Judgment (by David Peterson)
As part of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus talks to His disciples on the Mount of Olives about the last days and He says:
Matthew 24:36-41:
“But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.”
Also found in Mark 13:28-37 and Luke 21:29-36, Jesus is discussing the coming judgment as a warning and as such we all should be vigilant and prepared.
Reverend Dr. Iain Duguid, wrote: “The Lord waits so long in His graciousness that people think He cannot judge, but when He does come in judgment, it is so decisive that it seems as if He cannot show mercy. There can be no last-minute appeals or reprieves, for there is no higher court to whom appeal can be made, and no pertinent facts have been overlooked in reaching the verdict.” Duguid reiterates that the Lord will judge us with a fair review and gracious finality.
Prolific hymn writer, Robert Emmett Winsett, wrote the hymn “When the Bridegroom Comes”. His first line reads: “I’ll be ready to go when the Bridegroom comes, I am cleansed from every sin, have the life of Christ within, I’ll be ready for the end when he comes.” Will you be ready?
Let us pray: Holy Father, teach us to focus on you and your words so we can act and behave as you would have us live our earthly lives. Help us to focus on eternity with you as we prepare for your glorious return.