“From there He will come to judge
the living and the dead.”
“Look, I am coming soon!
My reward is with me, and I will give to each person
according to what they have done.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to
the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral,
the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood
”
Revelations 22:12-15
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord, Saviour and Coming King, Jesus Christ!
Traditionally, Christmas has always been the season to reflect on God’s love and commemorate the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.
This Christmas, I encourage you to go beyond celebrating the birth of Christ - celebrate His imminent return!
Did it ever occur to you that Christmas is inconsequential if Christ does not return?
In truth, Christmas becomes deeply meaningful only in the reality that Christ will return and complete what the Father has set Him out to fulfill – the ultimate inbreaking of the Kingdom of God!
Make no mistake.
The Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon – as King most exalted, and as Judge most inevitable.
This is a promise as certain as human history was certain about the virgin birth of Christ Jesus, His life, His suffering and death on the Cross, His burial, His Resurrection and His Ascension.
Christ’s imminent return to the world - ushering the eternal Reign of God over all Creation - is not future but present reality. In this reality, we are called and empowered to participate in His Reign as Co-Regents and Stewards of God’s perfect and eternal Kingdom. (Genesis 1:26, Colossians 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 2:12)
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!
When Christ returns, the reality of His absolute and incomparable Sovereignty over all Creation becomes inescapable to every human being who has ever lived, and the truth of His encompassing and meticulous Judgment becomes inevitable over every human life ever conceived.
It is an inevitable and certain eventuality.
Make no mistake.
When Christ was taken up before their very eyes, His disciples were clearly left in awe of the fact that Jesus is God. But this fact - known only to them - was not the task that Christ had left for them to undertake.
Their contentment in reveling in their personal knowledge that Jesus is God was jolted by the appearance of two angels who declared, “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
The Lord Jesus Christ will return to the world in the same way He ascended into Heaven, and our chief task today is to actively anticipate His Return; and not constipate on the manner of His departure as the disciples did.
Anticipate. Don’t Constipate.
Don’t stand looking into the sky… and don't just revel in the knowledge of God’s love and sovereignty without undertaking His purposes, and appropriating His power in our lives!
God’s love is missional! God’s love is creative, productive and fruitful!
To this, God’s love must flow out from our lives
Give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.
Go, make disciples!
Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s witness!
To live in active anticipation of Christ’s return as Lord, Saviour and Judge is what it means to preach the whole gospel of Jesus Christ!
As a Christian, never constipate on what Christ has called you to be, and to do.
Never fudge the gospel of Jesus Christ; preach it loud, and preach it fully.
Christ will come as Judge. And no one will escape His Judgment, not the living, or the dead.
Are you prepared for this certainty?
Have you lived your life evangelizing a gospel in preparing those around you for Christ’s Judgment?
Have you been uncertain about what happens to us after Christ’s judgment and thus, choose to believe in the heresy of universalism or perhaps, choose not to think at all about it?
Make no mistake.
There is a place for those judged unfaithful and defiant, and a place for those judged faithful and surrendered to the grace and mercy of God.
Our Lord Jesus makes it clear.
In His parable of the three servants, Christ speaks of the Master who pronounced this judgment upon the one who knew him least, “So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:28-30)
After the final Judgment of Christ, there is a darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for the worthless.
Our Lord Jesus presses home His point.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
45“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-34, 40-41, 46 )
In God’s eyes, there is no ambiguity; there are no gray areas.
There are those who will be judged righteous, and those who are judged unrighteous; the righteous will be blessed with eternal life, the unrighteous will be cursed and go away to eternal punishment.
The Apostle Paul preaches this gospel unreservedly in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11.
With a loud command, the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God, all the faithful – the dead and then, the living – will be caught up to meet the returning King Jesus Christ.
The bible tells us that the unbelievers will experience bodily resurrection as well, albeit at a later time, to judgment for their evil deeds – pertaining chiefly to their rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15)
As far as the faithful and believing are concerned, Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, ‘we will be with the Lord forever.’
Be encouraged, my brethren.
O come all ye faithful – believe, and share your belief!
The day of Christ’s return is completely unknown, but we will not be surprised – because we – the children of the light and of the day - have chosen to be ‘awake and sober’, living in active anticipation for that day, through faithfully undertaking all the commands and commission of God upon our lives till such time. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-7)
With regards to Christ’s imminent return, be clear about what it means to be a Christian.
