The Defense 
We hear the Pagan Man’s defense. – He thinks he should be acquitted on grounds of ignorance.
The Plea of ignorance is rendered and the plea gets refuted- because he has the gift of conscience, nature, etc. Men seem to put human reasoning on the throne and place Devine revelation in the basement. What a mistake.
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:19-22)
We also hear the Moral Man’s defense. (Rom. 2: 1-16) He makes a comparison- he is not as bad as the Pagan.
The plea gets rendered – the Moral man thinks he is a good person.
The plea is refuted- “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” (Romans 2:1)
The moral man underestimates the awesome knowledge of God.
The plea gets reviewed. It is determined there is indifference to the forbearance and goodness of God. God’s forbearance is holding back his wrath, His goodness is His grace.
Religious Man’s defense. (Rom. 2:17-3:8) He says, “I know the Law.” (I teach courses in religion.)
His plea gets rendered. His plea is refuted.
His plea is reviewed. (They don’t practice what they preach.)
The Jew had a National advantage but no spiritual advantage. The Bottom Line- the Law could not save them, Circumcision could not save them and birthright could not save them.
Like so many people today in Christendom, they look at themselves like they belong to the church of Christ and they are heirs of Heaven simply because they were baptized at a baby. (A little sprinkle of water on the forehead.) And the Jew thinks that circumcision gave him a special status with God. A mere religious ordinance will not profit the soul without a vital and personal experience with Christ. It is circumcision of the heart that matters.
God see’s all—you cannot commit an undetected crime.
Smile because God loves you, but, Fear, for God will someday Judge you. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God’s Wrath.
On to the trial of the Ages!
Back in the courthouse of Law.
The Charge- High Treason
The Defendants- Pagan Man, Moral Man and Religious Man
The detailed indictment:
The Jury- 4 members – Conscious Man, Deeds Man, Works Man and Law of God Man.
The Defense
Based on testimony from expert witnesses: A search was launched throughout Heaven and no man was found worthy. None righteous, not one. As it is written “All have sinned and come short the Glory of God.” No fear of God, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:18)
None were righteous, none understood, none were seeking God.
Not even Mary was righteous, she was the very first to call Jesus Savior. (Luke 1:47) She needed to be saved like all sinners. We all need the Savior!
The VERDICT: GUILTY, all are GUILTY!
Man’s Character is Sinful.
“They are all of them gone out of the way. They are together become unprofitable; there is none that is doing good, no, not one” (Rom 3:12)
In other words they have chosen to go some other way than the way of God.
“There is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
Sin = Hamartia– (ham-ar-tee’-ah) TO MISS THE MARK– that which is done wrong, sin, an offense, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act. Man misses the target.
Man murders his brother and mocks his God. “their feet are swift to shed blood” You see murder was always in the heart of man. Nothing new and killing is a heart problem and cannot be blamed on anything else.
Man originally was good but has gone bad since Adam.
Man’s conversation is sinful.
And now Paul the court recorder is quoting from the Psalms. “Their throat is an open sepulcher, with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:13-18)
We see here God’s indictment – God is declaring that mans condition is apart from God. Man has no connection to the Lord.
The sting of a vicious viper…
The stink from a tomb…
Cursing and bitterness…
“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
GUILTY! GUILTY! GUILTY!
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” (Revelation 5)
MAN IS GUILTY AS CHARGED! 
Come back for the last post as the sentencing occurs.
We will see what the sentence is
And we will see the most amazing thing happen
In the “Trial of the Ages!”
God bless you all,
The Tubthumper