Of the Last Judgment
I. God has appointed a day, wherein He will judge the
world, in righteousness, by Jesus Christ,a to whom all power and judgment is
given of the Father.b In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be
judged,c but likewise all persons that have lived upon 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.d
a. Acts 17:31.
b. John 5:22, 27.
c. I Cor. 6:3; Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4.
d. II Cor. 5:10; Eccl. 12:14; Rom. 2:16; 14:10, 12;
Matt. 12:36-37.
II. 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 damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall
the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and refreshing,
which shall come from the presence of the Lord: but the wicked who know not God, and obey
not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.a
a. Matt. 25:31-46; Rom. 2:5-6; Rom. 9:22-23; Matt.
25:21; Acts 3:19; II Thess. 1:7-10.
III. 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:a so will He have that 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 be ever prepared to say, Come Lord
Jesus, come quickly. Amen.b
a. II Pet. 3:11, 14; II Cor. 5:10-11; II Thess. 1:5-7; Luke 21:7, 28;
Rom. 8:23-25.
b. Matt. 24:36, 42-44; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-36; Rev. 22:20.
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