Are There Two Day of Judgments?

It is often taught that there will be two separate Day of Judgments, one for the righteous and one for the unrighteous, and that the two Day of Judgments will be divided by time and events that take place on earth. However, the Scriptures make it clear that there will only be one Day of Judgment when all the nations and people will be gathered before Him and separated to His right and to His left.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left… Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”  Matt. 25:31-46

In order to be judged on the same day, those who have done what is good and those who have done what is evil will rise together to life or condemnation.

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” John 5:28-29

In the Scriptures, the Day of Judgment is always described as a singular event when the good and the bad will be collected together and then divided by the angels who will throw the wicked into the fire.   

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt 13:47-50


The Day of Judgment itself will take place on the Last Day when the earth is destroyed by fire, just as the world was once consumed by water.

They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 2 Pet. 3:4-7

On the Day of Judgment, everyone will have to give an account to God and will either be acquitted or condemned.

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt. 12:36-37

(To read more about the Day of Judgment, click here: Revelation Chapter 20.)