SURPRISES on JUDGMENT DAY We think of surprises as something good. I want us to think about surprises that are not so desirable. God will one day judge the people of the earth according to Truth- Romans 2:2-3. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Romans 2:2-3 Apparently, some think they can escape the righteous judgment of God so, they go about their lives giving little or no thought to their eternal destiny. They are too busy, they think, to obey God and serve Him each and every day. One day they are going to regret their carelessness. See Hebrews 9:27.

THERE IS A GOD! Psalm 13.1; Rom 1.20 THERE WILL BE SURPRISES ON JUDGMENT DAY! There are those who deny there is a God. Their reasoning is faulty - they say that since they can not see, feel, smell, taste, or hear God, He doesn't exist. 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? Psalms 13:1 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 On judgment day, the reality of God will not be deniable. THERE IS A GOD!

Acts 24.22-25 There are those who believe there is a God, but they dismiss Him from their lives. See Acts 24:22-25. But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. 24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” Acts 24:22-25 Felix and Drusilla heard the gospel, but put it from them. Too many are looking for a "convenient season.” THERE IS A GOD!

THERE IS A GOD! 2 Co 6.2 See 2 Cor. 6:2. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 In Acts, we read several occasions when a penitent person obeyed the gospel "straightway" or "in the same hour of the night." That is, they didn't wait until it was "more convenient". What of you and me? THERE IS A GOD!

THERE IS A JUDGMENT! Unexpectedly - 2 Pet 3.10 SOME BELIEVE JUDGMENT WILL NOT COME - 2 PETER 3:-10. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:10 THERE IS A JUDGMENT!

No signs some expect – Mt 24.6, 34; Lk 21.20-21, 24 The time of the judgment will surprise many - Matt. 24 is so often used by people to prove Jesus is just about to come. Ver. 6 is often referred to, but, this happened long ago. Mt. 24:3-33 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, not the end of the world. See ver. 34. See Luke 21: 20, 21 &24. THERE IS A JUDGMENT!

No return to “set up His kingdom” – 1 Cor 15. 24; Mt 3. 27; Mk 1 SOME SAY THE RETURN OF THE JEWS TO THE "PROMISED" LAND is a sign of the return of Christ. See Ezekiel 36:16-24 and the fulfillment at Ezra 1:1-4. All the land promises were fulfilled according to Joshua 21:43-45; 23:14-16. Others have the idea that Jesus will come back to the earth to set up His Kingdom - they will be surprised! See 1 Cor. 15:24. The Kingdom was set up long ago - Matt. 3:27 Mark 1:14-15; 9:1. THERE IS A JUDGMENT!

PURPOSE OF THE JUDGMENT! Rom 2.5-11; 11.22 THE PURPOSE OF THE JUDGMENT WILL SURPRISE SOME. Romans 2:5-11 and 11:22. But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality. Romans 2:5-11 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. Romans 11:22 PURPOSE OF THE JUDGMENT!

STANDARD OF THE JUDGMENT! Jn 12.48 Some will be surprised to learn that the words of Jesus will be the standard of judgment. John 12:48. They think if their Mother or Dad did something in religion, it must be right. Many look to the creeds or doctrines of men as their religious road map. Some think their preacher or priest is the authority in religious matters. STANDARD OF THE JUDGMENT!

STANDARD OF THE JUDGMENT! Jn 12.48 SOME WILL BE SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THEIR HONESTY AND SINCERITY is not enough to get them into heaven. Acts 26:9-11; Paul was honest and sincere when he went about fighting against Jesus - Acts 23:1. On the judgment day, we will see the worthlessness of all our excuses. If one curses or lies, he will say I'm only human. All kinds of excuses will be given for not obeying the Lord's commands. Some give excuses for not giving as they have prospered. Some are not as faithful to assemble with the saints as they should. 1 Cor. 15:58. STANDARD OF THE JUDGMENT!

FINALITY OF THE JUDGMENT! Matt 25.46 The finality of the outcome of the judgment will surprise many. We really can't comprehend eternity. Some will be surprised to learn that eternal punishment is just that - eternal! See Matt. 25 and compare the terms used to describe both groups of people. (Author unknown) FINALITY OF THE JUDGMENT!

SURPRISES on JUDGMENT DAY No reason for anyone to be surprised on Judgment Day. We have been told, warned, exhorted to be ready. Are you ready? Will you suffer a surprise on that Day?