[A talk given at Grace Church Haywards Heath on Sunday 21 May 2017 with extended notes and Bible references added]
3) The subjects of judgment: angels and people.
Read 1
Thess 4v13-5v11
A thief in the night
You
probably know I used to be a policeman. And it taught me that some criminals –
well, they’re not always the sharpest tools in the box. The one that made me
chuckle most was a bank robber. He came in wearing a motorbike helmet, held up
the cashier, demanded money, put it in his bag, turned round to walk out, but
forgot that on the back of his helmet – was his name!
So it
really wouldn’t surprise me at all if a thief did phone ahead when planning a
burglary. “Hello. Hi. I just wanted to check you’re going to be out.” But take
a look at chapter 5 and verse 2.
Most
thieves don’t announce that they are coming. They come suddenly – unexpectedly.
And if you’re not ready? If you haven’t bought the alarm or locked up the house
– well you can find them doing you great harm, as they steal what is most
precious to you.
Paul’s
illustration comes from Jesus. It was Christ’s way of saying that he could
return at any time. And his point? We need to be ready. Because that day will
be “the day of the Lord.” That’s the
Bible term for the day of judgment (2 Pet 3v10).
This is
the third in our series on what to expect around the end of life and history.
But God’s word to us as we think on Christ’s return is a simple one. “Be
ready.” Read chapter 5 and verse 6.
The Millenium
Now I
have to say that Christian thinkers do not all agree that Christ could return
at any time, nor that when he does judgment will immediately take place. And so
before thinking further we need to turn to Revelation 20 and try and make some
sense of what’s called “the millennium.” Would you turn there?
We don’t
have time to deal with this passage in detail, but do need to pause to consider
it for moment. Verse 2 speaks of Satan being bound for 1000 years – a millenium.
Verse 3 tells us he will be locked in an abyss so that he cannot deceive the
nations.
Now the
book of Revelation is highly symbolic. So it’s no surprise that Christians
differ on exactly how they understand these ideas and the rest of verses 1-10.
But there are three main views.
The
first is called “post-millennialism.” It holds that at some point in history Satan will be
restrained bringing about a golden age in which the majority are converted and
the world Christianized. Whether this period lasts a literal thousand years or
is just a long period of time figuratively described as 1000 years, Jesus will
come back after (post) this “millennium.”
Now the
problem with this view is that we’ve seen Jesus teach that although no-one
knows the exact time of his return, it could be in any generation (Matt
24v29-51). And take another look at 1 Thessalonians 4v15. Paul thinks it is
possible within his lifetime and so urges his hearers to be vigilant (5v6, 2
Thess 2v1-15). If it wasn’t to be until after a long period that hadn’t even
started in the first century, the writers of the New Testament would not have
expressed the urgency they did. Moreover, although Jesus did teach that his
kingdom will spread throughout the world, our understanding of Matthew 24
outlined in the talk on “what to expect before Jesus returns” is that future
history will not lead to a golden age but be accompanied by an intensification
of the trials Jesus describes as labour pains (Matt 24v4-14).
The
second view is called “pre-millennialism.” It holds that the millennium refers to a 1000 years or long
period of time after Jesus returns, but on this earth as it now is. So Christ
comes before (pre) the millennium. This view
teaches that dead believers will be raised to reign with him, and they will
live amongst unbelievers who will remain as they currently are. Of course, many
of these unbelievers will be converted. But not all. And it is when the
millennium is over that unbelievers will be raised and everyone will be judged.
The
problem with this view, is that in 1 Thessalonians 5v2 we’ve seen Paul equates
Jesus’ return with “the day of
the Lord” when he will come
in judgment. There is no great epoch of history to expect between Christ’s
return and the judgment day. Rather they come together (Matt 24v29-31, 2 Thess
1v5-10).
The
view I am most convinced by is known as “a-millenianism.” In truth, this view also holds that Jesus will return after
the millennium, but states that the 1000 years is a figurative way of
describing the church age - the period we are in now, between Christ’s two
comings. It is therefore called “a” (greek for “no”) millennialism because it
doesn’t hold to literal 1000 years.
This view
finds strong support in Jesus teaching that he had already bound Satan during
his ministry (Matt 12v24-29), implying that this began a time in which Satan is
restrained. So he explained his disciples’ ability to cast out demons by saying
he “saw Satan fall like
lightening from heaven” (Lk
10v17-18). And he taught that his death will mean that Satan will be driven out
and people drawn to faith (Jn 12v31). Now this is incredibly significant as
Revelation 20v2-3 tells us the restraining of Satan that begins the millennium
is one of binding and one which will enable people to come to faith.
