Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
IF it is true that the dead are asleep until the resurrection (the Bible teaches it crystal clear), and IF it is also true that the resurrection cannot take place until Jesus Christ returns (He alone is the Resurrection and the Life! John 11:25), then common sense tells us that the judgment must take place before He returns.
Otherwise, how could any meaningful decision be made as to who should be resurrected glorified when He comes? Jesus seems to say it clearly: "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work" (Rev. 22:12).
He also says in Luke 21:34, 35 that "that Day" (of judgment) may come upon us "as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth." The "all those" will be the last generation on earth, the billions of people who "are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord," who will not die until they see Him coming in the clouds of heaven--happy or sad (1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Thess. 1:7, 8).
The next big IF is whether Jesus is coming soon. He gave us "signs" to let us know when "it is near, at the very doors" (Mark 13:29). Read the newspapers, news magazines, Internet--look around you. It's clear: the end is near.
The only conclusion possible: "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning--lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping" (vss. 35, 36). That coming is when He "comes" on our individual final judgment, and on a church's final judgment, too. Rather solemn, it even sounds scary. But hang on to some Good News: that "Master" is more concerned than we are that we be saved! That's how much He loves us.
But what to do? Stop resisting His grace. "Whatever He says to you, do it" (John 2:5). He will prove His love to you by telling you what to do; prayerfully, on your knees!
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 28, 1998.
Copyright © 2014 by "Dial Daily Bread."
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