We will not be surprised.
We will put on faith and love as our breastplates, and salvation as our helmets (v8) against the relentless attacks of the evil ones, and subversive contagions of worldly conformance and tolerance.
We were not appointed ‘to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ’ who died for us so that we may live together with Him (v9-10); but we cannot say the same for those who reject Christ.
As Christians, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ must be our ‘Blessed Hope’ – the hope that we live for, each day.
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. (Titus 2:11-15)
Do you live in active anticipation of ‘the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ’?
Understand this well.
Christ’s suffering and salvific work on the Cross compels us to reject “ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Christ’s final judgment completes our redemption through separating us from all wickedness, and purifies us forever to be His – a holy people, worthy to reign and rule with Him in His eternal Kingdom.
When Christ judges us as individuals, His act of judgment not only revokes every injustice cause by us, or caused upon us – thereby making right every wrong; His judgment upon us separates all wickedness, once for all, from our lives - thereby purifying us, once for all, unto righteousness.
We need to be judged by Jesus Christ, and we must rejoice in the reality that Christ’s judgment is elemental in our initiation into New Creation.
Everyday, make effort and time to remind yourself that our Lord and Judge Jesus Christ will appear to us anytime.
Ready yourself. Ready those around you.
How then, should we live?
How should we anticipate the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
By all means,
Preach Christ the Son of God; preach Christ the Saviour.
But also,
Preach Christ the Coming King; preach Christ the Judge.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
- Apostle Peter, Acts 10:42
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
- Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 4:1-2
In our lifetime, we will experience many hurts, grieves and trespasses upon us.
This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’ (Zechariah 7:9)
Administer true justice.
Forgive.
Say to the Lord, “I know that in coming to judge the living and the dead, You are coming to right all wrongs, I surrender my right to judge my transgressors and to demand justice over to You, Lord Jesus. I completely trust Your ultimate judgment over my circumstances, and over all circumstances.”
1 Peter 4:1-7 - Living for God
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.
2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. (bold emphasis mine)
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
Cease any and all envy of those who persist and perceivably prosper in sin.
Know this. This is a perception that is unreservedly wrong and wicked.
Rid yourself of this envy. At stake here, is your place in God’s New Creation.
Take this seriously.
You lived in sin, and now you are saying, “Enough is enough. The blood of Jesus paid the penalty for my sin and has given me freedom over the power of sin. Amen!”
Break free from the culture of sin. Set yourself apart for Christ’s culture of holiness.
Everyone will be judged.
Christ will leave no sin uncovered, and no soul unjudged.
We are living so close to Christ’s imminent return.
Be alert for any entrapment of the evil one.
Be of clear mind to discern the purposes and will of God.
Pray. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to You.
How should we understand the Final Judgment of Christ upon our lives?
We, who are Christians, look forward to the final judgment of Jesus Christ.
’When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.’ (Proverbs 21:15)
’For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.’ (Matthew 16:27)
2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. (Luke 8:35)
The Lord Jesus’ restoration of the demon-possessed man in Luke 8:27-39 gives us a powerful glimpse into the method and outcome of Christ’s divine act of judgment.
In this narrative, understand that the demon-possessed man ‘who lived in the tombs’ represents every life slated for death due to the wages of sin. We should recognize this condition, for we were once doomed to that fate ourselves.
Observe the utter hopelessness of the man who has been so deeply afflicted by the demons that they took up residence in his very soul.
Christ’s authority as Judge was uncontested by the demonic horde known as Legion for in one accord, the horde ‘cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” (Luke 8:28)
Observe that Christ dealt directly with the evil in the man.
Further observe that Christ judged, and ruled against the illicit presence of the demonic horde in the man.
They ‘begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.’ Finally, the demons ‘begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. (Luke 8:31-33)
That the demonic horde had to obtain permission from Christ must impress upon us of the ultimate authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.
That day, the Lord Jesus rescued that man from eventual death; which was the final fate of the pigs as they drowned in the lake.
That day, Judge Jesus righted every wrong, and removed evil from the possessed man.
That day, Judge Jesus restored the man to his rightful place – sitting at His feet – dressed and in his right mind; a picture of reverential worship of the Most High God.
