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“The Judgement of God” Miscellaneous Verses, Revelation 20:11-15

“The Last Four Things”

A Sermon Series

“The Judgement of God”

Miscellaneous Verses, Revelation 20:11-15

Introduction

(Review from “Death”) – There is a time while we are physically alive (we are born spiritually dead, the soul separated from God), that we can be made spiritually alive (to be born again) or remain spiritually dead, and in that state (while physically we perish) we transition on to eternal life (to be connected to God forever), or we transition to eternal death, the second death, where we remain apart from God forever. While we are alive physically we can choose spiritual life (eternal life) or remain in spiritual death, and upon our physical death we remain in that state for eternity (the second death).

Since the beginning of time, one of Satan’s lies, which he continues to tell to this day, is that there is no consequence for how you choose to live your life. Satan’s lie to Eve was, “you surely will not die!” (Genesis 3:4). His lie to us “you surely won’t have to have to stand before God and given an account of your actions.” Hebrews 9:27 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, . . .”

Defining Judgment Day

When Jesus returns it will begin a series of events (which theologians call eschatology) especially the great final judgement.[1] “The final judgement is not intended to ascertain our spiritual condition or status, for that is already known to God. Rather, it will manifest to make our status public.”[2]

It will be Jesus who does the judging, because the Father has delegated this to the Son (John 5:22). No one is better qualified than Jesus for this task. “Having done all that could be done to save men, He is the One whom those who rejected Him must now face as their judge.”[3] And to some degree, “believers will sit on thrones and judge the world (1 Cor. 6:2-3; Rev. 3:21; 20:4).”[4]

All humans will be judged (Matt. 25:32; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 9:27). Paul says in Romans 14:10, “For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat” In his sermon in Athens Paul says, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but know he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” Acts 17:30-31.

The Romans 14 passage goes on to say, “. . .So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” So even while Christians have had their sins forgiven, everyone will have to give an account of how he lived his life.

We will stand before God in our resurrected bodies, “equipped for eternity.” Both saved and unsaved will receive their resurrection bodies, which is given to them for eternity.

For the believer, our sins are pardoned and forgiven but our work will be evaluated, “each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).[5] So, for the believer, this will be a time a reward for the faithfully lived Christian’s life. There also seems to be degrees of reward, depending on one’s faithfulness.

So for the Christian there should be no fear of God’s judgement. Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” There is no punishment (Jesus already took care of that on the cross), only reward for a life lived for Him. Our judgement will be the evaluation of our life lived for Him.

The basis of the judgement will be God’s Word. John 12:48 “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” Once God’s judgement has been given, it is permanent. The righteous and the unrighteous will be sent in different directions to their final places Matthew 25:46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

There will also be no grumbling or complaining or anyone saying that God is not just; once our lives are laid out in God’s righteous judgement it will be abundantly clear. 1 Peter 1:17 says that God “judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, . . .” No one will complain about how God has not treated them fairly, or has not given grace, or opportunities to respond to God’s Word.[6]

“There will be no debate over the guilt or innocence. There will be a prosecutor, but no defender; an accuser, but no advocate. There will be an indictment, but no defense mounted by the accused; the convincing evidence will be presented with no rebuttal or cross-examination. There will be an utterly unsympathetic Judge and no jury, and there will be no appeal of the sentence He pronounces. The guilty will be punished eternally with no possibility of parole in a prison which there is no escape.”[7]

This day of judgement will come suddenly, unexpectedly, and with disastrous consequences for the unprepared – the gospels describe it like a thief in the night. There won’t be time to prepare, and the opportunity to repent won’t be there once this day

The Great White Thrown Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15 )

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

This is what is often referred to as the Great White Throne Judgement. John’s vision of the GWTJ follows those of the Millennium (20:1-10), and the Second Coming (19:11-21), and immediately precedes that of the new heaven and the new earth (21:1ff.).

The universe as we know it has come to an end; the end of history has arrived. God’s power and the importance of the throne is seen by its size “great” and everything flees because of God’s righteousness and holiness, “From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.” The fallen world – the old heaven and the old earth—have no place, they are a thing of the past. It describes the “uncreation” of the universe. The reverse of creation takes place – and then there will be something new.[8]

As this is happening it will pass away with “a roar,” and this is word that sounds like what it means. It describes the loud, whistling, cracking, rushing sound that will result when the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up – down to the basic building blocks of matter – all of creation is destroyed. The scientific principle[9] that states that matter can neither be created or destroyed will no longer be in effect. All that was created (except humanity) is destroyed; there is a void, nothingness, and we will stand between the previous creation and the new creation that is to come.

