The Coming Judgment

For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and ‘will then repay every man according to his deeds’ (Matthew 16:27).

This is the first mention of the 2nd coming of Christ in the New Testament. The word is parousia, which means ‘to appear’ or ‘to come’. His 1st appearing was as the Child born to Mary in Bethlehem. He then came as the Savior, Messiah, and Redeemer of Israel. His 2nd appearing will be at an undisclosed time in the future. He then will come as judge.

Many people have a negative attitude toward the God of the Old Testament. They say He is mean, hateful, and judgmental. They prefer Jesus Christ of the New Testament because He is kind, loving, and compassionate. Don’t they realize they are one and the same? Jesus said, I and the Father are one (John 10:30). When Philip asked Jesus to show the Father to the disciples, Jesus said, Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9).

Those who contend that Jesus is all loving and kind and gracious and compassionate, that He is never angry or judgmental, have not read the New Testament. Jesus revealed to the disciples that there is coming a day when He will return to judge mankind, He will then repay every man according to his deeds (v. 27). To ‘repay’ is to reward. In other words, when Jesus returns from glory, He will deal with mankind according to their character and conduct. The righteous will be rewarded with glory in heaven and the wicked will be rewarded with suffering in hell.

Jesus said to the disciples (John 5:22), For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son. He said (John 5:28-29), Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

Even the Archangel Michael announced the same in Daniel 12:1-2, Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people (the Jews), will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

“Father, keep us honest regarding the truth of Your Word. It is easy and tempting to soften the truth of the coming judgment so as not to offend people, but to do so keeps lost souls condemned in their sin. May we preach and teach the whole counsel of God to every person. To Your honor and glory I ask, Amen.”

Pastor