Archive for the ‘Judgment Day’ Category

Day 341: Ezekiel 40:17-41:26; 2 Peter 2:10-3:10 – Extreme Makeover: Temple Edition

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

I don’t really have much to say today about the reading in Ezekiel 40-41 except that it would make a great show on HGTV.

Wow! Peter! Tell us how you really feel. Peter never was much for holding back when he had something to say (except for that one time in the courts just before the crucifixion). But in 2 Peter 2:10-22 he really unleashes on these folks. “These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.” It wasn’t just for their actions that he condemned them. They were trying to drag down everyone with them. Satan figures that his party will be all the merrier the more people he can invite. Not a party I want to be invited to.

And finally, in 2 Peter 3:1-10 we get a brief look at the end times and the time frame for the end of days. Many people have spent much time and energy discussing the when’s and how’s of the second coming and end of the world as we know it. All of these seem to put the end right around the corner. We sing the song “Jesus is Coming Soon”. And yet Peter is trying to help us understand that our “soon” is not the same as God’s “soon”.

Personally (and this is total conjecture and wishful thinking) I put the end of the universe at millions of years in the future. This is not based on any scripture or any scientific evidence but rather on my view of God and His creation. I see this vast universe, that God created and I can’t help but think that God wants us to explore every last bit of it. Who knows what wonders and life forms may or may not be waiting out there for us to discover. God endowed us with curiosity and we’ve utilized that greatly here on this small rock. Maybe there’s even more to learn and discover in this wonderful cosmos.

And there’s so much more that we as people need to learn. 10,000 years of recorded history just barely pricks the surface of the wonders of God’s creation and our relationships. I don’t believe we’ll ever get close to understanding everything about everything until we stand before the Creator after the end of this world. But that shouldn’t keep us from trying.

Anyways, that’s what I think. I’d be interested to hear your views on such things. Again, I have no Biblical evidence here, just personal opinions.

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Day 250: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 — Distinctions in Judging

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

I hear the question often, “who are we to judge another? This is an important question, especially in view of Paul’s statements in 1 Corinthians 4:1-6 about being judged by a human court. If we go to Jesus, we find more warnings. Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). And James asked, “Who are you to judge your neighbor?” after pointing out that God alone is “Lawgiver and Judge” (James 4:11-12).

Yet when we look at 1 Corinthians 5:3, we find that Paul had “already passed judgment” on one member of the Corinthian fellowship. He commanded the church to assemble and “hand this man over to Satan” (I Corinthians 5:5). He told them “not to associate” with sexually immoral persons, which necessarily calls for an evaluation or judgment of who is and who is not immoral! Paul even tells us to judge inside the church (1 Corinthians 5:12).

While on the surface this may seem contradictory, it is not when we make a simple distinction. We don’t use the word “judge” correctly. We apply the word rather shallowly in our contexts. Yet, the Bible is rich in distinctions…there are various uses and applications. As one of my old professors used to say “Context, context, context is important!” Without understanding the distinctions, we are fooled by the world’s myopic point of view. Here are some examples of the distinctions of the word “judge” in the New Testament:

Preference (e.g., Romans 14:5). It is used to think, consider or evaluate (e.g., Acts 13:46; Acts 26:8; Acts 4:19; 1 Corinthians 10:15; Luke 7:43).

Decision or intending to do something (e.g., Acts 3:13; Acts 20:16; Acts 25:25; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 5:3; Titus 3:12; Acts 27:1; Acts 21:25; 1 Corinthians 7:37; Romans 14:13; 2 Corinthians 2:1; Acts 16:4).

Legal term – judge, decide, before a court, condemn, also hand over for judicial punishment.

In the context of a human court (e.g., Acts 13:27. John 18:31; Acts 23:3; 1 Corinthians 5:12; John 7:51; Luke 19:22; Acts 25:10; Acts 26:6; Luke 12:57; 1 Corinthians 6:6).

In the context of a divine court occupied by God or Christ (e.g., John 5:30; John 8:16; John 8:50; Revelation 6:10; Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:37; Revelation 11:18; John 5:22; John 8:15; 1 Corinthians 5:13; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5; Romans 2:16; Acts 17:31; 1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 20:13; 1 Peter 2:23; Revelation 19:11; James 2:12; John 3:17; Acts 7:7; Romans 2:12; Romans 3:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:12; Hebrews 10:30; James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:6; Revelation 18:8; Revelation 19:2; John 16:11; Revelation 16:5).

Men divinely commissioned to judge (e.g., Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; Romans 2:27; 1 Corinthians 6:2).

Pass an unfavorable judgment upon, criticize, find fault with, or condemn (e.g., Romans 2:1-3; Romans 14:3-13; Colossians 2:16; James 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 10:29; Romans 14:22; Romans 3:4).

Maybe we need to understand the distinctions in judging. We need to know when it is not appropriate and when it is.

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Day 132: Luke 21:25-36 — Good News, Jesus is Coming Back!

