Hadn't Christ already mentioned to His apostles,
when he was still here on earth, that the day of Judgment was near? (Matthew 24:33)  How come, as I listen to Iglesia ni Cristo ministers preach, I hear the same—that the day of Judgment is near?   How near really is Judgment Day?    It was already near ages ago.

 
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"How near really is the day of Judgment?"


Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, January 1996, p.3

ONE PARTICULAR TEACHING that keeps troubling me up to now is on Judgment Day which will be on Christ's second coming. Hadn't Christ already mentioned to His apostles when he was still here on earth that the day of Judgment was near?

How come, as I listen to your ministers preach, I hear the same—that the day of Judgment is near?   How near really is Judgment Day?    It was already near ages ago.

Carlos Vasquez
Manila, Philippines

Editor's reply:

When our Lord Jesus Christ told His apostles that His second coming was near, He qualified His statement by saying:

".. .when you see all these things, know that it is near, at the very doors" (Mt. 24:33, New King James Version)

What are these things that the Savior was referring to, which, when they would have taken place, indicate that the day of judgment is near? The Lord Jesus Christ explained, thus:

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled-for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

"For nation will rise against nation, and  kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

'All these art the beginning of sorrows"    (Mt. 24:6-8, Ibid.)

All of these signs mentioned by the Lord  Jesus Christ have already taken place and continue to happen in fulfillment of the Savior's  prophesies.   Therefore the day of judgment is very near because it is in these last days that "these things" prophesied by Christ have been fulfilled.

However, no one knows the exact date when Judgment Day will take place, no one,  not even Christ but only the Father (cf. Mt. 24:36).

No one knows the day or hour. The angels in heaven don't know, and the Son himself doesn't know.  Only the Father knows. (Mt. 24:36, Contemporary English Version)

  Hence, the Savior warned us to be ready,  for He is coming at an hour when no one expects Him (cf. Mt. 24:44).

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Mt. 24:44, NKJV)

You are right in saying we must ready ourselves for that day. But how must we prepare for Christ's second coming?    Apostle Paul was very clear on the matter:

And so, my friends, as you wait for that Day, do your best to be pure and faultless in God's sight and to be at peace with him" (II Peter 3:14, Today's English Version)

But where can one find this peace?

This peace can be found in the one body, the Church of which Christ is the head (cf. Col. 3:15; 1:18).

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Col. 3:15, NKJV)

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Col. 1:18, NKJV)

  This Church is the Church o f Christ which was redeemed, by the Savior's own blood (Acts 20:28, Lamsa)

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood. (Acts 20:28, Lamsa)

Those who have become members of the Church or parts of the body are very certain that on Judgment Day they will not be condemned (cf. Rom 12:4-5: Rom. 8:1).

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Rom. 12:4-5, NKJV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Rom. 8:1, NKJV)

Thus, to prepare oneself for the day of Judgment he must join the Church of Christ and endure to the end (cf. Mt. 24:13).

 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Mt. 24:13, NKJV)

___________________

Note: Verses in smaller font were added for clarity. Emphasis ours.

Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind.

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