ARE YOU READY FOR JUDGMENT DAY?

ARE YOU READY FOR JUDGMENT DAY? Matthew 11:20 – 24

Introduction: With what is happening now, the news we hear, watch and read are all evidences of end time. Jesus warns us that it will be like the days of Noah in Matthew 24: 36 – 44. Today everything is moving as usual. People are going about their normal businesses. All our minds are focused on our businesses, our careers, etc. How many are cautious of His coming back? How many of us are able to read the hand writing on the wall? How many of us are able to discern the time we are in? Inasmuch as we know that we can’t fold our hands and wait for that day, we must always have it in mind. Jesus said something striking in Matthew 24:32 & 33.

Development: Jesus sent His disciples on mission and while they were away, He spoke to the multitude about that generation which doesn’t appreciate anything good. That led Him to the portion for our text. Jesus rebuked Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, for not repenting despite all the preaching and miracles He did there. Woe to you simply means “Miserable art thou. For these are not curses or imprecations, as has been commonly supposed; but a solemn, compassionate declaration of the misery they were bringing on themselves” according to John Wesley. In the case of Capernaum which is exalted to heaven, Jesus used the phrase to “Denote great privileges. He meant that they were peculiarly favoured with instructions. The city was prosperous. It was successful in commerce. It was signally favoured by its wealth. Most of all, it was signally favoured by the presence, the preaching, and the miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here he spent a large part of his time in the early part of his ministry; and in Capernaum and its neighbourhood he performed his chief miracles” – Albert Barnes.

Today we are favoured in the same way Capernaum was favoured. We have heard many messages from speakers live, on televisions, we have tapes and cassettes, we have witnessed miracles but what have we to show we are grateful for all these? How many of us are living according to the dictates of God? How many of us are ready for heaven? If Jesus will come back today, will He find you faithful?

Do not assume that because you are in the church, you are already in heaven. Not all who were saved at Egypt entered the Promised Land, even their leader Moses. The Pharisees and Sadducees were religious but Jesus denounced them and said they were not worthy for the kingdom of God. You may be singing in the choir/gospel band but you are not a candidate for heaven. You may be the treasurer of the church or group in the church but not worthy of heaven. Remember Judas was treasurer of Jesus and his disciples but he missed the mark. You may be a Pastor or Priest and end up in hell. Sons of Eli and Samuel all failed God. You may be a Priest’s/Pastor’s/Bishop’s relation and end in hell. Lot’s wife had Abraham and ended badly. You may be giving money to the church/Pastor because you want favour from God that will not take you to heaven. Simon wanted to pay money to obtain favour and Peter rebuked him in Act 8:20. You may be a student of the Bible; you read and study it. That is not enough to take you to heaven. Devil reads the Bible too. You may be a recipient of outstanding miracle and blessings that is not enough to take you to heaven. Remember the man born blind. Jesus went after him to ensure he become born again (John 9:35).

Jesus summed up all these by telling Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum that it will be more tolerable for Sodom, Tyre and Sidon than for them. They enjoyed all the privileges like we are enjoying now. If really the messages we hear are manifest in our lives, how come we cannot change? How come sin and disobedience is the order of the day for us? How come we can’t see it in our commitment to the things of God?     

Beloved in Christ, the important thing here is living the life of righteousness and holiness without which we can’t see God (Hebrew 12:14). God has granted us salvation in Christ Jesus. He has done His part. It is left for us to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12). A repented life is just like a light. It cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14 – 16). We must prepare ourselves so that we will not be taken unawares like the days of Noah.

Conclusion: If Jesus comes now, are you ready? Your judgment may be sooner than expected. Death may come knocking which will bring the judgment closer just as Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Remember the rich man and Lazarus. An adage says to be forewarned is to be forearmed.