“They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”
They will give an account to Him
The “they” are the Devil’s crowd of verses three and four.
“Give” means to give back. One day, the Devil’s crowd will give an account to the Lord (maybe a verbal account). We can translate this phrase literally as “give back a word.” However, a better translation is to give an account. The fast crowd may not think that they are accountable to God now, but they will be accountable one day. None of them will flee accountability for their immoral conduct. Instead, God will ask them to explain their behavior.
The first time Jesus came was not to judge, but the second time will be a different story. At his second coming, he will come to judge.
Jn 3:17, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn [judge] the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Acts 17:30-31, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Jn 5:22, “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.”
As God, Jesus must be absolutely righteous. As God, Jesus is omniscient and knows all the evidence. As God, Jesus is omnipotent and can execute thorough and swift judgment. The same Jesus that received judgment on the cross will be the Judge.
PRINCIPLE:
If God is just, there will be a payday someday.
APPLICATION:
Vance Havner used to preach a sermon called “Payday Someday.” Everyone will render back to God an accounting of their lives.
Non-Christians will come to the end of life’s short road. At the Great White Throne judgment for non-Christians, they will give back an accounting of their lives. Everything will come out – all of their immorality, lies, thefts, blasphemy, and murder. Their sin is not the central issue, but whether they accepted the death of Jesus for their sin.
The issue at the Great White Throne Judgment for non-Christians is whether they accepted the finished work of Christ for their sin. If they did not do this, God will reject them for admittance into his heaven.
If you would like admittance into heaven, go to this URL:
