34 Then the King will say to those on his right, Come you who are blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world….41 Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devils and his angels…46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Matthew 25:34,41,46
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Last time we considered the glorious return of Christ. When Christ comes, perhaps this very day, the glory of His person will be revealed to all nations, languages, tribes, and tongues. Today we will consider the effect of that glorious return of Christ.
When the Lord returns a great separation will take place between two (and only two) groups. The wise virgins will be brought into the marriage supper of the lamb and the door will be shut. The foolish virgins will be kept out and cast into everlasting judgment. It is the same thing as the Lord previously prophesied of the tares being bound up and cast into the fire and the wheat being gathered into the barn. A separation between the children of God and the children of the devil, of the lovers of God and the haters of God, of the righteous and the unrighteous, and all to the glory of God.
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.
Romans 9:22-23
Eternal Life – We may be accustomed to the glory of God revealed in the salvation, resurrection, and glorification of sinners. God receives all the glory for He has ordained, accomplished, secured, applied, and completed salvation in and for His people. By His stripes we are healed. Because He rose, we will rise. Because He lives, we will live forevermore. Where is boasting in us? There is none. That is why the recipients of the grace of God in Christ have nothing else to boast in but the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. The effect on the righteous at that great day is the praise and glory of God for His grace and mercy upon His children. For His mercy which endures forever let all the righteous praise God now and forevermore! He has gained eternal life for us!
Eternal Punishment – There is another effect from Christ’s return and that is the judgment of the wicked. The glory of God’s justice will be manifested in his judgment. In some places, consideration of God’s wrath and curse upon the unbeliever is taboo. If not formally denied, it is generally ignored. The justice and judgement of God is a weighty doctrine, it must be carefully handled, and it must be preached. God’s glory is revealed in His justice as judgment is poured out on His enemies. It is the wrath of God that is being poured out today on all unrighteousness and will be poured out in that great day. We are to flee from that wrath to Christ. It is only in the light of the eternal punishment for sin that the good news of salvation through Christ is so good and glorious! Who will trust in a Savior if they think there is nothing they need saving from? But how much we need saving for the wrath of God is upon all workers of iniquity!
Furthermore, the judgement of God upon the workers of iniquity is not merely for the propagation of the gospel, though it is for that. The judgment of God is also revealed for the praise of God’s glorious justice. Consider the 139th Psalm:
“ O, Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever… To him who struck down great kings, for his mercy endures forever; and killed mighty kings; for his mercy endureth forever; Sihon king of the Amorites for his mercy endureth forever; and Og King of Bashin; for his mercy endureth forever.
Excerpts from Psalm 139
The effect of Christ return is the praise of His grace in saving some to everlasting life and it is for the praise of His justice in bringing to judgment all His and our enemies. In this way, the revelation of God’s grace, mercy, and justice, will be revealed at the day of judgment all for the praise and glory of God!
Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
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2 Comments
Stirling · May 18, 2022 at 11:29 am
Beautifully written Ben I loved how you explained the true reason for the Gospel being Good News. So many people believe in Heaven and yet to many Hell and Eternal Punishment is a Myth. Thank you for this delightful reminder that we through Christ can get eternal life a gift we don’t deserve. Warm wishes Stirling
Ben Stahl · May 20, 2022 at 12:40 am
Thank you Stirling. If there was no wrath and curse of God in this life and the life to come there would be no one for a savior to save. But the wrath is revealed as is the righteousness, and for this reason among the many, that knowing the terror of God we might flee from His wrath and persuade men to do the same! May the Lord richly bless you as you live and labor for His glory!