THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

New Testament Texts on the End (Termination and Goal)

Matthew 13:39: “the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.”

Matthew 13:40-43: “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Matthew 13:49: “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just.”

Matthew 24:3: “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

Matthew 24:6: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”

Matthew 24:13: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

Matthew 28:20: “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

I Corinthians 1:7-8: “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I Corinthians 15:23-28: “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”

II Corinthians 1:13-14: “For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

I Peter 4:7: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”

Revelation 1:8: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 21:6: “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”

Revelation 22:12-13: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”

Cornelis Venema on Christ’s future bodily coming as the goal and consummation of all things:

“… the great centrepiece of biblical expectation for the future. All lines of history converge in the event of Christ’s triumphant return from heaven to conclude his mediatorial reign (I Cor. 15:28) and demonstrate his kingly rule over all things for the sake of the church” (The Promise of the Future [Edinburgh: Banner, 2000], p. 87).

“… the great centrepiece of biblical hope and expectation for the future. All of the other subjects that will demand our attention are like so many points on the circumference of a circle, each related in its own way to what lies at the centre. Whether the topic is the nature or timing of the millennium, the ‘signs of the times’, the resurrection of the body, the final judgement, or the final state, each finds its focus and meaning in relation to this great and impending event which consummates the present epoch in the history of redemption” (The Promise of the Future [Edinburgh: Banner, 2000], pp. 79-80).

For more, listen to or watch “The End That Is Coming” (Matthew 24:1-14) by Prof. Brian Huizinga.

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

Matthew 13:30: “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Matthew 13:39: “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.”

Mark 4:29: “But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”

Revelation 14:15: “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it.
Then all men will personally appear before this great Judge, both men and women and children, that have been from the beginning of the world to the end thereof, being summoned by the voice of the archangel and by the sound of the trumpet of God. For all the dead shall be raised out of the earth, and their souls joined and united with their proper bodies in which they formerly lived. As for those who shall then be living, they shall not die as the others, but be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and from corruptible become incorruptible. Then the books (that is to say, the consciences) shall be opened, and the dead judged according to what they shall have done in this world, whether it be good or evil. Nay, all men shall give an account of every idle word they have spoken, which the world only counts amusement and jest; and then the secrets and hypocrisy of men shall be disclosed and laid open before all …

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

Christ’s Coming as a Thief in the Night

“But know this, that if the goodman [i.e., master] of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up [i.e., into]. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 24:43-44).

“And this know, that if the goodman [i.e., master] of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through [i.e., into]. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not” (Luke 12:39-40).

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (I Thess. 5:1-4).

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which 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 burned up” (II Pet. 3:10).

“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” (Rev. 3:3).

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (Rev. 16:15).

THE LAST JUDGMENT

Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …

Christ’s Coming as a Thief in the Night

“But know this, that if the goodman [i.e., master] of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up [i.e., into]. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 24:43-44).

“And this know, that if the goodman [i.e., master] of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through [i.e., into]. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not” (Luke 12:39-40).

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (I Thess. 5:1-4).

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which 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 burned up” (II Pet. 3:10).

“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” (Rev. 3:3).

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (Rev. 16:15).

_____________________________________________________________________________

W. J. Grier: “Speaking about the word ‘apocalypse,’ or ‘revelation,’ of the Lord, used in the New Testament for His second coming, Dr. Vos says that the ‘very idea of suddenness and unexpectedness seems to be intimately associated with the word.’ It is as if a curtain were suddenly flung aside and the Lord of glory revealed. His coming will be ‘as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them’ (1 Thess. 5:2, 3). The Saviour Himself said that His coming would be ‘as the lightning’ (Matt. 24:27)—as sudden, and as universally visible. None will foresee it and all will see it at once. What a warning this should be to careless sinners and to slack, easy-going professors of religion!” (The Momentous Event [Belfast: Evangelical Book Shop, 1951], p. 10).

R. C. H. Lenski on I Thessalonians 5:4: “‘Brethren’ helps to emphasize ‘you’ in contrast with other men. The rest are ‘in darkness,’ in unbelief, in ignorance of the light of the Word, but not you … The Lord’s [return] will not catch the believers as a thief catches the sleeping owner of a house. [Katalambanoo] means to catch or capture. Believers know all about ‘the day’ and how it will come and thus keep themselves in perfect readiness. All this is said about the Thessalonians (v. 5 includes also the writers) just as we say it regarding ourselves because neither they nor we know when ‘the day’ will come.”

THE LAST JUDGMENT

Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it.

“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” (Westminster Confession 33:3).

THE LAST JUDGMENT

Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it.

THE LAST JUDGMENT

Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it.

Then all men will personally appear before this great Judge, both men and women and children, that have been from the beginning of the world to the end thereof, being summoned by the voice of the archangel and by the sound of the trumpet of God. For all the dead shall be raised out of the earth, and their souls joined and united with their proper bodies in which they formerly lived. As for those who shall then be living, they shall not die as the others, but be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and from corruptible become incorruptible. Then the books (that is to say, the consciences) shall be opened, and the dead judged according to what they shall have done in this world, whether it be good or evil. Nay, all men shall give an account of every idle word they have spoken, which the world only counts amusement and jest; and then the secrets and hypocrisy of men shall be disclosed and laid open before all.

Dean Davis: “Concerning the archangel [in I Thess. 4:16], this is almost certainly Michael (Dan. 12:1, Jude 9) or Gabriel (Dan. 8:16, 9:21, Luke 1:19, 26). In any case, by definition he is a ruler over the other angels. Therefore, his presence on the scene implies what the NT explicitly teaches elsewhere: the presence of all the holy angels (Mt. 25:31). When he raises his voice, it is most likely for the purpose of sending those angels to their great work of judicial and redemptive ingathering (Mt. 13:41, 24:31, Rev. 14:18)” (The High King of Heaven [Enumclaw, WA: Redemption Press, 2014], p. 565).

The Sounds at Our Lord’s Second Coming

Psalm 50:3-6: “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.”

Joel 2:1, 3, 5, 11: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand … A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them … Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array … And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?”

Joel 3:14-16: “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.”

Zephaniah 1:14, 16: “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly … A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.”

Matthew 24:31: “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

John 5:28-29: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

I Corinthians 15:52: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

I Thessalonians 4:16-17: “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 in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

II Peter 3:10: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which 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 burned up.”

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …

Dean Davis: “[In Matthew 13:41] at the end of the age the Son of Man will send forth his angels to effect a final separation of the wheat and the tares (v. 30). In the gospels alone there are quite a number of texts that make explicit what remains implicit here: At the end of the age the glorified Christ will descend from heaven with all his holy angels to accomplish the final Judgment of all sentient beings (Mt. 24:29-31, 25:31, 26:64; Mk 8:38, 14:62). And with this solemn truth the epistles and the Revelation agree (1 Thess. 3:13, 4:16, 2 Thess. 1:7, Jude 1:14, Rev. 19:11-16)” (The High King of Heaven [Enumclaw, WA: Redemption Press, 2014], p. 134).