Friday, October 14, 2005
Acts 10:40-43 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.
AND HE SHALL BE CALLED "JUDGE"
The first time Jesus came to earth, He was born as a little baby on Christmas day. He came for the purpose of saving all mankind from their sins. The second time Jesus will come to earth, He will come as Judge of all mankind.
Of course, the verdict of a just judge is terrifying for those who are guilty. But, the verdict of a just judge is welcomed by the innocent. And all who trust in Jesus have been declared innocent by God.
The return of the Judge will be a good thing for those who have trust in Jesus, for as the Psalmist says: "The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned" (Psalm 34:22).
Should unbelievers worry about last day? Yes. Jesus will not come as their Savior on that day. It will be too late. He will be their judge. He will send them away from Himself forever. But we aren't afraid of the last day, or Jesus the Judge because we know Him personally and trust in Him. We know that the Judge actually died so that our sins would be washed away!
And this is the message that we seek to share with all around us. That way, when they stand before the Judge, the verdict will be "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).
