ENDTIME JUDGEMENT

In 2 Timothy 3:1 Paul stated, “That in the last days perilous (grievous) times shall come” and from all the events that are happening in our world I believe we are living in the era in which Paul called, “last days.” When I turn on the news I hear of some tragic event taking place, I can see the Spirit of Lawlessness happening with the murders and robberies in our communities, and the hardness and evilness of men’s heart are visible in my interactions with people. I am often saddened by the plight of this world, for those who have died and whirled into eternity without receiving salvation, and for those who are presently living but don’t think they need a relationship with God. These are issues over which I must pray and rest in the hands of God who is in control of everything for He has a plan for humans that will eventually happen and unfortunately, it will not be pleasant.

Jesus enlightens us of this plan in Matthews 13:24 -30, 36-43 which states, “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

In this same chapter, verses 47 -50, Jesus reiterates the plan using a different example. He said “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

In both of these parables, Jesus expounds on end time events. Within the world are those individuals that received Him and have a relationship with God and within the world are individuals that have rejected salvation and are members of the kingdom of darkness of whom Satan is the leader. Both of these groups of people (good and bad) exist together. It is not the responsibility of the believer to judge and cause a divide for God has assigned that task to His angels. It is the believers who are joint heirs with Christ and members of the kingdom of God responsibility to preach and teach the Word to a dying world (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:8). With the help and direction of God, will you join with me in doing our part of propagating the Word and leaving the judging to God?