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Here follows the sentence which Christ will pronounce upon the righteous and the wicked at the great day: first the sentence of absolution upon the righteous; then the sentence of condemnation upon the wicked.
Learn thence, That at the day of judgment the godly shall be absolved before the wicked are condemned. The reasons are, because it is more delightful to God to reward than to punish, to save than to destroy; because it is suitable to Christ's love to begin with his saints, and to be admired by them upon the throne with himself, as assessors and judges of the wicked world, Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? 1Co_6:3.
Lastly, With respect to the wicked, that they may be the more affected with their loss, and have a vexatious and tormenting sense of that happiness which they have refused.
Observe next, The joyful sentence pronounced, Come ye blessed of my Father.
Where note, 1. The joyful compellation, Ye blessed. Which term is opposed to these two things:
1. To the world's judgment of them, which accounts them vile and accursed. Here is an absolution from their unjust censures.
2. To the sentence of the law, which pronounces all its transgressors accursed, Gal_3:19. But, says Christ; I, that have redeemed you from the curse of the law, pronounced you blessed.
But why blessed of my Father?
1. To point out the fontal cause of all our happiness, the love of the Father; this prepared the kingdom.
2. This expression shows how the divine Persons glorify one another. As the Spirit glorifies the Son, so the Son glorifies the Father, and refers all to him.
Therefore Christ says not, Come, my redeemed ones; but, Come, ye blessed ones: not, Come, you that were redeemed by me; but Come, ye blessed of my Father: it is his good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Learn hence, That the Lord Jesus Christ at his second coming will adjudge all his people into a state of glorious and everlasting happiness, which his Father has prepared, and himself has purchased, for them. Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.