DIVINE JUDGMENT

“A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened” (Dan. 7:10 NKJV).

In one of the prophetic dreams given to Daniel by God, we have a graphic picture of the Divine court that will bring judgment upon an evil world. Our verse describes the character of judgment, the carrying out of judgment, the certainty of judgment, and the criteria of judgment.

Character of judgment - “Fiery stream.” Fire is always connected with Divine judgment on wickedness. This ought to make evildoers tremble. Hellfire is no joke. If there is anything that folks want to miss, it is the fiery judgment of God.

Carrying out of judgment - “Thousand thousands ministered unto Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him” Angels who will carry out the judgment decreed on the wicked. Like the law officers in a court room, they will take the sentenced person to their judgment once that judgment is pronounced. Throughout Scripture, angels carry out God’s judgments. An angel will cast Satan into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20:1-3).

Certainty of judgment - “The court was seated.” In the Divine court room, things are in place, and everything is ready for God to examine and judge the wicked. We should never doubt the judgment of God upon evil. It is as certain as anything. God is prepared. He is ready for the judgment. People need to “Prepare to meet your God” (Amos 4:12).

Criteria of judgment – “The books were opened.” This statement is an ominous warning for the evildoers. God will judge the wicked according to the record of their evil conduct (cf. Rev. 20:12). God has all the facts since they have all been recorded. Wickedness may be covered up and concealed in this life, but never in eternity.

(Adapted from Analytical Biblical Expositor)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“We might say God’s wrath is His justice in action, rendering to everyone his just due, which, because of our sin is always judgment!”

Jerry Bridges (1929 – 2016)

American Pastor, Theologian and Author

Word Study

End

In 1 Peter 4:7 we read, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers!” (NKJV).

End is the Greek word télos (τέλος =tel'-os). The word means end, termination, conclusion, aim, result, taxes, obligations. In classic Greek télos indicates fulfillment, execution of an act, or a consummation. In the Septuagint télos was used to mean for ever, tribute (offering) to the Lord, the end of a series of events. In the New Testament, télos referred to a goal achieved, a result attained, a realization, a purpose fulfilled. The main idea of télos is that the various stages that are reached to go on to full development.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“And the LORD said unto Joshua, fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee” (Josh. 10:8 KJV).

Did You Know…

According to 1 Kings 10:22, Solomon had many trading ships which returned every three years bringing “apes and peacocks.”

Bible Quiz

What was the Lord Jesus’ family’s first reaction to His teaching?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: What was the punishment of Elisha’s servant Gehazi for being greedy? The leprosy of Naaman would cling to him and his descendant for ever (2 Kings 5:20).

Names For God Found in the Bible

“SHADE”

"The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand” (Psalm 121:59 NKJV).

1. Meaning – SHADE refers to God as the Protector of His people.

2. Insights – One of the greatest dangers of traveling in Judea was prolonged exposure to the scorching sun (Isa. 49:10). Even in this the Lord protected His people. He was their shade from the blistering heat (Isa. 25:4). He kept them from collapsing in the heat of the day. In addition, His comforting presence gave them desperately needed relief from the difficulties of their journey. This is what God provides all believers - comfort and relief. He is ever near, always available.

Did You Know...Christian History

King Henry VIII had separated the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534. On Henry’s death, his young son Edward became King. Many of Edward’s advisors tried to move the English church in the direction of a more Bible-based Christianity. Two such men were Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer.

Ridley was born around 1502 and was one of England’s sharpest intellects; he had memorized all the New Testament letters in Greek. He was a chaplain to King Henry VIII and was Bishop of London under his son Edward. He was a preacher beloved of his congregation whose very life portrayed the truths of the Christian doctrines he taught. In his own household he had daily Bible readings and encouraged Scripture memory.

Latimer born around 1485 and became an influential preacher under King Edward’s reign. He was an earnest student of the Bible, and as Bishop of Worcester he encouraged the Scriptures be known in English by the people. His sermons emphasized serving the Lord with a true heart, not just with outward show. Latimer’s personal life also re-enforced his preaching. He was renowned for his works, especially his prison visitations.

When Mary became Queen of England in 1553, she worked to bring England back under Roman Catholicism. In subsequent years, she had at least two hundred people put to death (often by fire) for their religious convictions. To history she became known as “Bloody Mary.” One of her first acts was to arrest Ridley, Latimer, and Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. After serving time in the Tower of London, the three were taken to Oxford in September of 1555 to be examined by the Lord’s Commissioner in Oxford’s Divinity School.

When Ridley was asked if he believed the pope was heir to the authority of Peter he replied that the church was not built on any man but on Peter’s confessed truth that Christ was the Son of God. Ridley said he could not honor the pope in Rome since the papacy was seeking its own glory, not the glory of God. Neither Ridley nor Latimer could accept the Roman Catholic mass as a sacrifice of Christ. Latimer told the commissioners, “Christ made one oblation and sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and that a perfect sacrifice; neither needeth there to be, nor can there be, any other propitiatory sacrifice.” These opinions were deeply offensive to Roman Catholic theologians.

Both Ridley and Latimer were burned at the stake in Oxford on October 16, 1555. As he was being tied to the stake, Ridley prayed, “Oh, heavenly Father, I give unto thee most hearty thanks that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee, even unto death. I beseech thee, Lord God, have mercy on this realm of England, and deliver it from all her enemies.” As the flames rose, Latimer encouraged Ridley, “Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace, in England, as I trust never shall be put out.” The martyrdoms of Ridley, Latimer, and Thomas Cranmer are today commemorated by a Martyrs’ monument in Oxford. The faith they once died for can now be freely practiced in the land.

A Little Humor

A lot of church members who are singing “Standing on the Promises” are just sitting on the premises.

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Playing with sin is toying with judgment!”