Judicial Standards

The following are clearly stated Biblical standards for overall judgment between the wicked and the righteous:

Treatment of the Elect
Treatment of GOD's elect will be a major determinant of eternal destiny. How the elect were treated in ways that matter when they were being oppressed by a wicked world system (Jn. 15:18-19) will result in judgement, not just of people but also of angels. (1 Co. 6:3)

Matthew 25:32-46 and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Ultimate Righteousness
The most righteous who qualify to live with GOD in HIS tabernacle meet the following requirements:

Psalms 15:1-5 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; But he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

No Usury
The practice of charging the poor interest, also known as usury, was clearly prohibited in the Old Testament. Taking what little the poor had, which they needed to survive, was a serious crime before Heaven.

Exodus 22:25-27 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: for that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.

No Backbiting
Slandering others behind their backs, rather than criticizing publicly or to their faces, was a deceitful act indicative of treachery and dishonesty. Such dishonest people are a danger to righteous government for they may slander and plot secretly while pretending friendship disingenuously.

Psalms 50:5-8 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, Him will I cut off: Him that hath an high look And a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful Of the land, that they may dwell with me: He that walketh in a perfect way, He shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; That I may cut off All wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

No Bribes
Taking bribes, in other words, "reward against the innocent," meant a person sold out their morals, oppressing innocent people in exchange for gifts or favors. As with backbiting, such people who can be bought on behalf of wickedness are a serious danger to righteous government because they can betray a righteous ruler for personal gain without exposing plots honestly, loyally, and forthrightly.

Proverbs 29:4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: But he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom To pervert the ways of judgment.

Keeping Promises
Keeping one's promises, or "swearing to one's hurt and changing not," meant sticking to one's promises even when it was inconvenient to do so, and was a sign of integrity.

Numbers 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Merciful Receive Mercy
A clear teaching in the gospels is that those which did not show mercy to others concerning legal judgments will receive none themselves, they will be judged with the same standards they judged others with legally.

Matthew 18:32-34 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.