Believe and Speak--He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.

 

Daniel 7:13-14

Matthew 16:27-28

John 5:22,27

Acts 3:19-21

2 Corinthians 5:10

1 Peter 4:4-6

Revelation 1:7

Acts 10:42

2 Timothy 4:1-5

2 Corinthians 4:13

The word "glory" in Daniel means "honor". In Matthew it means "clothed by the Father in kingly array". Jesus, the Grand Marshal in a parade like no other, all of the pomp and majesty due the King of Kings. Yesterday, we learned that Jesus has ascended into heaven; He will remain there until the time for restoring all things, according to all God promised through the prophets. We all will stand before Jesus to be judged, whether we've done good or evil. Every eye will see Him, even those who killed Him; every tribe will certainly mourn Him.

I always cringe when someone says "You can't judge me. Only God can judge me." I understand the sentiment behind it, but it's said in what could only be called ignorance. If you have to be judged (and you do, we all do), you would think you'd rather be judged by another human, than by the all-powerful God. The idea that God can see all I do, and rightly judge me for it, should change me. But I think it's less about what He sees in us, and more of what we see in Him. He looks at us and sees wickedness, rebellion, and open shame. But we look to the LORD our God and see righteousness, mercy, and forgiveness. Those who refused to pay allegiance to the Only Wise King have stored up wrath for themselves and that will be their final just reward. Those who love Him and keep His commandments will be judged, too, but according to the finished works of the King of the never-ending Kingdom. That's the whole reason the gospel needs to be preached, that those dead in their sins might be alive in Christ before He comes in judgment. Jesus commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. We have been charged with preaching the word any time we can, when it's easy and when it isn't. The time is coming (or maybe is already here) when people will not be open to the gospel at all, and will trade the truth of God for any lie that comes their way. The job of an evangelist is serious, dangerous, hard work; but if you're a follower of Christ, that's YOUR job. And when we see Him coming, the One who loves us and frees us from our sins by His blood, it will be worth it. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, we also believe and so we also speak.