The Terror of the Lord

Temple Baptist Church - 1-23-2008

2 Corinthians 5:11

Introduction:

A. As Paul finished speaking about the impending Judgment Seat of Christ, he mentions another judgment by saying, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”

B. Some make the erroneous statement that this also speaks of the Judgment Seat of Christ. Notice with me the pronouns that the Holy Spirit is and has been using.

Vs. 1 – “our” and “we”

Vs. 2 – “we” and “our”

Vs. 3 – “we”

Vs. 4 – “we” and “we”

Vs. 5 – “us” and “us”

Vs. 6 – “we” and “we” and “we”

Vs. 7 – “we”

Vs. 8 – “we”

Vs. 9 – “we” and “we”

Vs. 10 – “we”

Vs. 11 – “we”

ALL OF THESE ARE FIRST PERSON PLURAL PRONOUNS! In the first person plural, the speaker is referring to himself along with others in the same group.

Vs. 11 – “WE PERSUADE MEN!”

THE WORD “MEN” IS IN THE THIRD PERSON PLURAL! In the third person plural, the speaker is referring to others than himself and his group – the first person plural is speaking about a third person plural. The third person plural is not a part of the first person plural.

C. Paul has quit talking TO SOMEONE and is now talking ABOUT SOMEONE.

D. There is a great analogy between the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment and the Holy Spirit has placed both here in the same context. Look at these verses:

1 Peter 4:17-18 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

E. If God is to judge our works is such great detail, so will He also judge the works of the unsaved. The difference being that our sins are paid for in full and theirs are not!

F. Revelation 20:11-15

1. The Great White Throne Judgment Will Be Personal – “small and great”

2. The Great White Throne Judgment Will Be Precise – “books were opened…another book was opened, which is the book of life”

3. The Great White Throne Judgment Will Be Perfect – “and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works…and they were judged every man according to their works.”

4. The Great White Throne Judgment Will Be Permanent – “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

G. Why the “terror of the Lord?” Because:

1. Death Is Inevitable - Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

a. For The Child Of God, Death Is Wonderful - 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

Philippians 1:21-23 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this [is] the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

b. For The Sinner, Death Is Fearful - Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Hebrews 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God [is] a consuming fire.

2. Judgment Is Inescapable - John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

a. For The Child Of God, There Will Be No Reprisal - 1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Micah 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Romans 4:8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

b. For The Sinner, There Will Be Retribution - Revelation 20:12-13 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes [are] open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

3. Hell Is Incomprehensible - Matthew 3:12 Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

a. For The Child Of God, Eternity Is Exciting – Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Revelation 22:1-5 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

b. For The Sinner, Eternity Is Inconceivable - Matthew 3:12 Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Matthew 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Conclusion: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men!”