Day 143: Of the Last Judgment, part 1

Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 89;
Confession of Faith chapter 33 section 2;
Shorter Catechism Q. 38; Larger Catechism Q. 90

Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.89. What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment?
A. At the day of judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ's left hand [a], and, upon clear evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences [b], shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them [c]; and thereupon shall be cast out from the favourable presence of God, and the glorious fellowship with Christ, his saints, and all his holy angels, into hell, to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with the devil and his angels forever [d].

At the day of judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ's left hand [a],

[a] Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

and, upon clear evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences [b],

[b] Romans 2:15-16 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Ver.16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them [c];

[c] Matthew 25:41-43 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Ver.42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: Ver.43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

and thereupon shall be cast out from the favourable presence of God, and the glorious fellowship with Christ, his saints, and all his holy angels, into hell, to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with the devil and his angels forever [d].

[d] Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Ver.9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 33
II. The end of God’s appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing, which shall come from the presence of the Lord; but the wicked who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power [e].

[e] [Matthew 25:31 to the end]
Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Ver.6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: Ver.23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory?
Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 [See in the Bible]

Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory [w], shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment [x], and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God [y] to all eternity [z].

At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory [w],

[w] 1 Corinthians 15:43 It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment [x],

[x] Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God [y]

[y] 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

to all eternity [z].

[z] 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Ver.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.90. What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment?
A. At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds [e], shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted [f], shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men [g], and shall be received into heaven [h], where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery [i]; filled with inconceivable joys [k], made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels [l], but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity [m]. And this is the perfect and full communion, which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.

At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds [e],

[e] 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted [f],

[f] Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men [g],

[g] 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Ver.3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

and shall be received into heaven [h],

[h] Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Ver.46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery [i];

[i] Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

filled with inconceivable joys [k],

[k] Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels [l],

[l] Hebrews 12:22-23 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Ver.23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity [m].

[m] 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Ver.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

And this is the perfect and full communion, which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.

End of Lesson, Day 143

For Further Study:

CHAPTER XXXIII. - Of the Last Judgment - Commentary by Gordon H. Clark

Chapter XXXIII. Of the Last Judgment - Exposition by Robert Shaw

Chapter 33: Of the Last Judgment - Commentary by A.A. Hodge

Westminster XXXIII: Of the Last Judgment - Douglas Wilson

Shorter Catechism Q. 38: