Christ the Judge

Q: What does the Bible say about the judgment of Dan?

Genesis 49 describes Dan as a figure who will judge his people, symbolizing Christ's role as a judge. In Genesis 49:16, Dan is portrayed as a true son of Jacob, representing Christ who shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. This highlights the authority and role of Christ as the divine judge, determining the eternal state of his chosen ones. The name 'Dan' itself means 'to judge,' emphasizing God's sovereignty in election and judgment. The passage invites us to see that if God chooses to love some and to show mercy, it reflects His divine prerogative and mercy toward His elect.

Q: How do we know that Jesus is a righteous judge?

Jesus is depicted as a righteous judge in scripture, representing God’s mercy and justice in His judgment. Jesus' role as a righteous judge is established primarily through His divine nature and the fulfillment of God's justice and mercy. In Genesis 49:16, we see Jesus depicted as judging His people, affirming that His judgments are grounded in His sovereignty. Romans 9:14-18 further emphasizes that God has the right to show mercy and harden whom He wills. As such, Jesus, as a righteous judge, will ultimately call His elect to Himself, judging them not by their works but by His grace, showcasing His irrevocable justice and mercy.

Q: Why is the concept of judgment important for Christians?

Judgment affirms God's sovereignty and underscores the importance of faith and grace in salvation. The concept of judgment is foundational to Christian theology as it illustrates God's ultimate authority and the seriousness of faith in Christ. It reminds believers that their secure standing before God does not depend on their merit but on divine mercy, as seen in Genesis 49:16 where Dan represents Christ judging his people. Understanding that God is both merciful and just accentuates the beauty of grace; it leads Christians to appreciate the weight of sin and the profound love shown in Christ's sacrificial atonement. Judgment holds eternal significance for believers, encouraging them to live in light of their calling and the reality of eternal life.

Q: What does it mean that Christ is a serpent in Genesis 49?

The serpent metaphor signifies the hidden danger of rebellion against God and the consequences of sin. In Genesis 49:17, the portrayal of Dan as a serpent by the way serves as a figurative expression of Christ's handling of those who rebel against Him. The serpent, often associated with deceit and danger as seen in the Garden of Eden, emphasizes that those who resist divine authority will ultimately face judgment. The smallness of the serpent—a seemingly insignificant creature—reflects how many underestimate the gravity of their rebellion against God. This imagery is profound as it illustrates how Christ will expose the rebellious at the final judgment, culminating in both justice and mercy. Believers are called to heed this warning and recognize the stakes involved in dismissing God’s authority.

I love those old hymns like that. Wasn't that good? I'm going to ask you to take your Bibles and turn with me to Genesis 49. Genesis 49. I'd like to look at the blessing of Jacob to his son, Dan. And in this blessing, actually the blessing is recorded in verses 16, 17, 18, but I would like to just speak on verses 16 and 17. And I'd like to say this before we read these verses.

The way things are, is the way God says they are. If anything seems to be contradictory, it's in us. It's not in the Lord. It's in our understanding. And this particular passage of scripture, I'm going to be honest with you, has given me cause to really realize the weakness of my understanding. And I pray that the Lord be pleased to bless the service tonight to the comfort of His people, to the glory of God first, comfort of His people.

As we continue in this revelation in the Holy Scriptures, and we consider this This blessing that was given by Jacob to his son Dan, I want us to never forget this one thing. Each of the sons of Jacob, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, all of them, every one of them or pictures of Christ. So whenever we read something and we read that Jacob is speaking to Dan, this is a message of the Lord concerning Christ Jesus. So when you see the word Dan in this passage tonight, Generally speaking, there's one part of this message where it's actually speaking of the Son, the actual physical Son of Jacob. But by and large, if we'll get this in our minds right now, that when it's speaking of Dan, it's speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. And if we see Him in this passage of Scripture, we see a right. I'm going to look, as I said, I'm going to look in verses 16 and 17. And here's how the scripture began. Verse 16.

