Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter XXXIII

Of the Last Judgment

1
God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ,573 to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.574 In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged,575 but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.576
573
Acts 17:31
574
John 5:22John 5:27
575
1 Corinthians 6:3Jude 62 Peter 2:4
576
2 Corinthians 5:10Ecclesiastes 12:14Romans 2:16Romans 14:10Romans 14:12Matthew 12:36-37
2
The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the damnation of the reprobate who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing, which shall come from the presence of the Lord: but the wicked who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.577
577
Romans 9:22-232 Thessalonians 1:7-10Acts 3:19Matthew 25:21Romans 2:5-6Matthew 25:31
3
As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity;578 so will He have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen.579
578
2 Peter 3:112 Peter 3:142 Corinthians 5:10-112 Thessalonians 1:5-7Luke 21:27-28Romans 8:23-25
579
Matthew 24:36Matthew 24:42-44Mark 13:35-37Luke 12:35-36Revelation 22:20