That day, Judge Jesus gave us a glimpse into the coming day when He will likewise judge you and I.
Do you actively and joyously anticipate that day when Christ returns?
Or are you terrified at this eventuality?
As we countdown the days to Christmas, let us commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with the reality of His imminent return as Victorious King of all Creation, and Ultimate Judge of the living and the dead.
If you do, I assure you – Christmas will take on a whole new meaning.
In this, here’s my Christmas blessing to you and your loved ones –
Joy to the world, the Lord has come.
Greater joy to the world, for the Lord is coming.
Let every heart, prepare Him room.
May you live in anticipation of the Return
of our Lord, Saviour, and Judge Jesus Christ!
Blessed Christmas.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, thank you for impressing upon us - the reality of Christ’s Imminent Return as King over all Creation and Judge over every human life.
We acknowledge the biblical truths that the Judgment of Christ
Teach us, O Lord, to actively and joyously anticipate Your return in preparing ourselves and everyone around us.
We pray that our hearts may be emboldened to preach the full gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Teach us to preach Your Kingdom gospel of salvation, eternal life, and ultimate judgment.
Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that You suffered in our place on the Cross.
I confess and repent of my sins. (Here, take the time to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal all of your sins. Bring them before Jesus in repentance and the forgiveness of your sins)
Lord, I declare that I am done with sin. From this moment on, I resolve to live for the will of God and not for evil human desires.
Holy Spirit, help us to constantly stay alert and be of sober mind, so that we may pray in accordance to Your loving purposes.
Lord, may we be with You forever.
Empower us, Holy Spirit, to live fully in the sacred reality of Your Imminent Return. For when that Day comes, it is our desire to be found sitting at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ, clothed in His Righteousness and be of righteous mind.
May the reality of Christ’s imminent return as King and Judge impact every aspect of our church and our lives.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
May Your grace be with us - Your people. Amen.
the living and the dead.”
“Look, I am coming soon!
My reward is with me, and I will give to each person
according to what they have done.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to
the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral,
the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood
”
Revelations 22:12-15
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord, Saviour and Coming King, Jesus Christ!
Traditionally, Christmas has always been the season to reflect on God’s love and commemorate the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.
This Christmas, I encourage you to go beyond celebrating the birth of Christ - celebrate His imminent return!
Did it ever occur to you that Christmas is inconsequential if Christ does not return?
In truth, Christmas becomes deeply meaningful only in the reality that Christ will return and complete what the Father has set Him out to fulfill – the ultimate inbreaking of the Kingdom of God!
Make no mistake.
The Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon – as King most exalted, and as Judge most inevitable.
This is a promise as certain as human history was certain about the virgin birth of Christ Jesus, His life, His suffering and death on the Cross, His burial, His Resurrection and His Ascension.
Christ’s imminent return to the world - ushering the eternal Reign of God over all Creation - is not future but present reality. In this reality, we are called and empowered to participate in His Reign as Co-Regents and Stewards of God’s perfect and eternal Kingdom. (Genesis 1:26, Colossians 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 2:12)
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!
When Christ returns, the reality of His absolute and incomparable Sovereignty over all Creation becomes inescapable to every human being who has ever lived, and the truth of His encompassing and meticulous Judgment becomes inevitable over every human life ever conceived.
It is an inevitable and certain eventuality.
Make no mistake.
When Christ was taken up before their very eyes, His disciples were clearly left in awe of the fact that Jesus is God. But this fact - known only to them - was not the task that Christ had left for them to undertake.
Their contentment in reveling in their personal knowledge that Jesus is God was jolted by the appearance of two angels who declared, “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
The Lord Jesus Christ will return to the world in the same way He ascended into Heaven, and our chief task today is to actively anticipate His Return; and not constipate on the manner of His departure as the disciples did.
Anticipate. Don’t Constipate.
Don’t stand looking into the sky… and don't just revel in the knowledge of God’s love and sovereignty without undertaking His purposes, and appropriating His power in our lives!
God’s love is missional! God’s love is creative, productive and fruitful!
To this, God’s love must flow out from our lives
Give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.
Go, make disciples!
Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s witness!
