By Archie Wilson Jr.
It is a common belief across many ideologies that at some point in time there will be a last day. Even science acknowledges the inevitability of a last day for our planet; as the universe, or our sun will eventually destroy the earth in some manner, usually involving intense heat.
Go figure!
The point being we have a general consensus across the board that at sometime in the future the gig is up for us all. So what does the Bible say about that universally expected last day?
Surprisingly, not much, especially if you consider the amount of time mankind thinks and talks about the last day. I suppose the Bible is very conspicuous about the actual last day because it is a clearly visible and accepted idea, which is the literal definition of conspicuous.
Yet mankind worries and frets about the last day almost every day.
Countless books have been written about the earth’s last day. It seems like someone makes a movie about the last day at least twice per year.
I think PBS or the History Channel has a thousand documentaries about the earth being destroyed. I’m being facetious, but not by much.
Before we look at what little the Bible actually has to say about the last day, let me recap our previous article about “The Last Days.” Biblically it is a distinct and different idea from “The Last Day.”
In the previous article, we explored what the Bible meant by the term “The Last Days.” We looked at how the Old Testament prophets used The Last Days statement as a prediction of Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah.
We further examined how the New Testament writers, such as Peter, who plainly confirmed that Jesus life was the fulfillment of this prophecy. All this was confirmed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirt on Pentecost just like Joel predicted. (See Acts 2:14-17).
One might say the prophecy was signed, sealed and delivered on Pentecost. Actually, Jesus did say something to that effect in the book of Revelation to John.
Now the Bible has much mentioning of the fragility of men’s lives, but specific use and info about the last day is mainly mentioned by Jesus himself. What Jesus specifically says about the last day is recorded by John:
John 6:39-40 KJV: [39] And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. [40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Take note of how Jesus ties the last day to his promise of a believer’s resurrection unto everlasting life. To further prove Jesus’ power over life and death, plus confirm his authority to raise the dead, we find the events of Lazarus in John 11:21-24 KJV: [21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. [22] But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. [23] Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. [24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Next we see Jesus link the resurrection on the last day to the final judgment: John 12:48 KJV: [48] He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
So, what separates the Bible concerning the common belief of an inevitable “Last Day” is the resurrection of the dead for a final judgment of all of mankind at the judgment seat of Christ. Those who have trusted in Jesus as the remedy for sin will receive the gift of eternal life. Those who have trusted in themselves, by the works of the flesh, will receive the wages of sin, which is eternal death.
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 KJV: [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. [11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.