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I. THE SUBJECTS OF THE JUDGMENT.

1. The dead, small and great.

(1)  Young and old.

(2)  Rich and poor.

(3)  Illiterate and learned.

2. These shall stand together before God.

(1)  Social distinctions are not accounted at that tribunal.

(2)  Ethnic distinctions cease.

(3)  Distinctions of time also are at an end. All generations mingle in one grand congregation.

3. The value of character will then appear.

(1) When conventional, accidental distinctions vanish, the real, permanent distinctions of character come out in the boldest relief.

(2) The interval of the disembodied and millennial states will afford the best opportunities for reflection upon that conduct which is now crystallised into character.

(3) If anything further is needed to force home this lesson upon the spirit, here it is in the excitements of the judgment — the prodigies — the Judge — the witnesses — the impending doom.

II. THE CHARACTER OF THE JUDGE.

1. Christ appears not now as Mediator.

(1) Death ends probation.

(2) The shadows of the great judgment are felt here in the court of conscience. Works, words, thoughts, motives, should be ever examined here in anticipation of the more imposing court.

(3) The preparation of holiness we must have.

2. He now appears as King.

(1) He comes "in the glory of His Father" — the glory of His Divinity. The dead "stand before God."(2) He comes in "His own glory" — the glory of His exalted and beatified manhood. Here is the only universal Monarch. On His head are many crowns.

(3) He comes with His retinue of holy angels.

3. His resources are equal to the occasion.

(1) See the effect of His glance. The world kindles into conflagration (ver. 11; 2 Peter 3:7-12).

(2) The eye of flame can discriminate as it can search.

(3) What impiety can dare that throne?

III. THE STANDARDS OF THE JUDGMENT.

1. The book of God's works.

(1) This volume treats of His power. The forces of Nature assert His sovereignty. How has that been respected?

(2) It treats also of His wisdom. The exquisite dovetailing of things, nice adjustments, wonderful adaptations, assert His adorableness. How has that been respected?

(3) It treats further of His goodness. What contrivances to give pleasure to His creatures! Every voice of beneficence calls for gratitude. How have we responded?

2. The book of God's Word.

(1)  In this we have His law.

(2)  In this also we have His gospel.

3. The book of memory.

(1)  God's memory forgets nothing.

(2)  Man's memory will be prodigiously quickened.

4. The book of condemnation.

(1)  The names of the doomed are written there. The character of the writing is legible and black.

(2)  How many millions will find their names there! Is yours amongst the number?

(3)  What does it mean to be written there? Exclusion from heaven.

5. "And another book was opened which is the book of life."

(J. A. Macdonald.)

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KJV: And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

WEB: I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them.