Study Reformed

33.1. Of the Last Judgment

God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

Proof texts

Acts 17:31 — [31] because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
John 5:22, 27 — [22] For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, [27] And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
1 Cor. 6:3 — [3] Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
Jude 6 — [6] And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day —
2 Pet. 2:4 — [4] For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;
2 Cor. 5:10 — [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Eccles. 12:14
Rom. 2:16 — [16] on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Rom. 14:10, 12 — [10] Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; [12] So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Matt. 12:36, 37 — [36] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

For discussion

The Assembly cited Acts 17:31 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q37 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q38 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q37 · WSC Q38 · WLC Q82 · WLC Q88 · WLC Q89 · WLC Q90 · BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 31.1 · SC60 6.2 · IAR 9.1 · IAR 9.2 · IAR 9.3 · IAR 9.4 · SHC 9.1 · SD 31.1

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach — 1st. That God has appointed a day ot general judgment. 2d. That he has committed this judgment into the hands of the God-man in his character as Medii\tor. t?7 3d. That the persons to be judged include apostate angels and the whole human race, good and bad. 4th. That these persons are to be judged as to all their thoughts, words and deeds. 5th. That the great end of God in the appointment of this day is the manifestation of his glorious justice in the condemnation of the reprobate, and of his glorious grace in the glorification of believers. 6th. That the righteous are to be awarded admission to the presence of the Lord, which is…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): There is a particular judgment which passes upon every individual immediately after death ; for " it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." — Heb. ix. 27. There is also a general judgment, which shall take place after the resurrection of the dead, at the last day. The present sections — 1. Declare the certainty of a future judgment; 2. Affirm that the administration of this judgment is committed to Jesus Christ ; 3. Point out the parties who shall -appear before his tribunal; 4. The matters to be tried; and, 5. The sentence to be pronounced. I. The certaintj/ of a future judgment. We are told that SF.CT. 1, 2.] OP THE LAST…

33.2. Of the Last Judgment

The end of God’s appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the damnation of the reprobate who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing, which shall come from the presence of the Lord: but the wicked who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.

Proof texts

Matt. 25:31 to the end — [1] “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. [2] Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. [3] For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, [4] but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. [5] As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. [6] But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ [7] Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ [9] But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ [10] And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. [11] Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ [12] But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ [13] Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. [14] “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. [15] To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. [16] He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. [17] So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. [18] But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. [19] Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. [20] And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ [21] His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ [22] And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ [23] His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ [24] He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, [25] so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ [26] But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? [27] Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. [28] So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. [29] For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. [30] And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ [31] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] 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. [33] And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. [34] 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. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40] And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ [41] “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. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ [44] Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ [45] Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Rom. 2:5, 6 — [5] But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. [6] He will render to each one according to his works:
Rom. 9:22, 23 — [22] What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, [23] in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory —
Matt. 25:21 — [21] His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Acts 3:19 — [19] Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
2 Thess. 1:7, 8, 9, 10 — [7] and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels [8] in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, [10] when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Matt. 25:31 to the end in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q37 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q38 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q37 · WSC Q38 · WLC Q82 · WLC Q89 · WLC Q90 · BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 31.1 · SC60 6.2 · IAR 9.1 · IAR 9.2 · IAR 9.3 · IAR 9.4 · SHC 9.1 · SD 31.1

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach — 1st. That God has appointed a day ot general judgment. 2d. That he has committed this judgment into the hands of the God-man in his character as Medii\tor. t?7 3d. That the persons to be judged include apostate angels and the whole human race, good and bad. 4th. That these persons are to be judged as to all their thoughts, words and deeds. 5th. That the great end of God in the appointment of this day is the manifestation of his glorious justice in the condemnation of the reprobate, and of his glorious grace in the glorification of believers. 6th. That the righteous are to be awarded admission to the presence of the Lord, which is…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): There is a particular judgment which passes upon every individual immediately after death ; for " it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." — Heb. ix. 27. There is also a general judgment, which shall take place after the resurrection of the dead, at the last day. The present sections — 1. Declare the certainty of a future judgment; 2. Affirm that the administration of this judgment is committed to Jesus Christ ; 3. Point out the parties who shall -appear before his tribunal; 4. The matters to be tried; and, 5. The sentence to be pronounced. I. The certaintj/ of a future judgment. We are told that SF.CT. 1, 2.] OP THE LAST…

33.3. Of the Last Judgment

As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity; so will He have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen.

Proof texts

2 Pet. 3:11, 14 — [11] Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, [14] Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
2 Cor. 5:10, 11 — [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. [11] Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
2 Thess. 1:5, 6, 7 — [5] This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering — [6] since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, [7] and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
Luke 21:27, 28 — [27] And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Rom. 8:23, 24, 25 — [23] And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Matt. 24:36, 42, 43, 44 — [36] “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. [42] Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. [43] But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Mark 13:35, 36, 37 — [35] Therefore stay awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning — [36] lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. [37] And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
Luke 12:35, 36 — [35] “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, [36] and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
Rev. 22:20 — [20] He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

For discussion

The Assembly cited 2 Pet. 3:11, 14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q37 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q38 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q37 · WSC Q38 · WLC Q82 · WLC Q89 · WLC Q90 · BC 9.1 · BC 9.2 · 1689 31.1 · SC60 6.2 · IAR 9.1 · IAR 9.2 · IAR 9.3 · IAR 9.4 · SHC 9.1 · SD 31.1

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): This Section teaches — 1st. That God has made the fact absolutely certain that there will be a future judgment, in order that this knowledge may act upon all men as a wholesome motive deterring them from sin, and, at the same time, that it may console the godly in the midst of their adversity. With reference to i\iQ first object, Paul says, " 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. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." 2 Cor. V. 10, 11. And Peter says, ^'Seeing, then, that all these things…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): The day of the eternal judgment is fixed in the counsels of God; but, that we may be kept habitually watchful, the knowledge of that day is wisely concealed from us. Though a long series of ages may elapse before Christ shall come in the clouds of heaven to jvidge the world, let every one remember that the day of his own death is equally important to him as the day of the universal judgment ; for where death leaves him, judgment will find him. Let him, therefore, " be dili- "gent, that he may be found of God in peace, without spot and blameless." Let every reader study to improve the talents with which he is intrusted, and be…