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May 12 – LD 19, Day 6: Christ’s Judgment will be Merciful

Sunday the 12th of May

in Heidelberg Catechism Meditations

Matthew 25:34, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

The catechism expresses it this way, “in my sorrows…I look for the very same person...to come as judge from heaven, whoshall cast all His and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall translate me with all His chosen ones to Himself, into heavenly joys and glory.”

At the end of the ages, Christ will personally come to bring an end to history. There will be an immediate change for the living saints; they will be translated in a moment into their glorified body. In that body they will appear before the great white throne and stand in judgment before Jesus.

If you are a believer, you have no reason to dread this final judgment. Reason being, we have no reason to fear the Judge. He is the same Person who satisfied God’s law for righteousness for all those who believe on Him. This is amazing because our conscience still accuses us because of our sins. We know the righteousness of God manifests itself in His hostility against both sinners and their sins. We struggle with the question, “How I can be sure that GOD will not punish me in the end for all my sins?” I deserve such punishment.” Rather than focusing on yourself standing in judgment, focus on the Judge, He is Jesus, your Savior and my Savior who paid the debt for all our sins. He is the one who delivers us from the dominion of sin and makes us willing and ready to live unto Him. From this point of view, the text quoted above contains the words of Jesus which He spoke while on earth, “Come, YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER”.

When we appear as such, there is no fear of judgment.

Notice, the verdict and final sentence is sure, “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

That is how great our God is. He chose us from eternity, arranged for our redemption from sin in the giving of His Son, and promised to convert us from sin unto life. This He did.

That is pure mercy, love which delivers us from hellish wrath and draws us into sweet fellowship with Him. The final judgment opens the way for this to take place.