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.
Consider the Scripture texts below (also linked in Notes). They can be divided into 4 categories.
A. Texts which speak about this age
B. Texts which speak about the age to come
C. Texts which speak about both this age and the age to come
D. Texts which speak about the end of this age
Texts on the “Two Ages”
(words in italics are, literally, “age”)
Matthew 12:31-32: “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
Matthew 13:22: “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
Matthew 13:39-40: “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.”
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 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.”
Mark 3:29: “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.”
Mark 4:19: “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Mark 10:29-30: “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
Luke 16:8: “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”
Luke 18:30: “Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”
Luke 20:34-36: “And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”
Romans 12:2: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
I Corinthians 1:20: “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”
I Corinthians 2:6: “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought.”
I Corinthians 2:8: “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
I Corinthians 3:18: “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.”
II Corinthians 4:4: “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Galatians 1:4: “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”
Ephesians 1:21: “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.”
Ephesians 2:2: “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”
Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
I Timothy 6:17-19: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
II Timothy 4:10: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”
Titus 2:11-13: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, 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”
Hebrews 6:5: “And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.”
W. J. Grier on the two ages (this age and the age to come): “The apostle Paul says that Christ is enthroned ‘far above every name that is named, not only in this world (literally, age), but also in that which is to come’ (Ephesians 1:21). Under the expressions ‘this age’ and ‘the one to come,’ the apostle groups all time, present and future, under Christ’s sway. The Lord Himself used similar language; He promised to his faithful followers ‘one-hundredfold now in this present time (age) and in the world (age) to come eternal life’ [Mark 10:30]. The age to come is evidently the eternal state, for in it there is ‘eternal life.’ Christ also spoke of the sin for which there is no forgiveness, ‘neither in this age, neither in the coming one’ [Matthew 12:32]. Here again it is plain that under these two ages Christ includes all time, present and to come. In Luke 20:34-36 we read, ‘Jesus said, the children of this world (age) marry and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world (age) and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; neither can they die any more, for they are equal to the angels, and are children of God, being the children of the resurrection.’ Yet again we see all time, present and to come, gathered up under the two expressions ‘this age’ and ‘that age,’ but here the dividing line between the two ages is also given—it is the resurrection of the dead, which all parties admit to take place at the coming of the Lord … The pre-millennial scheme maintains that there are three ages:—(1) the present age, (2) the millennial age, and (3) the eternal state. The common New Testament representation is that there are but two ages, this Gospel one and the coming one, which is the eternal state; and the dividing line between the two is that momentous event, the second advent. We may note in passing that the New Testament says of this present age that it is an evil one (Galatians 1:4), so that we need hardly look for a converted world within the bounds of Gospel times” (The Momentous Event [Belfast: Evangelical Book Shop, 1952], pp. 41-42).
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 faithful and elect shall be crowned with glory and honor; and the Son of God will confess their names before God His Father and His elect angels; all tears shall be wiped from their eyes; and their cause, which is now condemned by many judges and magistrates as heretical and impious, will then be known to be the cause of the Son of God. And for a gracious reward, the Lord will cause them to possess such a glory as never entered into the heart of man to conceive.
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 …
Off-site maps or diagrams (not the ones used in the class)
1. Land divisions – https://thebookwurm.com/eze-map.jpg
2. Sacred reserve (or central portion) – https://thesecondcomingofchrist.org/images/ezekiel-ch48-schem.gif
3. Temple compound – https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/4a/85/de4a85bd6b38a5d25ad6a9cc05ac376d.jpg
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 …
Off-site maps or diagrams (not the ones used in the class)
1. Land divisions – https://thebookwurm.com/eze-map.jpg
2. Sacred reserve (or central portion) – https://thesecondcomingofchrist.org/images/ezekiel-ch48-schem.gif
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 “Notes” (below) contain the critique of the “Literal Interpretation of Ezekiel 40-48,” in David J. Engelsma, “The Church’s Hope: The Reformed Doctrine of the End,” vol. 1, pp. 263-266 (www.cprc.co.uk/product/the-churchs-hope-the-reformed-doctrine-of-the-end).
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 …
Off-site maps or diagrams (not the ones used in the class)
1. Land divisions – https://thebookwurm.com/eze-map.jpg
2. Sacred reserve (or central portion) – https://thesecondcomingofchrist.org/images/ezekiel-ch48-schem.gif
3. Temple compound – https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/4a/85/de4a85bd6b38a5d25ad6a9cc05ac376d.jpg
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 …
Off-site maps or diagrams (not the ones used in the class)
1. Land divisions – https://thebookwurm.com/eze-map.jpg
2. Sacred reserve (or central portion) – https://thesecondcomingofchrist.org/images/ezekiel-ch48-schem.gif
3. Temple compound – https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/4a/85/de4a85bd6b38a5d25ad6a9cc05ac376d.jpg
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 …
Vern Poythress: “Some interpreters are inclined to treat this vision of the new temple [in Ezekiel 40-48] as if it were a photographic description of a stony replacement for the Solomonic temple. But it is a vision, not a photograph. God gives Ezekiel a vision that uses the symbolism belonging to the Mosaic order of things, both the Mosaic tabernacle and the Solomonic temple. This whole order provides shadows of the final salvation that is to come, and the final presence of God that is to be manifested in the future. The use of such symbolism is fully appropriate to the times in which Ezekiel ministered and the people to whom God was speaking” (Theophany: A Biblical Theology of God’s Appearing [Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018], p. 326).
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.