Temple Baptist Church - 7-31-2019
Hebrews 9:27-28; Matthew 25:31-46
Introduction:
A. I have been dealing with the three judgments found in the end time. Over the past few weeks, we have taken a biblical view of the Judgment Seat of Christ. The judgment of the works of the believer based upon their merit and motivation. It is not a judgment of sin as sin was dealt with completely and finally when Christ paid our price.
B. Tonight, I want to look at the second judgment (chronologically speaking), the Judgment of the Nations. The chronological order of the judgments are as follows.
1. The Judgment Seat of Christ takes place at the first part of the Tribulation Period. The Church is raptured out just prior to the Tribulation Period and are in heaven during its seven years.
2. The Judgment of the Nations takes place at the end of the Tribulation Period and at the beginning of the Millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth.
3. The Great White Throne Judgment takes place at the end of the Millennium as eternity begins with a New Heaven and a New Earth.
C. There is much confusion and misinformation concerning this judgment that needs to be biblically straightened out. Many treat this judgment as the general resurrection of both saved and lost with their eternity depending upon salvation plus works. Thus, the Armenian view whereas a saved person can still be eternally lost.
D. Matthew, chapter 25, is the only place that the Judgment of the Nations is mentioned so we have a First Mention, Full Mention, and Last Mention combined. God says all that He needs to say and all that He is going to say on the subject.
E. Let us look at this “First, Full, and Final Mention,” as Matthew, chapter 25, is the only mention of this judgment. Therefore, what is said is both full and sufficient for the believer to understand its relevance.
1. The Person of the Judgment. The “Son of man.” Jesus Christ.
a. Our Lord will be the Judge at all three of the judgments that we have and will mention.
b. The standard by which all judgments are made is the Word of God. Both:
1) The Inscribed Word - John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
2) The Incarnate Word - 2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
2. The Period of the Judgment.
a. At the end of the Tribulation Period. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory” – Revelation 1:7; 19:11-16.
b. At the beginning of the Millennial Reign of Christ. “Then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory” – Isaiah 16:5; Luke 1:32.
c. The Period Prophesied - Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (In the Rapture of the Church, Christ will come as “a thief in the night.” Only those redeemed and remaining [alive and remain – 1 Thess. 4:17] will see Him.)
d. The Period Performed - Revelation 19:11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (At the end of the Tribulation Period during the Battle of Armageddon. The setting up of the Millennial reign of Christ.)
3. The Place of the Judgment – “then shall he sit upon the throne of His glory” – On earth.
a. Christ’s Earthly Throne Prophesied - Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
b. Christ’s Earthly Throne Performed - Luke 1:31-33 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
4. The People of the Judgment.
a. The Sheep. These are Saved. “Come, ye blessed of my Father” – “but the righteous into life eternal.”
1) Their relationship with Christ, righteous. These were saved in the Tribulation Period. They entered in to it without having heard a clear presentation of the gospel and God gives them another chance. They hear and are saved.
2) Their relationship with Israel, friends. Their deep commitment to Christ is shown in their love for Israel, His covenant people.
3) Their entrance into the Kingdom. They have not died and the Rapture is past, so they will continue into the Millennial Reign of Christ to rule with Him along with those of us who have either died in Christ or have been Raptured out with Christ.
b. The Goats. These are Lost. “ye cursed, into everlasting fire” – “these shall go away into everlasting punishment.”
1) Their relationship with Christ, cursed. These can be broken down into 2 different classes.
a) Those who had heard the gospel and rejected it prior to the Tribulation Period.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
b) Those who heard the gospel and rejected it during the Tribulation Period by receiving the Mark of the Beast.
Revelation 14:9-11 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: (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.
2) Their relationship with Israel, unfriendly. Their lack of commitment to Christ is shown in their lack of love for His covenant people.
3) Their entrance into everlasting punishment instead of the Kingdom.
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