Today’s topic—Christ’s Return for Judgment—should be
pretty straightforward…but it’s not. In
the first paragraph we see the simplicity of the Scripture’s teaching on the
return of Christ, a teaching that is Good News for the Christian. Then we see the false teachings that were
already running rampant during the time of the Reformation: Annihilationism and
Millennialism. Enjoy!
Collect
of the Week (Proper 15-C)
Merciful
Lord, cleanse and defend Your Church by the sacrifice of Christ. United with
Him in Holy Baptism, give us grace to receive with thanksgiving the fruits of
His redeeming work and daily follow in His way; through the same Jesus Christ,
Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever.
Article
XVII (Christ’s Return for Judgment)
1
Our churches teach that at the end of the world Christ will appear for judgment
and will raise all the dead [1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:2]. 2 He
will give the godly and elect eternal life and everlasting joys, 3
but He will condemn ungodly people and the devils to be tormented without end
[Matthew 25:31–46].
4
Our churches condemn the Anabaptists, who think that there will be an end to
the punishments of condemned men and devils.
5
Our churches also condemn those who are spreading certain Jewish opinions, that
before the resurrection of the dead the godly shall take possession of the
kingdom of the world, the ungodly being everywhere suppressed. (Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions.
Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2005,
S. 40).
Note:
This article affirms
the biblical view of the end times. It pointedly rejects any speculation or
opinion about believers ruling the world before the final resurrection of the
dead. It also rejects all theories about a “millennial” earthly rule of Christ
as contrary to God’s Word. (See also Ap
XVII.)(Concordia: The Lutheran
Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing
House, 2005, S. 40).
Prayer
Almighty, everlasting God, for our
many sins we justly deserve eternal condemnation. In Your mercy You sent Your
dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who won for us forgiveness of sins and
everlasting salvation. Grant us a true confession that, dead to sin, we may be
raised up by Your life-giving absolution. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may
be ever watchful and live true and godly lives in Your service; through Jesus
Christ, our Lord (LSB, collect #153).
Daily Prayer (For Friday)
We pray…for the preaching of the holy cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ and for the spread of His knowledge throughout the whole world;
for the persecuted and oppressed; for the sick and dying.
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