The Day of Judgment The mere mention of the phrase is enough to make anyone pause and ponder the events of the day. When we come before the throne of God, will there be brimstone and burning sulfur like in the movies? Or will we be suddenly whisked to a white throne room where we shall appear before the Lamb and check to see if our names are written in the Book of Life?
Some people prefer not to imagine that day, opting instead to focus on the here and now. However, we must know what to expect on the Day of Judgment to determine whether or not we are following the righteous path.
The Bible is our sole and greatest guide for understanding the Day of Judgment. Although the events of that day are best described in the book of Revelation, other passages in the Bible serve as valuable reminders of the gravity of Judgment Day and the preparations we must make in advance.
Those who wish to be prepared for “the day” and not be caught off guard should read this material, but it is not for the faint of heart. Instead, they will be content in the knowledge that they shall see our Lord face to face.
Does the Bible Provide an Exact Deadline for the Judgement Day?
No, the Bible doesn’t provide a specific date for the Second Coming of Christ. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus states, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, but My Father alone.” This doesn’t suggest that Jesus will be caught off guard on judgment day; He’s waiting in heaven for God to tell Him to come to get us.
On the other hand, the book of Revelation provides a clear account of the events leading up to the Day of Judgment. After being exiled to the Isle of Patmos, the apostle John records the vision he saw from an angel of God. It shows him the end times, including the Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets, the Bowls of Wrath, and the emergence of beasts from all corners of the globe.
John’s primary intention in penning this letter to the seven churches in Asia was to address the persecution of believers at the claws of Nero. Christians were persecuted for refusing to venerate Caesar, and John wrote to encourage them to keep their faith despite the persecution.
Although the date of Judgment Day is not revealed, the events described in Revelation provide Christians with indicators of the nearness of Jesus’ coming. Some readers may find the hints vague, but they reveal that attitudes toward God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will shift, even among Christians, and that we will be tempted to give in to the antichrist. But we must resist this pressure, keeping in mind that we are not alone.
What Are The Signs That The End Days Are Coming?
- Many false prophets will come and use Christ’s name to fool the masses.
- Wars, and reports of wars, will break out between different countries and powers.
- The first indicators of danger will be natural disasters like famines, epidemics, and earthquakes in various locations, along with terrifying visions and tremendous signs from above.
- All societies will turn in Christians to be persecuted and condemned.
- Men will despise and betray one another everywhere.
- Due to widespread wickedness, including unrepented sin, many people will harden their hearts. Those who do not give up until the end are the ones who God will save.
- As a “witness unto all nations,” the Gospel will be shared in every corner of the globe.
- The Antichrist, also known as the beast and the son of perdition, will arrive after preparations have been made. The Antichrist, heralded by false prophets and miraculous but deceptive “signs and marvels,” will be a master of deceit and a “shock and awe” tyrant who strips people of their freedom while giving them the mistaken impression that they are liberated. With great wrath, he will punish the genuine servants of Christ. Antichrist is so called because he will usurp Christ’s throne in the restored Temple in Jerusalem.
- The stars will plummet from the sky, the sun will go dark, the moon will conceal its radiance, the ocean and tides will roar, and heaven’s forces will be shaken.
- Christ will return in power and great glory, marked by the appearance of the sign of the Son of man — the Cross — in the skies. The chosen people will be rescued “from the four winds” by a legion of angels.
How Will We Be Judged When The Time of Judgement Comes?
The Bible says Jesus Christ will impose judgment on every human being (Acts 10:42). Rejecting His redemption gift will lead to the white throne judgment, the last stop for the doubters before being cast out of Divine love for all of eternity. When believers eventually face Jesus, they’ll completely understand His lavish grace.
Paul writes that in 1 Corinthians 4:5, Jesus will make known the thoughts and intents of a believer’s heart. Some erroneously believe their misdeeds will be made public, but this is not what the Bible teaches.
A believer’s heart’s genuine character will be revealed through Jesus. Every defiant deed, poor attitude, and hurtful phrase will be scrutinized. The day has come that the Bible predicts Jesus will wipe away all of our tears (Isaiah 25:8). We will be in the presence of the holy Savior, mourning our inadequacy to merit His sacrifice.
Still, you shouldn’t let your grief continue forever. Afterward comes the indescribable delight of knowing that one’s sins have been forgiven and that one has done what was necessary to earn God’s approval. The judgment of Christ is not a punishment but a reminder of our forgiveness. At long last, we shall comprehend the immensity of His mercy.
There will be no need for believers to tremble or be ashamed during the last judgment. The time for regret is also long gone. In Christ’s perfect righteousness, we shall stand blameless before God. And we shall finally realize the immensity of God’s love for us.
Why Must We Understand Judgement Day?
The Day of Judgment is something we must always keep in mind, whether we are experiencing joy or tribulation. We must always be ready to give an account before God for the decisions we have made in this life.
Living in the light of this knowledge is crucial so that our daily actions are consistent with our understanding of God and Jesus’ sacrifice for us. To some, the most important choice they can make today is to believe that Jesus died so that we may be saved from our sins and restored to fellowship with God. Once we make this monumental choice, everything that follows, especially on the Day of Judgment, will only make you more grateful that you have a clear idea of where you’re headed.
Even if you have placed your faith in Jesus as your Savior, your choices today will affect the verdict God gives you on the Day of Judgment. Have your actions today shown God’s love to those in need? Has your recent behavior been an example of how Christians should always act? What you do now for God will affect your heart on that monumentally important day.
