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God’s Plan for Man: The Day of Judgment Introduction: We have been studying God’s Plan for Man in this series of lessons. We started with obedience, redemption in Christ, in the Kingdom, in the preaching of the Gospel and establishment of the Church, and in the home. But for what purpose, or what awaits man after he dies? Throughout the Bible there is the theme that there will be a judgment to come. I) Passages Speaking of God’s Judgment A) God judges sin 1. Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden because they had sinned, disobeyed His law. 2. All the world was destroyed by flood because, "The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" Genesis 6.5. 3. In the book of Acts we see God’s judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira when they lied, Acts 5.5-10 B) More importantly, there is a future judgment 1. The Day of Judgment – 2 Peter 3.7. 2. It will come a. Solomon tells us that our soul will return back to God, Ecc. 12.7 b. Jesus tells us that we will give account for our sins, what we have done on the Day of Judgment i. When He sent out the 12 and told them what to do when some would not receive them, Matthew 10.15 ii. Jesus rebuked the cities in which He had done mighty works and yet they did not believe Him, Matthew 11.22,24 iii. When they accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, Matthew 12.36 c. Jesus speaks of heaven and hell on numerous occasions: i. Parable of the "Foolish Virgins" and Talents, Matthew 25. ii. Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5.29-30 d. Paul warns us of the day in which we will appear before the judgment seat of God, 2 Corinthians 5.10 e. The Hebrew writer tell us of the fear appearing before God, Hebrews 9.27; 10.31 3. We will be judged. II) How will we be judged? A) By God 1. God will judge us without prejudice or partiality, Romans 2.11 a. Whoever does His will, will be saved, Acts 10.34-35 b. Whoever does not obey His will be lost 2. God will judge us by His word, John 12.48 a. The word of God is pure and righteous because God is pure and righteous. b. The word of God is just because God is just. B) Those in sin will be condemned, Romans 6.23a 1. The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 6.9 a. How can they? b Can a righteous God allow the unrighteous to not be punished? 2. Those that never obeyed the Gospel will be lost because they have sinned against God and must pay the price. 1 Kings 8.46 3. Those that fell away, 2 Peter 2.20-21 C) The obedient will be rewarded with heaven, 1 John 4.17 1. Those that love God will go to heaven a. Not just lip service but heart felt real service, not outward appearance but true reverence. b. Those in the Old Testament will be saved because of their obedience and the sacrifice of Jesus, Hebrews 10.10-14 the blood of Jesus flows both ways. c. Those living today will go to heaven if they obey the Son of God, John 14.6 2. Heaven is a prepared place for God’s Holy People. III) Jesus’ Description of the Day of Judgment In Matthew 25.31-46 A) When the Son of Man comes, v31 1. We know Jesus will return in the clouds, 1 Thess. 4.16-17 a. It will be immediate b. All will know it when it comes (AD. 70 doctrine says they missed it, such will be impossible) 2. It will come without future warning. No one knows when Jesus will return. B) All the nations will be gathered, v. 32a 1. It will be world wide 2. Those in the graves will be raised, John 5.28-29 and those living will be there. C) There will a separation, v.32b 1. Lazarus and rich man in Luke 16.22-23 tells us of the separation at death. 2. Here Jesus speaks of a separation that will be for eternity. D) Heaven has been prepared, v. 34 1. God’s intention is for man to go to heaven 2. He wants us to go to heaven and even paid the price for us by sending His Son to die for us, John 3.16 E) Hell has been prepared for the devil and his angels, v. 41 F) We will be judged individually 1. No lawyers, no preacher, mother or father to plead out case. 2. God will see what we have or have not done. a. Good is not the absence of evil; but evil is the absence of good. b. It is not enough to say what we have not done but what we have done. G) For eternity, v. 46 1. Eternity is a concept beyond most of our imaginations. 2. What will eternity be like? God’s Plan for Man: The Day of Judgment a. What will it be like to be in hell for eternity? b. What will it be like to be in heaven for eternity? Conclusion: There are some that anxiouisly await the day of Judgment for it be the end of this world and the beginning of eternity. Revelation 6.10 those that want justice to be served, those that have died in Christ, those that are ready now to see Jesus’ return. Are you one of those people? Are you prepared for eternity? If not why not? |