Near where I live, someone has put up a large billboard that reads, “Judgment Day is Coming, 21 May 2011”.
What’s going on here? Is this right? What should I do?
Well let’s break it down.
Judgement day IS coming
The first thing to say is Judgment Day is coming. Jesus has already come to earth once and he has promised to come back (John 14:3; Acts 1:11).
On this day there will be a final judgment of all people, living and dead. Jesus himself will be the judge (Acts 17:30-31).
Those who trust in Jesus will receive new spiritual bodies for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:35-58; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2); those who don’t trust in Jesus will receive eternal death (John 3:36; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
There will be a final defeat and destruction of all evil — Satan, sin, suffering and death. The kingdom of God will come to its fulfillment at last and the world will be recreated (Acts 3:20-21).
But is “21 May 2011” the day?
Maybe, maybe not! Jesus said no one would be able to predict exactly when He would return.
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32).
So the angels don’t know when Jesus is coming back, and Jesus doesn’t know when He is coming back. So either
1) The people who put the billboard up (“Family Radio Worldwide”) know more than Jesus and the angels, or
2) they are wrong in saying they know exactly when Judgment Day is coming.
Preparing for judgement day
So what do you do? Well, Judgment Day is coming. Jesus will return, even though we don’t know when. What do we do? Check out the following:
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:43-44).
“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” (Mark 13:33)
“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
“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 done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 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.” (2 Peter 3:10-12)
Judgment Day is coming. The Day has been set. It is foolish to try to guess when, but even more foolish not to be ready for it. Trust Jesus now. Live faith, love and hope. Be prepared. Be ready. Pray. Do it now!