Judgment is coming

It was Spring of my sophomore year in college and I had a bad case of spring fever.  A group of friends was headed to the beach on one particular day, and I had a dilemma — “beach or class?”  Sand and surf won out over desk and discourse.

The next week I walked back into class and everyone was unusually quiet.  “What’s going on — why’s everyone so quiet?” I blithely asked.  “Test today,” was the hushed response.

“Test?  When did he tell us about that?”

“Last week…”

“I’m outta here!”  And I got up and left the class, knowing I was in no way ready to take that exam.  I figured I’d make it up later.

But as I was to find out, ditching a class on an exam day is a vain attempt to forestall the reality of the looming event.  You will be tested and you will be found out.

That is part of the lesson Jesus has for His hearers in Matthew 25.  This chapter is the second half of what is called the Olivet Discourse.  It is Jesus’ instruction to the disciples on the Mount of Olives (Mt. 24:3), answering their questions about the end of the age.  The first half of His instruction is about the Tribulation and His second coming.  The second half, in Mt. 25, is about the judgments preceding the Millennial Kingdom.

Both Israel (vv. 1-30) and Gentiles (vv. 31-46) will face His judgment.  Like me and my exam, a great many will be unprepared for the day (vv. 6-10).  Some will make false assertions about the character of God and believe they will be able to escape His wrath (vv. 24-25).  But all people alive on earth will be gathered to stand before Him (v. 32).  And as in the final judgment (Rev. 20:11-15), there are only two possible outcomes of these judgments — eternally in the joyful presence of God (vv. 29-30, 34), or eternally suffering the condemnation and judgment of God (v. 41).

This section is a reminder that God does not overlook sin.  His righteousness means He cannot overlook sin.  But He is gracious.  He has given a warning, and He has provided a means of escape through Christ.

Judgment is coming.

Wise is the man who prepares for it by trusting in Christ.  Gracious is the believer who helps others prepare for it by telling the good news of salvation through Christ alone.