The consolation of the early Church, as they endured the trials of their time, was that Jesus Christ would come again to judge the living and the dead. When he wrote his second letter to them, Paul told the Christians at Corinth that this would come to pass.
“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT
Today also, the thought of Christ’s coming to judge the living and the dead should inspire this present Church of Jesus Christ to make more effort to be found acceptable before Him when He returns.
Matt.24.44 – “You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected”. NLT
The admonition above is important for the following reasons:
1. His coming will be sudden and catastrophic
There will be no time for last-minute repentance. The panic and confusion will be overwhelming.
“But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible roar, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.” 2 Peter 3:10 NLT
Read also: Matthew 24:29-31, 36-44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
Once a person’s brain signals a response to an impending danger, the whole body goes into a panic mode, and what’s important for that moment would be getting out of the danger zone. That’s how it would likely play out on the Lord’s day. People may not even be thinking of repentance in the midst of all the chaos around them. With the sky all ablaze with fire, the earth reeling from the impact of flying crafts falling from the sky, and high-rise buildings collapsing to the ground, the last thing anyone would want to do is to kneel down and pray. The human body is simply not wired to respond that way! Now is the time to turn to Jesus Christ and seek His forgiveness and mercy. Now is the time to repent — tomorrow might be too late!
Isa.55.6 “Seek GOD while he’s here to be found, pray to him while he’s close at hand”. (MSB)
2. His judgment will be without partiality
God is a just Judge. Only Christians who are found ready and worthy at that time will be recognized by the Lord. Careless Christians will be rejected and will have labored in vain. Sinners who repented just at the nick of time, before the Lord’s day, would have made the wisest decision of their lifetime, and this can be today, my friend!
See 2 Corinthians 6:1 NLT
“As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.” 2 Corinthians 6:1 NLT
God’s love and mercy, through Jesus Christ, is just a prayer away from you right now. Say the prayer!
3. He will show no mercy at judgment
At the coming of the Lord, the era of mercy will have been gone for good. Now is the time of God’s mercy. In Revelation 19:12-15, the appearance of Christ shows us what that day will be like:
“His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God… From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.” Revelation 19:12-15 NLT
Read also: Revelation 19:11; Colossians 3:25; Galatians 6:7-9; Matthew 25:1-13.
Mercy — man’s only lifeline — is offered with love from God to all who will receive Jesus Christ today. Great will be the wrath and punishment of God on sinners and backsliders who spurn the mercy of God for the sake of personal gain, self-will, or outright rejection of Jesus Christ. See Hebrews 10:26-31; Hebrews 12:28-29.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God… Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.” Hebrews 10:31, 12:28 NLT
“Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.” 2 Corinthians 5:11 NLT
The day of the Lord’s judgment is at hand. It has already been set in motion by God’s divine power, and no other power can turn it back!
We have just one choice to make between the two choices of either believing in Jesus Christ and accepting His salvation, or rejecting Him and preparing to meet Him at His judgment seat.
2Cor.5.10 – “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies”. NLT