When Jesus returns in the splendor of his glory as true God, not only will every angel of heaven be with him, but all people of all time will be gathered before him. No one will be absent; no one will escape; no one will be forgotten. This is an event to which all are headed. With his almighty power, Jesus will raise all the dead to life, from Abel who was the first man to die to the last person to die – perhaps just seconds before the Lord returns. We marvel at the power of God which shall effect such a universal resurrection of the dead. We stand in awe of God who will arrange such a massive gathering of billions and billions of people – all the dead will be raised to join those who are still living when Jesus returns and everyone will stand before him. Then Jesus will separate the mass of humanity into two groups, “as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Jesus refers to a customary practice of the shepherds in Palestine. During the daytime they allow the sheep and the goats to graze together in the same pasture, but at night they separate them. On the Last Day, the Good Shepherd will separate all the people gathered before him. While on earth his true followers coexist with unbelievers. The relationship between believer and unbeliever can be difficult. In fact, it can be hostile as history bears out. An enmity exists between them, even as God said in Genesis 3:15 that there would be enmity between the seed of the women (believers) and the seed of Satan (unbelievers). Life for Christians can become very weary because of this hostility. Their hearts are wounded, minds troubled, spirits agitated under the pressure from the enemies of Christ. But on the Last Day, there will be relief forever. Jesus will separate his believers from the unbelievers. And his faithful people will finally be free from all the unjust actions and attitudes they faced while living for the Lord on earth. Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10: 9-10). Trusting only in him, we look forward to the glorious and wonderful life he’s prepared for us in heaven! Jesus, keep us aware that the time of the world is running out and that you will return just as you promised. Prepare us for your coming by sustaining us in faith through the power of your Word. Keep us faithful to the end when we will receive by your grace the crown of eternal life. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:38:44 +0000
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