The Doctrine of the Final Judgment by our Lord Christ

     The Westminster Larger Catechism states on judgment,

Q. 56. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?

A. Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men,[242] shall come again at the last day in great power,[243] and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels,[244] with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God,[245] to judge the world in righteousness.[246]

     The background of grace is the final judgment.  Paul and Jesus stress this doctrine more and more.  Paul says Jesus saves us from the wrath to come and on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.  God is a judicial Judge against sin; that is, He acts in His indignation and fury against sin.  Jesus acts as Judge in the Father’s behalf; that is, everything is running to a point towards the Last Judgment.  Judgment is coming for all mankind; that is, there is a judgment after death of whether we believe in Jesus and then there is a judgment at the Last Day about our works.  History must be completed for the Last Judgment and we all shall take our place before the throne of Christ.  Human imagination is not the test of what God will do, but it is according to His predestinatarian purpose and will.  We shall give an individual account to God for all that we have done.  He will render each one according to His deeds.  The regenerate and justified and sanctified will be awarded through the rightdoing of Christ, because they have the unified merit of Christ in His life and death alone.  The unregenerate will get judged in demerit because they do not possess the imputed righteousness of Christ.  The perfect justice of God will be demonstrated among all people, tribes, nations and tongues.  God is both just and sovereign, but He will be magnified and glorified in judging justly.  The righteousness of God will be established in the judgment from Christ.  For those who profess Christ a review of their words and works will determine if they know Him or not.  It will be seen if we profess Christ truly or if we are deceiving hypocrites.  All things will be exposed in the Final Day of Judgment.  Do you hate sin?  Do you love righteousness?   Such things will be discovered in the Day of Judgment.  Christ proclaimed repentance and righteousness, but those who love death will be damned.  Do you love spiritual life over spiritual death? 

     The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 says,

Chapter 32: Of the Last Judgment

1._____ God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ; to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.
( Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:3; Jude 6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10, 12; Matthew 25:32-46 )

2._____ The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
( Romans 9:22, 23; Matthew 25:21, 34; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 )

3._____ As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity, so will he have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come, and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen.
( 2 Corinthians 5:10, 11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-40; Revelation 22:20 )

     We must be ready for the Last Day of our lives and the Last Day of history; that is, do you repent of your sins on a daily basis and do you love righteousness?  Do you know the will of God for your life which is for you to be sanctified?  Do you do devotions and read the Divine Scriptures everyday?  Do you love God and your neighbor?  If you know more about God and failed to act, it will be a greater judgment; however, if you did not know it may be a lesser judgment.  Everyday you should ask God to search your hearts to love Him more and more; that is, will your love for Jesus stand on the Last Day?
     The doctrine of the final judgment should motivate us to live right before God and cultivate the respectful fear of God; that is, do you possess the fear of God?   The fear of God looks like this: when sin happens in your life you repent of it and you treat God with divine respect as a son to his father.  I hope this post motivates you to godly living and awakens many out of sleep to live for our Lord, God, King and Redeemer Jesus Christ!