Saviour or Judge? Part 1 - June 2nd, 2024

Isaiah 61:1–3 KJV 1900

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, To give unto them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they might be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

FORMAL ELEMENTS / DESCRIPTIVE DATA

Text: Isaiah 61:1-3; 63:1-4

Central Idea of the Text: Jesus came in His First Advent as Savior and will return the second time as Judge

Proposition of the Sermon: Choose whether to accept Jesus as Savior and face Him as Savior, or reject Him and face His wrathful judgment.

Purpose Statement:

The Major Objective (MO): Evangelistic - Personally accept Jesus as your Savior.

The Specific Objective: Understand the dual nature of Jesus as Savior and Judge from the Bible and choose to meet Him as Savior rather than face His judgment.

Title: Saviour or Judge?

INFORMAL ELEMENTS / RHETORICAL DATA

Introduction:

Introduce the context of Jesus reading from Isaiah 61 in the Nazareth synagogue and how He fulfilled only the first part of the prophecy in His First Advent, but how the second part remains yet to be fulfilled at His Second Coming.

Jesus read from Isaiah 61 in Nazareth synagogue, proclaiming good news to the poor and brokenhearted (Luke 4:14-30).

Luke 4:14–30 KJV 1900

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? 23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; 26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. 27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. 28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

Jesus' reading was met with skepticism from His home-town audience, who were offended by His message.

Object Lesson: Isaiah saw the distant mountains of Jesus' prophecies, including the Second Coming and the New Heaven and Earth. Reflect on the Bible's prophecies of Jesus' First and Second Comings and on the difficulty Isaiah must have faced in understanding the prophecies God gave him about the Messiah. While Isaiah could understand the immediate context and situations God spoke into in his own day, the prophecies of Jesus' first and second comings must have seemed like those distant "mountains" that were hard to comprehend fully from Isaiah's perspective thousands of years in the future. 

Jesus declared His fulfillment in part of Isaiah 61 in the synagogue that day at Nazareth, but by definitively closing the scroll in the middle of the verse, He was declaring by His actions that the second part had not yet been fulfilled. Note how Isaiah prophesied of Jesus' first coming in passages like Isaiah 49 and Isaiah 53, describing His earthly, suffering work. However, Isaiah also prophesied of Jesus' Second Coming and the New Heaven and Earth in passages like the latter half of Isaiah 61:2 that Jesus did not read in the synagogue. 

Discuss the two comings of Jesus Christ, His first coming as Savior over 2000 years ago for us and yet 700 years in the future for Isaiah during his time, and His second coming as King yet to be fulfilled in the future according to God’s promises. While the First Coming was clearer, being in the past, the Tribulation, Second Coming, Millennium, and New Creation are still mysteries we can only understand by faith in God's Word. But reflecting on fulfilled prophecy helps believers correlate the promises of God and trust Him for what is yet to come.

Body

I. Jesus' First Coming Was as the Savior (Isaiah 61:1-3).

EXPLANATION: Explain Jesus' mission as described in Isaiah 61 to preach the gospel, comfort the brokenhearted, free captives, and redeem sinners through His blood.

ILLUSTRATION(s): Illustrate Jesus' ministry through examples like healing Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, and the woman who touched His garment.

A. Jesus' ministry of comforting the brokenhearted:

Briefly consider three biblical examples:

1. Healing of Lazarus (John 11, read vv. 32-44)

Jesus wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus and called him forth from death, comforting Martha and Mary. Jesus wept at Lazarus' tomb and called him forth from death, comforting his grieving sisters Martha and Mary.

John 11:32–44 KJV 1900

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

2. Healing Jairus' daughter (Matt 9:18-26)

Jesus raised the ruler's young daughter from death, comforting the grieving parents.

Matthew 9:18–26 KJV 1900

18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

3. Healing the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48)

The woman, desperate for 12 years, touched Jesus' garment in faith and was healed, showing His power to comfort through miraculous signs.

Luke 8:43–48 KJV 1900

43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

B. Jesus' role in setting captives free:

Emphasize Jesus' mission to preach the gospel and comfort the brokenhearted.

Highlight Jesus' power to free captives from sin and its consequences.

Reflect on the biblical concept of redemption, highlighting its connection to the year of Jubilee and the purchase of slaves. The biblical concept of redemption has its connection to the Year of Jubilee in Leviticus 25. In the Old Testament, redemption usually involved the purchase of slaves with silver or gold (Exodus 21:2-11).

Exodus 21:2–11 KJV 1900

2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. 5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. 7 And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. 8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her. 9 And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters. 10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. 11 And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.