Then all of the dead (no one at this point is “living”) are called to appear before this great throne to face judgement. This judgement is for everyone, “great and small.” No one is forgotten. For the believer, the lady who taught a first grade Sunday School class for twenty years, that no one remembers from generations ago – she will be remembered. The man who took a life, the murder never solved on this side of eternity – his brutality will be remembered. No one is so big to avoid judgement; no one is so small to be forgotten.

(v. 13) John says that the sea gave up its dead, and Hades and Death gave up their dead – showing that everyone in every place that has ever died, now appear before this great throne.

The basis of each person’s judgement are “books.” John tells us “the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” So the books are accounts of each person’s life.

(v. 12b) “another book was opened, which is the book of life.” (v. 15) “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”[10] This phrase “connotes the careful search of the records to be sure that no mistake is made.”[11] Everyone’s name who have faith in God is found in this book. Moses knew his name was in God’s book, In Exodus 32 when the Israelites had sinned against God by making the golden calf said, “But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” So every person of faith has their name recorded there.

Grace and works are in tension at judgement. It is only by God’s grace that one’s name is added to the Lamb’s book of life. But there is also works recorded in the other books – our actions in this life do matter. Grace and works go hand-in-hand. When our lives are read, the sin is blotted out, remembered no more, and our works remain (which are tested “as though by fire.”) Our works “is (are) the test as the fruit of the tree.”[12] “When the time of eternal judgement comes, men will stand in two classes: redeemed and unredeemed.”[13] And all will have works – or deeds that they have done.

(v. 14) “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.” Jesus has defeated these enemies of creation and finally their reigns are done. Death will not be a part of eternal life. Matthew describes the place of punishment as a “fiery furnace,” a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42, 50). John also makes it clear that the wicked suffer torment forever; they will never enjoy rest (Rev. 14:9-11). Mathew confirms this same idea for the righteous will enjoy “eternal life” while the wicked will suffer “eternal punishment” (Matt. 25:46).

Genesis describes how paradise was lost, and how the cunning and power of the devil brought sin into the world. The final judgement shows how paradise will be restored, and how the evil one will be bound and hurled into the lake of fire. Genesis pictures man fleeing away from God and hiding himself from God’s presence. Revelation shows us the close relationship between God and those who have been redeemed, “Behold, the tablernacle of God is with men, and he shall tabernacle with them.” Genesis show how man was kicked out of the garden, and angels with fiery swords prevented them from having access to the tree of life. Revelation restores to man access to eternal life, Revelation 22:14 “that they may have the right to come to the tree of life.”[14]

Moral Applications: The Final Judgement . . .

Satisfies our inward desire for justice.[15] God keep accurate records, and the great judgement reveals that God is fair, and just, and wrongs will be punished. No one gets away with injustice, there will be a day of judgement. Revelation 20:12 discusses books being opened, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.”

Our forgiveness and mercy play a part in God’s judgement against us. Matthew 7:10 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

Matthew 18:32-35 is Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant, “Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Gives us a motive and incentive for righteous living. When we understand that being faithful and doing good works don’t earn us salvation, but they are a means for earning greater eternal rewards. Matthew 6:20 “. . . lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” The books are still being written. Until Jesus returns or you die, you have an opportunity to change what judgement day looks like for you.

Encourages us to remain faithful in our sharing of the gospel. While a person is still physically alive, there is still hope that they will give their lives to the Lord and seek His grace – that they may receive the gospel. There is no softening the phrase, “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Let us be faithful to keep as many from this awful destiny as possible because we have shared the hope of salvation with them.

Bellevue Baptist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

The beginning of every person’s discipleship process is to give their lives to Jesus, to have their names added to the Lamb’s book of life.

The Bible only gives us two states of being after death; one of blessedness in the presence of the Lord, the other of eternal punishment. We are either laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven, or building up the wrath of God against us.

_______________________

[1] See Matthew 25:31-46.

[2] Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Academic, 2007) 1207.

