Eph. iv. 30. By the Holy Spirit of God ye in the air so shall we ever be with the are sealed unto the day of redemption. 1 Thess. iv. 14. If we believe that Jesus died and rose again; even so them that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him. Ver. 15-17. For this we say unto you, by the word of the Lord, That we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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. Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord Lord. Heb. xi. 19. Abraham accounted that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead. Ver. 35. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Rev. xx. 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Ver. 13. The sea gave up the dead which were in it. Isa. xxvi. 19. See Christ shall change the bodies of mankind. CHAPTER XX. OF A FUTURE JUDGMENT, AND THE STATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. I. OF a future judgment, and its consequences. Acts xxiv. 25. As Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled. Heb. vi. 1, 2. Let us go on unto perfection. Not laying again the foundation of the resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. ix. 27. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. II. God is judge. (See Christ shall judge the world.) Ps. 1. 6. God is judge.-The judge of all the earth. Gen. xviii. 25. xcvi. 13. He cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. Ver. 10. Ps. Iviii. 11.-xcviii. 9. Acts xvii. 31. He hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteous ness. dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. III. The persons and things that shall be judged. Eccl. iii. 17. God shall judge the righteous and the wicked. and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy xi. 9. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and all these things God will bring thee into judgin the sight of thine eyes: but know, that for ment. xii. 14. God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. Rom. ii. 16. God shall judge the secrets of men. Matt. xii. 36. Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Ver. 37. Rom. xiv. 12. Every one shall give account of himself to God. 1 Cor. iii. 13. Every man's work shall be made manifest. souls, as they that must give account. Heb. xiii. 17. Ministers watch for your riot, shall give account to him that is ready to 1 Pet. iv. 4, 5. They that run to excess of judge the quick and the dead. Ver. 17. Judgment must begin at the house of God. IV. When the day of judgment shall be. Mark xiii. 24-26. The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light; and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then | before God, even our Father, at the coming of shall they see the Son of Man, coming in the our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. clouds with great power and glory.-Ver. 32. But of that day and hour knoweth no man; no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Matt. xxiv. 29 to 44. 1 Thess. v. 2. The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 2 Pet. iii. 10. 2 Thess. ii. 3. That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. Ver. 8. Whom the Lord shall consume, &c. iv. 17. We shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: so shall we be ever with the Lord.-Ver. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. v. 2. The day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night. 2 Pet. iii. 10. Ver. 4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.—— Ver. 6. Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. Ver. 8. Putting on the breast-plate of faith and love; and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Tim. vi. 14. Keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. See Obedience to V. Uses to be made of the doctrine of a future judgment, and its consequences; for encouraging steadfastness and perseverance in 2 Thess. ii. 1, 2. We beseech you, brethren, sundry graces and duties of the Christian by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and life. Luke xxi. 34, 35. Take heed to your-by our gathering together unto him, that ye selves, lest at any time your hearts be over- be not soon shaken in mind. charged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life; and so that day come upon you unawares. (Compare 1 Pet. iv. 4, 5.) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the earth.-Ver. 36. Watch ye, therefore, and pray always; that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. See Matt. xxiv. 42. 44 to 51. Mark xiii. 33 to 37. 1 Cor. i. 7, 8. Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. iv. 4, 5. He that judgeth me is the Lord. (See Christ shall judge.) Therefore judge nothing before the time, till the Lord come. See Matt. vii. 1, 2. Rom. xiv. 3. 10. 13. Col. ii. 16. James iv. 11. Acts xvii. 30, 31. The times of ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men every where to repent. Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ. Col. iii. 4, 5. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.-Ver. 8. Also put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.-Ver. 9. Lie not. Ver. 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance. 1 Thess. ii. 19. We who are ministers, what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? iii. 12, 13. The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men. To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness, Christ. Tit. ii. 12, 13. Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. James v. 7. Be patient, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.