People
object to this view for two key reasons:
(1) They
ask how Satan can be locked up and sealed in an abyss when we are told to be on
our guard because he prowls like a lion seeking to devour (1 Pet 5v8). A close look at Revelation 20v3
helps. We are told the abyss is specifically about keeping him from deceiving
the nations – explaining the growth of the church. Our problem may be that we
think of the abyss with respect to being locked out of earth rather than
heaven. If we think of the earth influenced from two spiritual dimensions –
from those in heaven and those in the abyss, Satan’s confinement to the abyss
is a figurative way of saying that he no longer has any influence in the
heavenly sphere because Christ now reigns there. Revelation 12v7-9 may support
this. And in the book of Revelation it is the heavenly sphere that governs the
events of history, and so the response the nations may have to Christ.
(2)
People object that the idea of coming to life in Revelation 20v4 must be the
same as that of verse 5 and so refer to a physical resurrection. But Revelation
is highly figurative and elsewhere we explicitly told all will be raised at the
same time (Dav 12v1-2, John 5v28-29), so these verses cannot refer to two
physical resurrections. Moreover, we are told those experiencing the first
resurrection will "reign with Christ" for 1000 years, which is
pictured as being seated on thrones (20v4). But although the book does speak of
our destiny as reigning on earth, it consistently refers to the
"thrones" of believers as in heaven (3v21, 4v4, 11v16), implying that
20v4 describes souls alive there. The best explanation is that "coming to
life" in Revelation 20 therefore refers to being released from death and
Hades (20v13) where all are destined by nature. So martyrs (and wider
believers) "come to life" because they are immediately released from
the power of death and Hades and brought to heaven. However, unbelievers don't
"come to life" in this sense until Christ's return because until then
they are experiencing the torment of remaining in death and Hades. The two
resurrections are therefore of a smiilar type because they both refer to release
from this particular realm. And they mirror the first and second deaths (20v14) for which all agree the first occurs when physical life ends and the second when Christ returns. Of course, when death and Hades give up unbelievers
in the resurrection to judgment, they will then be cast into the lake of fire
which is the secon death (20v14).
So when and how will Christ
return?
In the
talk on “what to expect before Christ returns” we mentioned there are certain
events the Bible suggests will take place before Christ returns. For example, at
the moment there is no single evil person ruling much of the world, nor a
co-ordinated attack on all Christians (2 Thess 2v1-8). So, although it’s
possible Jesus will return today – we have to say it’s unlikely. But let’s be
clear. It would only ever take a few years for these things to come about. When
we say Jesus could return at any time we therefore mean he could return in any
generation. We mean there is no golden epoch of Christianization to come first.
And we cannot be complacent because when he comes he will come in judgment as
well as salvation. So every generation needs to be on their toes that they may receive
welcome rather than wrath.
At this
point, let’s return to 1 Thessalonians 4. In drawing together the Bible’s
teaching about this great event, three things are to the fore.
(1)
Jesus will come in GLORY – a glory to be marvelled at
Just cast
your eyes over to 2 Thessalonians 1v10.
Comic
books geeks will tell you there are lots of parallels between Superman and
Jesus. Superman is an only son, sent by his Father to save humanity. And the
last image of the 1978 movie has Superman in the air watching over the world –
keeping it all safe.
Well if
you know the films you’ll know that as he was growing up, Superman’s glory was
hidden. He looked just like every other boy. In fact, he chose to be
particularly insignificant – the weak Clarke Kent.
Of course
every now and again he would display his glory – picking up his parents car,
throwing a football out of the atmosphere, racing a train. But generally it was
hidden. No, only when the world faced its greatest need, did Clarke arrive in
glory as superman – coming on the clouds, bringing justice and salvation.
Well so
it is with Jesus. When he first came he came as a lamb. Then he will come as
the lion. First, he came on a donkey. But Revelation 19 pictures him returning
on a war horse.
The point
is that then every knee will bow – everyone will see his glory – that means
they will see the excellence of his majesty on display to all. It won’t be
hidden. He said it would be like lightening in the sky (Matt 24v26-27). And it
will be displayed in six key events. We’ll run through them quickly.
1) A
majestic arrival.
Have a
look at 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 16.
The word
translated “coming” is “parousia.” It is the word used to describe the arrival
of an emperor. And that’s the sense here. Forty days after he rose, Jesus was
seen to ascend up into heaven on a cloud. And we’ve learnt that he is now
reigning there from his throne. When he returns he will therefore come down the
way he went, as a way of showing he’s coming FROM heaven TO the earth – the
earth that is his – that he rules.
