A day of great surprise!

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(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

"The hopes of the godly result in happiness,
 but the hopes of the wicked are all in vain." Proverbs 10:28

"When the wicked die, their hopes all perish." Proverbs 11:7

The day of judgment will also be a day of great surprise, both to saints and sinners. So Christ expressly informs us: "Many will say to me on that day: 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:22-23

Many will be saved, and many will be lost--contrary to the judgments formed of them by their neighbors. But more  will be saved, and more will be lost contrary to the opinions  they had of themselves!

Christians will wonder that they are saved, and how they are saved, and they will wonder that they should be commended for deeds full of imperfection.

The wicked will be amazed that they are lost, and how they are lost; and especially that God puts no value upon their self-righteousness.

The sons of God will receive more honor than they ever thought of claiming;
while the wicked will find their hopes perishing one by one, and their lamp going out in obscure
darkness.

Christians will wonder why they should be saved.
Unbelievers will wonder why they should not be saved.

The wicked will ask, "What have we done amiss?"
The saved will say, "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags!"

The wicked will say that he has done the best he can.
The righteous will say, "Behold, I am vile!"

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:46. Nothing can reverse, nor arrest the judgments of that day. Nothing can alter or vary the decree of the Judge. It shall stand forever. The judgment of the great day will be irrevocable and everlasting in its effects. It will bind forever. 

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