Jesus Comes to Judge
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 6/11/2017 AM |
Text: | II Thessalonians 1; Lord's Day 19 |
Psalters: | 16, 253, 13, 139 |
- He returns.
- The One Who died for us will return literally, visibly and personally, as He went up to heaven.
- It will be open and public as lightning flashing over all the earth (Luke 17:24).
- It is “revelation” (7) because it will “uncover” or “unveil” Jesus’ unspeakable glory.
- Christ’s return inaugurates a new phase of history (His eternal kingdom) 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 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; II Tim. 4:1).
- And Christ’s return brings the creation of a new heavens and earth (II Peter 3:3-13).
- The One Who died for us will return literally, visibly and personally, as He went up to heaven.
- The chief purpose of Jesus’ return is to judge.
- Jesus is the Judge (John 5:22,27).
- This judgment’s 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.
- It will be public, so Christ and His cause will be publicly justified and all the power of Christ’s blood manifested.
- It will manifest that God was just and perfectly wise in all of His governing of the world.
- He comes “with flaming fire” (7,8).
- To know that Jesus returns to judge is “most desirable and comfortable to the righteous” (Belgic Conf., 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.
- May the knowledge of this coming Day strengthen your resolve to endure patiently the trials and travails of this life.