“And moreover I saw under the sun the place of Judgment, that wickedness was there—and the place of Righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in my heart, ‘God shall judge the righteous and the wicked—for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17
If everyone on earth remembered this, ours would definitely be a different world.
God’s Judgment.
When you think of this, what do you picture in your mind? A courtroom setting with God in a black robe sitting behind a big desk with a gavel in His Hand and a stern look in His Eyes? Yourself standing there before Him, wringing your hands and a worried look in your eyes?
Some try not to think of it at all.
In fact, some religions completely deny today’s Manna, choosing instead to believe in reincarnation, where you live the best life you can here on earth and then come back in another form to try it again until you get it right. Others believe in no Judgment whatsoever, teaching that a loving God wouldn’t send anybody to hell. And, still others teach that there’ll be a revival in hell where folks will still have another opportunity to trust in Christ.
But, do not believe these lies of the devil, dear Pilgrim.
The Scriptures are clear when they declare “It is appointed unto man ONCE to die, but after this the Judgment” (Heb. 9:27).
That’s why Jesus told Nicodemus “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:3). And, then He went on to explain to him what it means to be “born of the Spirit” or “from above” (vv.4-16). He also told him of the consequences of “not believing in the Name of the only begotten Son of God” (vv.17-21).
Therefore, we should not be persuaded by others into believing there is no Judgment—for Solomon’s words are true: “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked—for there is a time for every purpose and work.”
The question, then, is “How can we be prepared for this coming Judgment?”
Thankfully, we’re not left to our own devices or understanding in answering this question. Hallelujah!
Rom. 5:6-11 is very clear when it talks of who we are, what we need and how God has made provisions for us. In those precious verses we read that we are all “ungodly sinners who are enemies of God from birth” (vv.6, 8, 10). We also read that we cannot save ourselves because we are “without strength and under God’s Wrath” (vv.6, 9). And, it’s only because of God’s Love and Jesus’ Blood that we are “justified, saved, reconciled and our sins covered” (vv.9-11).
No wonder it’s called “Amazing Grace!” We all deserve death and hell; but, “God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great Love wherewith He loved us, has made us alive in Christ, raised us up together with Christ and made us to sit in Heavenly places with Christ” (Eph. 2:4-6). Glory!! So, there’s no need to fear the Judgment—not when you’ve been pardoned by His Death on the Cross. But, woe to them who reject Him—for Judgment Day still awaits them (Rev. 20:11-15).”
“And moreover I saw under the sun the place of Judgment, that wickedness was there—and the place of Righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in my heart, ‘God shall judge the righteous and the wicked—for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17
If everyone on earth remembered this, ours would definitely be a different world.
God’s Judgment.
When you think of this, what do you picture in your mind? A courtroom setting with God in a black robe sitting behind a big desk with a gavel in His Hand and a stern look in His Eyes? Yourself standing there before Him, wringing your hands and a worried look in your eyes?
Some try not to think of it at all.
In fact, some religions completely deny today’s Manna, choosing instead to believe in reincarnation, where you live the best life you can here on earth and then come back in another form to try it again until you get it right. Others believe in no Judgment whatsoever, teaching that a loving God wouldn’t send anybody to hell. And, still others teach that there’ll be a revival in hell where folks will still have another opportunity to trust in Christ.
But, do not believe these lies of the devil, dear Pilgrim.
The Scriptures are clear when they declare “It is appointed unto man ONCE to die, but after this the Judgment” (Heb. 9:27).
That’s why Jesus told Nicodemus “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:3). And, then He went on to explain to him what it means to be “born of the Spirit” or “from above” (vv.4-16). He also told him of the consequences of “not believing in the Name of the only begotten Son of God” (vv.17-21).
Therefore, we should not be persuaded by others into believing there is no Judgment—for Solomon’s words are true: “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked—for there is a time for every purpose and work.”
The question, then, is “How can we be prepared for this coming Judgment?”
Thankfully, we’re not left to our own devices or understanding in answering this question. Hallelujah!
Rom. 5:6-11 is very clear when it talks of who we are, what we need and how God has made provisions for us. In those precious verses we read that we are all “ungodly sinners who are enemies of God from birth” (vv.6, 8, 10). We also read that we cannot save ourselves because we are “without strength and under God’s Wrath” (vv.6, 9). And, it’s only because of God’s Love and Jesus’ Blood that we are “justified, saved, reconciled and our sins covered” (vv.9-11).
No wonder it’s called “Amazing Grace!” We all deserve death and hell; but, “God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great Love wherewith He loved us, has made us alive in Christ, raised us up together with Christ and made us to sit in Heavenly places with Christ” (Eph. 2:4-6). Glory!! So, there’s no need to fear the Judgment—not when you’ve been pardoned by His Death on the Cross. But, woe to them who reject Him—for Judgment Day still awaits them (Rev. 20:11-15).
July 15, 2011
