The Judgment Day
Heb. 9:27

Introduction:

A. In the 7th chapter of Joshua we find the story of Achan. 
   Achan caused the defeat of the Israelites in the battle of 
   Ai. As the story progress, we find that Achan had to face 
   judgment for what he had done. The judgment in this case was
   swift. Judgment today is not as swift, but it will be just
   as sure.
B. It is natural for people to want judgment postponed.
   Usually it is in hopes that the judge will forget 
   about the act, or at least be more lenient. Peter tells us 
   in 2 Pet. 3:10 that the day of the Lord is going to come. We
   can try to not think about it and even act as if we don't 
   believe it will come, but we cannot stop it from coming. 
   When it does, we will all have to stand and answer the 
   questioning of the Lord.

I. Some Important Questions On That Day

   A. Why did you not obey?
      1. Consider these eternal warnings
         a. 2 Thess. 1:8-9
         b. 1 Pet. 4:17
         c. Heb. 10:16-31
      2. With access to a Bible now, what can anyone say in 
         that last great day, if he has failed to obey the 
         gospel?
      3. 2 Pet. 3:9
         a. Jesus died so no man would have to - Heb. 2:9
         b. But God will not save a person in his sins.
   B. What did you do for the Lord?
      1. The Christian must give an account of how he has 
         handled the things put in his charge - Matt. 25:14-45
      2. We are told very plainly how we must conduct ourselves
         - Tit. 2:11-12
         a. We must turn our back on all sin. Then we must:
         b. Live soberly - treat self right
         c. Live righteously - treat our fellow man right
         d. Live godly - treat God right
            (1). This requires that men learn the will of God, 
                 obey it and live by it until death.
      3. It will be a sad day at the judgment for those who 
         have obeyed the gospel, but have failed to live for 
         the Lord the remainder of their days - 2 Pet. 2:20

II. Some Scenes At The Judgment

   A. The greatest crowd ever assembled
      1. All the races that ever lived from Adam to the last 
         will be there that day - 2 Cor. 5:10
      2. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be there.
      3. Judas Iscariot, Benedict Arnold and George Washington
         will be there.
      4. The most important question for those here is who will
         be there. The answer is each of us.
   B. The greatest Judge that ever sat on a throne
      1. Rev. 22:12; 2 Tim. 4:8
      2. In this life many thing interfere with the courts of 
         justice in our land.
         a. Wealth or political influence sometimes prevent 
            justice from being carried out.
         b. But this will not be so at the judgment.
      3. Everyone will stand on his own record, whether black,
         white, rich, poor, great or small, Republican or 
         Democrat - 1 Pet. 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:10
         a. Each will receive justice but not mercy.
         b. The day of mercy will then be past - 2 Cor. 6:1-2
         c. The Greatest books that were ever opened.
            (1). Rev. 20:12; Jn. 12:48
            (2). What a great combination. The Old Testament, 
                 New Testament, Book of Life - Heavens record 
                 of the human family.
            (3). The Bible will read then just like it does now
      4. What does the book say about you now - Matt. 7:21-27
   D. The greatest separation ever known
      1. The sheep will be on the right hand of God and the 
         goats will be on the left - Matt. 25:31-46
         a. The sheep are the ones that do what Jesus says - 
            Jn. 10:27
         b. The goats are those that fail to do what Jesus says
            - Matt. 25:32-33; 25:41-46
         c. There will be a father on one side and a mother on 
            the other, a brother on one side and sister on the 
            other, a wife on one side and a husband on the 
            other, a parent on one side and a child on the 
            other, etc.
         d. All can stand together now and be saved by the Lord
            (1). Where do you stand?
            (2). Where will you stand then?
      2. Remember, this separation will be eternity - forever
   E. The greatest verdict ever pronounced
      1. Matt. 25:46
      2. Study carefully: Lk. 16:19-31; 12:1-5; Rev. 21:1-8, 27

Conclusion:

WHAT SHALL WE DO THEN?
When all the great plants of our cities,
  have turned out their last finished work;
When the merchants have sold their last yard of silk
  and dismissed their last hired clerk;
When the banks have "raked in" their last dollar
  and paid out their last dividend;
And the judge of the world says: "Closed for the night"
  and asks for a balance --- What Then?

When the church shall have sung its last anthem,
  and the preacher has preached the last sermon;
When the people have led their last prayer,
  and the sound has died out on the air;
When the Bible lays closed on the table,
  and the seats are all empty of men;
  and each one stands facing his record,
  and the great book is opened - What Then?