{"id":81,"date":"2011-07-10T17:47:03","date_gmt":"2011-07-10T17:47:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/?page_id=81"},"modified":"2011-07-10T17:47:03","modified_gmt":"2011-07-10T17:47:03","slug":"step-14-eternal-judgment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/?page_id=81","title":{"rendered":"Step 14 Eternal Judgment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Instruction about <\/strong><strong>the Resurrection of the Dead<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">The Sixth of Six<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&#8220;Elementary Teachings about Christ&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">from Hebrews 6:1,2<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We are studying Hebrews 6:1-2:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Therefore let us leave <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">the elementary teachings <\/span><\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">about Christ<\/span><\/em><\/strong><strong><em> and go on to maturity, not laying again <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">foundation<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 of repentance from acts that lead to death, and <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 of faith in God, <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/sup><\/em><\/strong><strong><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">instruction<\/span><\/em><\/strong><strong><em> about <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>baptisms,<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the laying on of hands, <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the resurrection of the dead, and<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0eternal judgment.<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Topic Headings:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Prophecy of John the Baptist<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>The Teaching of Peter<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>The Teaching of Paul<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>The Teaching of Jesus<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>When Will the Judgment Happen?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>What Should I Do?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cThey Married and Were Married\u201d\u00a0 <\/strong>(a hymn)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Prophecy of John the Baptist<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Do you remember John the Baptist?\u00a0 He was a prophet; he spoke for God about baptism.\u00a0 He spoke for God about other things also, including the judgment to come:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cThe axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.\u201c <\/em><\/strong>(Luke 3:9)<\/p>\n<p>John presents the situation of mankind like this:\u00a0 An orchard owner has been looking for his fruit trees to produce good fruit.\u00a0 He has identified trees that have not been producing.\u00a0 He has an axe in his hands.\u00a0 He has lined up the axe with the roots of the unfruitful trees.\u00a0 The axe is about ready to fall!\u00a0 God is the orchard owner.\u00a0 We are the trees.<\/p>\n<p>John also used another image:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0\u201cHis winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em> <\/em><\/strong>(Luke 3:17)<\/p>\n<p>John presents the situation of mankind also like this:\u00a0 A farmer has harvested his wheat.\u00a0 The threshing sledge has already gone over the grains of wheat on the threshing floor with the result that the undesirable chaff has been separated from the desirable kernels of wheat.\u00a0 Now he takes the winnowing fork in his hand.\u00a0 He is about to heave the mixture on the floor into the air so that the wind will blow the chaff away, while the precious wheat remains.\u00a0 God is the farmer.\u00a0 Mankind is the mixture of kernels and chaff.<\/p>\n<p>In both images depict a separation is taking place, based on the decision of the owner.\u00a0 In one image the fruitful trees are separated from the unfruitful trees.\u00a0 In the other image the wheat is separated from the chaff.\u00a0 In both images the undesirable ones are burned with fire.<\/p>\n<p>Let mankind be warned!\u00a0 Such a separation is coming!\u00a0 Those who resist God\u2019s gracious invitation to a new and eternal life will finally find themselves in<strong><em> \u201cunquenchable fire.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Teaching of Peter<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cHe commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He <\/em><\/strong>[Jesus] <strong><em>is the One Whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(Acts 10:42)<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Teaching of Paul<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cIn the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">repent<\/span>. \u00a0For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.&#8221; <\/em><\/strong>(Acts 17:30-31)<\/p>\n<p>Jesus Christ is <strong><em>the Man<\/em><\/strong> by Whom God will judge the world on the <strong><em>day when He will judge the world with justice.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>God will ignore what we think is just or unjust.\u00a0 He has already told us how He will judge.\u00a0 He will use His own standard of justice.<\/p>\n<p>No one will escape this judgment.\u00a0 As surely as He raised Jesus from the dead, ALL mankind will be raised from the dead!<\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Teaching of Jesus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>&#8220;When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory. <sup>\u00a0<\/sup>All the nations will be gathered before Him, and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">He will separate the people<\/span> one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(Matthew 25:31-33)<\/p>\n<p>Jesus, like John, speaks of a great separation to come.\u00a0 Jesus Himself <strong><em>\u201c<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The result will be two different groups of people.\u00a0 What will happen to each of them?:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>&#8220;Then the King will say to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">those on His right<\/span>, &#8216;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Come<\/span>, you who are blessed of My Father, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">inherit<\/span> the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.\u2019\u201d <\/em><\/strong>(Matthew 25:34)<\/p>\n<p>What will be the evidence that these people were true believers and should be judged in this way?