Mark B. Thogmartin - February 21, 2016
God’s Judgment at the End of Time
History records the horrible ways humans have treated each other in their lust for property, to defend their beliefs, or when survival at stake. It seems that Satan himself has inspired ever more grisly ways for people to inflict pain and suffering on others. Yet Jesus, when commissioning his disciples for their first foray into public ministry, gave them this admonition, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." God himself is the one whom we should truly fear. His wrath is at the same time perfect and terrifying. While he executes his wrath in human history "against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men," his ultimate wrath will be on full display during the final judgment at the end of time. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who was slain, will be the one seated on the throne as the books are opened and all people who ever lived will give an account for what they did while in the body, whether good or bad. Even though "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," those whose names are found written in the Lamb's Book of Life will escape the wrath to come and enjoy life eternal in the new heaven and the new earth.