The Day of Judgment # 5

The Day of Judgment # 5

The devil and his angels will also be judged on that day; but of the particular nature of the trial we are not informed. All that we know is, that "the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." (Jude 6). They are now miserable, but their cup is not full; therefore they cried out when they saw Jesus, "Have you come to torment us before the time?" (Matt. 8:29). At the breaking up of this great assembly, the present system of the world will be destroyed. For "the present heavens and earth are held in store for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" ( 2 Peter 3:7).

Reader, deeply fix in your mind the certainty and importance of the transactions of this last, great day. Meditate upon it as a reality in which you have a momentous interest. Let every other day, as it passes, put you in mind of this in which all others will end. Consider also that it draws near. Every moment bears us on towards the great tribunal. Mockers may say, "Where is the promise of His coming? "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).

O reader, whoever you are, let me entreat you to inquire without delay, whether you are prepared for the scrutiny and judgment of this coming day. Have you made your peace with God? Have you repented of all your sins? Are you in union with Christ by faith? Have you any clear scriptural evidence that your sins are pardoned? What says conscience to these inquires? Be assured, if your own heart condemns you, God, who is greater than your heart, and knows all things, will much more condemn you. But your situation is not like that of them whose day of grace is ended. You are yet in the place of reconciliation. You have yet a little time before you - God only knows how much. Now, then, hear the voice of warning! Hear the voice of mercy! Now "strive to enter in at the strait gate." Now forsake your sins, and live! Accept the offered grace - "lay hold on eternal life!"

Let no consideration induce you to delay your conversion. The importance of salvation - the uncertainty of life - the danger of provoking the Holy Spirit to abandon you - the example of thousands who have perished by procrastination - should urge you to lose no time, but to fall in with the gracious invitation of the gospel. But if you will refuse, then prepare to meet an angry God! Harden yourself against the terrors of the Almighty; summon all your fortitude to bear your dreadful doom from the Judge of living and dead. But I refrain - there is no fortitude or patience in hell.

"Behold, the axe is laid at the root of the tree," and now perhaps you are spared, on account of the prayer of some kind intercessor, for one year. This, for anything you know, may be your last year. If so, it behooves you to make good use of your time and privileges. Let the idea of the judgment be ever before your mind. There you must appear - there you must stand and render up your account - there you must be filled with overwhelming shame and terror - there you must hear the awful final sentence, which will fix your doom irreversibly, unless by a speedy repentance, and by faith in Jesus Christ, you flee from the wrath to come!

May God, of His infinite mercy, cause the truths which you have read in this paper to sink deeply into your mind; and by the light of His Holy Spirit lead you to just views of your own condition, and to saving views of the Lord Jesus Christ - the only Redeemer of lost sinners! Amen

~Archibald Alexander~

(The End)