<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>&#8216;For <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>naked, and you clothed Me; <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>I was sick, and you visited Me;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>I was in prison, and you came to Me.\u2019 <\/em><\/strong>(Matthew 25:35,36)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What about those on His left?<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>&#8220;Then He will also say to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">those on His left<\/span>, &#8216;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Depart<\/span> from Me, accursed ones, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">into the eternal fire<\/span> which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; <\/em><\/strong>(Matthew 25:41)<\/p>\n<p>What will be the evidence that these people disregarded God, His salvation, and His ways and should be judged in this way?<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>for <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, <\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>\u00a0and in prison, and you did not visit Me.<\/em><\/strong>&#8216;\u00a0(Matthew 25:42,43)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So, what will be the end of each group of people?<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>&#8220;These will go away into <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">eternal punishment<\/span>, but the righteous into <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">eternal life<\/span>.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong> (Matthew 25:46)<\/p>\n<p><strong>When Will the Judgment Happen?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>&#8220;For <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">nation will rise against nation<\/span>, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">famines<\/span> and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">earthquakes<\/span>. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">you will be hated<\/span> by all nations because of My name. At that time <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">many will fall away<\/span> and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">will betray one another<\/span> and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">hate one another<\/span>. Many <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">false prophets<\/span> will arise and will mislead many. Because <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">lawlessness<\/span> is increased, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">most people&#8217;s love will grow cold<\/span>. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world<\/span> as a testimony to all the nations, and THEN THE END WILL COME.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(Matthew 24:7-14)<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>&#8220;Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door<\/span>. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(Matthew 24:32-35)<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>&#8220;But <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">of that day and hour no one knows<\/span>, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. <\/em><\/strong>(Matthew 24:36)<\/p>\n<p><strong>What Should I Do?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>&#8220;Therefore <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">be on the alert<\/span>, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">be ready<\/span>; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.<\/em><\/strong><strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>(Matthew 24:42-44)<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">be pleasing to Him<\/span>. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">persuade men<\/span>, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. <\/em><\/strong>(2 Corinthians 5:9-11)<\/p>\n<p>So, what should you do in view of the coming judgment?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be on the alert!<strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Be ready!<\/li>\n<li>Be pleasing to Him!<strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Persuade men!<strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cThey Married and Were Married\u201d<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They married and were married.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Their fill they ate and drank.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By water they were buried;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The ark was safe; they sank.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two women do their grinding,<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Both thinking, \u201cAll is well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0With Christ one herself finding;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The other left for hell.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two men their fieldwork tending,<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One borne by angels where<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 With Jesus he is ending;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The other pain will bear.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Watch, for you do not know when<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Son of Man arrives \u2013<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not day, nor hour; so go then,<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Be faithful all your lives.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Sung to the tune:\u00a0 Christus, der Ist mein, Ie. TLH 53)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>(Verses written by Martin H. Koestler for a worship service on November 27, 2005, Advent I, based on the Gospel lesson:\u00a0 Matthew 24:37-44.)\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 copyright 2011<\/p>\n<p>Lyra Publications<\/p>\n<p>Preston, Minnesota<strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Instruction about the Resurrection of the Dead The Sixth of Six &#8220;Elementary Teachings about Christ&#8221; from Hebrews 6:1,2 \u00a0 We are studying Hebrews 6:1-2: Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings \u00a0 about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the foundation \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 of repentance from acts that lead to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/81"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=81"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/81\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82,"href":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/81\/revisions\/82"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/firststepsontheway.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=81"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}