Judgment Day
Scripture
| Heb 4:13 | No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. |
Catechism
... to judge the living and the dead
- Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgment of the Last Day in his preaching.[1] Then will the conduct of each one and the secrets of hearts be brought to light.[2]Then will the culpable unbelief that counted the offer of God's grace as nothing be condemned.[3] Our attitude to our neighbor will disclose acceptance or refusal of grace and divine love.[4] On the Last Day Jesus will say: "Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."[5]
- Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass definitive judgment on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as redeemer of the world. He "acquired" this right by his cross. The Father has given "all judgment to the Son".[6] Yet the Son did not come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in himself.[7] By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, receives according to one's works, and can even condemn oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love.[8]
- 680 Christ the Lord already reigns through the Church, but all the things of this world are not yet subjected to him. The triumph of Christ's kingdom will not come about without one last assault by the powers of evil.
- 681 On Judgment Day at the end of the world, Christ will come in glory to achieve the definitive triumph of good over evil which, like the wheat and the tares, have grown up together in the course of history.
- 682 When he comes at the end of time to judge the living and the dead, the glorious Christ will reveal the secret disposition of hearts and will render to each man according to his works, and according to his acceptance or refusal of grace.