He Shall Come To Judge
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 11/14/2010 PM |
Text: | II Thessalonians 1; Lord's Day 19 |
Psalters: | 259, 1, 16, 420 |
- A glorious return.
- The One Who died for us will return visibly and personally.
- It is literal and personal return of Him Who went up to heaven.
- It will be open and public (not secret).
- It is near and He is coming quickly (Matt. 26:64; Rev. 22:12).
- It is “revelation” (7) because it will “uncover” or “unveil” Jesus’ unspeakable glory.
- Christ’s return inaugurates a new phase of history ending life as we know it.
- His return brings the judgment of both the just and the unjust (II Thess. 1:6-10).
- This return brings the ultimate realization of the believer’s hope.
- And Christ’s return brings the creation of a new heavens and earth (II Peter 3:3-13).
- The chief purpose of Jesus’ return is to judge.
- Jesus is the Judge.
- The purpose is the theodicy – the justification of God’s every work in the consciousness of all moral creatures.
- All rational, moral creatures (men and angels) will appear in our resurrection bodies.
- Public, so Christ and His cause will be publicly justified and all the power of Christ’s blood manifested.
- Will manifest that God was just and perfectly wise in all of His governing of the world.
- He comes “with flaming fire” (7,8).
- The knowledge of Christ’s return for judgment is “most desirable and comfortable to the righteous” (Belgic., Art. 37).
- First, it is a day of recompense, visiting every unforgiven sin and setting everything straight.
- Second, Christ’s return is “rest” (7) for those who are “troubled” in this life.
- This rest is refreshment, ease, and tranquillity, relaxation from the rigors of patient endurance.
- It means perfect deliverance from the body of this death and all the sins related to it.
- Every elect receives the final manifestation of the perfect and eternal Rest (sabbath).
- May the knowledge of this coming Day strengthen your resolve to endure patiently the trials and travails of this life.