During the Year of Jubilee, slaves would be set free and land would return to its original owners. Sometimes when a slave was being auctioned, a gracious man would come and bid, purchasing the slave's freedom by paying the highest price. This man would then take the papers of ownership, just as one would purchase an animal or object. But then he would walk up to the slave, hand over the papers of ownership, and say "I bought you with my money, now I am setting you free" (Leviticus 25:47-55).

Leviticus 25:47–55 KJV 1900

47 And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger’s family: 48 After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: 49 Either his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself. 50 And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubile: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him. 51 If there be yet many years behind, according unto them he shall give again the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for. 52 And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubile, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption. 53 And as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: and the other shall not rule with rigour over him in thy sight. 54 And if he be not redeemed in these years, then he shall go out in the year of jubile, both he, and his children with him. 55 For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

This is what Jesus did for us through redemption - He purchased us with His own blood, not with silver or gold. We were "redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19).

1 Peter 1:18–19 KJV 1900

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

APPLICATION: Sinners must accept Jesus' redemptive work and trust in His death and resurrection to be saved.

Preaching the gospel, is telling sinners the message of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection according to Scripture:

Jesus' mission included preaching the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1). 

Luke 4:18 KJV 1900

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Isaiah 61:1 KJV 1900

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 defines the gospel as how Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day. 

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 KJV 1900

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Romans 10:9-13 says if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

Romans 10:9–13 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The preaching of the cross - Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection - is foolishness to those perishing but to believers it is the power of God for salvation. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV 1900

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Preaching the gospel is the message God's preachers must proclaim today so that sinners can be brought to repentance and faith in Christ, who alone can save and redeem.

Jesus redeemed those captive to sin with His own blood, not with silver or gold, and contrast this with the traditional religious practices of the elders.

Jesus, the perfect Lamb without blemish, paid the ultimate price to redeem believers - His own life's blood shed on the cross (John 1:29; Hebrews 9:12).

John 1:29 KJV 1900

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Hebrews 9:12 KJV 1900

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

This contrasted the "vain traditions" or empty religious rituals of the elders that could not save or redeem (Colossians 2:8). 

Colossians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Only through faith in Christ's atoning death and resurrection can sinners be ransomed from sin's power and penalty (Romans 5:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:20). 

Romans 5:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV 1900

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

While religion focuses on works and rituals, the gospel proclaims salvation is a free gift received through faith in Jesus alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Jesus paid the price for our redemption with His own blood (Luke 19:10, Matthew 1:21, Hebrews 7:25).

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Matthew 1:21 KJV 1900

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Hebrews 7:25 KJV 1900

25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Illustration: Traveling Evangelist of yesteryear singing on the train, “I Have Been Redeemed;” witnessing to a fellow passenger who then surprisingly replied, “I was redeemed 1900 years ago; my only regret is that I just discovered the fact of it a mere a year ago” (First Timothy 1:15).

1 Timothy 1:15 KJV 1900

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: However, Jesus will return a second time, not as Savior but as Judge.

II. Jesus' Second Coming Will Be as the Vengeful Judge (Isaiah 63:1-4).

EXPLANATION: Explain how Jesus' Second Coming will be one of wrath and vengeance according to Isaiah 61:2; 63:1-4, and Revelation.

Isaiah 61:2 prophesies Jesus' first coming was to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, but the second part of the verse refers to "the day of vengeance of our God." 

Isaiah 63:1-4 provides a vivid description of Jesus' appearance at His Second Coming, with garments stained with the blood of His enemies from treading the winepress of God's wrath alone. 

Verse 1a asks "Who is this that comes from Edom?" referring to Jesus' return in judgment. 

Isaiah 63:1 KJV 1900

1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, Travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

He is described as "glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength" (v. 1b), showing His power and majesty. 

His garments are said to be stained red, like one who "treadeth the winefat" (v. 2), depicting Him wrathfully treading out God's fury. 

Isaiah 63:2 KJV 1900

2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, And thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

Jesus declares "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me...I will tread them in mine anger" (v. 3-4). 

Isaiah 63:3–4 KJV 1900

3 I have trodden the winepress alone; And of the people there was none with me: For I will tread them in mine anger, And trample them in my fury; And their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, And I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, And the year of my redeemed is come.

The imagery portrays Jesus returning alone in vengeance, with His robes dyed crimson from the blood of all who opposed God and were condemned for their sins at His appearing. 

This graphic prophecy underscores Jesus' role as the avenging Judge who will pour out wrath on the ungodly when He establishes His kingdom.

