“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.”
(Matthew 25:31)
One of the grandest revelations of God’s glory in all of Scripture will be when Christ comes again, not in humility as He did at His first appearing, but in majesty, power, and visible splendor. The One who first came as the suffering Servant shall appear the second time as universal Judge. The despised Nazarene will sit on the throne of His glory while all creation bows before Him.
This final judgment gathers all men and angels into one solemn assembly before the Lord. Every generation, nation, condition, and station will appear together. Kings and servants, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, righteous and wicked—all will stand before Christ. No person will be excluded. No deed will escape examination.
In this present life, providence often appears mysterious. The wicked flourish while the godly suffer. The righteous endure affliction while evil men prosper outwardly. Yet the final judgment shall reveal that God has never forgotten either mercy or justice.[1]
And nothing will demonstrate that more than God’s exaltation of His Son. The One who was rejected, mocked, scourged, and crucified shall be openly acknowledged before angels and men. Every promise concerning His kingdom will be fulfilled. Every enemy will be subdued. And every tongue will confess His lordship.
This truth comforts the church. Believers often endure misunderstanding, weakness, and suffering in this present age. Yet a day is coming when Christ will confess His people openly before all creation. Their hidden faithfulness will be publicly acknowledged by their Lord.
This reality of coming judgment urges us to live intentionally, with expectation since every action, word, and affection carries eternal significance in the light of Christ’s coming.
The final judgment is the public triumph of God’s glory where mercy will shine perfectly and justice will be vindicated because the Judge is also the Redeemer. The King on the throne is the Lamb who was slain. His coming will complete redemption, vindicate truth, glorify His people, and reveal perfectly the wisdom, mercy, and justice of God before all creation.
Contemplations:
- The Glory of Christ’s Return. When I think about Christ returning in glory, my heart is filled with anticipation. The same Lord who came in humility, endured rejection, and suffered for sinners will one day return as King and Judge. Every insult against Him will be silenced and every promise concerning Him will be fulfilled.
- My Small View of Eternity. I often live as though present circumstances carry ultimate importance. Daily concerns, troubles, and temporary burdens can dominate my thoughts. Yet this passage reminds me that all history moves toward the throne of Christ. The final judgment will reveal what truly mattered. I need my heart lifted more often from temporary things to eternal realities.
- My Joy in Prepared Grace. The thought that salvation was prepared from the foundation of the world humbles me deeply. God loved His people before they existed. Their inheritance was established before creation itself. This reminds me that my hope rests entirely on divine mercy and not on my own strength or worthiness.
- My Adoration of Divine Justice. There are many things in this world that seem unresolved. Evil often appears successful while righteousness suffers. Yet the coming judgment assures me that God sees perfectly and judges righteously. Nothing is forgotten. Nothing escapes His sight. This causes me to adore His wisdom and rest more quietly beneath His providence.
Prayer (Adoration):
Most glorious and eternal God, I adore You for the majesty that will be revealed in the return of Jesus Christ. You have appointed a day when all creation will stand before Your Son and behold His glory openly. The One who came in humility shall come in splendor. The suffering Servant shall appear as universal King and Judge.
Lord Jesus, men mocked You, rejected You, and crucified You, yet You reign forever. A day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord. My soul rejoices in Your triumph.
I adore You because Your judgment will reveal perfect justice. In this present world many things remain hidden and unresolved, yet You forget nothing. Every act of mercy, every suffering of Your people, every secret sin, and every faithful labor stands fully known before You. Your judgments will be righteous altogether.
Father, I am grateful that You unite mercy and justice perfectly. You save sinners through grace while maintaining perfect righteousness. And the final judgment will display both attributes openly before angels and men.
Lord, I praise You because history moves toward Christ’s kingdom. Nations rise and fall, powers change, and men oppose the truth, yet Your purposes remain fixed. Christ will, in time, reign visibly and completely.
Let this hope produce worship within my soul. Keep me watchful, joyful, and steadfast while awaiting His appearing. Teach me to live daily beneath the light of eternity.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Further Scripture References for Matthew 25:31:
Acts 17:31; John 5:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12
[1] William Ames, The Substance of Christian Religion, (London: T. Mabb for Thomas Davies, and are to be sold at his shop .., 1659), 129-132.
