Lord’s Day 19, q. 52; Matthew 25

I BELIEVE JESUS SHALL COMES AGAIN TO JUDGE

I. His Return

A. The One Who died for us will return literally, visibly and personally, as He went up to heaven (Acts 1:11b).

B. His coming is a revelation (II Thess. 2:6) because it will “uncover” or “unveil” Jesus’ unspeakable glory.

C.Christ’s return inaugurates a new phase of history (His eternal kingdom) ending present life, but beginning new life (46b)

1. This return inaugurates the realization of the believer’s hope (cf. I Cor. 1:7,8; Phil. 1:6,10; I John 2:28; I Tim. 4:8).

2. And Christ’s return brings the creation of a new heavens and earth (II Peter 3:3-13).

II. The chief purpose of Jesus’ return is to judge.

A. His return brings the judgment of all mankind - both the sheep and the goats (text; II Thess. 1:6-10).

B. Jesus is the Judge (John 5:22,27; II Cor. 5:10).

C.This judgment’s purpose is the theodicy - the justification of God’s every work in the consciousness of all moral creatures.

1. It will manifest that God was just and perfectly wise in all of His governing of the world.

2. It will show the greatness of God’s love and grace in forgiving so many sins by such great and precious blood.

D.Then every human will be judged “according to” (not on the basis of) his works (II Cor. 5:10).

E. The goats will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord (46a; II Thess. 1:9).

III. To know that Jesus returns to judge is “most desirable and comfortable to the righteous” (Belgic Conf., Art. 37).

A. First, it is a day of recompense on His and our enemies, visiting every unforgiven sin and setting everything straight.

B. Second, Christ’s return is “rest” (II Thess. 1:7) for those who are “troubled” in this life.

C.Jesus Himself anticipated the Judgment when divine vengeance would be executed when He could not in time (I Peter 2:23).

D.May the knowledge of this coming Day strengthen your resolve to endure patiently the trials and travails of this life.