[3] Lehman Strauss, The Book of Revelation (Neptune, New Jersey; Loizeaux Brothers1979) 341.

[4] Erickson, 1208.

[5] See also 2 Corinthians 5:10

[6] See also Psalm 9:7-8; Romans 2:5

[7] John MacArthur, The John MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 12-22 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 2000) 247.

[8] See also 2 Peter 3:10-13.

[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_of_mass

[10] See also Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8

[11] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1966) 309.

[12] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures In The New Testament, Volume VI (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1933) 464. See also Matt. 7:16, 20; 10:32f.; 25:31-46; John 15:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Rom. 2:10; Rev. 2:23; 2012; 22:12.

[13] Ray Summers, Worthy is the Lamb, An Interpretation of Revelation (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1951) 209.

[14] W. Hendrikson, More Than Conquerors, An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Book House, 1978) 237.

[15] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1994) 1147.

“The Sting of Death” 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Drew Boswell Ministries

“The Sting of Death” 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

00:00 / 00:39:12

“The Sting of Death” 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

“The Last Four Things”

A Sermon Series

“The Sting of Death”

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Introduction

This four-week series helps us understand what the Bible says about the end of life and what follows after death. The congregation will finish the series confident that God is just and has good plans for those who love him.

Sarah Winchester’s husband had acquired a fortune by manufacturing and selling rifles. After he died of influenza in 1918, she moved to San Jose, California. Because of her grief and her long time interest in spiritism, Sarah sought out a medium to contact her dead husband. The medium told her, “As long as you keep building your home, you will never face death.”

Sarah believed the spiritist, so she bought an unfinished 17-room mansion and started to expand it. The project continued until she died at the age of 85. It cost 5 million dollars at a time when workmen earned 50 cents a day. The mansion had 150 rooms, 13 bathrooms, 2,000 doors, 47 fireplaces, and 10,000 windows. And Mrs. Winchester left enough materials so that they could have continued building for another 80 years.

Today that house stands as more than a tourist attraction. It is a silent witness to the dread of death that holds millions of people in bondage (Heb. 2:15).

Hebrews 2:15 “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Death Defined

We begin our study at the beginning of creation, man was originally designed to live forever, but because of Adam and Eve’s sin of rebellion they were cursed by God, Genesis 3:22-23 “Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.” Adam lived 930 years but eventually died. Death became apart of every person’s life because we all inherit a sin nature from Adam – and we cannot take of the tree of life.

Death is God’s grace so that we don’t have to live in a fallen state forever.

Death is inescapable, so in wisdom we face it as a reality. For most people death comes slowly, it the end of a process of decay or our mortal bodies. We are born, grow up, reach a physical peak, then we begin a downward progression. Out strength fades until the body fails. For some it comes quickly, and unexpectedly.

Jesus says in Matthew 10:28 (Luke 12:4-5), “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” In our being we have a physical body, and a soul. Ecclesiastes 12:7 “and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” So at death there is a separation of the physical body, and the spirit. James tells us that the body separate from the spirit is death (James 2:26). So death is not the end of one’s existence, but a transition from one state of existence to another.

“In addition to physical death, Scripture speaks of spiritual and eternal death. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body; spiritual death is the separation of the person from God; eternal death is the finalizing of that state of separation – one is lost for all eternity in his or her sinful condition.”[1] Both happened to Adam and Eve when they partook of the forbidden fruit; physical death hundreds of years later, spiritual death happened immediately after they sinned. From that point on, something had to die in order to cover their sin and shame.

Ephesians 2:1-2 tells us that apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing us unto salvation, we are spiritually dead “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—” Apart from a relationship with Jesus, you are spiritually dead (in your trespasses and sins).

The eventual eternal death is what Revelation 21:8 calls “the second death.” “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

There is a time while we are physically alive, that we can be made spiritually alive or remain spiritually dead, and in that state (while physically we perish) we transition on to eternal life (to be with God forever), or we transition to eternal death, the second death, where we remain apart from God forever. While we are alive physically we can choose spiritual life or remain in spiritual death, and upon our physical death we remain in that state for eternity.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” All have sinned and fall short of God’s requirements to enter His presence and to live with Him in eternity. But in His grace He offers as a gift, eternal life through faith in His Sin Jesus. We earn death (eternal spiritual separation from God) because of our sin – God offers salvation through faith, by His grace. But again, the ability to choose eternal life is limited to this life, while we are alive.

