THERE'S A GREAT DAY COMING
Matt. 25:31-46
Int
1. The theme of judgment is repeated from Gen. to Rev.
a. Adam's first sin & its judgment of massive porportion
- Confirmed God's serious view of man's sinfulness
- Sin of one man devastated the human race & the creation
b. Time of Noah - universal judgment
c. Sodom & Gomorrah
d. Theme of judgment in N.T.
Rom. 1:18 "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness & unrighteousness of men"
2. No person spoke more of Judgment than Jesus
- Most of his words present a warning of its coming
- Matt 24-25 Jesus answering question of disciples "when?" 24:3 - No one knows when,
- Keep watching, be prepared, there is an accounting
3. Most serious warning given in last part of discourse
- Pictures separation of righteous sheep from unrighteous goats
4. Final Judgment
A time when a responsible creature will stand before his creator to give account of what he has done with the trusteeship of his life
5. Three basic pictures/concepts of the event to come
Matt. 25:31-46 - Sheep & goat separation
Romans 14:10 "We will all stand before God's judgment seat"
Rev. 20:11-15 - A great white throne The sheep & goat judgment - matt 25:31-46
The setting -
- Last illustration used to answer disciples question "when"
The parable
The son of man presented as a king on a throne of glory
All his angels with him
A solemn task of judgment by separation occurs
All nations - indicating all of humanity before him
Shepherds often separated a mixed flock into two groups - For Effective feeding
This story pictures a separation of humanity
Sheep v. 34-40
Given the position of honor - will inherit the kingdom
They are surpassed at His statement that they have fed him & given drink
The goats v. 41-45
Sent away into eternal fire prepared for devil and angels
Surpassed at his words - same as other crowd
Failure to exercise compassionate ministry brings results
Judgment v. 46
Eternal punishment /eternal life
Punishment - affliction for wrong doing/ eternal life
Life - On the highest plane possible, eternal, unending
Questions
When does this judgment take place?
v. 31 - When son of man comes in his glory/second coming
Who is judged?
- Everyone is there, all of mankind before him
- He is the one to whom we are responsible
What is basis for the sentence pronounced?
- Geniuses of a relationship to Christ is reflected in the life the person has lived
What is the outcome?
- Eternal bliss, life as his possession, follower
- Eternal doom, death, punishment prepared for devil & angels
Judgment seat of Christ
Romans 14:9-12, 2 Cor. 5:10
The context - The practical / ethical section of Roman letter
Considering the way we are to live in relation to each other
A law of love in matters of differences about certain foods, religious days etc.
Point - Each of us will answer to God ultimately
We are individually responsible to Him
The certainty of judgment, standing before Christ
The great white throne judgment
Revelation 20:11-15
Setting
All the affairs of men in this world has been worked out
Every effort of Satan has been defeated
Satan is cast into the lake of fire
That scene closes in v. 10
v. 11 opens the eternal scene
A king on his throne dispensing judgment to all before him
A great & white throne - sovereignty & holiness
v. 12 - Those present for judgment
Dead, Small and great
Those who have been in the clutches of death
No matter the condition of death or burial they are there
Present at God's judgment bar, none escaping this solemn hour
Long arm of God reaching into every crevice & byway
Impression is that ALL are present
v. 12 The basis and method of judgment
Books of record of the works of all present
A book of life - The roll call of the saints
Luke 10:20 - Rejoicing that name is written heaven
Rev. 3:5 - Names not blotted out of the roll book of life
13:8 - all worship the beast except those in lambs book of life
Picture the scene
Persons hour of judgment comes
The book of life is opened, is his name there
If so the blood of the lamb covers his sin
If not - punishment is to be rendered
Books - record of his life in book of deeds is opened
Outcome is clearly seen
Those belonging to the lamb - having name in that book
enter to eternal life
Those not found there to eternal punishment
Conclusion
1. God/creator of universe/messiah will one day bring judgment
2.That day will come when all of history is brought to its conclusion
- The Lord returns to this earth
3. Every person, those alive and dead will stand before him
4. The basis of that judgment will be our relationship to Christ
- Proven by our life work for him
5. The judgment will be specific
Matt 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
1 Tim. 5:24-25 The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.
1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 6. The outcome of that judgment
- Remember it is a righteous judgment, impartial
- it will be with the precision of a surgeon
* He will expose , probe, lay bare every part
* Nothing will escape his notice
a. For those ready & prepared it will be joy unspeakable
b. For those not prepared it will be a state of punishment, fear, dread, misery