Kingdom Principle: Jesus turns to the crowd and calls them to repent. Repentance is a turning from our sin and a turning to Jesus. It is trusting in HIs perfect sacrifice on our behalf to satisfy the righteous wrath of God and to be reconciled to the Judge of all the earth. There is nothing left to be done, we are on our way to the Judge and now is the day of salvation. 

1. The Judge’s Return is ______________________________

Luke 12:56 (ESV) — 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 

Jesus’ point in this whole interchange is that if the world could be so confident about future events with signs that are so subtle, how could they not see that something major was coming in the miraculous works that Jesus had performed. 

Luke 12:57–59 (ESV) 57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.” 

When we say the Lord’s return is Imminent what we mean to say is that it could happen at any moment because all has been fulfilled in order for it to occur.

1. No One is ___________________________________

Luke 13:5 (ESV) — 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Jesus is not being cold here, he is being real. All of us deserve to die. 

Romans 3:10 (ESV) 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 

Romans 3:23 (ESV) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

Romans 6:23 (ESV) 23 For the wages of sin is death…

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 

Here is the point, Judgement Day is Imminent, and every one must stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ as a guilty sinner. No one is off the hook.  

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV) 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 

2Peter 3:3-10

1. The Judges Return is not ______________________________

Luke 13:9 (ESV) — 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ” 

This speaks to the amazing nature of God’s mercy, grace, and long-suffering. The tree in this context is the unbelieving world and God is giving it another chance to bear fruit. 

Hebrews 3:7–8 (ESV) — 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 

What Jesus’ words and works should have communicated to the world, and should communicate to the world today is not only that the judge is coming, but that Jesus saves us from the wrath to come. The irony of this statement is that Jesus is both the judge and the one whom will settle our accounts. He is all in all.  (Rom. 3:21-26)

Questions to Consider

• Are you ready for the Judgement Day? Are those you know ready? How are you to prepare?

• Why has God postponed his Judgement? How then should we live as believers? (2Pet. 3:11-15)