For the unbeliever death is a curse, a penalty, an enemy.[2] Because it is what locks them into their state of rebellion and sin forever. That person is cut off from God not only in this life (the curse of sin), but also in the next (the curse of death). For the believer death still happens but the curse of death is gone. Jesus became the curse for us by dying on the cross (Gal. 3:13). When the believer transitions into eternal life, they are free from the curse of sin and death; they go to be with their heavenly Father.

In chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians, after a lengthy discussion about Christ’s resurrection he turns his argument to praise and celebration. Once we understand that death has no hold on us, we sing this victory song with Paul.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

In this passage Paul is discussing Jesus’ return, and the resurrection of the dead. But it is also the final end for death. In order for believers to inherit eternal life, “There must be a change by death from the natural body to the spiritual body.”[3] Jesus after His resurrection appeared to the disciples, and His body was changed (Heb. 2:14) before He returned to the Father. So flesh and blood, that which is perishable cannot inherit the kingdom of God that which never perishes or diminishes.

51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

Paul is telling us mystery, not all who believe in Jesus will die. When Jesus returns, all those who are alive will not die, but he says, “we shall all be changed.” Those who are believers will receive the resurrection body. But this also includes all who have put their faith in Christ and have already died. They too will be changed.

(v. 52) “in a moment,” this is from the word “atom” – which at the time was thought to be the smallest indivisible There will be a moment in time when Jesus returns.[4] There are three phrases used, “in a flash,” “in the twinkling of an eye,” and “at the last trumpet.” All are instantaneous (not a process). When you hear the war[5] trumpet everything changes. When the trumpet blasts, instantly all those Christians will be given incorruptible bodies – prepared for eternity.[6]

1 Thessalonians 4:16; “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” Matthew 24:31 “And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”[7] 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?[8]”

There has to be a time in the future when every believer must change from this earthly body, and “put on,” to put on as a garment, their new spiritual body. They will move from perishable to imperishable.

(v. 55) When Jesus was raised from the dead, he broke the power of death for those who put their faith in Him. But it still remains our enemy. It breaks up relationships, it causes grief and loss, it disrupts families, etc. We don’t fear death, but it still torments us.

But upon Jesus;’ return, we will say “O death, where is your sting,” – scorpions have stingers, bees have stingers, snakes have fangs with poison, “the serpent death has lost his poison fangs. “Death still stings because of sin and the law, and death continues to reign over the believer in this age; but God promises the final victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (15:57).”[9]

Paul is giving us a vision of “a stingless death because Jesus has absorbed the sting on the basis of how his death and resurrection addresses the problem of human sin and law.”[10] Christians still die, but we go to be with God, the sting of consequences of sin have been removed. The fangless serpent death strikes, but it has no fangs.

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

(v. 56) “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” Where there is law, there is rebellion against that law, which is sin. The law tells us what sin is, and we are not able to keep the law. Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because wall sinned—” Sin means “to miss the mark;” the mark is set by the law.

So, we cry out to God in thanks, that we have victory over sin through Jesus. “We cannot live sinlessly and thereby fulfill the law, nor can we remove sin once we have committed it, or remove the consequences, which is death. But on our behalf Jesus lived a sinless life, fulfilling the law, removed our sin by Himself paying the penalty for it, satisfying God with a perfect sacrifice; and conquered death by being raised from the dead.” [11]

(v. 57) “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Paul is not referencing a future victory over sin and death, when Jesus returns and we enter into eternity – instead, God gives us the victory, and even better “he keeps on giving us the victory” “The victory is bestowed upon us hour by hour.”[12] God keeps giving and our proper response is thankfulness, “But thanks be to God.”

(v. 58) Therefore, “be steadfast, immovable,” “to continue on, keep on becoming steadfast, unshaken.”[13] It has the idea of being seated, motionless. We approach the mission that God has given us with a steadiness and assurance. There is nothing that can pull us away from, “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” We are pulled away by false doctrine, fear of death, or the sense of failure. Our hope in Jesus’ resurrection and in His return is our motivation to remain faithful. Don’t allow your heart to be drawn away from the work of the Lord – be steadfast in it.

