The idea of God’s judgement is an unpopular one today. People simply do not like the idea of having to account to God for their actions. So they discount the day of judgment, perhaps hoping it will go away. In reality, it will arrive sooner or later.
There are 3 ideas generally associated with end times. In most theological systems the end events focus around 3 things: the return of Christ, the resurrection, and the judgment. Of these 3, the most logical one is the judgement.
It is true that we look forward to Christ’s return. It is at that time He will vanquish His enemies and set up His kingdom to reign upon the earth for a thousand years. But is that logical? He came once before, albeit for a different purpose. But He came, was rejected, was crucified. If He never came back, this would be logical; and no one could blame Him. Yet, against logic, He is returning.
It is also true that we anticipate a resurrection of our bodies. But, is that logical? Concerning our bodies, Genesis 3:19 says, “Dust you are and to dust you will return.” From a logic standpoint, we could not expect more. Yet, against logic, we will be resurrected and given new bodies.
The judgement is the most logical of these end time events. Mankind, for 6000 yrs, has spurned, ridiculed, rejected and mocked the Creator. We have set up every conceivable way to remove God from society. We turned our back on His son. We have taken great strides in pushing Him aside. The most logical idea in the universe is that there will come a reckoning. It should strike fear in the heart of every man and woman.
But John says that Christians can have confidence in that day,
The love that is ‘’perfected” among us does not mean totally without any moral flaw. It means ‘whole’ or ‘mature.’ And it is the love of God working in the life of the believer to accomplish that which God fully intends to accomplish. Then in a stunning statement, John declares that God treats the saints the same as He treats His Son Jesus Christ. As Jesus is God's Son, so are we in this world, joint-heirs with Christ, sons of the Most High God. It is for this reason that we can have confidence at the judgment.
He continues,
So, by our love for God any unreasonable fears are quieted and we can rest in the fact that the one who sent his son will not allow anything to destroy our eternal relationship that Jesus’ death on the cross established (Romans 8:31-39).
It is possible to be a Christian and still be filled with fear because of God’s judgement. But, it is unnecessary and mature love defeats it. Though judgment is the most logical event for the end times, Christians can enter that time with confidence, knowing that the illogical has been made logical.
To the Christian, Christ’s return, our bodily resurrection, and escape of judgment are the most logical things in the universe!
Read more at Island Brow Blog
There are 3 ideas generally associated with end times. In most theological systems the end events focus around 3 things: the return of Christ, the resurrection, and the judgment. Of these 3, the most logical one is the judgement.
It is true that we look forward to Christ’s return. It is at that time He will vanquish His enemies and set up His kingdom to reign upon the earth for a thousand years. But is that logical? He came once before, albeit for a different purpose. But He came, was rejected, was crucified. If He never came back, this would be logical; and no one could blame Him. Yet, against logic, He is returning.
It is also true that we anticipate a resurrection of our bodies. But, is that logical? Concerning our bodies, Genesis 3:19 says, “Dust you are and to dust you will return.” From a logic standpoint, we could not expect more. Yet, against logic, we will be resurrected and given new bodies.
The judgement is the most logical of these end time events. Mankind, for 6000 yrs, has spurned, ridiculed, rejected and mocked the Creator. We have set up every conceivable way to remove God from society. We turned our back on His son. We have taken great strides in pushing Him aside. The most logical idea in the universe is that there will come a reckoning. It should strike fear in the heart of every man and woman.
But John says that Christians can have confidence in that day,
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)
The love that is ‘’perfected” among us does not mean totally without any moral flaw. It means ‘whole’ or ‘mature.’ And it is the love of God working in the life of the believer to accomplish that which God fully intends to accomplish. Then in a stunning statement, John declares that God treats the saints the same as He treats His Son Jesus Christ. As Jesus is God's Son, so are we in this world, joint-heirs with Christ, sons of the Most High God. It is for this reason that we can have confidence at the judgment.
He continues,
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…” (1 John 4:18)
So, by our love for God any unreasonable fears are quieted and we can rest in the fact that the one who sent his son will not allow anything to destroy our eternal relationship that Jesus’ death on the cross established (Romans 8:31-39).
It is possible to be a Christian and still be filled with fear because of God’s judgement. But, it is unnecessary and mature love defeats it. Though judgment is the most logical event for the end times, Christians can enter that time with confidence, knowing that the illogical has been made logical.
To the Christian, Christ’s return, our bodily resurrection, and escape of judgment are the most logical things in the universe!
Read more at Island Brow Blog