We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate.
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.
It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2022. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.
Chapter Thirty-Three. Of The Last Judgment.
1. God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ,a to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.b In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged,c but likewise all persons, that have lived upon earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.d
a. Acts 17:31. • b. John 5:22, 27. • c. 1 Cor 6:3; 2 Pet 2:4; Jude 1:6. • d. Eccl 12:14; Mat 12:36-37; Rom 2:16; 14:10, 12; 2 Cor 5:10.
2. 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;a and of his justice in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient.b 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:c 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.d
a. Mat 25:21; Rom 9:23. • b. Rom 2:5-6; 9:22; 2 Thes 1:7-8. • c. Mat 25:31-34; Acts 3:19; 2 Thes 1:7. • d. Mat 25:41, 46; 2 Thes 1:9.
3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity:a so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.b
a. Luke 21:27-28; Rom 8:23-25; 2 Cor 5:10-11; 2 Thes 1:5-7; 2 Pet 3:11, 14. • b. Mat 24:36, 42-44; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-36; Rev 22:20.
I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 