We must remain connected to our moorings in faith because we know that “your labor is not in vain.” Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”

Paul’s view on Death

Philippians 1:20-23 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”

___________________

[1] Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, Second Ed. (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Academics, 1998) 1175.

[2] Erickson, 1177.

[3] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures In The New Testament, Volume IV (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1931) 198.

[4] Robertson, 198.

[5] W. Robertson Nicoll, The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Volume II (Grand Rapids, Michigan; WM B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967) 941.

[6] See Acts 7:59; Phil. 1:23

[7] Isa. 25:8

[8] Hos. 13:14

[9] Mark Taylor, The New American Commentary, 1 Corinthians (Nashville, Tennessee; B&H Publishing, 2014) 411.

[10] Taylor, 414.

[11] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 1 Corinthians (Chicago, Illinois; The Moody Bible Institute, 1984) 446.

[12] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul’s First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians (Minneapolis, Minnesota; Augsburg Publishing House, 1963) 751.

[13] Robertson, 199.

“The Lifestyle of the Children of God” 1 John 3:1-11

Love Made A Way

A Sermon Series on Atonement

“The Lifestyle of the Children of God”

1 John 3:1-11

Introduction

A man purchased a white mouse to use as food for his pet snake. He dropped the unsuspecting mouse into the snake’s glass cage, where the snake was sleeping in a bed of sawdust. The tiny mouse had a serious problem on his hands. At any moment he could be swallowed alive. Obviously, the mouse needed to come up with a brilliant plan.

What did the terrified creature do? He quickly set up work covering the snake with sawdust chips until it was completely buried. With that, the mouse apparently thought he had solved his problem.

The solution, however, came from outside. The man took pity on the silly little mouse and removed him from the cage. No matter how hard we try to cover or deny our sinful nature, it’s fool’s work. Sin will eventually awake from sleep and shake off its cover. Were it not for the saving grace of the Master’s hand, sin would eat us alive.

The Destiny of Those Who Hope In Christ (vv. 1-3)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

(v. 1) “See what kind of love,” – “It is the way that God has loved us which shows us how great His love is for us,”[1] John begins this section by pointing out how wonderful the love of God is those who place their faith in Jesus, The expression of love that John highlights is that “we should be called children of God.” The Father loves us therefore He calls us His children. God has chosen “us” to be in God’s family – He has chosen to give us His love. In our being called the children of God, there is privileges, a title, and possessing His nature.

But it is not just that we are called “children of God,” John adds, “and so we are.” Not just in name but also in nature.[2] Who God is has become immersed into the child – His nature becomes our nature (as a biological parents passes on their nature to their children). But there is also the sense that when Jesus returns (parousia), how the believer will be changed is also wonderful.[3] God shows His love for His children in how He makes them like Him.

“Adoption is the legal act by which our Father places us into his family; regeneration is the spiritual birth by which we receive the nature of our Father.” – Spurgeon

But just because God loves you, doesn’t mean the world[4] will love you. (v. 1) John makes a similar argument in the gospel of John 15:18, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” When the world hates the Christian, it is hating that part of the Christian’s life that has been transformed and is being transformed into the image of Christ (that part of the believer’s life that they don’t understand). They do not belong to this world any longer. The more God changes the Christian’s life, the more the world (who is not like Him) no longer knows and understands them.

In Genesis 37 there is the account of how Joseph’s brothers felt toward him, (remember Joseph was his father’s favored son), Genesis 37:4 “But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” Genesis 37:8 “So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” And by v. 18 “They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.” The brothers hated Joseph because of his relationship to the father.

(v. 2) “and what we will be has not yet appeared;. . .” “the what suggests something unspeakable, contained in the likeness of God.”[5] Romans 8:29 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, . . .” In eternity we will be like Christ (not God, not the same in equality, or degree, but in similar nature). 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” “Although our present status as children of God is wonderful, our future state will be even more extraordinary.”[6] What we will become is veiled until his coming. There is a lot we don’t know . . .

(v. 2) “but we know that when he appears we shall be like him,” We are being changed into the image of Christ, and in the future when he appears we will be like him, in that we have been changed. Philippians 3:20-21 says, “. . . we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, . . .”

