In this article, I won’t gloss over the question of why God must judge the Earth and people who live here with a simplistic “because of righteousness.” The deeper issue is: why does righteousness demand judgment?

Pastors and Christian authors in general mean well with there lack of depth and I am not even saying that simplistic view is wrong. What I am declaring is it still doen't provide the "why" it is necessary.

Let’s explore the reasons judgment occurs and what defines righteousness.

God Judges Because Evil Began in Heaven

Righteousness can be defined as anything aligned with God’s nature, while sin is anything opposing Him. Contrary to common teaching, Adam and Eve did not commit the original sin (Gen. 3).

How could the first created couple even know how to sin? The serpent, an evil spirit from Heaven, taught them. Scripture reveals that sin originated in Heaven through Lucifer and the rebellious angels before it ever reached Earth (Isa. 14:12-15).

Thus, God’s judgment extends beyond Earth to the entirety of creation or else why would there need to be a new Heaven, new Earth, and new Jersulaem (Rev. 21:1-5)?

Bottom Line: Sin existed in God’s presence through Lucifer’s rebellion, necessitating judgment across all creation.

God Judges the Earth Because Sin Was Re-Enacted

Sin did not begin in time but in eternity. When God judged Lucifer in eternity, he was cast down to Earth. The sin that originated in Heaven was re-enacted on Earth through Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Their actions mirrored the rebellion that began in Heaven (Gen. 3).

Bottom Line: God judges the Earth because the sin from Heaven was replicated here.

God Judges Because Sin Survived on Noah’s Ark

The flood in Noah’s time was never meant to be a permanent solution to sin. From Genesis 3 to Genesis 6, evil escalated, forcing God’s righteous judgment. Though Noah was found righteous, sin persisted through one of his sons. As humanity repopulated, sin spread again (Gen. 9:20-25).

Bottom Line: Sin survived the flood, requiring further judgment as it repopulated the Earth.

God Judges Because Creation Cries to Him

This isn’t environmental extremism claiming humanity will destroy the planet. However, human sin negatively impacts the perfect environment God created. After Adam’s sin, God declared the Earth would no longer yield its full strength (Gen. 3:17). Romans 8:22 states, “The whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.”

Bottom Line: God must judge because sin is an ecosystem that corrupts everything around it (Rom. 5:12).

God Judges Because Jesus Is Rejected

Despite the pervasive evil, God provided a solution through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:15-17). Yet, this offer of salvation is a choice, not a mandate. By rejecting Jesus, humanity labels as evil what God called good, incurring judgment (John 3:18).

Bottom Line: Billions have rejected Jesus’ salvation, and those who continue to do so will face judgment and eternal separation in Hell and the Lake of Fire (Matt. 25:14-30).

God Judges Because of Sin Post Second Coming

Like Noah’s Ark, if people survive God’s judgments, sin persists. The Second Coming of Jesus aims to eradicate sin and those who reject His gift of eternal life (John 14:3). While believers are protected, sin continues because of free will. Shortly after the end of the Millenial Kingdom, some in Jesus’ presence will rebel, just as Lucifer did in eternity (Rev. 20:7-9).

Bottom Line: Free will allows sin to persist, necessitating ongoing judgment.

God Judges to Ensure Eternity Remains Holy

After Jesus’ Millennial reign, Satan is released for a “little season” to deceive once more (Revelation 20:3). Some, even in Jesus’ presence, will reject Him in favor of Satan. Following this final deception, God will judge all evil, including Satan, ushering in a perfect, sin-free eternity.

Bottom Line: God’s judgment resets creation to its original righteous state, fulfilling His intent before Lucifer’s rebellion (Rev. 21-22).