Did you
ever rent a house as a student? We did’t treat ours very well. We managed a
hole in the wall from a bundle, and dead rats behind the cooker – electrocuted
from chewing the wires. Well, Jesus taught his return to earth will be like
your landlord coming to see how you’ve looked after his house. Pretty
terrifying if you’ve wrecked it.
2) A
kingly command.
Can you
see that in verse 16. What is the command? Jesus tells us in John 5v28-29: “a
time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear the voice of the
Son of Man, and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live,
and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.”
This is Jesus exercising his authority – the same authority
that spoke light out of darkness. A word from him and the dead will come to
life.
3) A
royal welcome.
The
protocol with emperors visiting a city was for the residents to go out of the
walls to meet him and escort him back in. You saw this on Palm Sunday as the
crowds came out of Jerusalem to escort Jesus in (Jn 12v13). Now
read 1 Thessalonians 4v16-17.
On Sinai
a trumpet blast was heard just as it will be on this day. And it did two
things. It signalled God coming down to the mountain – but it also signalled
for the people to come out to meet with him. Well, so it will be when Jesus
returns.
And can
you see the order? First, the spirits of believers, who have been with Jesus in
heaven, will receive their resurrection bodies. Jesus’ words in John suggest
they will come up from the ground as a sign it is the dead who are being
raised. They will then rise up into the air to meet Jesus. No doubt they will
have been prepared for that in heaven.
But what
if we are still alive when Jesus returns? Our bodies will be transformed
without them needing to die. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15v52 – “in the
twinkle of an eye” these people will rise up into the air too – joining those
they have loved and lost with Jesus.
Elsewhere
we read how angels will gather God’s elect and cast out unbelievers (Matt
13v39-42, 24v31). That may be why the archangel is mentioned. Perhaps like
Christ’s general he is sending his angelic troops to this end.
4) All this means a
mighty victory.
It’s
great news for believers. But 1 Thessalonians 5v3 tells us what it will mean
for unbelievers.
Remember
the weatherman Michael Fish in 1987. "Earlier on today apparently,"
he began, "a woman rang the BBC and
said she had heard that there was a hurricane on the way. Well,” he went on,
“if you are watching, don't worry, there isn't."
And so
the nation went to bed. The weatherman had proclaimed “peace and safety,” so we
slept soundly. Then it happened. 15 million trees uprooted, 18 dead, untold
houses destroyed and roofs ripped off.
Now we’ve
already noted that in verse 2 Paul uses the Old Testament expression, “the day of the Lord.” It’s the day the prophets spoke of
when God would finally judge the world and prove that those who were his were
right all along.
What seem
clear in Revelation 20 is that just before Jesus returns the world will rise up
against Christians. But Jesus will then come back and put an end to this (Rev
20v7-10). Indeed, when he raises his people to join him, we might expect some
kind of environmental disaster that will destroy those who have massed against
the church.
This is
what we mean by this fourth point about Jesus’ return: It will mean a mighty
victory. Elsewhere, we are given hints that this will cause those remaining to
be terrified in the realization that judgement is about to take place (Rev
9v15-17, 11v13, 2 Thess 1v6-9). And it’s at some point in all this that dead
unbelievers will also be raised so that everyone can be judged by Jesus.
5) Jesus’
return will also therefore mean a
sovereign judgment.
Followed, 6) by an everlasting reign.
That
leads us to the second key thing that describes Jesus coming:
(2) He
will come in JUDGMENT – a judgment we will praise him for.
Here
we’ll note five things:
1) The
nature of judgment: completion and cleansing.
As we saw
last time (see "what to expect when you die"), those raised for
judgment will have already been experiencing their reward or punishment. So
judgment is not primarily about granting those things. No, it is to finally
display to the universe that God is just in what has been experienced. It is to
finally glorify Christ as God’s Son and King. And it is to finally close off
this age and bring in the age to come.
The
backdrop to judgment is therefore a picture of the earth and heavens fleeing
away (20v11). This may be to imply that because they’ve been tainted even they
run from Jesus. But there are so many references to cosmic events at the
judgment, that there is every suggestion that it will be accompanied by what
might be called an extinction level event - that will wipe this world clean
ready for a new start.
Here we
must be clear the new heavens and earth does not refer to an entirely new
cosmos and planet, but this one renewed (see "what to expect in the new
creation"). So in Matthew 5v5 Jesus teaches that the meek will inherit
this “earth.” In 1 Corinthians 7v31 Paul adds that
it will not be “in its present
form.” And in 2 Peter 3v10 Peter explains: “The heavens will disappear with a
roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and
everything done in it will be laid bare.”