(v. 2) “because we shall see him as he is.” “That is, not seeing him as he was in the days of his earthly ministry, nor seeing him with the eyes of faith, but seeing him as he now is in heavenly glory – the sight of him, the author says, will be enough to make us pure like him.”[7] So it makes no sense to say that we are anticipating the return of Jesus (who has freed us from our sin), to remain in that sin when He could arrive at any moment. Sin signifies rebellion against God, but yet we wait for Jesus’ return?

Everyone Who Hopes In Christ Has a Lifestyle of Being Purified of Sin.

(v. 3) “everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” Everyone who rests upon Him; The destiny of everyone who rests in/hopes in Christ is to be conformed to the image of God in Christ (this is how love is defined in this passage). The Holy Spirit works and convicts us of sin, He does His work, but we also play a part. We purify ourselves by repenting (turning from) sin, praying, fasting, and avoiding sinful things in our lives. We change our habits. But notice he says, “purifies himself as he (Jesus) is pure.” The standard of holiness is not another Christian, a mentor, no, the standard that we seek to follow is Jesus.

Our Incentive to Be Holy: His Immanent Return and Our Devotion to Him.

But what is the incentive to change; why should we put off old sinful behavior, and to put on new righteous actions? It is our “hope in him” – when the Bible uses the word hope, it is not the same as we use it today, as in “I hope it rains soon, my grass needs some water.” No, it is a certainty about something in the future. As in, “My hope in heaven is found in Christ.” This hope knows that one day we will see Him, “face-to-face.” “The Christian hope is incompatible with moral indifference.”[8]

Luke 12:35-38 is a parable Jesus told about how believers must be ready for Jesus’ return. The setting of the parable is where the master has left for a wedding, and will at some point return. But in that culture a wedding would last a week, so the servants must “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!” Our incentive of a changed life is our love for Jesus – our relationship and devotion to Him.[9]

The Evidence of Those Who Practice Lawlessness (vv. 4-10)

4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

(v. 4) “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness. . .” Notice that it does not say, “everyone who sins” but everyone who makes it a practice of sinning (an ongoing habitual practice, a lifestyle of sin). All Christians sin, but they do not make it a practice to sin. They are convicted of sin in their lives, by the Holy Spirit, and then they repent from that sin. They are in agreement with God that it is wrong, gross, destructive, and needs to leave the believer’s life. The lawless person is the one who has a lifestyle of sin, the one who “keeps on sinning.”

And when John says, “sin is lawlessness,” he does not mean sin is a violation of the Mosaic law, but rather that “sin constitutes opposition to and rebellion against God, like the opposition and rebellion of Satan.”[10] Your actions reveal what you hold to be true.

Sin; a willful disregard for God. A rebellious revolt against God’s will.

Being with the Devil.

(v. 5) “You know that he appeared in order to take away sins[11], . . .” Jesus was sent “by God to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins (2:2; 4:10), and it is his blood that cleanses us from all sin (1:7). To “take away sins” here is to be understood as making forgiveness available by offering himself as the atoning sacrifice for those sins. Thus, John can say in 1:9 that God, in light of Jesus’s death, is both faithful and just when he forgives our sins. Our sins “have been forgiven on account of his name” (2:12). The author can say to his readers that “you know” these things because they stand at the very heart of the gospel message that they have heard from the beginning.”[12]

Jesus appeared in order to take away sins.

(v. 5) “. . . and in him there is no sin.” Because Jesus never sinned; he was without sin – and we are becoming like Him. Therefore, as children of God, who are being transformed into His image, we are becoming less sinful (but will never be sinless until eternity). “To tolerate sin, or to ignore sin in human conduct is to undermine the purpose of Christ’s work.”[13] You can’t be on mission with Jesus, while doing that which He is completely against.

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

There is the word “practices” again; so whoever keeps on doing righteous acts is righteous. But the one who keeps on doing, a habitual practice, sinful behavior is not saved, does not know God. It does not mean that Christians get it right, 100% of the time, but the majority of choices are righteous. It also doesn’t mean a lost person will get it wrong 100% of the time. But there is a saying, “like father, like son.”

When Jesus was talking with the Jewish spiritual leaders he said, John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

(v. 8) “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.” John is making an argument of influence – “Just as the Christian lives under the influence of God living in him, so do sinners live under the influence of the devil and allow themselves to be seduced by him.”[14] Christians do what God does, Non-Christians do what the devil does. Satan has always sinned and sought to persuade others to do as he does, “from the beginning.”

