PARA 1 – The General Overview of the Last Judgment
1._ 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 the 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.
OUTLINE
Six things are mentioned in Para 1 by way of overview concerning the last judgment.
- Its Author: Who is the author of the last judgment? “God . . . will judge the world.” God the Father is the author of the last judgment. It is according to His appointment that Christ will sit upon His judgment seat and judge the nations. Acts 17:31: “. . . He (God) has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
- Its Occasion: When will the last judgment take place? “God hath appointed a day wherein He will judge.” That day is obviously the last day—a day after which there are no more days, as least not in the way we presently think of days.
- Its Object: Who will be judged? “God will judge the world.” Notice in the latter part of the paragraph: “In which day not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ.”
- Its Manner: How will the last judgment be carried out? “God will judge the world in righteousness.” God will execute the last judgment in accordance with His own perfect standard of righteousness.
- Its Mediator: By whom will the last judgment be carried out? “God will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.” Notice in the latter part of the paragraph: “All persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ.” John 5:22: “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son.” Matthew 28:18: “Jesus came up and spoke to His disciples saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’” 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” Christ is the Mediator of the last judgment.
- Its Activities: What particular activities will characterize the last judgment? The activities of giving and receiving. “All persons that have lived upon the 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.” In the last judgment, those who are judged will give an account to the Judge, and they will receive from the Judge what is due them.
It’s evident that much of the language in Par. 1 is taken directly from Acts 17:31. At least the first five points in our overview are explicit in this text (Author, Occasion, Object, Manner, and Mediator). Several of the elements in our overview are also explicit in 2 Corinthians 5:10. Other texts include Matthew 16:27, Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 2:6-16, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, 2 Peter 3:1-13, and Revelation 20:11-15. These are among the key texts in the Bible that are concerned with the last judgment.
PARA 2 – . The Goal of the Last Judgment
2._ 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 eternal 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 glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
( Romans 9:22, 23; Matthew 25:21, 34; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 )
OUTLINE
Two goals of judgement
- Glory of God.
- 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 eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient;
- Note: All things terminate on God, not man. So it is with the last judgment. Its terminating point is God. In our man-centered world, man’s interests and man’s comfort are thought to be the highest goals. But this world is not man’s. It’s God’s, and all things exist because of Him and for Him. The last judgment is more about God than it is about man. We must resist the man-centered thinking that prevails in our society and world, or else we will find certain truths revealed in the Bible to be harsh and intolerable—including the truth of divine judgment and the truth of eternal punishment. If we cease to have a God-centered perspective, these truths will seem extreme, and we’ll be tempted to question them and doubt them. We might even abandon them altogether.
- Note: All mankind is divided into 2 great categories: the elect and the reprobate—two groups of people chosen and foreordained for two distinctly different destinies. The elect have been chosen for the praise of His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:6). The reprobate have been chosen for the praise of His justice (Proverbs 16:4) The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.
- The Realization of the Goal
- for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
- Note: Two distinct ends, two distinct destinies are in store for these two groups of people—everlasting glory and blessedness for the righteous, and everlasting misery and torment for the wicked. There will be blessedness for the righteous and misery for the wicked. How often do men get that backwards. The wicked often think that it shall go well for them, and the righteous often think that it will not go well for them.
- Note: How should Christians think about the last judgment? Look at the following texts. John 5:24, 29 Matthew 25:21 Romans 2:6, 10 1 Corinthians 4:5 2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7 2 Timothy 4:8 How does the Bible indicate a Christian should think about the last judgment? The Christian should not view the last judgment with fear and dread, but with joyful anticipation of divine approval and reward. In the Day of Judgment, God isn’t going to parade our sins and faults and failings before the universe. He isn’t going to rub our noses in our sin, as it were, in order to shame us. No, our sins are covered in the blood of Christ. He has declared in His Word: “I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). Nothing but blessing and reward await those who are trusting in Christ, in that day. To be sure, the day of judgment isn’t something that should be thought of lightly or glibly by Christians. But neither should it be dreaded. Isn’t it ironic that those who have no real grounds for hope and confidence in the day of judgment are often so casual about it, while those who have every reason to anticipate that day with joy and confidence are often gripped with fear and dread as they think of it. If you profess Christ, but have weak assurance, and tremble at the thought of the approaching day of judgment, what does the Word of God indicate should be your attitude as you think of it? These texts are clear. The Christian’s homecoming will be a time of great joy.
PARA 3 – The Present, Practical Impact of the Last Judgment
3._ 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 the 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 ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen. ( 2 Corinthians 5:10, 11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-40; Revelation 22:20 )
OUTLINE
How should the doctrine of the last judgment impact us? What practical effect should it presently have upon us? Two things are asserted in Par. 3 concerning the present, practical impact of the last judgment.
- Concerning What Is Known and Certain About the Last Judgment: Par. 3a: “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 . . .” The knowledge that a day of judgment has been appointed is intended to discourage all men from sin, and to encourage the people of God in the midst of their sufferings and trials. The Word of God is clear in asserting that there will be a day of judgment.
2. Concerning What Is Unknown and Uncertain About the Last Judgment: Par. 3b: “. . . so will He have the 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 ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen” The uncertainty of the precise date of the last judgment isn’t intended to produce predictions or speculation about dates and times. Rather, it is intended to make us watchful. See Mark 13:33-37. Furthermore, what is unknown and uncertain about the last judgment is intendedto make us eager for that day to come—eager for the return of Christ on that day. The eager expectation of Christ is one the earmarks of true conversion. See Romans 8:23 1 Corinthians 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10. These are among the present, practical effects that the doctrine of final judgment is to have upon us.
Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Bangalore 