(4 minute read; 823 word)
Jesus is coming back for a final judgment of all mankind.
“Jesus, the Lord of history, will return… to bring history to its proper conclusion.” (adapted from Revelation 1:7; Holman New Testament Commentary – Revelation; Kendall H. Easley)
This time, He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11). Only the Father knows the day and hour (Matthew 24:36).
The Bible calls it the Day of the Lord—a great day for believers, but a terrible day for those who have rejected Him.
The standard of judgment will be this:
Are you saved by God’s grace through genuine repentance and saving faith in Jesus Christ?
Before time began, the names of those who would be saved were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Only those who are born again—born for a second time—will be found there.
“And anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
That “lake of fire” is not annihilation—it is eternal, conscious punishment, the same fate as Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet (Revelation 20:10). Forever and ever is a long time to be wrong.
Personalize it:
And if [insert your first name]’s name is not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, he/she will be thrown into the lake of fire… the second death, irreversible, for all eternity.
Those who are born twice will die once. Those who are born once will die twice. You DO NOT want to die twice.
Matthew 3:12 paints the picture:
“…He will gather His wheat (believers) into the barn (His kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”
“There is a day coming when the wheat and chaff, the righteous and the unrighteous, shall be separated. The last judgment will be the distinguishing day, when saints and sinners shall be parted forever. In heaven the saints are brought together, and no longer scattered; they are safe, and no longer exposed; separated from corrupt neighbors without, and corrupt affections within, and there is no chaff among them. Hell, the lake of fire, is the unquenchable fire, which will certainly be the portion and punishment of hypocrites and unbelievers. Here life and death, good and evil, are set before us: according as we now are in the field, we shall be then in the floor.” (Source: Matthew Henry Commentary; emphasis added)
Every thought, attitude, word, and action will be exposed and measured against God’s perfect standard (2 Corinthians 5:10). All will be found lacking apart from Christ.
The only escape from condemnation is by God’s grace—through your genuine repentance and saving faith in Jesus Christ.
“If in that day Christ comes as a friend, it can only be a day of glory; if He comes as a stranger… it can only be a day of judgment.” (William Barclay)
So—how is your heart toward Jesus Christ? Have you repented and placed your faith and trust in Him? If yes, live it out daily and share the Good News with others. Let your life reflect Him in every thought, word, and deed. Share your faith boldly. Do not be ashamed of the gospel.
If not—hear this: Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
Jesus Himself invites you:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7–8)
Stay in His Word daily and meditate on it. Be persistent! Keep asking! Keep seeking! Keep knocking! Keep pleading.
Do not leave this life without a personal relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord. Many do—and they are condemned and without hope.
God has already provided the way through His Son. The choice is yours.
According to the Bible, believers in Christ will live forever with Him in that great city, New Jerusalem, enjoying perfect fellowship with God for eternity, while those who reject Christ will be cast into the lake of fire — a place of eternal judgment and separation from God. (Revelation 20:15)
From John 3:36
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
A clear presentation of the gospel message must precede genuine repentance and saving faith. True faith always has content- the revealed Word of God. Salvation comes to those who repent and hear and believe in their heart the facts of the gospel. The Holy Spirit uses the Word to produce life. It is the “truth” of the gospel that saves and regenerates people. This is one of God’s greatest miracles!
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