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The Last Day — A Day Of Rejoicing Or Grief?

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There’s an old sacred song we sing from time to time that contains the following words in the chorus:

“When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory.“

This great day of rejoicing is a day appointed by the Father (Matthew 24:36; Acts 17:31) and that day is a certainty in coming (Hebrews 9:27). Everyone who has ever lived will be there on that day (2 Corinthians 5:10) — it will be the last day (John 12:48). On this last day, the dead will be raised, the living will be changed, all will be judged, the earth will be destroyed and the eternal abode for all will begin.

Some questions we might ask are: (1) “Are we ready for that last day?” and (2) “What will that last day hold for each one of us?” From the Scriptures, let us note the following observations:

  • The Last Day Will Be A Day Of Gladness (Revelation 21:4) — In the Lord’s presence, is “fullness of joy” and at His right hand are “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). There will be the ultimate of satisfaction when we awake (Psalm 17:15). On this day, we will enter into the joys of our Lord (Matthew 25:21). We can now and will then rejoice at our great reward (Matthew 5:12; cf. 1 Peter 1:3-4).
  • The Last Day Will Be A Day Of Greeting (Revelation 22:4) — Think of the first time when we actually see our God face to face. Think of meeting our Lord in the air (I Thessalonians 4:17). Think of being gathered to God’s people. Let’s imagine seeing again the righteous who have passed from this life (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Just think — we can sit down with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all of the faithful (Matthew 8:11; Hebrews 11).
  • The Last Day Will Be A Day Of Grandeur (Revelation 21-22) — Just think of those mansions that will never decay! (John 14:1-3; 1 Peter 1:3-5). Heaven is a place where no sin, sorrow, night, or Satan will dwell (Revelation 21:4; Revelation 21:27; Revelation 20:10). There will be an abundant entrance (2 Peter 1:11) into a place of abundant life (John 10:10).
  • The Last Day Will Be A Day Of Glory (2 Corinthians 4:17) — There is a glory to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). We shall appear with the Lord in glory (Colossians 3:4) A crown of glory that fades not away will be received (1 Peter 5:4). We will then possess the real hope of glory in Christ (Colossians 1:27).
  • The Last Day Will Be A Day Of Grief (Matthew 7:13; Matthew 25:30) — There is sadness awaiting the unfaithful and disobedient (Romans 2:5; Romans 2:8-9). There is a weeping spoken of so many times on that day in the New Testament (Matthew 8:12; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30). The last day will indeed be a day of separation, shame, and sorrow for most individuals.

Brethren and friends, there is a final day coming (Acts 17:31). Let’s again consider the two questions we asked at the beginning of this short study:

“Are we ready for that last day?”

And

“What will that last day hold for each one of us?”

We each have a choice as to what kind of day that last day will be. Jesus came that it might be a day of gladness, greeting, grandeur, and glory. Let’s not allow that last day to turn into an eternal existence of sorrow, suffering and grief (cf. Matthew 8:12; Mark 9:43-44; Luke 13:28; Luke 16:24).

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