To live in active anticipation of Christ’s return as Lord, Saviour and Judge is what it means to preach the whole gospel of Jesus Christ!
As a Christian, never constipate on what Christ has called you to be, and to do.
Never fudge the gospel of Jesus Christ; preach it loud, and preach it fully.
Christ will come as Judge. And no one will escape His Judgment, not the living, or the dead.
Are you prepared for this certainty?
Have you lived your life evangelizing a gospel in preparing those around you for Christ’s Judgment?
Have you been uncertain about what happens to us after Christ’s judgment and thus, choose to believe in the heresy of universalism or perhaps, choose not to think at all about it?
Make no mistake.
There is a place for those judged unfaithful and defiant, and a place for those judged faithful and surrendered to the grace and mercy of God.
Our Lord Jesus makes it clear.
In His parable of the three servants, Christ speaks of the Master who pronounced this judgment upon the one who knew him least, “So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:28-30)
After the final Judgment of Christ, there is a darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for the worthless.
Our Lord Jesus presses home His point.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
45“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-34, 40-41, 46 )
In God’s eyes, there is no ambiguity; there are no gray areas.
There are those who will be judged righteous, and those who are judged unrighteous; the righteous will be blessed with eternal life, the unrighteous will be cursed and go away to eternal punishment.
The Apostle Paul preaches this gospel unreservedly in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11.
With a loud command, the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God, all the faithful – the dead and then, the living – will be caught up to meet the returning King Jesus Christ.
The bible tells us that the unbelievers will experience bodily resurrection as well, albeit at a later time, to judgment for their evil deeds – pertaining chiefly to their rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15)
As far as the faithful and believing are concerned, Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, ‘we will be with the Lord forever.’
Be encouraged, my brethren.
O come all ye faithful – believe, and share your belief!
The day of Christ’s return is completely unknown, but we will not be surprised – because we – the children of the light and of the day - have chosen to be ‘awake and sober’, living in active anticipation for that day, through faithfully undertaking all the commands and commission of God upon our lives till such time. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-7)
With regards to Christ’s imminent return, be clear about what it means to be a Christian.
We will not be surprised.
We will put on faith and love as our breastplates, and salvation as our helmets (v8) against the relentless attacks of the evil ones, and subversive contagions of worldly conformance and tolerance.
We were not appointed ‘to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ’ who died for us so that we may live together with Him (v9-10); but we cannot say the same for those who reject Christ.
As Christians, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ must be our ‘Blessed Hope’ – the hope that we live for, each day.
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. (Titus 2:11-15)
Do you live in active anticipation of ‘the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ’?
Understand this well.
Christ’s suffering and salvific work on the Cross compels us to reject “ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Christ’s final judgment completes our redemption through separating us from all wickedness, and purifies us forever to be His – a holy people, worthy to reign and rule with Him in His eternal Kingdom.
When Christ judges us as individuals, His act of judgment not only revokes every injustice cause by us, or caused upon us – thereby making right every wrong; His judgment upon us separates all wickedness, once for all, from our lives - thereby purifying us, once for all, unto righteousness.
We need to be judged by Jesus Christ, and we must rejoice in the reality that Christ’s judgment is elemental in our initiation into New Creation.
Everyday, make effort and time to remind yourself that our Lord and Judge Jesus Christ will appear to us anytime.
Ready yourself. Ready those around you.
How then, should we live?
How should we anticipate the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
- Preach Christ the Judge.
By all means,
Preach Christ the Son of God; preach Christ the Saviour.
But also,
Preach Christ the Coming King; preach Christ the Judge.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
- Apostle Peter, Acts 10:42
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
- Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 4:1-2
- Administer true justice – Forgive.
In our lifetime, we will experience many hurts, grieves and trespasses upon us.
This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’ (Zechariah 7:9)
Administer true justice.
Forgive.
Say to the Lord, “I know that in coming to judge the living and the dead, You are coming to right all wrongs, I surrender my right to judge my transgressors and to demand justice over to You, Lord Jesus. I completely trust Your ultimate judgment over my circumstances, and over all circumstances.”
- Stop sinning, and start living for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:1-7 - Living for God
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.
2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. (bold emphasis mine)
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
Cease any and all envy of those who persist and perceivably prosper in sin.
Know this. This is a perception that is unreservedly wrong and wicked.
