Impact Christian Church

Will Saturday be the Judgment day?

Probably not for most, but yes for some.

 You may have read that a radical Christian group led by a man named Howard Camping has been declaring for quite some time that based on their calculations, the Judgment Day will happen this Saturday, May 21, 2011.  This is when he believes the “rapture” will occur and then they believe God will give those who remain 5 months to turn to him before the earth is destroyed by fire on October 21, 2011.

Is this guy correct?  I doubt it based on Matthew 24:36.  In that verse, speaking of the end times Jesus says: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36 New International Version). 

We also read these words in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6:

“Now, brothers and sisters, we do not need to write you about times and dates.² You know very well that the day the Lord comes again will be a surprise, like a thief that comes in the night. While people are saying, "We have peace and we are safe," they will be destroyed quickly. It is like pains that come quickly to a woman having a baby. Those people will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not living in darkness, and so that day will not surprise you like a thief. You are all people who belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.  So we should not be like other people who are sleeping, but we should be alert and have self-control.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 New Century Version).

Both passages seem to indicate that when someone announces a date for the Second Coming of Jesus, we can be pretty sure it won’t happen on that date.  But let’s not dismiss this subject too quickly.

Will May 21, 2011 be the Judgment Day?  Yes, for some it will be.  Scripture tells us Hebrews 9:27 tells us that “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”.  Since some people will die on Saturday, May 21, 2011 will in fact be judgment day for some people.  Every day is judgment day for someone.

And more than that, the Second Coming of Jesus can come at anytime…including Saturday May 21, 2011 and be a surprise to many.  The primary reaction to the campaign by Mr. Camping and his followers is for people to mock him and/or roll their eyes.  Many people are saying “We have peace and are safe”—and while they are saying this (according to the verses above) is when Jesus may come again in power and Judgment.

So how should we respond to upcoming judgment whether it Saturday May, 21, 2011, many years from now or at the moment of our death?  May I suggest 2 things:

1. Make sure you are spiritually ready for judgment.  If you have trusted in Jesus for your salvation and have responded to Him as the Bible teaches (believing in Him, turning from your sin, announcing your trust in Him to others, being baptized by immersion as a result of your own decision, and doing your best to live a godly life) you have nothing to worry about.  When Jesus returns he will welcome you into eternity with opened arms, not based on anything you have done to earn it, but based on your willingness to accept Jesus’ death as payment for your sins.  If you are spiritually ready for judgment you can face the future without fear—whether you meet Jesus when you die or when he returns in power and glory.
2. Make sure those in your line of sight know they can escape eternal condemnation. Don’t let those you love or even those you know casually be taken by surprise by the coming judgment.  Help them to know they are loved by God and that Jesus willingly gave up His life to pay the debt they owe God.  Let them know that they are loved by God and He wants them to enjoy eternal life with Him.  At least give them the information to make the choice on their own whether to trust in their own wisdom and work when they stand before God or to trust in what Jesus did on the judgment day. 

If Saturday is the day… I would love it and hate it at the same time.  I would hate it because people I care about are still far from God and I don’t want to see them perish.  On the other hand I would love it because I can’t wait to stand before Jesus and express my love for him face to face.  I can’t wait to hug people who I love who are already with Jesus… my daughter Cayla, my mama, my grandma’s, my grandpa, and so many others.

If Saturday is the day, I am ready.  Are you?  Are those you know and love ready?  Let’s spend whatever time we have left here on earth Reaching UP to God, Reaching OUT to others, and Reaching IN for spiritual growth as we let God love us and love others through us!

I love you and I love being your minister!

Steve Hammer