Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: Eternal Judgement (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme from the “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series, entitled “Eternal Judgment”, we learn from the scriptures that “when (the Lord) shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe”, the Lord will simultaneously “(punish) with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord” those who are outside the ark of safety (II Thessalonians 1:9-10). What this means, Beloved, is that disobedient beings will receive the same sentence as the devil’s angels (the angels that have fallen from heaven). On the Great Day of Judgment, the Lord God Himself will cast the angels that sinned down to hell, and will deliver them “into chains of darkness (along with every disobedient soul), to be reserved unto the judgment of the great day” (II Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6). But, the good news is that “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (II Peter 2:9). In other words, we, as saints, will never have to experience “eternal judgment” - only “eternal life”. The saints are “judging” themselves right now!

Precious Ones, we are taught to “judge ourselves” by the convictions of nature and by the Holy Spirit. Some things are not lawful for a saint to be involved in. Saints don’t have to wait to be “judged” - the Holy Spirit is our live-in Judge. He will condemn us about every-day choices, through God’s Word. For example, Paul asks the Corinthian Church, “Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered (naked or half dressed)? (Then he asks them) Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering” (I Corinthians 11:13-15).

Chosen Ones, I love God’s “principles”, because they make sense. It would be ignorant for God to “judge” us twice, when His Word serves as our Judge now! Beloved, we are taught how the judgment of God takes place. As Paul taught us, “we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things (as violations against biblical principles)” (Romans 2:2). Then, Paul explains, “thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:5). In other words, those who will experience God’s anger and fury are those who disregard his promise to show His wrath, take Him lightly, and turn a deaf ear to His “revelations of righteousness”. Beloved, this is not the description of those of us who have faith in God’s Word and have reverential fear of His commandments. We will escape His “Eternal Judgment”!

I will write more next week.

I love you all so very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy