Does the Thought of Impending Judgment Give Me Reason to Fear?

What comfort is it to you That Christ will come to judge the living and the dead? 

A. In all my sorrow and persecution I lift up my head and eagerly await as judge from heaven the very same person who before has submitted Himself to the judgment of God for my sake; and has removed all the curse from me.  

Luke 21:28 

• “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” 

Romans 8:22-25 

• For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 
• Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 
• For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 
• But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 

Philemon 3:20,21 

• For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 
• who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 

Titus 2:13,14 

• …looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 
• who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

He will cast all His and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but He will take me and all His chosen ones to Himself into heavenly joy and glory. 

Matthew 25:31-46 

1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 

• For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 
• Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 

• …since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 
• and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 
• in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 
• when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

The Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 19