Westminster Confession, Chapter 33
Of the Last Judgment
God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Acts 17:3131For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
1 Corinthians 6:33Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
2 Peter 2:44For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Jude 1:66And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.
John 5:2222Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,
Ecclesiastes 12:1414For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Matthew 12:36-3736But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Romans 2:1616on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
Romans 14:1010Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
Romans 14:1212So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:1212We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
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.
Scripture references for paragraph 2
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 25:2121His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
Romans 9:2323What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory—
Matthew 25:31-4631When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.
32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.
34Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,
36I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
37Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?
38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’
40And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
41Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,
43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
45Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’
46And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Acts 3:1919Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
2 Thessalonians 1:77and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
Romans 2:5-65But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”
Romans 9:2222What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction?
2 Thessalonians 1:7-87and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
8in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Matthew 25:4141Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 25:4646And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
2 Thessalonians 1:99They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,
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: 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Luke 21:27-2827At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Romans 8:23-2523Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?
25But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.
2 Corinthians 5:10-1110For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
11Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-75All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
6After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
2 Peter 3:1111Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness
2 Peter 3:1414Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
Matthew 24:3636No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:42-4442Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.
43But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
44For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.
Mark 13:35-3735Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.
36Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping.
37And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”
Luke 12:35-3635Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.
36Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.
Revelation 22:2020He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
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