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Thursday 27 June 2013

Jesus speaks of it in Luke 21:36: "Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man."

A little thought demonstrates how reasonable is the idea of a "pre-advent judgment." Jesus says that the people who are privileged to be resurrected in glory when He returns of course will have been "accounted worthy" of that reward in a judgment beforehand (Luke 20:35). Otherwise, how could the angels know whom to call forth in the first resurrection ("blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection," Rev. 20:6), and whom to allow to sleep through until the dreadful second resurrection (vs. 5)?
Further, there will be two classes still living on earth when Jesus returns--those who are to be translated without tasting death, and those who will be unable to endure the sight of seeing Jesus come in glory. How will these two groups be distinguished unless there is a pre-advent judgment?
Jesus speaks of it in Luke 21:36: "Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy     to stand before the Son of man." Those solemn words were spoken of today--this very day now dawning. The "accounting" is today's agenda.
Actually, no one can judge us against our will. This pre-advent judgment is determined by ourselves. God can never force anyone into heaven or hell against his or her own will. He gives us each a new 24-hour day that we may demonstrate to the world and to the universe exactly where we want to be. Your first conscious moments after waking indicate your free choice.
It's wisdom to remember what the Bible says--each day begins with "evening" (Gen. 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31). Spend your last hour of each day in prayer and contemplation of heavenly reality; then your waking hour will also be "blessed and holy."

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