God created everything perfect, the devil brought sin into the world and corrupted it. God is in the process of restoring it back, the devil seeks to constantly undo what God has done. God has redeemed the Christian, the devil seeks to pull them off track and turn back into sin.

(v. 8) “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” The works of the devil are the sins which we commit, which Paul called “works of darkness” (Romans 13:12; Eph 5:11). To “destroy” has the idea of loosen, to undo, to dissolve, to break.[15]

Jesus appeared to destroy the works of the devil.

Why did God not just remove the devil, so that his work of rebellion and sin would stop? Why allow Him to remain to cause chaos in His creation? For the same reason He was allowed in the Garden of Eden – Man has to choose to follow good or evil. So when Christ appeared, His work was to break the chains of sin that bound us. Eventually, Satan will be removed from the earth and his influence will end.

(v. 9) “God’s seed abides in him,” This reminds us of Jesus’ parable of the sower. A farmer walks out to scatter seed across his field. The Path: Some seeds fall on the hard footpath where birds eat them. Rocky Ground: Some seeds fall on thin soil over rock, sprout quickly, but wither in the hot sun because they lack deep roots. Among Thorns: Some seeds fall where thorns grow up and choke the young plants. Good Soil: Some seeds fall on fertile ground and produce a massive harvest, yielding thirty, sixty, or a hundred times what was sown. The Word of God has landed on the fertile heart of the believer, and is growing. (Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:1–20, and Luke 8:4–15.)

(v. 9) Again John is not saying that Christians never sin, but it is impossible for them to have habitual sins in their lives, “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning,” because the “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” Because God is present in the life of the believer, sin cannot remain. (darkness and light cannot remain in the same space). Sin/darkness is going to diminish (and in eternity be gone completely).

And Jesus’s work of destroying the work of the Devil has freed them from their sin. So you cannot be righteous without practicing righteousness – not because doing righteous things makes one righteous, but you are doing what comes natural to your nature. “Apple trees produce apples.”

10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

When the Bible discusses race, there are two races of people. Sons of God and Sons of the Devil. They are distinguished by two simple tests: those who practice righteousness or do not practice righteousness. The second test is those who love, and those who do not love. To illustrate all that he has talked about, John gives the examples of how you treat other people, one’s “brother.” God loves humanity so much that he gave his Son so that they could be free from sin – Those who love God, love what He loves (people).

11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

We have heard that we should love our brothers since the beginning of the gospel, and as far back as the beginning of time with Cain and Abel (see v. 12). But here “brothers” refers to other Christians, other “children of God.” It is walking in love that we don’t want to do anything that will cause harm to God (grieve the Holy Spirit), others because of a sin a commit, or to myself. God loves us by getting rid of sin, we love others by not sinning against them.

We began with considering how great the Father’s love is for us; and then an expression of that love is that He inparts His nature to us. It makes complete sense then that the test of a relationship with God is how His supposed children express love to others. If the children have the same nature as their father then they will naturally love others.

If we go back to the Luke 12 parable of the master returning from the wedding feast, – the second half of the parable deals with the servants who were not ready for the master’s return, “. . . 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”

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[1] Marianne Meye Thompson, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series, 1-3 John (Downers Grove, Illinois; Intervarsity Press, 1992) 87.

[2] Canon A. E. Brooke, The International Critical Commentary on the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, The Johannine Epistles (Edinburgh, England, Morrison and Gibb Limited, 1971) 81.

[3] Brooks, 81.

[4] The “world” is defined as, those who are unbelieving in Christ. Worldly people.

[5] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures In The New Testament, Volume VI (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1933) 220.

[6] Daniel Akin, The New American Commentary, 1, 2, 3 John (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman & Holman Publishing, 2001) 135.

[7] Colin G. Kruse, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Letters of John (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2020) 126.

[8] Brooks, 83.

[9] David Allen, 1-3 John, Fellowship in God’s Family (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2013) 144.

[10] Kruse, 138.

[11] See John 1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

[12] Kruse, 129.

[13] Thompson, 94.

[14] Kruse, 132.

[15] Herschel H. Hobbs, The Epistles of John (Nashville, Tennessee; Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983) 87.