ILLUSTRATION(s): Describe the devastating plagues during the time of judgment (Revelation 6:3-8, Revelation 9:13-21).

A. The Dragoons of Disaster: Revelation 6:3-8

John describes the first seal judgments where a quarter of the earth's population will be killed by war, famine, plague and wild beasts. 

When the first seal is opened, a white horse appears whose rider has a bow and is given a crown, going out to conquer (v. 2). Some interpret this as Christ going forth conquering and to conquer, while others see it as a counterfeit of Christ. 

Revelation 6:2 KJV 1900

2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

When the second seal is opened, another horse that is red appears. The rider is given power to take peace from the earth so that people slay one another. A great sword is given to him (v. 3-4). This likely represents war and conflict breaking out across the earth as a result of God's judgment. 

Revelation 6:3–4 KJV 1900

3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

The third seal's opening reveals a black horse, and its rider has a pair of scales in his hand. A voice says a day's wages will buy barely enough food (v. 5-6). This symbolizes economic crisis, inflation and worldwide famine as a consequence of war and unrest. 

Revelation 6:5–6 KJV 1900

5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

The fourth seal's breaking shows a pale, ashen horse. Its rider is Death, and Hades follows. They are given power over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword, famine, plague and wild beasts (v. 7-8).

Revelation 6:7–8 KJV 1900

7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

B. The Coming Wrath of the Lamb: Revelation 6:15-17

Then, John the Revelator describes Jesus' Second Coming in wrath in Revelation 6:15-17:

Revelation 6:15–17 KJV 1900

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

When Jesus returns, "the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the chief captains, the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man" will hide themselves. 

They will hide "in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains," begging the mountains and rocks to "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." 

The reason they will hide is "for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" As the unsaved witness Jesus' glorious appearing, they will recognize Him as the one sitting on the throne and as "the Lamb" - but they will be unable to stand before His wrath. 

So in terror, the unsaved will flee to the mountains seeking protection, but will find no escape from the vengeance of God against sin at Christ's judgment seat.

C. The Demonic Cavalry: Revelation 9:13-21

Revelation 9:13-21 details the second trumpet judgment where a third of mankind will be killed by fire, smoke and brimstone coming from the mouths of horses prepared for battle. 

When the sixth angel sounds, four angels bound at the great river Euphrates are released to prepare for war. (v. 13-15)

Revelation 9:13–15 KJV 1900

13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

An army of 200 million mounted troops on fiery, smoking horses with heads of lions and tails like serpents appears. (v. 16-19) 

Revelation 9:16–19 KJV 1900

16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

Fire, smoke and brimstone issue from the horses' mouths, killing a third of mankind by these three plagues. (v. 18) 

Revelation 9:18 KJV 1900

18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

The power is in the horses' mouths and tails, which have heads that can inflict harm like a scorpion's sting. (v. 19)

Revelation 9:19 KJV 1900

19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

Those not killed by the plagues still did not repent of idolatry, murder, magic arts or sexual immorality. (v. 20-21)

Revelation 9:20–21 KJV 1900

20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

This judgment involves demonic cavalry unleashing lethal fire, smoke and sulfur on populations across the earth, killing another third through agony and death.

APPLICATION: You must choose to accept Jesus as Savior to face Him as Savior and not face His wrathful judgment.

The Apostle Paul warns that at His glorious appearing, Jesus will come in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). His return will be a time of wrath and judgment according to the Scriptures.

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 KJV 1900

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Conclusion:

Issue a final call for listeners to personally accept Jesus as Savior and be saved from facing Him as the avenging Judge.

Come to the mercy of Jesus Christ and be saved, because when facing the wrath of God as sinners, there will be no place to hide (Revelation 20:11). 

Revelation 20:11 KJV 1900

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Illustration: share the story told of a man who was both saved and judged by the same judge. As a boy, the judge had rescued him from an oncoming car. Yet years later in court, the judge remembered that day but said "then I was your Savior, today I am your Judge." 

Choose Jesus as your Savior now, by heeding the Bible’s warning of the consequences of rejecting Him as your coming Judge. With nail-pierced hands stretched out, Jesus offers to save and wash away sins (Revelation 1:5). 

Revelation 1:5 KJV 1900

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

But if you will not receive Christ, friend, you will meet the avenging Judge whose robes are stained with the blood of the unsaved (Isaiah 63:1-3).

Isaiah 63:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, Travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, And thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; And of the people there was none with me: For I will tread them in mine anger, And trample them in my fury; And their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, And I will stain all my raiment.

Pray that many in the audience would in this moment call on Jesus and be saved from His wrathful judgment.