November 20 Judgment Day

Revelation 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.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 he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
 
THIS is Judgment Day. Suddenly in victory and truth, the Holy God – Father and Son – come in glory to end sin and establish the Lord’s salvation. All who had died before this day and all alive on this day will stand before God as he opens the Book of Life. This is too large for us to imagine. Even so, we must trust in the Savior’s holy promise. Matthew 24:30-31 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
    The prophets have foretold this: Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.
    The apostles have spoken: 2 Peter 3:10 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.
    Then the apostle urges the church to be prepared. 2 Peter 3:11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12a as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. Then again he confirms the universe will change: 2 Peter 3:12b That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. The Lord God will come. His Word tells us so. Be prepared. God will change all you know. God will determine your eternal home.
    This is the Word of God. He has spoken to you, taught you and promised you of sin’s judgment and salvation’s reward. Where is your name written? What are you doing to prepare unbelievers for this day?
 
Prayer: Stir us Lord to believe in this day. Ignite our love for others, so we will be purposeful to declare the Good News. Amen.