-41 Chapter 41. To the end of the World.

1-41-Chapter 41. To the end of the World.

1. Thus far of the administration that exists before the end of the World. In THE END ITSELF, that application shall be perfected, which has only begun in this life.
2. Then the end of calling shall be present to all the called, for we are called to the eternal glory of God, 1 Peter 5:10. The end of Faith is also said to be contained in this: that is, in the salvation of souls, 1 Peter 1:9.
3. Then that declaration of JUSTIFICATION and REDEMPTION, which refers to its effects, shall be complete — in respect to which, the faithful are said to expect Redemption in this life, Luke 21:28; Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:14.689
4. Then all the adopted shall enter into the possession itself of the inheritance, in which sense the faithful are said to expect their Adoption in this life, Romans 8:23.
5. Then the Image of God shall be perfected in all the Saints. Ephesians 5:27, That he might present her to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it might be holy and unblameable.
6. Finally then, the glory and blessedness hoped for shall shine in all kinds of fulness, not only in the soul, but also in the very body. Php_3:21, He shall transfigure our lowly body that it may be made conformable to his glorious body.
7. But because the state of the Church at that time will be a state of perfection and not of edification, the Ministry, Sacraments, and Discipline will cease, together with the instituted Churches themselves; but the mystical Church will remain in immediate communion with God.
8. Hence also, this end of the World ought to be expected with desire by all the faithful. Php_3:20, We expect a Saviour, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13, Expecting that blessed hope, and that glorious coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour.
9. The perfection of this final administration requires the coming and personal presence of Christ himself, Acts 10:42.690
10. The second coming of Christ will be like the first in this: in that it will be real, visible, and apparent, Acts 1:11. 691 But it is unlike in this: in that it will be 1. With greatest glory and power, Matthew 24:30; Titus 2:13.692 2. It will be with greatest terror in respect to the ungodly, and with greatest joy for all the godly, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.693
11. Hence there are two Acts that serve for the final discerning between the godly and ungodly: RESURRECTION and the LAST JUDGMENT, 2 Corinthians 5:10.694
12. Resurrection is of that which fell; but because man fell from life by the separation of the soul from the body, therefore, so that he may rise again, it is necessary that the same soul be united again to the same body, so that by the restored union of both, the same man may exist.
13. It appears that such a Resurrection is possible to God, because such a reparation of man does not exceed that power which was manifested in his first Creation. Php_3:21, According to that effectual power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.
14. But it cannot be certainly demonstrated by natural reason, either a priori or a posteriori;695 that this Resurrection will actually occur; rather, it is properly of faith.
15. Neither the nature of the soul, nor that of the body, can be the cause of Resurrection; for reforming and raising the body out of the dust is against the usual course of nature which, when that nature is perfectly destroyed, is not usually repaired by nature. The inseparable union of the soul with the body, by which man is made immortal, is beyond the strength of nature.
16. Therefore raising the dead properly belongs to Christ the God-man; the principle of it is the Divine omnipotency of Christ, whereby it may be easily accomplished, even in an Infant.
17. The Ministry of the Angels will not properly be to raise the dead, but to gather the parts to be raised, and to gather together those who are being raised.696
18. But although all shall be raised by Christ, yet it is not in one and the same way; for the Resurrection of the faithful is unto Life, and it is accomplished by virtue of that union which they have with Christ, as with their life, Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14.697 And it is by the operation of his quickening Spirit which dwells in them. Romans 8:11, He shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit dwelling in you. But the Resurrection of others is by that power of Christ whereby he executes his revenging Justice.
19. Therefore the Resurrection of the faithful is from the Life of Christ, as from a beginning, unto their life, as the fruit and effect. Therefore it is called the Resurrection of Life. And the raising up of others is from the sentence of death and condemnation, to death and condemnation itself; and therefore it is called the Resurrection of Condemnation, John 5:28-29.698
20. The Last Judgment is exercised by Christ as by a King; for the power to Judge is part of the office of a King.699
21. In respect to the faithful, it comes from grace, and it is an office of the Kingdom of Grace, essential to Christ the Mediator; but in respect to unbelievers, it is an office only of power and dominion, granted by the Father and belonging to some perfection of mediation, but it is not essential to it.
22. Hence the sins of the faithful shall not come into Judgment; for seeing that in this life these sins are covered and taken away by the sentence of Justification, and the Last Judgment shall be a confirmation and manifestation of that sentence, it would not be fitting that they would again be brought to light at that time.
23. The place of this Judgment shall be in the Air, 1 Thessalonians 4:17.700
24. The day and year of it is not revealed in Scripture, and so it may not be set down by men.701
25. The sentence of eternal life or death, presently to be fulfilled, will be given according to foregoing works.702
26. But the sentence of LIFE, in respect to the elect, shall be given according to their works, not as meritorious causes, but as effects testifying of its true causes.703
28. Christ God-man is the Judge, delegated as it were; 704 yet in respect to that Divine authority and power which he has, and on which the strength of the sentence depends, he is the principal Judge.
29. The faithful also shall judge with Christ assisting; not consulting, but approving in their judgment and will, as well as by comparison of their life and works.
30. Judgment shall be given not only of wicked men, but also of evil Angels.705 Therefore the raising up and judging of wicked men, to be done by Christ, no more argues for the universal redemption of such men, than it does of the Devils.
31. The fire appointed to purge and renew the World, will not go before the Judgment, but will follow it.706
32. Purgatory is no more necessary before the Day of Judgment than after. Seeing therefore that there will be no Purgatory afterward, by the confession of the Papists themselves, neither is there any now, before.707
33. The elements shall not be taken away, but changed.708
34. Also, Christ after the Day of Judgment shall remain King and Mediator forever.709