2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body… I. THE NECESSITY. 1. It must be so, for God hath decreed it, and reason enforceth it. But why? Not to discover anything to God, but — (1) That grace may be glorified in and by the righteous (1 Peter 1:13). (2) That the wicked may be convinced of their sin and defect. (3) That God's justice may be cleared (Psalm 51:4; Acts 17:31). 2. It shall be so (John 5:28). (1) Reason showeth that it may be, and argueth — (a) From the nature of God. There is a God; that God is just, and it is agreeable to His justice that it should be well with them that do well, and ill with them that do evil. This does not appear so here; therefore there is a day when it shall be made conspicuous. (b) From the providence of God. There are many judgments which are pledges of the general judgment, as the drowning of the old World, the burning of Sodom, the destruction of Jerusalem. (c) From the feelings of conscience. After sin men are troubled, though there be none to call them to an account. Heathens are sensible of such a thing (Romans 1:32). Felix trembled at the mention of it (Acts 24:25). (2) Faith showeth that it shall be — (a) From that revelation which God hath made in His Word (Matthew 13:49, 50; John 5:28, 29; Hebrews 9:27; Romans 14:12; Matthew 12:36, 37; Revelation 20:12; Jude 1:14). (b) Christ's interest is concerned in it — (i.) That the glory of His person may be seen. His first coming was obscure and without observation. (ii.) That He may possess what He hath purchased (Hebrews 2:13). (iii.) With respect to the wicked. It is part of His office to triumph over them in their final overthrow (Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:10, 11; Philippians 2:10). (iv.) To require an account of things during His absence (Matthew 25.; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). II. THE UNIVERSALITY. All mankind which ever were, are, and shall be. No age, no sex, no nation, nor dignity, nor power, nor wealth, nor greatness, can excuse us. III. THE JUDGE. 1. How Christ comes to he the world's judge, and with what agreeableness to reason this honour is put upon Him. To a judge there belong these four things — wisdom, justice, power, and authority. (1) Wisdom is in Christ twofold — Divine and human. As Christ is God, His wisdom and His understanding are infinite (Hebrews 4:13). His human wisdom is such as doth far exceed the knowledge of all men and angels. When Christ was upon earth He could know whatever He would (Luke 8:45; Matthew 9:3, 4; John 2:23-25). Now, if Jesus was endowed with such an admirable wisdom even in the days of His flesh, what shall we think of Christ glorified? (2) As there is a double knowledge in Christ, so there is also a double righteousness, the one that belongs to Him as God, the other as man, and both are exact and immutably perfect. His Divine nature is holiness itself (1 John 1:5). And His human nature was so sanctified that it was impossible that He could sin in the days of His flesh, much more now glorified in heaven, and there will be use of both in the last judgment. (3) His power (Matthew 24:13). (4) His authority. IV. THE MANNER OF JUDGING. We must so appear as to be made manifest. 1. To appear; that we must all appear, every individual person. Four things evince that. (1) The wisdom and justice of the Judge. Such is His wisdom and perspicuity that not one .sinner or sin can escape Him (Hebrews 4:13). It concerneth the Judge of the world to do right, which He cannot do unless all sins and persons be manifest to Him, that He may render to every one according to his deeds. (2) The power, impartiality, and faithfulness of His ministers (Matthew 24:31; Luke 16:22; Matthew 13:39-41, 49, 50). There is a mixture unavoidable of good and bad in the Church, but then a perfect separation by the ministry of angels. (3) The nature of the business requireth our appearance. Partly, because in a regular judgment no man can be judged in his absence, partly because we cannot appear by a proctor (Romans 14:12). Now we have an Advocate who appeareth for us (Hebrews 9:24); then the Judge will come to deal with every one in person. (4) The ends of the judgment require our appearance. (a) The conviction of the parties judged. God will go upon clear evidence, and they shall have a fair hearing (Matthew 22:12; Jude 1:15). (b) Satisfaction of the world in the righteousness and justice of God's proceeding. When every person is arraigned and every work is manifest, it cleareth God's justice in rewarding His own and in punishing the ungodly. 2. To be made manifest. Our persons must not only appear, but our hearts and ways be tried (Luke 12:2). The final doom shall repeal all the judgments of this life, and repair them abundantly; many things that are varnished with a fair gloss and pretence here shall then be found abominable, and many things disguised with an ill appearance to the world shall be found to be of God, approved (1 Corinthians 4:5). We shall be manifested — (1) By the knowledge of the Judge. We may hide our sins from men, but not from God. (2) The good angels may be produced as witnesses; they have an inspection over this lower world, are conversant about us in all our ways, and are conscious to our conversations (Psalm 91:11; Ecclesiastes 5:6; Numbers 22:34; 1 Timothy 5:21; 1 Corinthians 11:10). (3) Devils may accuse men in that day. (4) The Word of God will be our accuser (John 5:45; John 12:48). (5) The ministers of the gospel (Matthew 24:14; cf. Mark 13:9; Mark 6:11; Matthew 10:14, 15). (6) Conscience itself shall witness, and God will discover ourselves to ourselves, that we shall see the judgment is just. "The books were opened" (Revelation 20:12), and one of these books is conscience, and though it be in the sinner's keeping, yet it cannot be so defaced but our story will be legible enough, and forgotten sins will stare us in the face (Numbers 32:23). (7) It will be made evident by the confession of offenders themselves. As their consciences will convince them, so their own tongues will accuse them, as Judas (Matthew 27:4; see also Luke 19:12; Romans 2:15; Psalm 64:8). (8) Wicked men shall accuse one another. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. |
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