Brethren, when John beheld the risen Christ, he did not see the gentle carpenter of Nazareth – he saw the Sovereign Judge, whose eyes were as a flame of fire. Those burning eyes pierce through every layer of pretense. They see not as man sees.
They search the heart, test the reins, and expose every hidden thing. Nothing escapes that holy gaze – no secret thought, no whispered lie, no unrepented sin. His look burns away the dross and reveals the truth. And one day, every soul will stand under that gaze.
Righteous Judgment Foretold
The prophets saw Him long before John did. Isaiah 11:3–4 declared that the coming Messiah would not judge by what He saw or heard, but in righteousness. His very word would strike the earth: “He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth.” Can you hear it? The power of His speech – the same Word that created the heavens now pronounces judgment.
Isaiah 33:22 gives the title plainly: “The LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king.” Do you see it? Judge. Lawgiver. King. One Lord in threefold authority.
And Psalm 9:7–8 adds, “The LORD hath prepared His throne for judgment… He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” From Genesis to Revelation, the throne has always been prepared – not for debate, but for decree. The Judge has always been coming.
Judgment Given to the Son
Friends, this Judge is no stranger to us. John 5:22, 27 tells us, “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son… because He is the Son of man.” The One who walked among us, who knew hunger and betrayal, now sits in eternal authority. He judges not as one detached from humanity, but as One who bore its wounds.
Matthew 25:31–32 shows Him enthroned in glory, all nations gathered before Him. Sheep and goats, wheat and tares, faithful and false – none can hide in that crowd.
Acts 10:42 affirms it: “He is ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.” And Romans 2:16 says, “God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.” Secrets. Hidden things. That’s what His fiery eyes are for – to reveal what the world could not see.
A Day Appointed
O my soul, there is a day fixed – a day you cannot reschedule, a day that no one can delay. Acts 17:31 declares it: “He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained.”
Hebrews 9:27–28 reminds us that it is “appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Death is not the end; it’s the doorway to reckoning.
And 2 Corinthians 5:10 thunders to believers: “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” All means all. Not one will be overlooked. For the wicked, it will be terror. For the righteous, reward. Perfect justice is coming – and no one will call it unfair.
Eyes of Fire and Flaming Glory
The fire is not symbolic – it is literal holiness revealed. 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10 pictures the Lord Jesus “revealed from heaven in flaming fire,” taking vengeance on those who know not God. The meek Lamb has become the roaring Lion.
Daniel 10:6 saw it centuries earlier – His eyes “as lamps of fire,” His face shining like lightning. Daniel trembled then; who will stand now?
And Revelation 19:11–12 seals the vision: “In righteousness He doth judge and make war… and His eyes were as a flame of fire.” That’s not cruelty – it’s cleansing. The same fire that touched Isaiah’s lips will purge the world of rebellion.
Malachi 3:2–3 asks, “Who may abide the day of His coming?” For He is “like a refiner’s fire.” The same fire that destroys dross refines gold. His judgment both burns and beautifies.
The Justice and Mercy of the Judge
But hear this, brethren: even in judgment, His mercy glows like embers that never die. John 3:19–21 teaches that judgment begins with light – not condemnation but exposure. The light reveals what men love most.
Psalm 96:13 and Psalm 98:9 call the world to rejoice because “He cometh to judge the earth.” Why rejoice? Because at last, justice will no longer be delayed. Truth will stand tall again.
James 4:12 reminds us: “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.” The Judge who can destroy is the same Savior who died to save.
And Romans 14:10–12 gives the final word: “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ… every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess.” Every tongue. Yours. Mine.
Final Appeal
So what will His eyes see when they rest on you? Will they burn with wrath or with welcome? Will His gaze purify or condemn? Those eyes like fire are not blind to sin, but neither are they blind to repentance.
The Sovereign Judge comes soon – not as a negotiator, but as a King whose word is final. Yet for those who belong to Him, His judgment is not destruction – it’s deliverance. His fire is not wrath – it’s refining love.
Brethren, the eyes of Jesus see all, but they also long to see you cleansed, clothed in righteousness, ready for His appearing.
Behold, He cometh. Be ready.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
