(pt. 12)
Here
is a summary of the Last Days According
to Jesus. The Master-Teacher
taught his disciples Four Key Truths:
1) When
the Messianic King Comes He Will Establish the Long-Awaited Kingdom-just
not right away! (Luke 19:11-27)
2) For
Rejecting her King, the Jewish People will be repeatedly trampled
upon UNTIL “the
time of the Gentiles is complete.” (Luke 19:28-44; 21:24)
3)
The Glorious Kingdom will begin WHEN national Israel finally welcomes
Jesus as
Savior, Lord, and King! (Luke 13:34-35)
4) Upon Reestablishing the Throne of David,
the Son of Man will Judge the (Unbelieving) Nations!
(Matthew 25:31-46)
Matthew 25:31-46 (the sheep and goats judgement) is different than the final judgement in Revelation 20:11-15. The first takes place before the Millennial Kingdom and the second takes place after the Messianic Kingdom. Some Christian theologians teach that Matthew 25 and Revelation 20 are talking about the same event. On textual grounds we lovingly disagree. And here's why:
Matthew 25:31-46
A) Unlike Rev. 20, the judgment here involves BOTH sheep & goats!
B) Unlike Rev. 20, those judged in Mattthew 25 are ALIVE (when King Jesus Returns to earth)
C) Unlike Rev. 20, this judgement takes place on EARTH BEFORE the Millennial Kingdom!
The key words in v. 31 are WHEN and THEN.
D) Unlike Rev. 20 the judgement in Matthew 25 is specifically related to the mistreatment of Tribulation saints!
Humanitarian groups often quote Matthew 25:34-46 out of context. We must always study and apply the Bible in context. Failure to do so leads to various errors (some more significant than others).
For Further Reflection/Application:
We
must be doers of the Word and
not merely hearers
What
should a Christian do when they the discover that doctrine X and/or passage Y
are understood differently by good and godly saints? Note 2 Timothy 2:15 and 2 Peter 3:16
Some
biblical doctrines include multiple layers and are more difficult to
understand. List two or three passages
or doctrines that you’re currently wrestling with.
What
did the preacher mean when he said, “Just because you don’t immediately
understand a complex doctrine doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unbiblical (or that
it’s unimportant).”
Note
Hebrew 5:12-14 and 2 Peter 3:16.
The Bible highlights three future judgements: The
Sheep and Goat’s Judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. The Bema Seat Judgment in
Romans 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:10-4:5; and 2 Cor. 5:1-10. And the
Great White Throne (Final) Judgment in Revelation 20:11-15
Explain
to your spouse or your children/grand children which each of these judgments
are and why they are personally and eternally significant.
One
Christian author noted that “it is
important to never lose sight of the facts concerning the coming judgment(s).
First, Jesus Christ will be the judge, all unbelievers will be judged by
Christ, and they will be punished according to the works they have done. The
Bible is very clear that unbelievers are storing up wrath against themselves (Romans 2:5) and that God will “give to each person according to what he has done”
(Romans 2:6). Believers will also be judged by Christ, but since Christ’s righteousness
has been imputed to us and our names are written in the book of life, we will
be rewarded, but not punished, according to our deeds. Romans 14:10-12 says that we will all
stand before the judgment seat of Christ and that each one of us will give an
account to God.”
Memorize
Titus 2:11-14. It's a great text to live by.
Are
you prepared for the awesome Day of Judgment (note Jude 24-25)? How can you be assured that you are? (John
3:16-36)
Are
you concerned about those who are not?
Do you regularly pray for them?
Are you following in the footsteps of the great evangelist Paul? (note 2
Cor. 5:16-21)
Related Praise Songs: Theology
fuels Doxology! We dig deeply in order
that we may go high!
Day
of Judgment, Day of Wonders- John Newton
Lord
of All- Kristian Stanfill
The
Sands of Time Are Sinking- See Capital Hill Baptist Church recording
How
Sweet and Aweful is the Place- Sovereign Grace
When
We See Your Face- Sovereign Grace
Related Biblical Texts: Search
the Scriptures to see if these things be so.
2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 1-2; 89:28-37; Joel 2-3; Matthew 13:41;
24-25; Rom. 2:5f; 2 Cor. 5:16-21; Titus 2:11-14; Revelation 19-20
