Teeth-Gnashers
October 16, 2005
Dear Friends,
On occasion I have said that no one is going to argue their case before the Lord Jesus Christ at the Final Judgment. Apparently I was wrong.
There is a peculiar phrase associated with Judgment in which is says that there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.†This phrase occurs in mostly in Matthew (see Matthew 8:11-12; 13:41-42; 13:49-50; 22:12-13; 24:50-51; 25:29-30; Luke 13:27-28). Of course we all know what weeping is, but what exactly is “gnashing of teeth?†One lexicon says that it means “a sign of violent rage.†The Greek English Lexicon denotes it as connected with the roaring of a lion. This coincides with our own personal experience, does it not? We all too often see people whose teeth are clenched in anger. So it seems that “gnashing of teeth†is not an act of sorrow, but an act of rage at being denied an entrance into the Kingdom of God by Jesus.
This assessment is confirmed with the later account of the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7. After Stephen had delivered his famous speech, the Jews “heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.†We know what followed. In a violent rage, they stoned him to death.
It seems then that there will be two reactions at Judgment – either separate or coupled – in which the rejected will be sorrowful or angry. Sorrow we can understand. To stand before the King and know that we have failed him so miserably and given up eternal glory “to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season†would certainly be a reason for immense sorrow. On the other hand, what about anger? How is that rational? What would you be mad about?
A reasonable explanation is that the teeth-gnashers are those whose sense of self-righteousness knows no bounds. They are so arrogant in their own marred assessment of themselves that they will actually work themselves up into a fit of rage over their rejection by the Son of God. Though this reaction seems bizarre in the extreme to anyone with an ounce of humility, this reaction actually has tremendous precedent. The Pharisees were so caught up in their own sense of entitlement and personal righteousness that when they were rebuked by Christ, they flew into a rage and conspired to kill him.
Perhaps we even have a snippet of the conversation the teeth-gnashers will have with Christ. If we can hear this argument through the clenched teeth of the accuser, perhaps we have an accurate reflection of the scene.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Mt. 7:22-23)
So, as strange as it may be, it seems that some people will want to argue against the righteous judgment of Jesus Christ in the Last Days. These teeth-gnashers are oblivious to the fact that they are their generation’s version of the Pharisees – self-righteous, arrogant, hateful, and legalistic. It also lets us know that there are some who simply cannot be reasoned with. No amount of pleading, Scripture, love or exhortation is going to change their point of view. If they will be angered by the pronouncement of Jesus and gnash their teeth at him, it is definitely beyond our own ability to convince them of anything differently today. By the way, this is not an excuse not to try, but simply an acknowledgement that a few will never be convinced.
May all of us learn to humble ourselves before God and Christ now so that we won’t find ourselves cast out in the Last Day with the teeth-gnashers.
Have a great week!
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