A Final Reckoning; A Blessed Hope
By Pastor Dan Kennedy
©August 21, 2011
One day you were driving unhurriedly down a windy country road and you came past a little community church. It was a quaint and beautiful church, and something seemed to draw you toward the church, so you drove into the parking lot along with the many cars already parked there. A service was being held and you were somehow compelled to join those attending. You walked up the walkway to the sanctuary and sat down with those who filled the room. A pastor was reading Scripture when you walked in, and then he began reading an obituary. You glanced around to see what was happening. In the isle at font your eyes caught the sight of a coffin draped with colorful tapestry. You were now certain that you had just joined a funeral service. As the man read, you recognized people and the places that were being read, in the obituary. In fact, you knew them well! As he came to the conclusion, he called out the names of the spouse and children of the individual who passed away. The names of those he read were the names of your spouse and children! It was your funeral! You were flabbergasted! The pastor called for any who wished to say a few words and a line formed close to the front near an open mike for folks to tell a story or express their sympathies. One by one they walked by, telling humorous stories or events that had impacted their lives, because of you. You knew all of these folks and enjoyed entered into the stories since you had lived it with them, although you may have had a little different twist on their story from time to time! You had never dreamed that you would crash your own funeral!
Funerals are a time of remembrance, but they are not a time of reckoning. No one normally “crashes” his or her own funeral. What is said about them, good or bad, delightful or woefully sad, will no longer would make a difference to them. But there is another place where each of us will stand, which things that are said will have profound meaning!
***
There is a critical event that will happen around the Throne Room of God after your death at which time you will be more than aware. You will most certainly attend, and it will have the most profound impact on your life than any one other single occasion. You will be drawn to a great assembly and a more amazing group of eternal people. There in heaven you will understand who you are without any pretentions or disrespect. Your life is clearly revealed. You will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Everything done in your life is understood. There will be no hypocritical or false platitudes, praises or condemnations. Your life will revealed with all the good and the bad – every word, every insinuation, every motivation, and every deed.
A FINAL RECKONING
We may often speak of the Coming of Christ as our Blessed Hope, but we do not know when that day or hour may take place. We can be assured that this Glorious Day will happen, but we can also be assured that the day of our death is just as certain, should the Lord tarry. This message seeks to address both subjects.
The Pain of Righteousness
There is a struggle in seeing the success of the wicked – but the realization of their final end is the critical consideration!
Psalm 73
A psalm of Asaph.
1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
5They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.
6Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
7From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
8They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
11They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.
13Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
15If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children.
16When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
17till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
18Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
19How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
20As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
21When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
For we must all appear before the Judgment 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
What happens when we die?
In order to understand this Biblically, first, we need to understand what happened to those who died prior to Christ’s Death and Resurrection…
Jesus Christ died on the cross, in the fullness of God's time (Gal. 4:4-5) and sin’s price was paid. While Christ’s spirit was in the “place of the departed dead”, He preached to the spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:18-23), and upon His resurrection He led "led a host of captives" (Eph. 4:8-10) and is the "firstfruits" of those who believe (1 Cor. 15:20).
1 Peter 3:18-23
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water....
Ephesians 4:8-10
8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." 9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens....)
Psalm 16:10
10 because you will not abandon me to the grave (sheol),
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
There is only one Hebrew word for “the place of the departed dead” in the Old Testament: “Sheol”. This word is often translated, “hell”. But it is also a place that after the “righteous” died is called “paradise”, or “Abraham’s side”. Jesus told the repentant thief beside Him on the cross that “today, you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
When we look at the realistic parable of the rich man and Lazarus (notice an individual was named here), we are given more insight into “the place of the departed dead” (“Hades”), Luke 16:19-31 – a place both of paradise and torment, separated by a “great gulf”.
Luke 16:19–31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Christ’s Resurrection
When Christ rose again, the Scripture tells us that “He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men…” I believe that at that time Christ brought with Him all those who were at “Abraham’s side” with Him to heaven (Eph. 4:8). Before Christ’s crucifixion and payment for sin there had been no sacrifice for sin by which sinful mankind (even those at “Abraham’s side” could be brought into God’s Holy Presence. Christ died, rose again, and was the “firstfruits” from the dead – 1 Cor. 15:20, (pictured in the “wave offering” of the “Firstfruits” – Lev. 23:20, which was celebrated by the Jews on the very resurrection Sunday morning on which Jesus arose). He also “led a host of captives” (of the righteous dead) to be with Him in Heaven (Eph. 4:8).
Evidence of the place of the Old Testament Righteous Dead
The Righteous Dead – in the Old Testament perspective, are said to be “gathered to their people”. Upon death, if you are “Righteous in Christ” you will be brought to family, who too are “Righteous in Christ” and who have predeceased you in death.
Genesis 25:8
8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.
Genesis 25:17
17 Altogether, Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people.
Genesis 35:29
29 Then he (Isaac) breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
The “Righteous in Christ” will also join all the other “Righteous in Christ” in heaven:
Matthew 8:10–12
10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Look who “Brings” us to Heaven!
In the New Testament, after Christ’s death and resurrection, the “Righteous in Christ” are carried by the angels to be with Christ in Heaven.
Luke 16:22–23
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
Mark 13:27
27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
Matthew 13:39
39 …The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Hebrews 1:14
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Paul teaches us that when we leave this body in death, we will be “at home with the Lord”.
2 Corinthians 5:6–10
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
THE BLESSED HOPE
For the grace of God that brings salvation
has appeared to all men.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness
and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us
to redeem us from all wickedness and
to purify for himself a people
that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:11–14
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
The Coming of the Lord
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Matthew 24:36–51
The Day and Hour Unknown
36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
4Stay Awake, Watch and Be Ready
The Parable of the Five Wise and
Five Foolish Virgins
Matthew 25:1–13
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
4Other Verses Pertinent to Christ’s Imminent Coming
1 Corinthians 1:4–8
4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:5
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
1 Corinthians 15:50–53
50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
1 Corinthians 16:21–22
21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!
Philippians 3:20–21
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 4:4–5
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
2 Thessalonians 2:6–8
6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
Titus 2:13
13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…
James 5:7–9
Patience in Suffering
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
1 John 2:28
28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
Revelation 3:11
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
Revelation 22:7, 12, 20
7 “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”
12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Conclusion
Be Prepared.
Whether we see Christ return,
Or whether we experience death,
May we all:
— Choose Christ personally as our Savior, Deliverer and Redeemer from sin.
— Live our lives pleasing to God.
— Look for Christ’s Return!
Is there a decision you need to make today, to make you more fully ready to see the Lord and give an account of your life before Him?
