He Will Come Again to Judge the Living and the Dead

For Meditation

This phrase of the Apostles’ Creed is probably the scariest one of all. Judgment. This is not a subject we like to think about, and this does not comport with our most favorite images of God as loving, forgiving and kind. How do we come to terms with this affirmation that Jesus is not just ascended and reigning, but that he will come to judge?

On the one hand, this is a sobering reminder that the way we live matters. Fyodor Dostoevsky, the famous Russian novelist, was right to say that if there is no God and no judgment, “Everything is permitted.” Remembering that Jesus is the ultimate judge of our lives and our world reminds us to live as those who will be called to give an account for our behavior, especially the way we have stewarded the gifts and opportunities that God has given to each of us. This is the scary, sobering part of judgement.

But on the other hand, for the Christian, judgement is good news, even great news. First, because we know that there is a conclusion to history, and that one day God will finally set things right, bringing the shalom and restoration that we all long for. Second, judgment is good news because of the judge himself.  As Paul says in 1 Thess. 5:9-11, "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” The One who comes as judge is the one who was judged in our place. For the Christian, “judgement day” has already happened on the cross, and we are waiting to meet the one who has already given us our freedom. 

In this time of uncertainty, knowing that we wait for Jesus to come and set things right is a great consolation. Truly our hope is in him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For 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 word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until 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 one another with these words.

1 Now, brothers and sisters, 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 and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children 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 awake and sober. 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 sober, 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.

Play along from home this week!

We’ve created parts for band and orchestral instruments, so you can play along to some of our worship songs this week! Find the parts here.