“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)
For the true follower of Jesus, the day of the Lord is what we are longing for and what we are living for. Here is a very important question: do you long for his appearing or are you at home in this world?
Jesus is the righteous judge and he dispenses justice perfectly. His justice is so perfect and just that on the day of the Lord even the damned will acknowledge the justness of his judgements. For those of us who are truly in Christ, we long for his appearing and the day he rescues us from this fallen world and the sin that so easily besets us. We also long to see him face to face and to bow down at his feet and worship the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Knowing our salvation, we are overjoyed for his return.
To be crowned with the right standing before God is the gift of all eternity. I believe that we will know to an even deeper degree on that day how precious a gift the grace of God truly is. Having a deep understanding and appreciation of the next life shapes us for how we live in this life.
Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” In this life we are justified before God the moment we are reborn in Christ.
Sanctification is progressive over the course of a lifetime, while justification is instant. But how glorious will it be on that day when we are counted as righteous by God in his presence because of what Christ did for us on the cross. And we will be forever grateful to Christ realizing that the crown of righteousness we received rightfully belongs to Jesus, as do we and as do all things.
“The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’” Revelation 4:10-11 (ESV)
What a privilege it is to proclaim the glory of God in this life—in opposition, in suffering, through trial—knowing that one day we will stand with him as he unveils his glory to all creation and to see the majesty of the new heaven and the new earth unfold before our eyes. I don’t see how anyone who truly believes this could be saddened in the least to see this corrupt and sinful world pass away. Every loss in this life should always be compared to the all-surpassing worthiness of Jesus Christ.
Sheep and Goats
Either we are for him or we are against him, there is no middle ground. Jesus is coming back to claim his bride the church and once that day comes it will be too late.
In the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and 25 Jesus tells us that although no one knows the exact day or hour of his return that there would be signs. Wars and rumors of war, natural disasters, famine and false prophets and false messiahs. He also said that true disciples would endure trials, tribulation and persecution.
Jesus himself gave us three parables that tell us to be prepared for his return: The parable of the foolish and the wise servant, the parable of the ten virgins and the parable of the talents—all of which are about the soon-returning Messiah.
We live in an era where for the first time in hundreds of years you could say that Christianity is in a true worldwide decline. Christians are being persecuted across the world and we are just steps away from losing religious liberty in what was once considered the freest culture in history.
The least culturally relevant and popular thing to be is a true biblical disciple of Jesus. Not the culturally acceptable, moderate, tolerant, lukewarm Christian consumer, but the true disciple. Jesus is coming back for a church unstained by the world who will persevere until the end. When he comes back, he will separate the wheat from the tares and sheep from the goats and they will be assigned to either eternal life or eternal suffering.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.” Matthew 25:31-33 (ESV)
One the day that Christ comes in his glory to sit on his throne and judge the entire world there will be a great separation between those who loved him and served him and everyone one else. For some this will be the greatest moment of their life, but for most it will be the most dreaded and frightening moment of their lives.
Jesus spoke about this often. I wonder why most preachers don’t? How can any true pastor who fears the Lord and loves people not mention this and often? Repent, for the kingdom of heaven draws near.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34 (ESV)
As a disciple of Jesus these words are the motivation of our lives. To be blessed by the Father and receive our eternal inheritance. Everything we sacrificed, everything we gave up during our lives to follow Jesus will be made worthwhile in this moment.
It is not that we are giving up the treasures of this world for nothing, we are giving up the treasures of this life for a treasure that is far more valuable than anything else. We are exchanging something temporal and fleeting for something that is sure and will never pass away.
This the faith we have as Christians, to lay down our lives joyfully and gladly because we aren't looking to find a home in this world, but instead we are looking to a city whose builder and maker is God himself. There is no greater joy and freedom then losing your life for Christ to find your life in Christ.
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” Matthew 25:41 (ESV)
Even as a follower of Christ my heart sinks as I think about this moment. The moment where so many will suffer loss as they are separated for eternal fire and condemnation. This will not only include people who hated God and denied him, but also those who were indifferent toward him. This will include many who thought they were good people and believed that they lived good lives.
But I believe those who will be the most shocked will be those who considered themselves Christians. Those who followed a Jesus of their own invention, those who thought their feelings were the Holy Spirit and followed them were they led. People whose security wasn’t fully found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The masses who attended church, listened to Christian music, did good deeds and let American church culture rather than the Bible dictate what it truly meant to follow Jesus.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)
We so easily say today in the church, “I gave my life to Christ.” We say it but we give up nothing. Nothing about our lives change for the most part. To follow Jesus is to give up your life, die to yourself, give up control and begin to live according to the Scriptures by the power of the Spirit. This is what it means to follow Jesus. Believing you can keep control of your life and follow Jesus is a lie straight from hell, intended to draw you there.
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25 (ESV)
We will not regret anything we gave up for the Lord, to be part of his kingdom in eternity, and people who live like they will, do not know him or see his worth. Nothing in this life could ever compare, nothing! The goal of my life is to pour out my entire life for my King and die empty. Words cannot express the joy and fulfillment we will experience on that day when we hear the words “enter in thy good and faithful servant.” Let anticipation of this moment motivate each decision you make in this life.
The day of the Lord will be the most glorious and dreadful day in the history of the universe. Just like two countries at war, one side rejoices at the end while the other mourns. The only difference is this, in our case the war is already over and we are just awaiting the arrival of the conquering King.
God is a good, merciful and patient King. And he has sent out good news to his enemies. He will pardon them if they will lay down their arms in repentance and become faithful servants of His kingdom while he is still on the way. But don’t mistake his patience and kindness for weakness, because those who haven’t surrendered when he arrives will be dealt with ever so severely for their rebellion and their punishment will fit the crime. He is worthy!
“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.” 2 Peter 3:14-15 (ESV)
In Christ,
Pastor Joshua
Joshua West is a pastor, evangelist, and author. He is also director of the World Challenge Pastors Network.