Rid yourself of this envy. At stake here, is your place in God’s New Creation.
Take this seriously.
You lived in sin, and now you are saying, “Enough is enough. The blood of Jesus paid the penalty for my sin and has given me freedom over the power of sin. Amen!”
Break free from the culture of sin. Set yourself apart for Christ’s culture of holiness.
Everyone will be judged.
Christ will leave no sin uncovered, and no soul unjudged.
We are living so close to Christ’s imminent return.
Be alert for any entrapment of the evil one.
Be of clear mind to discern the purposes and will of God.
Pray. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to You.
How should we understand the Final Judgment of Christ upon our lives?
We, who are Christians, look forward to the final judgment of Jesus Christ.
- Christ’s brand of justice brings us true and eternal joy.
’When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.’ (Proverbs 21:15)
- Christ’s judgment results in the reward for our faith.
’For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.’ (Matthew 16:27)
2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
- Christ’s judgment frees us from all evil, and restores us into being images of God.
When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. (Luke 8:35)
The Lord Jesus’ restoration of the demon-possessed man in Luke 8:27-39 gives us a powerful glimpse into the method and outcome of Christ’s divine act of judgment.
In this narrative, understand that the demon-possessed man ‘who lived in the tombs’ represents every life slated for death due to the wages of sin. We should recognize this condition, for we were once doomed to that fate ourselves.
Observe the utter hopelessness of the man who has been so deeply afflicted by the demons that they took up residence in his very soul.
Christ’s authority as Judge was uncontested by the demonic horde known as Legion for in one accord, the horde ‘cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” (Luke 8:28)
Observe that Christ dealt directly with the evil in the man.
Further observe that Christ judged, and ruled against the illicit presence of the demonic horde in the man.
They ‘begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.’ Finally, the demons ‘begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. (Luke 8:31-33)
That the demonic horde had to obtain permission from Christ must impress upon us of the ultimate authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.
That day, the Lord Jesus rescued that man from eventual death; which was the final fate of the pigs as they drowned in the lake.
That day, Judge Jesus righted every wrong, and removed evil from the possessed man.
That day, Judge Jesus restored the man to his rightful place – sitting at His feet – dressed and in his right mind; a picture of reverential worship of the Most High God.
That day, Judge Jesus gave us a glimpse into the coming day when He will likewise judge you and I.
Do you actively and joyously anticipate that day when Christ returns?
Or are you terrified at this eventuality?
As we countdown the days to Christmas, let us commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with the reality of His imminent return as Victorious King of all Creation, and Ultimate Judge of the living and the dead.
If you do, I assure you – Christmas will take on a whole new meaning.
In this, here’s my Christmas blessing to you and your loved ones –
Joy to the world, the Lord has come.
Greater joy to the world, for the Lord is coming.
Let every heart, prepare Him room.
May you live in anticipation of the Return
of our Lord, Saviour, and Judge Jesus Christ!
Blessed Christmas.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, thank you for impressing upon us - the reality of Christ’s Imminent Return as King over all Creation and Judge over every human life.
We acknowledge the biblical truths that the Judgment of Christ
- is a certain eventuality for everyone;
- is true justice;
- separates us forever from sin and evil;
- restores us into becoming true worshipers of the living God.
Teach us, O Lord, to actively and joyously anticipate Your return in preparing ourselves and everyone around us.
We pray that our hearts may be emboldened to preach the full gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Teach us to preach Your Kingdom gospel of salvation, eternal life, and ultimate judgment.
Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that You suffered in our place on the Cross.
I confess and repent of my sins. (Here, take the time to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal all of your sins. Bring them before Jesus in repentance and the forgiveness of your sins)
Lord, I declare that I am done with sin. From this moment on, I resolve to live for the will of God and not for evil human desires.
Holy Spirit, help us to constantly stay alert and be of sober mind, so that we may pray in accordance to Your loving purposes.
Lord, may we be with You forever.
Empower us, Holy Spirit, to live fully in the sacred reality of Your Imminent Return. For when that Day comes, it is our desire to be found sitting at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ, clothed in His Righteousness and be of righteous mind.
May the reality of Christ’s imminent return as King and Judge impact every aspect of our church and our lives.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
May Your grace be with us - Your people. Amen.