I have
lived almost my whole life near Ashdown forest. I’ve therefore grown up seeing
the devastation brought about by forest fires. Everything is destroyed. The
land is left blackened. Ruined. Not a single plant surviving. But the land is
still there. And it is not long until God renews it with lush greenery – often
even more lush than it was before.
That
seems to be the kind of thing Peter has in mind – but on a massive scale. Following Jesus, earlier in the
chapter he likens this destruction to Noah’s flood. So the things of this
present time destroyed – perhaps even rearranged as by earthquakes and
volcanoes – but a transformed nature then breaking through and renewing the
earth ready for Christ and his people.
All this
means that it is likely that judgment will take place in heaven (v11) because
the earth and the heavens (cosmos) will be in turmoil. That would explain why,
following the judgment, it is from heaven that God’s people descend to the new
earth (21v2).
2) The
dispensers of judgment: Christ and his church.
Verse 11
doesn’t tell us who is on the throne. But Jesus was clear that judgment has
been delegated to him (Matt 25v31-46). And the witness of the throne implies
the purity of the one reigning there.
Of course
we can’t imagine what judgment of all who have ever lived will look like, nor
how long it will take. Matthew 25v32 implies it might be as simple as a
separation of the faithful from unbelievers.
But what
is clear is that believers will also sit in judgment. This is a bit of a brain
stretch. But look back to verse 4 of chapter 20. It seems one of the ways those
who die in the faith will share in Christ’s reign is by judging the world. Paul
makes the same point in 1 Corinthians 6v2-3. He says we will not just judge
people, but angels too. I don’t know exactly what this means. The context to
Paul’s comments imply it could involve determining what is just which would
suggest some measure of what each has done, even if not an awareness of every
detail.
3) The subjects of judgment: angels and people.
Verse 10
shows it is preceded by Satan being cast into hell. Jude 6 speaks of rebel
angels being kept in Hades ready for the judgement. And verse 12 pictures
everyone who’s ever lived, raised to stand before Jesus.
4) The
measure of judgment: deeds and motives.
The image
used is of books recording everything that has been done. Jesus taught our
acts, our words – even the motives of our hearts will be weighed up somehow
(Matt 12v37, 1 Cor 4v5). It is not at all clear this will all be made known to
the universe, which would be to the great shame of believers. That language may
simply refer to the gospel being made know in the present (Lk 12v2, Matt 10v26)
or our deeds and motives being revealed to God (1 Cor 4v5). Whatever the case,
the fact that he knows,
should impact us.
It’s
always just a little embarrassing isn’t it, when the postman arrives and you’re
still in your dressing gown? It’s embarrassing because we’re not suitably
dressed. But also because it suggests we are lazy and unprepared for the day.
It’s the
point we began with. True Christians live their lives dressed in readiness to
meet Christ. They are not half-hearted. They are not complacent. They are
ready. They know he could be back soon. And if not, they could die and their
chance to be ready will have passed.
5) The
results of judgment: rewards and punishments.
Another
book is opened – the “book of life.” In Revelation this lists those God has
chosen and so kept safe from Satan’s influence so that they persevere in faith.
They have nothing to worry about. The book of deeds will not show them to be
perfect, but it will show deeds that prove their faith – and perhaps determine
the reward they will receive in the life to come. I mentioned it last time (see Rev 11v18, 1 Cor 3v12-15, 4v5, 2 Cor
5v10, Lk 19v17-19).
But what
of the rest? Verse 13 describes the releasing of souls from torment in Hades
for judgment – and verse 14, them then being cast forever into hell. Now
fire is a picture of God’s burning anger inflicting punishment. So a “lake of fire” implies total immersion in his anger.
It was language Jesus used again and again. But he also spoke of hell being a
place of darkness implying isolation in the awareness of forever being shut out
of God’s kingdom of light – and all the good things bound up with it (Matt 18v6-9,
Lk 13v28-30).
If we are
tempted to cry unfair, we should remember that heaven and the new creation is
all about Jesus – loving him, living for him. So it is only just that those who
want nothing of him or his life, receive exactly that.
But we should
note. Because deeds have been weighed, the experience of hell will be
proportionate to the individual’s sin (Lk 10v12-15). It will be entirely
just. As Paul puts it: the more sin, the more wrath is stored up (Rom 2v5-6).
(3)
Jesus will therefore come in SALVATION – a salvation to be relieved by.
There can
be no new creation free from all evil unless all evil is finally and
permanently cast out - so that it can no longer corrupt the universe. Israel could only enjoy their promised land
if its occupants were destroyed so they could not corrupt or oppress them.
Christ's return will therefore mean that finally, salvation can be enjoyed in
its fullness. And what that will look like is our theme next time (see
"what to expect in the new creation").