What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment?
At the day of judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ's left hand,1 and, upon clear evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences,2 shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them;3 and thereupon shall be cast out from the favorable presence of God, and the glorious fellowship with Christ, his saints, and all his holy angels, into hell, to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with the devil and his angels forever.4
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Matt. 25:33
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
2 Rom. 2:15–16
Rom. 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom. 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
3 Matt. 25:41–43
Matt. 25:41 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:
Matt. 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Matt. 25:43 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.
4 Luke 16:26; 2 Thess. 1:8–9
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
2 Thess. 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thess. 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Shorter Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
IX.5 The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone, in the state of glory …
The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone, in the state of glory only.
→ IX.5 · Of Free WillXXXII.2 At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the …
At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.
→ XXXII.2 · Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the DeadXXXII.3 The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of …
The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.
→ XXXII.3 · Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the DeadXXXIII.1 God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom …
God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons, that have lived upon earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.
→ XXXIII.1 · Of the Last JudgmentXXXIII.2 The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in …
The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord: but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
→ XXXIII.2 · Of the Last JudgmentXXXIII.3 As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both …
As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity: so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.
→ XXXIII.3 · Of the Last JudgmentIn the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q.38 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
→ Open Q.38