The Glory of the Father
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Matthew 16:27
If you do not know Christ, these words should strike terror in your heart.
Why? Think first of all of being confronted with God in all His glory and majesty and power—and not just with God, but with thousands upon thousands of His holy angels. You and I can barely imagine this awesome event, but in that instant all pride and disbelief will wither and die in the blazing light of His glory. Then sin will be revealed for what it truly is, and you will stand without excuse before the Judge of all the earth. When confronted with God’s glory Isaiah cried, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). When an angel announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds outside Bethlehem, “they were terrified” (Luke 2:9 NIV). Think how much greater their terror would have been if all God’s angels had appeared to them that night! And yet this is what God has promised for the future.
But think, too, of the finality of this event. One of Satan’s oldest tricks is to make us believe we can come to Christ some other day . . . some later time. But when the Father comes with His angels in glory, it will be too late to repent and escape God’s judgment. There will be no second chance. The Bible warns, “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NIV).
Yes, if you don’t know Christ, these words should strike terror in your heart. But not if you do know Christ!
Why? Simply this: If you have trusted Him for your salvation, your sins have been forgiven and you are now part of His family forever. In fact, the Bible says, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4 NIV). Your day of judgment has already passed—because Jesus Christ endured it for you. Is your hope and trust in Him? Don’t delay, but make certain of your salvation by giving yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ today.
Our Father and Our God, Don’t let me ignore Your coming judgment or delay giving my life to Jesus Christ, but help me to turn to Him and by faith receive Him into my heart today. Then I will look forward with joy to that day when all evil will be destroyed and I will be safely in Your presence forever. With thanksgiving, and in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).