Devotional #52

Question 52. What comfort is it to you that “Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead”?
Answer: That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same person, who before offered Himself for my sake, to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven (a): who shall cast all His and my enemies into everlasting condemnation (b), but shall translate me with all His chosen ones to himself, into heavenly joys and glory (c).

(a) Luke 21:28: Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
Romans 8:23: And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
(b) 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10: since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
(c) Matthew 25:34: Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

 For your personal reflection:
Can you imagine the scene?  Everyone who has ever lived gathered before the great throne of Christ.  A voice declares the eternity of each gathered person.  To the lost it is clear that they deserve the eternal punishment to which they are consigned.  To the elect it is equally clear that they, because of the perfect and finished work of Christ in whom they have trusted, were made righteous demonstrating the glory and mercy of God.
Why would Christ consign some to a Christless eternity? 
What difference in your daily living doe this understanding of the end offer you?