Dan, the Lord Jesus Christ, shall judge his people as one of the tribes. One of his sons. He's talking to Dan. Dan, when it said he shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel, the reason that that was said, that Dan's going to be treated as one of the true tribes of Israel. Dan was the first son born through a concubine. So the Spirit of God is distinguishing this one thing. Dan is a true picture of Christ, a true son of Jacob of the 12 tribes of Israel. Dan, don't count him out, is what the Spirit of God is saying, because he was born of a concubine. Don't look at him as being, well, he wasn't one of the real, you know, uh-uh. The scripture declares, Dan, as we said before, it's a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, shall judge his people.

And then the scripture says, In verse 17, which we'll look at in just a moment, Dan, a picture of Christ, shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path that biteth the horse heels so that his rider shall fall backward. As I said a moment ago, these scriptures speak of Christ and His glory, whether we understand them or whether we don't. It's a picture of Christ. And I believe that the Lord has given me some light on this passage of scripture, of which I'm very thankful because, again, being honest with you, when I first read it, I was scared. perplexed, I was wondering. I knew, I knew that Dan's a picture of Christ.

So looking at these, at first verse that we read, now, Dan shall judge his people. Now, as we consider Dan, his name actually means judge or to judge. That's what Dan means. Dan's going to judge his people. His name means judge. And when we realize that this boy's name means to judge, here's what the word judge actually means. It means judgment, to plead, vindication, as an umpire. as an umpire. Now, okay, first thing I think of, here again, I'm thinking what you're thinking.

Baseball. That's what we're thinking. Baseball. And there's a play at one of the bases. And it's close. It's close. They threw the ball. The guy was coming in to whatever base he was coming into. He slid Guy on the opposing team caught the ball, made the tag, but oh, it was close. It was close. And they looked at the umpire, and they said, you make the call.

And whatever call the umpire makes, it might be reviewed, and it might be overruled in our natural thinking. But with the Lord, the way the Lord calls it as an umpire, that's what it means. He shall judge his people. He's going to make the call on how he beholds his elect. That's what he's saying. In that 16th verse, look at it. Dan shall judge his people.

What he says about his relationship, the Lord Jesus Christ relationship, to his people is the way it is. And whether or not people believe it, some say, well, that's not fair. It's not fair for God to choose one over another. That has no significance whatsoever. The word of God is going to stand.

The scripture declares, Dan shall judge. Dan shall make the call according to his will, according to the way he sees it. According to his mercy, according to his justice, according to his everlasting knowledge, Dan will make the call concerning his people. And here's what Dan, according to the scriptures, says.

He's one of the tribes. He's one of the God select. Now this is concerning, now really all of us, all of these boys, I've told you this before, all of these boys. of Jacob, or pictures of each one of us, the believer. So whatever God Almighty says about Dan, Christ Jesus, making the call, judging, He shall judge His people.

Whatever He says about His people, when He declares them holy in the Lord Jesus Christ, when He declares them They that are born of God sinneth not. You know what that really means? They sin not in Christ. Now, in Adam, all they do is sin. Without me, you can do nothing, the Lord Jesus Christ said.

He's the judge. He makes the call. He's the umpire. And it stands as we read the words of his people, his people. I thought upon this, these verses out of Romans nine, I'll read this 13 to 21. Now this is the way it is. This is the way the umpire, this is the way the judge has called it as it is written. Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Then the scripture goes on to say, what shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I'll have mercy. I'll have compassion on whom I'll have compassion. So then it's not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. For the scripture saith to Pharaoh, even this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore, hath the mercy on whom he'll have mercy, and on whom he will, he hardeneth.

Thou wilt say unto me, why doth he yet find fault? If he makes the call, he's already made the call before the foundation of the world. Where does that leave me? in making any choice, where does that leave me? The scripture says, thou wilt say, how doth he yet find fault?