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Second Coming of ChristI have preached many funerals and have noticed two things. First, a person who did not believe in Jesus makes for a difficult service. Second, a person who was faithful to the Lord makes the funeral service easy for the family and for me. I don’t know why but it seems more and more sermons stay away from the topic of the Second Coming. The coming of the Son of Man is one of the important themes of Jesus’ teaching. It is emphasized over and over in the New Testament (e.g., Mark 13; Matthew 24; John 14; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4; 2 Thessalonians; 2 Peter 3; Revelation 22, etc.).

The old joke tells us that there are two inescapable aspects of life: we pay taxes and we will die. Death lends urgency and significance to each new day. For those who have no faith and no knowledge of God, death stands as a final denial of life. All that we may attempt or do is eventually swept away by time. The unavoidable philosophy of those who do not believe is the desire to make the most of every moment (“Go for the gusto”) with no respect for others. On the other hand, the Good News of Jesus Christ is that He is returning and that beyond the end of our time is the Lord, who has come among us in the person of Jesus. We believers live expectantly, filling each day with activity that is meaningful because this life is a precursor to something better and we hold our heads high, knowing that our redemption is near (Luke 21:28). These verses encourage me. When the very foundation of life seems to be shaken and times are tough (Luke 21:26) we read:

“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27, ESV

Our redemption is near (Luke 21:28), God’s Word will never pass away (Luke 21:33), Good News, Jesus is coming back!

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Day 131: Luke 21:5-19 — Don’t be Fooled!

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

the end is nearThe other day, I was teaching a class with some teens. They had a fascination about the end of times. It seems they have experienced the teachings of the pseudo-religious prophets that manifest themselves in contemporary entertainment genres. The force of Jesus’ warning in Luke 21:7-11 is that disciples of Christ should not be misled by the false prophets who will come claiming authority and saying that the time is near. Such claims are the words of charlatans who prey upon the innocent. Nevertheless, the dangers and hardships that we experience are real. Truth is tested and faith is confirmed not in idle speculation but in the crucible of hard times. In Luke 21:5-19 Jesus foretells the coming destruction of the temple with a warning of the wars, earthquakes, famines, and plagues that will come and a warning to the disciples of the persecutions they must endure. We need to distinguish biblical teachings and sound biblical interpretation from the sensational claims carried by the media and popular religious best-sellers. We are not waiting for a call to ministry, we already have a call to disregard the false prophets; do not be led astray, and do not go after them (Luke 21:8). Those who wish to find a more energetic religious experience, therefore, should look not for signs of the future but for signals that it is time to live by Jesus’ call for obedience and faithfulness here and now.

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Day 125: Luke 18:1-8 — “An Unjust Judge”

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

In Luke 18:1-8, A widow cries for vindication and deliverance. Yet right before the cries, Luke announces the thrust of the coming parable as encouragement to persist in prayer to God. He does not say it in so many words, but it is clear from the context that this prayer is about the end-time resolution of the problems of the present and not simply about answered prayer in the normal sense. Luke describes the judge that undermines all confidence that one could look to him for justice. He is exactly the opposite of what a judge should be. He answers to no one, not God or the needs of those around him. When the widow is introduced, we have to remember she has absolutely no leverage at all in society. Luke sets us up for a complete failure of justice. However, the widow persists in her request for the protection of the law.

How much more can God be relied upon to provide vindication than can the wicked judge of our story who, despite his wickedness, when he faces the prospect of public embarrassment will change his mind to deliver justice? How much more should we continue to trust in God, seek His guidance, and ask for vindication and deliverance from an unjust world? Will we continue to ask until the end? Will we be faithful when Jesus returns? How much more will the justice of our God be than the wicked judge?

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Day 122: Luke 16:19-17:10 — A Rude Awakening

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Over the course of my life I have had some interesting conversations with people about their beliefs regarding their take on what happens when we die. We talk about the judgment day, Jesus returning, forgiveness of our sins, etc. There have been many times I’ve walked away from those conversations encouraged. Sometimes I walk away very concerned for that person.

LazarusOpen up your Bible to Luke 16:19-31 This is a story you are all familiar with. Lazarus is a beggar that lives at a rich man’s gate. Lazarus is in very bad shape and deep into the grip of poverty. Then both Lazarus and the rich man die. The rich man is in hell and sees Abraham and Lazarus far away. Continue reading and you’ll see that Abraham basically tells him that there is nothing he can do to help him and that it’s too late.

I’ve known people that have waited to give their lives to the Lord. I know people who don’t believe in God but choose to only acknowledge “a higher power”. I know people who believe in God but do very little to acknowledge him or to worship him. So many people, and I’m sure you know some of them too, believe that they can put off God until they are ready. The problem is that a) they never get around to it, and b) we never know when life will be over for us.

Turn a few pages back to Luke 13:22-30 and it deals with a very similar subject. When I read that passage it sends chills up my spine. To me it reads almost like so many people I know — “Lord, we went to church from time to time. My parents are Godly people! Save me!” In very clear terms, Jesus explained that he will not know you nor welcome you.

It is our job to continue to help those people to understand (and sometimes ourselves) that the hour of our departure is not known. Judgment day is too late to give yourself to Him. The hour is now. If not, what awaits is far more than just a rude awakening.

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