BIBLE TOPICS
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path". Ps 119:105
Subjects
JUDGEMENT
JESUS RETURNS TO HIS HOUSEHOLD
| Jesus returns to his household |
| Who are responsible to divine judgement? |
| Resurrection to judgement |
| The place of judgement |
| The day of judgement |
| The reward of the righteous |
Now we read that after the death and resurrection of Jesus he spent 40 days with his disciples, instructing and encouraging them. Following this period he departed from them and ascended into heaven. But the disciples were told clearly about the fact that he would return:
"As they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven, as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? This same Jesus, which was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have beheld him going into heaven." Acts 1v9-11
So clearly Jesus is to return, but when? Jesus told his disciples that the days of his second coming would coincide with a period of universal unrest and trouble among the nations. He said there would be:
"upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity; men's hearts fainting for fear, and for expectation of things which are coming on the earth." Luke 21v25-27.
There are many passages in the Bible that indicate that the return of Jesus will be unexpected by the majority. He would return suddenly, quietly and unobtrusively as a "thief in the night". Of the signs relating to the return of Jesus it is not our purpose to go into detail now. Other pages cover this subject in more detail - [link ] signs. But briefly, Jesus spoke of the time immediately prior to his return as being like they were in the days of Noah and Lot. These righteous servants of God were removed before the outpouring of Divine judgements upon their wicked contemporaries. [Luke 17v26-30] When Jesus returns, his first concern will be with the calling and judgement of his household:
"For the time is come for judgement to begin at the house of God: and if it begin with at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God." 1Peter 17-18
Judgement then is to begin with the household of Jesus; those who have had opportunity in the long years since Jesus left to learn the Gospel message and obey it. In this context we recall Jesus told a parable about a noble man who left on a journey to a far country in order that he may receive a Kingdom. Before he went he entrusted his servants with a certain amount of money to use wisely in his absence. Upon his return having received the kingdom he demanded to know how they had dealt with what they had been entrusted with. So we read:
"It came to pass when he was come back again, having received the kingdom, that he commanded those servants, unto whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading." Luke 19v15.
John gives us encouragement to strive to be faithful servants, wisely using in the service of Jesus all that he has entrusted to us. If we do we will not be ashamed when we must give an account to him of our lives when he returns. John writes:
"Now my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." 1John 2v28
It is only right that we should expect a judgement. We read all "must stand before the judgement seat of Christ." Much has been given, much will be expected. A great price has been paid for salvation and if we scorn and reject that salvation we can only deserve condemnation.