Or who hath resisted his will? And then the spirit of God moved the apostle Paul to say, nay, but O man, who art thou? That replies against God. Shall the thing formed say unto him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor? Does he have the right? He's made all men, all women. He's created all things. Does he have the right to do what he will with his own? Does he have that right? Sure he does.

The scripture says, what if God willing to show his wrath and make his power known endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted or made up to destruction that he might show and make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he hath prepared unto glory.

So here's the bottom line. As Brother Scott would say, who's running this show? Who are we? You know what a believer is going to say? Lord, thank you that you've been pleased to show mercy to me. And an unbeliever is going to say, you're not fair. You're wrong. A believer's gonna bow. An unbeliever's gonna resist. Christ alone. Turn with me to Matthew 25. Hold your place there in Genesis. Matthew 25. Matthew 25, starting verse 31. Matthew 25, 31.

When the son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered all nations and he shall separate them one from another. The shepherd divided his sheep from the goats and he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left. Does God Almighty have a right to separate among all the sons born to this world, sons and daughters born in this world? Does He have a right to make one a vessel of His mercy and leave another to Himself to do exactly what That one that rebels against him wanted to do.

That's what they wanted to do. They wanted to do this. They want to say this, I'm not have this man rule over me. And I'm thinking to myself, but for the grace of God, where would any of us be? While we normally think concerning this next verse, I'm gonna read it.

That's what verse 16 is actually saying. Dan, Christ, shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Then it says in verse 17, Dan, and again, this is the Lord Jesus Christ, the spiritual. I know it's one of the sons of Adam, of Jacob, I know that, I know that. But this is a picture of Christ. All these sons are pictures of the Lord Jesus. And this verse 17 right here, I'm telling you, you talk about stop the mouths of the gainsayers and cause every man to be quiet.

God is in heaven. We're on the earth. He's heaven. We're earthy. He's God and we're not. He's right and we're wrong. Now let me tell you what's right. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path that biteth the horse heels so that his rider shall fall backward. Well, we normally think, what's the first thing you think of when you see the word serpent? Yeah, me too. In the garden, whenever Adam and Eve was in the garden, Satan came to Eve and he beguiled her, fooled her.

As God said, you're not gonna die. God knows the day that you eat, you're going to be like Him. Knowing good from evil, you're not going to die. Satan, the rebel, the accuser of the brethren, is a liar. So when we see the word Satan, that's the first thing we think of. But an explanation of these words exactly as they are written and set forth by the Spirit of God gives us some understanding in this passage of scripture. Because I asked myself when I first read it, how can Christ be referred to as a serpent? How can Christ be referred to as a serpent?

Didn't you think that? Yeah, I know you did. Well, I did what I tell you is always the right thing to do. Look it up. Don't lean to your own understanding, because your own understanding, I'm telling you, is going to be wrong. I looked this up in Strong's Dictionary, referring to this word serpent in this particular passage. Serpent.

Speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ in our passage today, this word serpent, according to Mr. Strong, is a word that is a figuratively, figurative word, a figurative word. What he was saying is Christ, referred to as a serpent, is used in a figurative way. Meaning in his manner, in his ways, in his nature. It's describing the Lord's manner, how he is going to deal with all those who die in their sins when they die in unbelief. What the Spirit of God is doing right here is relating to us in a figurative way how the Lord is going to deal with the reprobates, those left to themselves. Now, I looked at this, Dan, I know back in 17, verse 17, Dan shall be a serpent, a figurative word that means In this manner, Dan shall be a serpent by the way.

In the way of men's walk through this world. In the way. Christ said of himself, I am the way. The truth and the lie. No man comes to the Father but by me. But the natural man's way is to rebel against God. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

That's man's way. Now, speaking of Christ in this, Christ shall be a serpent by the way, in the way that men walk, because that's the manner of men. That's the way they are. And I looked up that word, Adder. That's the next word. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path. In the path that men are walking. We're all in a path walking toward the end, the death. We're all going to die. We're all going to die.

