GOOD COP - BAD COP

Anyone who watches much television has heard the phrase "good cop - bad cop" in reference to interrogating suspects. I do not profess to understand all the psychological reasons for this approach to breaking down a person, but it always seems to work (at least on television). Parents often use the same approach with disciplining their children. The Mom is the "good" parent, and the Dad is the "bad" parent; that is why Moms are infamous for saying, "You just wait until your father gets home!" I was "fortunate" in growing up in a home with a step-mother who took upon herself the role of "bad" parent. That left me free to love both Mom and Dad. In case my reader(s) can't tell, that is sarcasm. Sorry.

In a sense, Jesus will have played both roles when His new heaven and new Earth begin (Rev. 21:1). To the lost world, His first advent or coming was viewed as good because He came as a meek, Passover Lamb (Matt. 11:29; Jn. 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7). Jesus came as a newborn babe born in a stable (Lk. 2:7). He submitted to the authority of His parents (Lk. 2:51). He allowed Himself to be spit upon, scourged, and crucified (Matt. 27:30; Mk. 15:15; Lk. 23:33). It was while He was hanging on the cross that the sin of the world was placed upon Him (Jn. 1:29; Matt. 27:45-46; 1 Pet. 2:24). Fortunately, the story does not end there; God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 3:15; 4:10; 10:40; 17:31; 26:23; etc.). After forty days, Jesus ascended into heaven where He makes intercession for the saints while He waits for the Father to send Him again (Acts 1:3, 9; Rom. 8:34; Matt. 24:36).

The lost world will have a totally different view of His second advent or coming. To the saved, His return will be good news, but to the lost, it will be a time of dread (Rev. 19:1-10; 11-21). The meek Lamb of God will come as the King of kings, and the Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). His second advent or coming is described as a rod-bearing King Who is known as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 2:27; 5:5; 19:15-16). He will rule and reign with that rod of iron for one thousand years (Rev. 19:15; 20:1-7). Following the destruction of the enemies of God, He will judge mankind from His great white throne (Rev. 20:8-9; 10; 11-15). The works of man are judged when He "opens the books," and all will clearly understand that they deserve His wrath (Rev. 21:12). But, praise God, there is another book which contains the names of those who have placed their trust in Jesus; it is the Book of Life! While all deserve God's wrath, those persons named in the Book of Life will be spared (Rev. 13:8; 21:15). Notice that men are not judged based upon their sins, but are judged according to their works (Rev. 21:12). The reason is that Jesus was sent the first time to take away the sins of the world (Gal. 1:4; 1 Jn. 2:2).

Christ came as the "good cop" to persuade us to admit our guilt (repent - agree with God and turn to Him). For those who responded by accepting Him, He has exchanged His righteousness for our sin, and we have become the children of God (2 Cor. 5:21; Jn. 1:11-12). For those who reject His offer of forgiveness, I have bad news: He is coming again!