“Doomsday” 

By Royce Frederick

 The end of the world is sometimes called “doomsday.” There is a good reason for that: “...the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10). Planet earth is doomed.

But a day of doom is not certain for you. In one way, the Last Day is like every day: you have the power to make it joyful or sad. Will it be a day of joy for you? Will you enjoy seeing Jesus coming in the clouds?

To some, His return will be dreadful: “...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction...” (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Those who have turned away from God and the grace He offers in His gospel will be thrown into the eternal lake of fire (Rev. 20:15; Matt. 25:46). It is certainly “foolish” to be unprepared (Matt. 25:1-13).

To others, His return will be beautiful! All people who have obeyed the gospel and remained faithful will see Him who redeemed them by His own blood! They will become like Him and go home with Him forever (1 Jn. 3:2; Matt. 25:46; 1 Thess. 4:17)! For these people, His coming will be a “glorious appearing” (Titus 2:13), and they will enjoy the eternal blessings of “...new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13; see Rev. 21:1-4). In that eternal home, there will be “no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” and “no more pain” (Rev 21:4)!

Will the Last Day be doom or delight for you? The choice is yours.