"Judgment Day: Living with Eternity in Mind"
I’ve recently come to terms with a tough reality: I’m not immortal.
I know that might sound dramatic, especially if you’re thinking, “You’re only 42 — that’s not old!” But the signs are creeping in. My back hurts after a long walk, especially if I wear the wrong shoes (or none at all). A decade or two ago, I could dive into a game of ultimate frisbee barefoot without thinking twice. Now? I’d need four days of recovery!
Time is moving — fast. I blink and another year is gone. I remember graduating from college, thinking how grown-up I was. Then I met Becky, got married, and now we’ve just celebrated 12 years together. How did that happen?
This fleeting nature of life contrasts so sharply with the eternal nature of God. He’s not limited by time like we are. He exists outside of it. While we live moment by moment, God sees it all — the beginning, the end, and everything in between.
So it begs the question: Are we living our lives to the fullest — in the way God desires?
The Creed and the Coming of Christ
We’ve been walking through the Apostles’ Creed, and this week we reached the line:
"He will come again to judge the living and the dead."
That “He” is Jesus — the risen King. We’ve talked about how Jesus didn’t die again after His resurrection. He ascended into heaven and now reigns at the right hand of God. But the Creed pushes us forward: Jesus will return. He will judge. This is what we often call Judgment Day.
Every generation since the ascension has believed it was living in the last days. Maybe we are, maybe we aren’t. But Scripture is clear: we don’t know when Jesus will return, only that He will.
"Like a Thief in the Night"
Jesus said it Himself — His return will be sudden, unexpected. Like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:42-44). And that image sticks. You wake up to find your house has been robbed. If you had known the thief was coming, you would’ve stayed up, locked the doors, called for help. The message? Be ready.
If we knew exactly when Jesus was coming back, we’d be tempted to procrastinate — live our lives for ourselves and clean up just in time. But Jesus doesn’t give us that timeline. He wants us to live every day like He could return today.
What Does Readiness Look Like?
When I was in college, I missed my 8:00 a.m. class three times in a row. I finally showed up… and it was exam day. I was totally unprepared. You can guess how that went.
That’s what being unready for Jesus’ return can feel like. So how do we prepare?
Through obedience.
Justice Is Coming — And That’s Good News
2 Peter 3 warns us that scoffers will come. They’ll say, “Jesus isn’t coming back. It’s been 2,000 years!” But Peter reminds us — God’s timing is not ours. A thousand years is like a day to Him. His delay is mercy, giving more time for people to repent.
God will judge. Everything done in secret will be exposed (2 Peter 3:10). That might sound terrifying — but it’s actually good news. Why?
Because in the face of a broken world filled with injustice — racism, trafficking, abuse — we can trust that God will make all things right.
Forgiveness, Not Vengeance
Romans 12:19 reminds us:
This frees us from seeking revenge. Instead, we’re called to overcome evil with good. When we return kindness for evil, it’s like heaping burning coals on someone’s head. It’s disarming. It reflects the radical love of Jesus.
Even in everyday moments — like road rage — we have a choice: escalate the anger or respond with grace. One draws people to Jesus, the other pushes them away.
Judgment and the Gospel
Yes, Jesus will judge the living and the dead. Revelation 19 gives us a powerful picture of His return — not as a suffering servant, but as a conquering King on a white horse. He comes in power, in glory, with justice. And everything will be made new.
We are judged by our deeds. And if we’re honest, none of us measure up. We all fall short.
But here’s the heart of the gospel:
That’s the only way to come out of judgment justified. Jesus took the punishment on Himself. Justice will be served — but for those who believe, it was served at the cross.
The End Is Just the Beginning
Revelation 21 paints the final picture:
God is not just ending this broken world — He’s re-creating it. A new heaven, a new earth, a new city where He will dwell with us forever. No more pain. No more sin. No more death.
This is our hope.
So What Now?
Jesus will return.
We don’t know when.
But we know what we’re called to do.
Live with eternity in mind. Love radically. Forgive freely. Share your faith boldly. Be ready, not because you’re afraid — but because you’re excited.
Judgment Day isn’t just about fear or finality — it’s about hope, restoration, and the fulfillment of every promise God has made.
Let’s live today like eternity matters.
I know that might sound dramatic, especially if you’re thinking, “You’re only 42 — that’s not old!” But the signs are creeping in. My back hurts after a long walk, especially if I wear the wrong shoes (or none at all). A decade or two ago, I could dive into a game of ultimate frisbee barefoot without thinking twice. Now? I’d need four days of recovery!
