will render to each one according to his works. That really does mean each and every one of us.” [02:04]

   • Quoting Thomas Chalmers:

     “There is a present justification for Christians according to grace and a future judgment or assessment according to works.” [02:20]

3. God’s Judgment is Impartial

   • No favoritism at God’s judgment seat (Romans 2:11).
   • Memorable moment:

     “There will be no 'don't you know who I am' before his judgment seat.” [02:33]

4. God’s Judgment is Discriminating

   • God distinguishes between outward profession and true inward reality.
   • Ferguson notes:

     “It sees through our professions to our possession. It detects the difference between seeking his glory and honor and seeking our own.” [02:44]

5. Judgment According to Revelation Received

   • People will be judged in light of the revelation or 'light' given to them (Romans 2).
   • All are guilty regardless of the level of revelation:

     “They will be judged according to the light that they've had, with only one possible verdict, guilty as charged and condemned.” [03:12]

6. The Norm is Christ Jesus

   • Christ’s life is the standard for judgment (Romans 2:16).
   • Ferguson underlines:

     “God will judge the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. His life is the standard.” [03:25]
     “No, we won’t be able to say any of those things standing before the Lord Jesus.” [03:41]

7. Outcome: Glory or Wrath

   • The result will be either glory and honor for believers or wrath for those who reject Christ.
   • Sobering reminder:

     “God’s judgment will result in glory and honor for those who are his, but wrath and fury for others who have rejected him. That's sobering, isn't it?” [03:58]

The Sole Sufficiency of Christ

• Rejecting Self-Righteousness

  • Ferguson warns against trusting in self-righteousness:

    “How foolish it would be to think that we could say to God, I know you sent your son to die to save us from condemnation, but I found my own way to be counted righteous before you.” [04:17]

  • He affirms, quoting Acts 4:12:

    “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” [04:42]

• God's Way of Forgiveness

  • Encouragement in the gospel:

    “If it was necessary for the Son of God to die to bring us into the presence of God with joy, who on earth do we think we are that we can find our own way?” [04:52]

  • Ferguson concludes with gratitude:

    “But let’s thank God that he has found a way to bring the forgiveness of sins to us.” [05:11]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Suppressing Truth:

  “We all know God and so we know there is a judgment. But sinners suppress that knowledge. They repress it. Eventually they deny it.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson [00:49]

• On the Universality of God’s Judgment:

  “God will render to each one according to his works. That really does mean each and every one of us.” [02:04]

• On the Standard of Judgment:

  “God will judge the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. His life is the standard.” [03:25]

• On the Danger of Relying on Self:

  “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” [04:42]

Key Timestamps

• 00:08 — Introduction to the week’s theme and today’s focus on judgment
• 00:49 — Discussion of suppression of judgment
• 01:23 — Why understanding God’s judgment matters
• 01:42 — Seven attributes of God’s judgment (unfolded through 04:00)
• 04:17 — Warning against self-righteousness
• 04:42 — Sufficiency of Christ alone for salvation
• 05:11 — Concluding encouragement: God’s provision of forgiveness

Tone and Takeaway

Ferguson’s words are measured, earnest, and pastoral, seeking to sober hearts with the seriousness of coming judgment, but he concludes with deep gratitude for the redemptive provision found in Christ. The episode offers a scriptural, systematic approach to understanding final judgment, challenging listeners to depend wholly on God’s grace rather than personal merit.