Basic HTML Version
Judge of the Whole World, December 18
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels
with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before
him shall be gathered all nations.
Matthew 25:31, 32
.
In His teachings Christ sought to impress men with the certainty of
the coming judgment and with its publicity. This is not the judgment of
a few individuals, or even of a nation, but of a whole world of human
intelligences, of accountable beings. It is to be held in the presence of
other worlds, that the love, the integrity, the service, of man for God,
may be honored to the highest degree. There will be no lack of glory and
honor.... The law of God will be revealed in its majesty; and those who
have stood in defiant rebellion against its holy precepts will understand
that the law that they have discarded and despised ... is God’s standard of
character....
In this speck of a world the heavenly universe will manifest the greatest
interest, for Jesus paid an infinite price for the souls of its inhabitants....
God designed that the Prince of sufferers in humanity should be judge
of the whole world. He who came from the heavenly courts to save man
from eternal death; ... He who submitted to be arraigned before an earthly
tribunal, and who suffered the ignominious death of the cross—He alone is
to pronounce the sentence of reward or of punishment. He who submitted
to the suffering and humiliation of the cross here, in the counsel of God
is to have the fullest compensation, and ascend the throne acknowledged
by all the heavenly universe as the King of saints. He has undertaken the
work of salvation, and shown before unfallen worlds and the heavenly
family that the work He has begun He is able to complete.... In that day
of final punishment and reward both saints and sinners will recognize in
Him who was crucified the Judge of all living....
Probationary time is granted us, opportunities and privileges are given
us, to make our calling and election sure. How we should prize this
precious time and improve every talent God has given, that we may be
faithful stewards over ourselves!
Solemn will be the day of final decision!
[360]
373