Vindication or Condemnation

The arrival of Jesus will mean vindication for the righteous, but the judgment and condemnation of the wicked.

The “Son of Man” will arrive “on the clouds with great power and glory” at the end of the present age when he will dispatch his angels to gather his elect. He will then “render to each man according to his deeds.” Those men found worthy will hear him declare, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” – (Matthew 24:27-28).

All the nations of the earth will likewise be “gathered before him” as he sits on his “throne of glory… and he will separate them one from another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Those found unworthy will be sent “into the everlasting fire which is prepared for the Devil and his angels” - (Matthew 25:31-46).

[Photo by Aneta Foubíková on Unsplash]

Thus, his “arrival…on the clouds” will be a time of gathering and judgment, of some men for punishment, and of others for reward. In his parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus gave a picture of the judgment of the just and the unjust on that day.

His “arrival” will be “just as it was in the days of Noah” when people were “eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage,” and otherwise going about their daily business. However, “they observed not until the flood came and took them all away.” Thus, will it be when the Son of Man “arrives,” a day that will bring “sudden destruction” on the wicked - (Matthew 24:37-39).

The unprepared will be overtaken by the unexpectedness of that day. It will result in the separation of the godly from the ungodly. Two will “be in the field, one is taken near, one is left behind. Two women grinding at the mill, one is taken near, and one is left behind.”

The Apostle Paul described this event as the “Day of the Lord” that will bring destruction to the wicked, but glory to the saints:

• “And to you that are afflicted release with us by the revealing of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his angels of power, in fiery flame; holding forth vengeance against them that refuse to know God and them who decline to hearken to the gospel of our Lord Jesus, who, indeed, a penalty shall pay, everlasting destruction from the face of the Lord and the glory of his might, whensoever he shall come to be made all-glorious in his saints, and to be marveled at in all who believed, because our witness to you was believed, in that day” - (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

APOSTASY AND LAWLESSNESS

In contrast to the wicked, faithful disciples will find themselves wholly sanctified and “blameless” at his “arrival” or ‘Parousia’. Dead believers will be resurrected and reunited with fellow believers who remain alive. Together, they will be “seized on clouds for a meeting of the Lord in the air” as he descends from heaven. They will then be with him “evermore” - (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 3:13, 5:23, 4:13-18).

However, his “arrival” will not occur until after the “Apostasy” and the “revelation of the Man of Lawlessness.” This wicked figure will be destroyed on the same day when Jesus gathers his elect to himself, on the “Day of the Lord.” The wicked and the righteous will be dealt with decisively when Christ returns - (2 Thessalonians 2:1-9).

In Corinth, Paul responded to church members who denied the future resurrection by presenting arguments demonstrating the necessity for the resurrection. He listed several events that must occur on or by that day, including the final subjugation of all his enemies and the resurrection of the dead. The resurrection will mean the end of the “Last Enemy, Death.” The saints will receive “immortality” and their glorified bodies at that time - (1 Corinthians 15:20-57).

According to the Apostle Peter, Christ’s “arrival” will mean the “Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” This is the “Day of the Lord” when “the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise… and the earth and the works therein will be discovered.” It will bring the final judgment and the New Creation - (2 Peter 3:3-13).

We as his disciples must “abide in him” so that, at his “arrival,” we “may have boldness and not be put to shame.” An inference is that believers who do not “remain in Jesus” will suffer loss when he comes in his glory - (1 John 2:28).

The “arrival” of Jesus will be a universal event that affects all humanity and the creation itself. It will be marked by terrestrial and celestial upheaval. Jesus will send his angels to gather his people to himself “forever,” and they will inherit “everlasting life” and immortality.

In contrast, the wicked will be rounded up for judgment, and they will receive “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord” along with the Devil and “his angels.”

Thus, the “Day of the Lord” will mean vindication and life for some, but condemnation and disaster for others, for the unprepared and the unrighteous. Both results occur when Jesus “arrives” from heaven in great power and glory at the end of the present age.

For all concerned, it will be a day of great finality.  On which side of the Great Divide we will be found will depend on how we respond to Jesus of Nazareth today.

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SEE ALSO:

• Just Judgment - (The arrival of Jesus will mean vindication and rest for the righteous, but everlasting loss for the wicked - 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

• Rumors and Disinformation - (Rumors about the Day of the Lord caused alarm and confusion in the Thessalonian congregation – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)

• Waiting for His Son - (The Thessalonians received the Gospel in tribulation but remained faithful while anticipating the future return of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)