In Eric Bechler's sermon on 'Of the Last Judgement,' he explores paragraph two of the 1689 SLBC Chapter 32, focusing on the day of judgment. The sermon emphasizes that the day is appointed by God for the manifestation of His glory in two primary aspects: mercy and justice. This day will reveal God's glory through the eternal salvation of the righteous and the eternal damnation of the wicked. Bechler highlights scriptural references from Romans, John, Timothy, Hebrews, Revelation, Luke, Mark, Matthew, Psalms, Peter, and Thessalonians to underline these points. The righteous will experience everlasting life and joy, while the wicked will face everlasting torments. The sermon underscores the central theme of God's glory being displayed in both blessings and curses, ultimately reinforcing the divine purpose of the last judgment.

Like last week, this paragraph is not too complicated. However, we'll still take time to go through it. There are a lot of phrases in this paragraph that can distract us from the point of the sentence. And it is one sentence. I don't know if you noticed.

There's only one period in all that we read. It's pretty long. So I want to read it again, but without all of the supporting phrases, to catch a more direct meaning of what's being said here. And then we'll go through the paragraph with those sections just to kind of reinforce what's being said and understand maybe a little bit better. So again, paragraph two, the end of God's appointing this day is for two things, as Mr.

Hopkins mentioned, the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, the manifestation of the glory of his justice. And then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, but the wicked shall be cast aside into everlasting torments." So the sentence kind of focuses down in that particular point. When we talk about the ends of God appointing this day, The end refers to a goal, to the purpose, what's the point of this, of what follows. The purpose of God's appointing this day is, and of course this day is the day of judgment. And the purpose here, again, is the manifestation of God's glory.

And we see the two directions that follow from that mercy and justice. In both cases, both directions, the manifestation of God's glory is what's displayed, it's what's revealed. And this reminds us of the catechism question for ourselves. What is the chief end of man to glorify God and to enjoy him forever? So it gets back to God's glory, God's glory in his mercy, and God's glory in his justice.

We can refer to Romans chapter 9 and John chapter 7 regarding God's glory. Romans chapter 9, which we read as part of the verses for this chapter, what if God willing to show his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long suffering, the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction, and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy which he had afford prepared unto glory. In John 17 24, father I will that they also whom now has given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou has given me for thou loves me before the foundation of the world." Now how is His mercy manifested or displayed? His mercy is manifested in the eternal salvation of the elect. In the first part, and we read from 2 Timothy chapter 2, verse 10, therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

And in Hebrews 9, in being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Then how is his justice manifested or revealed? His justice is manifested in the eternal damnation of the reprobate and we have further clarification on who are the reprobate. The reprobate are those who are wicked and disobedient. We see from Revelation 14 verses 9 through 11.

And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast in his image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of his holy angels and in the presence of the lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascended up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day nor night, who worship the beast in his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." We also see in Luke chapter 317, whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And finally, in Mark chapter 9, and if thy hand offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.

So we see two paths here that we've been shown. One of the righteous, one for the righteous eternal salvation, and one for the wicked eternal damnation. And we see further clarification for those two paths continues in two parts. First, for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life and receive that fullness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards in the presence of the Lord. And to support that, we can go back to scripture from Matthew 19 verse 29, and everyone that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name's sake shall receive a hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting life.

And from Psalm 1611, Thou wilt show me the path of life, and thy presence is fullness of joy. At thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore. From 1st Peter 5 verse 4, and when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Matthew 5 verse, the first part of verse 12, rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven. And finally, in 1 Thessalonians 4, 17, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

These are the rewards. These are for the righteous. Furthermore, the paragraph expands on the path for the retrobate, but the wicked who know not God and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be cast aside into everlasting torments and punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power. Again this comes straight from scripture from Psalm 79 verse 6, Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. From 2 Thessalonians 1, 8, and 9, inflaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power." We read those words are almost straight into the confession paragraph there.

Matthew 25, 41, then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." I'll stop there. So as I said at the beginning, this paragraph, it's not really so complicated. It's really straightforward from scripture. The point to take from this paragraph is that God has appointed a day, a day of judgment for the purpose of displaying His glory. And we'll see His glory in mercy, and we'll see His glory in justice.

We'll see his glory in blessings, we'll see his glory in curses, his glory in dealing with the righteous and the wicked. Praise be to God. Amen.