“When the dust settles” is a phrase that is used to describe a time when some future action will take place. This is usually after a period of change and confusion. Events and undertakings become clouded and unclear during the chaos, and sometimes further action must wait until the dust settles.

The most cataclysmic event this world has ever seen will take place at the second coming of Christ. The Bible teaches that a trumpet will sound (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). At the blast of this heavenly instrument, the dead in Christ will rise. Can you imagine the commotion? “The heavens will pass away with great noise and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the Earth also, the works shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10-12). What is going to happen When The Dust Settles?

Unbelievers will no longer exist.

            God has given to the world a collection of documents that everyone is responsible for deciding upon their validity. The Bible is open for scrutiny and thus far has stood the test of time. When one openly and honestly considers the evidence for the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible, they ought to give careful consideration to the material contained therein. The God of Heaven is so sure of the proof provided to mankind that His position is, “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God” (Psalm 14:1a). And what about the day in which the heavens explode with the angelic army and the Son of God? There will be no unbelievers because “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess” (Philippians 2:10). All the men who have ever lived who have uttered the words or thought that they would never bow, or confess the name of Jesus, will shout of his majesty to no avail. God has already given men everything they need to know He is (Romans 1:20), but in that moment, all the tough guys, wise guys, stiff necked and hard hearted will melt before His presence and out of their mouths will proclaim the royal and regal Jesus. They will be believers then… the crushing point in all of this is the fact that it will be too late. There is a time in which God has allotted men to make a decision about Him and His Son. That time is within the lifespan of a man, or prior to His glorious appearing (Titus 2:13). Hence Paul would say, “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). “Today is the day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late. Theres’s danger and death in delaying, accept Gods saving grace; His life on the cross he has given, O come while yet you may. Give Jesus your life and thus walk in his way. Tomorrow may be too late” (R.J. Stevens). The Hebrews writer put it like this, “Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7).

There will be no escape.

            The text of Matthew 25:31-32 paints a picture of Jesus coming in his glory with His royal emissaries, the angels, and they will “gather” all nations. The idea behind the verb phrase “shall be gathered” carries the idea of a collection of fish that are caught in a net. Make no mistake about it, when Jesus appears, you’re caught, in whatever condition you are in. In John 5:28-29, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Can you hear the tone of judgement in these verses? It is inescapable. Paul, in exhorting the brethren in Thessalonica wrote, “But of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3). The pervading teaching concerning the judgement of the world in the end is the inability to escape the judgement itself or the decision that is handed down. So, “knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11).

Where will you be when the dust settles?

            The goats will be on the left and endure everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:33,46).

The sheep will be on the right, and hear, “Come ye blessed of my Father” (Matthew 25:34).

The choice is yours and we stand ready here at Eastside to help you in your walk with God. If we can assist you in any way, reach out below. Please, use the links provided to subscribe to our YouTube channel and also, like our Facebook page.

God bless you.

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