What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment?
At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds,1 shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted,2 shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men,3 and shall be received into heaven,4 where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery;5 filled with inconceivable joys,6 made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels,7 but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity.8 And this is the perfect and full communion, which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.
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 1 Thess. 4:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
2 Matt. 10:32, Matt. 25:33
Matt. 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matt. 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
3 1 Cor. 6:2–3
1 Cor. 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1 Cor. 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 Matt. 25:34, 46
Matt. 25:34 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:
Matt. 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
5 Eph. 5:27; Rev. 14:13
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
6 Ps. 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
7 Heb. 12:22–23
Heb. 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb. 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
8 1 John 3:2; 1 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 4:17–18
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Thess. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thess. 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
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