That Fateful Day

 

I seek holiness, yearning for heaven. My reasons are simple but profound:

1. The beauty of heaven’s promises is beyond words.

2. The terror of hell is unimaginable.

It took just one sin for Adam and Eve to be cast from paradise. In Revelation 2:5, we are reminded: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” This has kept me anchored in constant repentance, continually communing with my God. My mind is ever besieged by sinful thoughts, and I must always call upon Him for help.

As it is written in Hebrews 12:14: "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord."

Often, I envision the day of Jesus' return, and it fills me with dread. There are moments when the sheer horror of that day sends shivers through my soul. At other times, I am so overcome with emotion that I scarcely know what to do.

On that day, I see the earth trembling, winds will howl, and the seas will rage. Every living thing will stand still, frozen in awe. The trees will shudder and the clouds will part. At the sound of His voice, mountains will melt, winds will cease, waters will calm, and trees will fold their leaves. The world will be thrown into chaos as every eye, from the eldest to the youngest, will gaze toward the heavens.

Drunkards will stagger out of bars, discarding their bottles. Worshipers will abandon their pews, adulterers will hastily dress in shame, liars' lips will be sealed, murderers will drop their weapons, the sick will jump out of their beds, men and women will dash out of offices.  

Even as thieves clutch their spoils and some gay men exchange vows, the business of life will come to a crashing halt. The world will be going about its business as usual. 

This is described in Matthew 24:37-39:

37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 

38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 

39 And did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."

The unbelievers, who once scoffed at God, will tremble in terror. Men and women will weep, their bodies shaking uncontrollably.

The dust will stir, and the dead will rise from their graves. Seas, rivers, and oceans will surrender those who perished in their depths. People from every era and generation will stand before the Lord—clad in ancient animal skins, kilts, shawls, combat gear, suits, metallic armor, and Roman tunics. 

Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, Jezebel, Jacob, Paul, Solomon, Julius Caesar, Hitler, Osama bin Laden, and even modern figures like Pope Francis, Elon Musk, Trump, Michael Jackson—every single soul, great and small, will be there.

2 Corinthians 5:10 declares: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

No words or deeds or wealth will save you that day. We will be all under the mercy of the Almighty God.

Revelation 20:12-14 paints a vivid picture:

12 "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 

13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.  

14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death."

At the sight of the Creator of heaven and earth, every living thing will bow.

Imagine... Every sin, every thought, every action we ever committed has been recorded including those done in secret.

The very Judge who will appear in the heavens is the One we mock and ignore today. We busy ourselves with hollow rituals, pretending to be righteous, while indulging in sin with ease. That day will be a day of reckoning. 

That day will come unexpectedly. Those deemed unworthy will be thrown into the lake of fire, while the righteous will inherit eternal life. The reality is, far more will be lost than will gain entry into the kingdom of heaven. Still, the redeemed will be many, for John saw a multitude too vast to number.

It is written in Revelation 7:9 that, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”

Life is not guaranteed; God knows the moment of our arrival and departure from this world. If you are still breathing, He is granting you time to repent, follow Him and be saved.

As 2 Peter 3:9-14 reminds us:

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 

12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 

13 But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him.

Jesus is coming, whether we believe it or not. Prepare yourself while there is still time, for the day draws nearer than we think. Strive to be ready.