Imagine for a minute that you have died and are now risen from the dead. You are before Jesus, our God, and at this moment judgment is taking place. Those who were found to be righteous are on God’s right hand and those who were found wicked on His left hand. As for those people on God’s right hand, this is why they are there. Jesus said unto them, “for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:35-40) So they believed in Jesus and did God’s will by doing good unto others. They did this by being led by the Spirit. Therefore, will they hear God say, “come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34) Now, you know what it takes to enter heaven, being found worthy to enter God’s presence. It will be so nice to hear Jesus say “well done!”
As for people who are unsaved and on God’s left hand, Jesus will say to them, “for I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 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. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” (Matthew 25:42-45) They will then hear the words, “depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46) My friends, “when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” (Matthew 25:31-33) This is called the Great White Throne Judgment. Everyone will be there, but far less will be on God’s right side and enter heaven. Don’t be found unworthy and placed with the wicked and unbelievers, for the lake of fire awaits.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will get right with You now if we are not already. People know deep down in their hearts if their faith is alive or dead. And if I was them, I would be running to You. Even in prayer, I pray that people will confess their sins and unbelief unto You. What a great release this will be for not only themselves then, but for the future, come judgment day. Surely, if we find mercy from Your hand on earth and die having found favor in Your sight, then we have nothing to fear. It is when we are led by the flesh and do things we believe are good, that we forget Your hand for our lives. This is when we drift from the path, and unfortunately, it is so difficult to bring that person back to You. Justifications have already set in for their current lifestyle, and unless the Holy Spirit is there to pierce their hearts it might take years before things click in their hearts and minds. But Lord, I pray that we will not give up on people who have gone astray. That we will continue to pray for them individually, as a family, and as a church. And when the time is right to talk to that person who is broken, we will let You give us the words to speak. Lord, if we are doing the talking, I know that nothing good will come out of it, but more arguments and fights. So please do the work in us. Have Your hand in everything we do. As much I want to be found worthy after I die, I want my friends, family, and others I meet to also be worthy. So help us light up our lamps, that when You do return, we will be ready to meet You. Even before You in judgment, God, will we anxiously await the time that our names are called. I love You, Jesus. You are my God and I worship You. Amen.