-Ver. 8. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 1 Pet. i. 7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than that of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.-Ver. 9. Ye receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Ver. 13-15. Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end, for the grace that shall be brought to you at the reve lation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. iv. 7. The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Ver. 13. Rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 2 Pet. iii. 11, 12, Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness?! Looking for, and hasting to the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Ver. 13, 14, 1 John ii. 28. Little children, abide in Christ, that when he shall appear ye may have confidence, and not be ashamed at his coming. iv. 17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judg ment. Rev. xiv. 7. Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the fountains of waters. VI. The dissolution of the heavens and the earth. Ps. cii. 25. The heavens are the work of thy hands.-Ver. 26. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment, and as a vesture shalt thou [Christ] change them, and they shall be changed. See Heb. i. 10, 11, 12. 2 Pet. iii. 7. The heavens and the earth, which are now, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men.-Ver. 10. The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Ver. 12. Ver. 13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. See Rev. vi. 14. Isa. xxxiv. 4.-li. 6.—lxv. 17.—lxvi. 22. HAPPINESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS. VII. The happiness of the righteous in heaven, inconceivably great. 1 Cor. ii. 9. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Isa. Ixiv. 4. 1 John iii. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall pear we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Rom. viii. 29. Phil. iii. 21. ap VIII. Christians are heirs. Rom. viii. 17. If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Ch. iv. 14. 16. Gal. iii. 29. Heirs according to the promise. Eph. iii. 6. xxv. 34. Christ will say, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Luke xii. 32. Luke xxii. 29, 30. I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom. Acts xiv. 22. We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. xx. 32. To an inheritance among them that are sanctified, by faith in Jesus Christ. Chap. xxvi. 18. Rom. v. 17. They which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. ii. 12. If we suffer with Christ we shall also reign with him. Matt. xix. 28. Gal. iii. 18. An inheritance, not of law but of promise. Rom. iv. 14. Eph. i. 11. In Christ we have obtained an inheritance. Ver. 14. The Spirit of promise is the earnest of our inheritance. Ver. 18. The glory of God's inheritance in the saints. Col. i. 12. The Father hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. iii. 24. Of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. 1 Thess. ii. 12. God hath called us to his kingdom and glory. 2 Thess. i. 5. That ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom, for which ye also suffer. 2 Tim. iv. 18. The Lord shall preserve me to his heavenly kingdom. Heb. ix. 15. Christ the mediator, &c. that they might receive the promise of eternal in heritance. x. 34. An enduring substance. Ch. xii. 28. A kingdom that cannot be moved. 1 Pet. i. 3, 4. God hath begotten us to a lively hope; to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven. 2 Pet.i. 11. An entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly, into the everlasting Tit. iii. 7. Heirs according to the hope of kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus eternal life. Heb. i. 14. Heirs of salvation. vi. 17. Heirs of promise. xi. 7. 9. Heirs of righteousness by faith. James ii. 5. Heirs of the kingdom which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Pet. iii. 7. Heirs of the grace of life. Christians have an inheritance, a kingdom, &c. Matt. xix. 21. 29. Thou shalt have treasure in heaven-Shall inherit everlasting life. Christ. Rev. i. 6. Jesus Christ hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father. Ch. v. 10.-xx. 4. 6. See Luke vi. 20.-xiii. 28, | 29.-xiv. 15. xxi. 7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things. 1 Cor. vi. 9. The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Ver. 10. Gal. v. 21. Eph. v. 5. IX. The righteous have rest. Job iii. 17. Jer. vi. 16. Walk in the good way, and ye shall find rest for your souls. Isa. lvii. 2. Matt. xi. 28. Come unto me [said Jesus,] and I will give you rest.-Ver. 29. Ye shall find rest unto your souls. 2 Thess. i. 7. God will give you rest, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven. Heb. iv. 9. There remaineth a rest for the people of God.-Ver. 11. Let us labour to enter into that rest. Rev. xiv. 13. The dead which die in the Lord, rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. X. They enjoy mansions, a new heaven, a heavenly temple, light, &c. John xiv. 2. In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you.-Ver. 3. I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. Lamb whithersoever he goeth: these were redeemed from among men; being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. Ver. 5. XII. Are in a state of joy. Ps. xvi. 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy, and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. Ps. xxxvi. 