September 7: THE HOUR OF HIS JUDGEMENT
…saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Revelation 14:7
The Bible announces the arrival of the final judgement. The first phase of judgement must occur before Jesus returns. At His second coming, He will already know who He is coming to claim (Revelation 22:12). All who have professed allegiance to Christ are examined during this hour of His judgement. Paul spoke of this investigation: For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). Daniel saw this in vision, affirming the work of the recording angels: The court was seated and the books were opened (Daniel 7:10). The books of evidence are laid before the Judge to be investigated, during which the vindication for each saved soul is presented, as we should expect in any fair court of law. Thus, individuals are judged by how each has lived in this life. All have sinned (Romans 3:23), yet true repentance and forsaking of sin is the great exchange for the gift of God: eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
After every sentence has been decided—for eternal life or death—“the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:27). Good works are the fruit—and not the root—of salvation; the acts and attitudes of a changed heart.
We are currently living in the pre-advent judgement hour. In the original Greek, the word translated “hour” in hour of His judgement is not a literal hour. It is used to represent a short but undefined period of time.
Regarding His second coming, Jesus says, “My reward is with Me” (Revelation 22:12). God said to Abraham, “I am . . . your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1). The blessing of seeing Jesus face-to-face in all His glory is the greatest and also the most indescribable reward. A beautiful home prepared by Him in the heavenly Jerusalem (John 14:3) is a distant second, even though there is nothing in this fallen world to compare with the beauty of each home that He prepares for His bride.
Beloved, this world is arrayed against all whose heart’s desire is to serve Him according to His will; on His terms and not ours. Persecution comes to such because of the clash with human ideas that misguided people lift above those of God; but be encouraged by the hearing of these words from His first sermon:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:8,10-12