How do we know Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead?

The authority of Jesus as the judge stems from His unique position as both the Son of God and the Son of Man. As outlined in John 5:22-23, the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son, signaling His divine authority to determine the fates of every individual (Romans 14:10-12). This role is affirmed throughout the New Testament, highlighting that Jesus will execute judgment not only based on His righteousness but also as one who understands humanity, having lived as a man (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Therefore, His judgment is both just and informed by His empathetic nature as our mediator.