Now the judgment (crisis) of this world is coming on [sentence is now being passed on this world]. Now the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world shall be cast out (expelled). 32 And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw and attract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself.  John 12:31-32 AMP

 

Adam, in the garden, was given authority over the earth and everything in it. When the devil succeeded in deceiving Adam and Eve, he took this authority away from them. God told him that he should not get too comfortable, because the seed of the woman would bruise his head – representing his authority – and he would bruise His heel – representing the physical battering that the seed would endure.

 

Jesus was this Seed. Jesus died and rose again and in the process, bruised the devil’s head, stripping him of his authority over all those who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Men would turn from the devil and his influence and turn to Jesus. He plundered hell to populate heaven! 

 

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ( unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

 

17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

 

18 He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation–he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]   John 3:16-18 AMP

 

God gave Jesus the right and ability to judge all men, but Jesus loves us so much that He chose to save the world and not to judge, to reject, to condemn, or to pass sentence on the world. He came to give every one of us an opportunity to miss hell and make heaven. You can see how much He loves us by the way He forgave those who crucified Him, and He even asked God not to lay this sin to their account. What we need to realize is that you don’t have to die before God decides whether you go to heaven or hell. That is already decided. Judgment has already been passed on every man. If you have not received Jesus – if you have rejected Him – you are already destined for hell. The only one who can change your eternal destiny is you!

 

If you want to make heaven your ultimate destination, then you must hear the words of Jesus and you must make a decision to believe them, receive them, and act on them. Jesus took the punishment that you deserved and when you realize this, believe it, and accept that it was done for you, personally, in the courts of heaven, you are acquitted of all your sin. Judgment ceases instantly.

 

You will never again be judged – even after you die. You are made safe and sound in Jesus. You need never be afraid to die again. Those who have already accepted Jesus, already have eternal life now. Eternity lives in their hearts. They have passed from death into life.

 

The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil.

 

20 For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved.

 

21 But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are–wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him].  John 3:19-21 AMP

 

Jesus came to shine His light into every heart. The way every person responds to Him is an indication of what is in their heart already. You will either want to be free from sin and will welcome Jesus or you will embrace sin and wrongdoing and reject Jesus. You are the one who chooses your judgment – not God.

 

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and believes and trusts in and clings to and relies on Him Who sent Me has (possesses now) eternal life. And he does not come into judgment [does not incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he has already passed over out of death into life.  John 5:24 AMP