God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained.1 The justice of God demands the appointment of such a day; the accusations of natural conscience witness to it; the relation subsisting between God and his creatures shows its necessity; the ascension of Christ and the positive testimonies of Scripture certainly prove it and place the doctrine beyond all doubt or question.2 God appointed a day of judgment to manifest the glory of his love and grace in the salvation of his church,3 the glory of his justice and power in the condemnation of impenitent sinners,4 and the equity of his government over all men, in all things, throughout all ages.5 God has appointed Jesus Christ to be the Judge of the world in order that he, who, at his first appearance, humbled himself, obscured his glory, and endured the shame, may appear to all in infinite greatness and glory.6 Christ, therefore, will be the Judge, and men and fallen angels will be judged.7 The rule of the judgment will be the books that shall be opened; and the time of the judgment will be the day appointed for that purpose. This judgment will, it is certain, be a general, righteous, and final judgment on all things for ever and ever.
Christ desired to declare the certainty of a day of judgment, to deter men from presumptuous sin, and to comfort the godly in their afflictions.8 But, though a day is appointed in which he will judge the world, he did not wish it known when the day would come, that men might not be careless, but ever watchful and ready.9
1 Acts 10:42; 17:31; John 5:22,27. 2 2 Thess. 1:6-10; Rom. 2:16; 14:10-12; Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 14-15; Rev. 1:7. 3 Matt. 25:31; Rom. 2:5-11; 1 Thess. 1:10. 4 Rom. 2:5; 9:22; 2 Thess. 1:6-9. 5 Gen. 18:25; 1 Sam. 2:10; Psa. 50:3-6; 96:13; 98:9; Jude 15; Rom. 2:5-6. 6 Acts 10:42; Phil. 2:6-9; Rom. 14:9; Matt. 26:64; 25:31. 7 1 Cor. 6:3; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6. 8 John 5:27; Matt. 12:36-37; 25:31; 2 Thess. 1:5-7; Luke 21:27-28; Rom. 8:23,25. 9 Matt. 24:36- 44; 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-36; 2 Peter 3:11; Rev. 22:20.
