Resurrection – Part III

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead serves as foundation for several key New Testament teachings. Thus far this series has noted the deity of Jesus, the inspiration of the New Testament, hope beyond the grave, and then forgiveness of sin. Another key point which all need is the subject for this article.

The certainty of the coming judgment is a very important New Testament teaching established by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Paul stood on Mars Hill in Athens, Greece addressing the philosophers of the day. He spoke to this assembly of the judgment thus: "he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Acts 17:31). All of humanity for all time since the cross has the resurrection as the sign of the judgment awaiting them.

This is something which all of humanity needs to stop and ponder. Many people who believe in God do not believe in the teaching of the coming judgment. As a result many are headed to an appointment with God totally unprepared. On that day all will appear as Paul wrote, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). The judgment will be either "Come, ye blessed of my Father" (Matthew 25: 34), or "Depart from me, ye cursed" (Matthew 25:41).

The standard of judgment, good or bad, is not what society determines, but what God has determined and revealed in the message of Jesus. He said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). The New Testament is the word of Jesus, the standard of judgment. This is one very important reason the church must take the gospel of Jesus into the world. Every accountable person will stand in judgment (Acts 17:31). The standard will be the word of Christ, the New Testament. People must realize the certainty of the appointment, the standard to be used, and the two destinies which await. The certainty of the judgment was established when the Lord resurrected from the dead and left an empty tomb behind. The words of the song "You Never Mentioned Him To Me" should be contemplated by every child of God.

When in the better land before the bar we stand,

How deeply grieved our souls will be,

If any lost one there, should cry in deep despair,

"You never mentioned Him to me"

O let us spread the word where’er it may be heard

Help groping souls the light to see,

That yonder none may say, "you showed me not the way"

"You never mentioned Him to me"

The chorus reads,

"You never mentioned Him to me,

You helped me not the light to see;

You met me day to day and knew I was astray,

Yet never mentioned Him to me"

How many will we see on judgment day who can say the above to us? We know the judgment is coming for the resurrection of Jesus establishes it beyond doubt. We know the standard that will be used, the New Testament. We know the answer to sin is the blood of Christ for it washes away sin (Revelation 1:5). The way to obtain the cleansing of the blood is the same today as it was on Pentecost, and at the house of Cornelius, and in the desert.

Denny.