And now here is the Lord God speaking through this man, Dan, a picture of Christ. showing us, first of all, in verse 16, He's going to judge His people. He's going to judge His people. God, in the Lord Jesus Christ, is going to judge His people as being one of the tribes of Israel.

He's going to look upon them in mercy and grace and compassion because He's set His affection on them eternally. And they're going to live. But there's another group He's talking about. those in the way, those in the path that's deserving of something. I just read that scripture a while ago. God has a right to show mercy to one and leave another to himself. He has a right because he's made all men. He's God. He's right. But here he is.

He's going to do something to all those found in verse Seventeen, Dan shall be a serpent, or he's going to act in the manner of a serpent. By the way, an adder in the path that biteth the horse heels. I looked up that word adder. This was one of those passages of scripture that was such deep.

Mitch, you're lucky. I don't want to speculate on this. I want to know what the Lord is saying right here, because I'm standing before a group of people that are dying, like myself, and I want to know what God's saying. And here's what He's saying. He's saying, Dan, she'll be a serpent, or in the manner of a serpent, figuratively.

I love that word that Mr. Gil put in. I'm thankful for that word. Shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. Now, I looked up that adder, adder. He should be like an adder. Now there's something about that word. There's something about that type of snake that the Lord was pleased to use to give us some information, some knowledge, some understanding. And this is what I found about an adder. It's called also an arrow snake, arrow, A-R-R-O-W, arrow snake.

And I found that this particular type of snake referred to as an adder in the past, this particular snake, it's a very venomous snake. and it lies hidden in the sand because of its small size and its color. It's usually trampled upon by horses who fail to see it because of its color. It's the color of sand, I found out, this adder. It's the color of sand, it's small, it's coiled up usually, and it's in the depressed areas usually around Kind of like it can hide down in a little depressed area.

And when horses would walk by, this snake would spring forward and bite them on the heels. And because of the venom, not very long, that horse would begin to feel the effects of that venom and it would fall. And if it didn't kill them, they were seriously injured and they couldn't continue on. in their way.

That's what I found out, humanly speaking, just what this adder was. It says he bites the heels of the horses. It's just a little snake. It's a small snake. But it's extremely venomous. And when the effect of that bite takes effect, it causes the horses to stagger and fall, causing the rider to fall backwards.

That's what the definition was. So here the scripture is saying, verse 17, Dan shall be a serpent. He's gonna be in a figurative way like the serpent, small. I thought about that word, that definition. He's gonna be like an adder. I wanted to know what is it about that snake?

And it kept, all the definitions kept talking about how small they were. They were little, but they were potent. They got the job done. When they bit those horses around their ankles, around the hoof area and got to the part of the skin, it took effect on them. They were not real obvious, what everybody kept saying. I thought about this. Turn with me to Matthew 13. Matthew 13. Matthew 13, I want to read verses 53, 58, 13.

The snake, when you first look at them, the writers would say they were small, they didn't appear to be Any real problem? I mean, what can a little bitty snake do, really, to a great old big horse? But I got to thinking about that, with that scripture describing the Lord Jesus Christ acting in the manner of an adder. And it kept saying that these snakes were small and appeared to be insignificant.

I thought about Matthew 13, starting in verse 53. The scripture says, It came to pass that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished. saying, whence hath this man wisdom, and these mighty works? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas, and his sisters? Are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man these things? And they were offended in him, but Jesus said unto him, a prophet is not without honor, saving his own country and his own house.

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. This small snake, just a little snake, the Lord referred to in Genesis 49. Just a little snake, just a little snake. Not much thought about it. I mean, if you just look at him, he wasn't that big. He's not like a big python or something like that. But it was so dangerous with this venom. When it would bite these horses, they didn't go far. And they were thrown off. The horses would go out of control.

Scripture declares concerning the Lord and them not seeing him for who he really is. Listen to the account. Look, it's still in Matthew 27, Matthew 27, at the Lord's crucifixion. Many saw him, as a general rule, as being nothing, nothing. But by the grace of God, some saw him. for who he really is. Matthew 27, verse 50.