Time is moving — fast. I blink and another year is gone. I remember graduating from college, thinking how grown-up I was. Then I met Becky, got married, and now we’ve just celebrated 12 years together. How did that happen?
This fleeting nature of life contrasts so sharply with the eternal nature of God. He’s not limited by time like we are. He exists outside of it. While we live moment by moment, God sees it all — the beginning, the end, and everything in between.
So it begs the question: Are we living our lives to the fullest — in the way God desires?
The Creed and the Coming of Christ
We’ve been walking through the Apostles’ Creed, and this week we reached the line:
"He will come again to judge the living and the dead."
That “He” is Jesus — the risen King. We’ve talked about how Jesus didn’t die again after His resurrection. He ascended into heaven and now reigns at the right hand of God. But the Creed pushes us forward: Jesus will return. He will judge. This is what we often call Judgment Day.
Every generation since the ascension has believed it was living in the last days. Maybe we are, maybe we aren’t. But Scripture is clear: we don’t know when Jesus will return, only that He will.
"Like a Thief in the Night"
Jesus said it Himself — His return will be sudden, unexpected. Like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:42-44). And that image sticks. You wake up to find your house has been robbed. If you had known the thief was coming, you would’ve stayed up, locked the doors, called for help. The message? Be ready.
If we knew exactly when Jesus was coming back, we’d be tempted to procrastinate — live our lives for ourselves and clean up just in time. But Jesus doesn’t give us that timeline. He wants us to live every day like He could return today.
What Does Readiness Look Like?
When I was in college, I missed my 8:00 a.m. class three times in a row. I finally showed up… and it was exam day. I was totally unprepared. You can guess how that went.
That’s what being unready for Jesus’ return can feel like. So how do we prepare?
Through obedience.
- Worshiping God
- Spending time in His Word
- Sharing the Gospel
- Living on mission
Justice Is Coming — And That’s Good News
2 Peter 3 warns us that scoffers will come. They’ll say, “Jesus isn’t coming back. It’s been 2,000 years!” But Peter reminds us — God’s timing is not ours. A thousand years is like a day to Him. His delay is mercy, giving more time for people to repent.
God will judge. Everything done in secret will be exposed (2 Peter 3:10). That might sound terrifying — but it’s actually good news. Why?
Because in the face of a broken world filled with injustice — racism, trafficking, abuse — we can trust that God will make all things right.
Forgiveness, Not Vengeance
Romans 12:19 reminds us:
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
This frees us from seeking revenge. Instead, we’re called to overcome evil with good. When we return kindness for evil, it’s like heaping burning coals on someone’s head. It’s disarming. It reflects the radical love of Jesus.
Even in everyday moments — like road rage — we have a choice: escalate the anger or respond with grace. One draws people to Jesus, the other pushes them away.
Judgment and the Gospel
Yes, Jesus will judge the living and the dead. Revelation 19 gives us a powerful picture of His return — not as a suffering servant, but as a conquering King on a white horse. He comes in power, in glory, with justice. And everything will be made new.
We are judged by our deeds. And if we’re honest, none of us measure up. We all fall short.
But here’s the heart of the gospel:
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
That’s the only way to come out of judgment justified. Jesus took the punishment on Himself. Justice will be served — but for those who believe, it was served at the cross.
The End Is Just the Beginning
Revelation 21 paints the final picture:
“He will wipe away every tear… death shall be no more… the former things have passed away.”
God is not just ending this broken world — He’s re-creating it. A new heaven, a new earth, a new city where He will dwell with us forever. No more pain. No more sin. No more death.
This is our hope.
So What Now?
Jesus will return.
We don’t know when.
But we know what we’re called to do.
Live every moment on mission for God.
Live with eternity in mind. Love radically. Forgive freely. Share your faith boldly. Be ready, not because you’re afraid — but because you’re excited.
Judgment Day isn’t just about fear or finality — it’s about hope, restoration, and the fulfillment of every promise God has made.
Let’s live today like eternity matters.
Posted in Apostles\\\' Creed, Belief, Hell, Jesus Christ, Revelation
Posted in End Times, Judgment Day, Living to the Fullest, Time, death, Revelation
Posted in End Times, Judgment Day, Living to the Fullest, Time, death, Revelation
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