8, 9. Isa. xxxv. 10. Matt. xxv. 21. Enter into the joy of thy Lord. Jude 24. He is able to present you faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy. XIII. Free from pain and sorrow. Isa. xxxiii. 24. The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick; the people that dwell there shall be forgiven their iniquity. xxxv. 10. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. lx. 19. The sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither shall the moon give light unto 2 Pet. iii. 13. We look for new heavens, thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everand a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteous-lasting light, and thy God thy glory. Ver. 20. ness. Rev. iii. 4. They shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. xxi. 22. The Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple of it.-Ver. 23. The glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. xxii. 4. They shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads.-Ver. 5. The Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever. XI. They are present with Christ. John xvii. 24. I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me. Ch. xii. 26. Col. iii. 4. When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 1 John iii. 2. 1 Thess. iv. 17. We shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Rev. iii. 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. Ver. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne; even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Ver. 5. vii. 15. They are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. N. B. The above texts from Isaiah, though prophetical of the happy state of the church on earth, are more strictly true and expressive of the happiness of glorified saints in heaven. Matt. vi. 20. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal. throne of God, and serve him day and night Rev. vii. 15-17. They are before the in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. And they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. xxi. 4. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. xxii. 3. There shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him. XIV. Eternal life is from God. Ps. xvi. 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life. Acts ii. 28. xxxvi. 9. With thee is the fountain of life. lxiii. 3. Thy loving-kindness is better than life. Rev. xxii. 1. I beheld a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the xiv. 4. These are they which follow the throne of God and of the Lamb. Ver. 2. In the midst of the street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life. See Life through Christ. of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. XX. To the fear of God. See Promises fearing God. Prov. xiv. 27. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Ch. xix. 23.-xxii. 4. XV. Life promised to sundry graces and to duties. (See Promises to faith in Christ; to obedience.) Lev. xviii. 5. Keep my statutes and my judgments; which if a man do he shall live in them. Neh. ix. 29. Ezek. xx. 11. 13. 21. Rom. x. 5. Gal. iii. 12. Ezek. xviii. 9. He that hath walked in my statutes, and kept my judgments, he shall surely live. Ver. 17. 19. Ch. xxxiii. 13. Matt. xix. 16, 17. One came, and said unto Jesus, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Ver. 18, 19. 21. Mark x. 17. 19. Luke x. 25, &c. John iv. 36. He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. xii. 50. The Father's commandment is life everlasting. Rom. ii. 7. To them who, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, honour, and immortality, God will give eternal life. vi. 22. Being made free from sin, and become the servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Rev. ii. 7. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. xxii. 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. See Promises to obedience; to good works; well-doing, &c. XVI. To righteousness. Righteousness tendeth to life. xxi. 21. Prov. xi. 19. xii. 28. In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof is no death. Matt. xxv. 46. The righteous shall go into life eternal. See Promises to the righteous. XVII. To the spiritually minded. Rom. viii. 6. To be spiritually minded is life and peace. Ver. 10. 13. Gal. vi. 8. He that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. XVIII. To seeking God. Ps. xxii. 26. Your hearts shall live that seek him. Amos v. 4. Seek ye me, and ye shall live. See Promises to seeking God. XXI. To loving God. See Promises to loving God. James i. 12. A crown of life he hath promised to them that love him. XXII. To mortification, dying unto sin. Matt. xviii. 8. If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.-Ver. 9. If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire. Rom. vi. 8. If we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with him. (2 Tim. ii. 11.) Ver. 11. Reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Rom. viii. 2. XXIII. To suffering for Christ's sake. Matt. x. 39. He that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it. John xii. 25. xix. 29. Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee XXIV. To perseverance. Rev. ii. 10. Be a crown of life. Matt. x. 22. XXVI. To repentance. See Promises to repentance, conversion, turning, &c. Acts xi. 18. Then hath God to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. XXVII. To the wise. See Promises to the XIX. To godliness. See Promises to god-love and study of wisdom. liness. Prov. iv. 4. Wisdom saith, Keep my com 1 Tim. iv. 8. Godliness hath the promise mandments and live. |