And when he cried up with a loud voice, yielding up the ghost, and behold, the veil of the temple was rent and twain from top to bottom. The earth did quake and the rocks brimmed. Graves were opened. Many bodies of the saints which slept arose. He came out of the graves after his resurrection and went into the city and appeared unto many.

Now when the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, truly, this was the Son of God. By and large, people in that area, at the day of the crucifixion, Many mocked him, they didn't think much of him.

He saved others. If you be the son of God, won't you come down? You come on down, we'll believe you. If you are the Christ, as you say you are. They mocked him, they spit on him. They'd whipped him before, when he was stood before Pilate. They didn't think much of him.

Just like this adder. You're going to be a serpent, like in the manner of a serpent, by the way, an adder in the path that biteth the horse heels. And what would happen is they would bite those horses, I said, the horses would lose control of themselves, their venom was taking a place, they'd throw the riders off, whatever else happened to them.

And I saw all of that as a picture of men, women, that are being taken in by false religion. They think they're riding along in a safe and profitable way in this world. But in the day of judgment, the Lord Jesus Christ, in the manner figuratively as an adder, one that was a small snake but extremely dangerous, And that snake would bite those horses' heels, and they'd throw the riders off according to these scriptures that we just read. They'd throw them off. That false religion is just like these that were riding along, thinking that they're going to a certain place, we're on our way to town, we're on our way to this city, we're going on. And this snake comes along and bites The horses heals and the horses throws them off.

Men are riding along today in false religion, thinking that they're safe, thinking that they're secure, thinking that they're going in the way that is right before God. They've given their heart to Jesus. They've made a profession of faith. They've rededicated their lives. They've been baptized. They've been They've been doing all the many wonderful works. Lord, Lord, we've done many wonderful, mighty works, wonderful works in your name.

But what's going to happen is in that day, God Almighty, who was merciful to, in verse 16, Judge Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. He who was merciful. to a people of his choosing is going to be found in the day of judgment to be just when all those that have been riding along thinking themselves secure and they're going to find themselves thrown off and trampled under in the wrath of Almighty God.

I wrote down just a few things as I mused over these two verses and wrote them down. I'm going to share them with you. The Lord Jesus Christ saying in verse 16, Dan, Dan, picture of Christ, shall judge who? His people. His people. Here's what I know.

The Lord Jesus said, I am the true and living God. I am God who has been pleased to choose a people. I will have mercy on whom I'll have mercy. I'll have compassion on whom I'll have compassion. He's been pleased to choose to call out and save a particular people.

The second thing I know from these two verses that we looked at, God Almighty is just. He's a merciful God and shows mercy to whomsoever He will. But He's a just God who will in no wise clear the guilty. He said, I'm going to expose them. I'm going to judge them. and they're gonna perish in their sins. Brethren, we're dealing with a God who knows, who knows.

He who shows mercy, and he who is just. Here's the prayer of a believer. Lord, be merciful to me. The Lord who has already been merciful, He's already saved His people. This is what they say again. Lord, save me. Save me. Lord, don't leave me to myself. Don't leave me, Lord. Oh, how I've read so many who started well. So many that gave evidence of a good hope at first, but in time, They left. They left. Why did they leave? Because they wanted to. God didn't keep them. And I know this. God Almighty, who is merciful, is also just. He gonna do right. I pray that the Lord might be pleased to bless our hearts to some understanding of who we're dealing with. in these sons of Jacob for his glory and our good.

Christ the Judge

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the judgment of Dan?

How do we know that Jesus is a righteous judge?

Why is the concept of judgment important for Christians?

What does it mean that Christ is a serpent in Genesis 49?

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Christ the Judge

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the judgment of Dan?

How do we know that Jesus is a righteous judge?

Why is the concept of judgment important for Christians?

What does it mean that Christ is a serpent in Genesis 49?

Sermon Transcript

About Marvin Stalnaker

Comments

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