By Bill Brandstatter
The thought of judgment is not a subject many like to talk about today. People will, however, talk about how some are being judgmental. The thought of a final judgment for all humans is however, a biblical subject. There is a certainty to it. There will come a day.
In Acts 17:30, 31 Luke writes, “The time of this ignorance, God overlooked, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.” (NKJV) The world we live in is forever changing. Even as I write this article something is changing; but two things which will never change are death and the judgment (Heb. 9:27). Everyone is going to die. Everyone is going to be judged.
Our judgment will be universal but it will also be personal. The text we are looking at states that God will judge the world in righteousness. That righteousness is revealed to us in the gospel. (Rom 1:16, 17) Each individual will be judged on a personal basis (2 Cor. 5:10). Paul wrote that each of us must give an account of ourselves before God (Rom. 14:12). So, I will be alone at the judgment, but I will not be alone.
There is a day coming in the future when all mankind will face the judgment. The word “day” in our text does not mean a literal 24 hr. day. It is a common method employed in scripture. It is a word that stands for some indefinite point in the future. When that day will come no one knows. Peter says, “…the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Pet. 3:10).
Jesus used the word “hour” to describe this future time of judgment. He stated, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:44 NKJV) On that judgment day a number of events will happen almost simultaneously.
First, the Lord shall descend from heaven. He won’t go any further than the clouds, however (1 Th. 4:16).
Next, the dead and the living that are faithful will be raised to meet him in the air (Jn. 5:28, 29; 1 Th. 4:17).
The books will then be opened. (Rev. 20:12-14).
The Great Judge will gather all nations before Him. (Mt. 25:32) You and I will be there (2 Cor. 5:10). Sodom and Gomorrah will be there (Mt. 10:15). The people of Nineveh will be there (Mt. 12:41). The queen of Sheba will be there (Mt. 12:42). All races from all nations will be there. What a gathering of people that will be! Then the Great Judge shall separate them one from another (Mt. 25:32.).
The righteous will be welcomed into heaven (Mt. 25:32); but the wicked shall be condemned into everlasting punishment (Mt. 25:41).
Don’t you want to be ready for that day? It could happen at any minute. If you haven’t done so already, prepare yourself today. It will come. We need to be ready.
The thought of judgment is not a subject many like to talk about today. People will, however, talk about how some are being judgmental. The thought of a final judgment for all humans is however, a biblical subject. There is a certainty to it. There will come a day.
In Acts 17:30, 31 Luke writes, “The time of this ignorance, God overlooked, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.” (NKJV) The world we live in is forever changing. Even as I write this article something is changing; but two things which will never change are death and the judgment (Heb. 9:27). Everyone is going to die. Everyone is going to be judged.
Our judgment will be universal but it will also be personal. The text we are looking at states that God will judge the world in righteousness. That righteousness is revealed to us in the gospel. (Rom 1:16, 17) Each individual will be judged on a personal basis (2 Cor. 5:10). Paul wrote that each of us must give an account of ourselves before God (Rom. 14:12). So, I will be alone at the judgment, but I will not be alone.
There is a day coming in the future when all mankind will face the judgment. The word “day” in our text does not mean a literal 24 hr. day. It is a common method employed in scripture. It is a word that stands for some indefinite point in the future. When that day will come no one knows. Peter says, “…the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Pet. 3:10).
Jesus used the word “hour” to describe this future time of judgment. He stated, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:44 NKJV) On that judgment day a number of events will happen almost simultaneously.
First, the Lord shall descend from heaven. He won’t go any further than the clouds, however (1 Th. 4:16).
Next, the dead and the living that are faithful will be raised to meet him in the air (Jn. 5:28, 29; 1 Th. 4:17).
The books will then be opened. (Rev. 20:12-14).
The Great Judge will gather all nations before Him. (Mt. 25:32) You and I will be there (2 Cor. 5:10). Sodom and Gomorrah will be there (Mt. 10:15). The people of Nineveh will be there (Mt. 12:41). The queen of Sheba will be there (Mt. 12:42). All races from all nations will be there. What a gathering of people that will be! Then the Great Judge shall separate them one from another (Mt. 25:32.).
The righteous will be welcomed into heaven (Mt. 25:32); but the wicked shall be condemned into everlasting punishment (Mt. 25:41).
Don’t you want to be ready for that day? It could happen at any minute. If you haven’t done so already, prepare yourself today. It will come. We need to be ready.
- Bill
Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in
Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/
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