Preparing for the Final Day

By Dan C. Bailey

The Bible clearly teaches that there is going to be a final day. Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).

Once a person dies, his destiny is sealed. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:27,28).

Between death and judgment there is no possibility of repenting of one's sins or of being baptized for the remission of sins. We are commanded to do that while we are alive down here on the earth. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).

The final day is called "the day of judgment" (1 John 4:17); "the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:7); "the day of the Lord" (2 Peter 3:9); "the day of God" (2 Peter 3:12); "the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:6; 2:16); "the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:10); "the last day" (John 12:48).

The final day will not only be the day of judgment, it will also be the resurrection day. "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:39,40).

"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me" (John 6:44,45).

Jesus will be the one doing the raising of the dead on the final day. "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28,29)

The final day is the day that Jesus comes back from heaven. On that day He will judge the world in righteousness. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:30,31). Since we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) and since everyone of us will give an account of himself to God (Romans 14:11,12), it behooves us to make preparations for that day.

My friend, if you are not a Christian, become one! If you are a Christian, stay one! May God help us to live a holy and pure life and to be ready when the trumpet sounds!