Acts 10:39-43 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:… This last act of Christ is a special part of His exultation and honour, bestowed upon Him because He is the Son of Man (John 5:27). Wherein we have four things to be distinctly considered — 1. The subject of it, Christ. Judgment is the act of the undivided Trinity. The Father and Spirit judge in respect of authority and consent, but it is the act of Christ in respect of visible management and execution. 2. The object. The quick and dead — i.e., all that at His coming do live, or ever have lived. This is the object personal, and in this is included the real object: viz., all the actions (2 Corinthians 4:5; Romans 2:16). 3. The fountain of this authority is God the Father; for He hath ordained Christ to be the Judge. 4. The infallible truth, or unquestionable certainty of all this. He gave us commandment to preach and testify it to the people. We had it in charge from His own mouth; and dare not hide it. This truth, that our Lord Jesus Christ is ordained by God the Father, to be the Judge of quick and dead, stands upon the firm basis of Scripture authority (John 5:22; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16). Three things will be opened here. I. First, THE CERTAINTY OF A JUDGMENT. This is truth of firmer establishment than heaven and earth. 1. As the Scriptures aforementioned (with 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36, etc.) do very plainly reveal it: so the justice and righteousness of God require it should be so (Genesis 18:25). Righteousness requires that a difference be made betwixt the righteous and the wicked (Isaiah 3:10). But no such distinction is fully made in this world (Ecclesiastes 7:15; Habakkuk 1:13; Ecclesiastes 3:16, 17; James 5:6. 7). 2. Man is an accountable being. His actions have a relation to a law (Romans 14:12; Matthew 25:14, 15). 3. What need we seek evidence of this truth, further than our own conscience? II. THE NATURE AND MANNER OF THIS JUDGEMENT. 1. It will be a great and awful day (Jude 1:6). Three things will make it so. (1) The manner of Christ's coming will be awfully solemn (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). (2) Much more the work itself. For it is to judge the secrets of men (Romans 2:16). To sever the tares from the wheat. To make every man's whites and blacks appear. (3) And no less the execution of the sentence. 2. It will be a critical and exact judgment, every man will be weighed to his ounces and drachms. The name of the Judge is the Searcher of Hearts. No hypocrite can escape. Justice holds the balances in an even hand. 3. It will be a universal judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:12; Revelation 20:12). 4. It will be a judgment full of convictive clearness. 5. It will be a supreme and final judgment, from which lies no appeal. III. THIS JUDGMENT MAKES FOR CHRIST'S HONOUR. For — 1. This act of judging pertaining properly to the kingly office; Christ will be glorified as much in it as He hath been in either of the other. We find but some few glimpses of the kingly office, breaking forth in this world. Now that office will shine as the sun in the midst of the heavens. 2. This will be a display of His glory in the highest, before the whole world (2 Thessalonians 1:10). 3. This will roll away forever the reproach of His death,Inferences: Is Jesus Christ ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead? 1. How great then is the security believers have, that they shall not be condemned in that day. Who shall condemn, when Christ is Judge? 2. How miserable a case will Christless souls be in at that day! They that are Christless now will be speechless, helpless, and hopeless then. 3. How are all concerned to secure their interest in Christ, and therein an eternity of happiness to their own souls, by the work of regeneration? 4. Then look to it, all you that hope to be found of Him in peace, that you avoid those sins and live in the daily practice of those duties which the consideration of that day powerfully persuades you to avoid or practise. (1) See you be meek and patient under all injuries and abuses for Christ's sake (James 5:7-9). (2) Be communicative, public-hearted Christians, studying and devising liberal things for Christ's distressed members (Matthew 25:34, 35). (3) Be watchful and sober, and see that you be not overcharged with the cares and love of this present life (Luke 21:34, 35). (4) Improve all your Master's talents. Take heed of the napkin (Matthew 25:14, 18). (5) But above all, be sincere in your profession (Luke 12:1-3). (J. Flavel.) Parallel Verses KJV: And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: |
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