June 14

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Luke 21, 28.

The Day of Judgment, as described in Holy Scripture, must be viewed by all the children of this world with fear and trembling. It is to them a day that will deprive them of all their joys and pleasures.

But what does Jesus say to His disciples, to the true Christians, about that day? Should they fear the Day of Judgment? No; He says: "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." It is not a day of terror, but a day of joy, for all true Christians.

Even as in war the din of battle and the courage of men is awful to the vanquished, while the same sounds are like liberty bells to the victors, so it will be on the Last Day. For the Christians the troubles of this life will then be past, and the joys of heaven will begin. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."

It is a blessed thing to look forward to Judgment Day and to recognize in the Judge who is to pronounce our doom the same Savior by whose blood we are washed, to whom we have committed the keeping of our souls. O glorious day on which Christ will return! Then shall we behold our dear Savior face to face, and He will take us into His heavenly abode. He will reward us most abundantly for all the sufferings of this present time; He will wipe all the tears from our eyes; He will let us taste of His heavenly things. He will welcome us and say: "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Prayer.

Lord God, who hast sent Thy Son, Christ Jesus, into the world to suffer and die, to rise again on the third day, to ascend to heaven, and there to sit at Thy right hand and to hold everything in His hand, send us His Spirit and have us await His coming to judge both the quick and the dead, thus attaining to the eternal kingdom, our inheritance, which Thou wilt give to us through Him. We beseech Thee, O Lord God, let us look forward to that Day, not as a day of terror, but as a day of redemption, joy, and salvation. Let us always be prepared to meet Him; and when the hour of death draws nigh and we are to depart, grant that we may fall asleep unto eternal life in the true knowledge of our Savior. Amen.

With His reward

Christ comes; He tarries not; His day is near;

When men least look for Him, He will be here.

Prepare for Him!