Question 52

What comfort is it to thee that “Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead?”

That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same person, who before offered himself for my sake, to the tribunal of God, and hath removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven:^a who shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation,^b but shall translate me with all his chosen ones to himself, into heavenly joys and glory.^c

1. a. Luke 21:28; Romans 8:23–24; 1 Thessalonians 4:16

   Luke 21:28

   ^21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

   ^21:28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

   Romans 8:23–24

   ^8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ^8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

   ^8:23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ^8:24 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?

   1 Thessalonians 4:16

   ^4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

   ^4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. 2 Thessalonians 1:6–9; Matthew 25:41

   2 Thessalonians 1:6–9

   ^1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; ^1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, ^1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: ^1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

   ^1:6 After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ^1:7 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels ^1:8 in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ^1:9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,

   Matthew 25:41

   ^25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

   ^25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. Matthew 25:34

   Matthew 25:34

   ^25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

   ^25:34 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.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible