Tag Archives: the judgment day

The word “greatness” appears over 30 times in Scripture.

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Maybe you didn’t don a black robe and make a landmark decision as an entire nation waited. So, your name didn’t appear atop the leader boards of high-profile soccer, golf, or tennis matches. You weren’t named to the London Olympics. Your name wasn’t on Forbes list of the richest people in America, and maybe not even Bubba’s list of the richest people in your neighborhood. You weren’t named to the All-Star team. Your marital situation was not noteworthy enough to be a hot topic on the news and tabloid TV shows. You weren’t given a trophy at the BET Awards. But, you still could be marked for greatness.

The word “greatness” appears over 30 times in Scripture. Did you know it was used positively of a man only once? In recounting King Ahaseurus’ reign, the book of Esther mentions a book of chronicles of the kings of the Medo-Persian empire in which was recorded “the full account of the greatness of Mordecai (Est. 10:2). This seems to have stemmed originally from Mordecai’s heroic act of thwarting two of Ahaseurus’ doorkeepers, who plotted to kill the king (6:2ff). Mordecai was given a place of prominence in the king’s court (8:15; 9:4). Yet, he was a man understood that a place of greatness, were it bestowed on one, was to be used for God’s glory and His purpose (cf. 4:13-14).

Under Christ, we can accomplish much for Him with our talents and abilities. Jesus encourages as much (Matt. 25:14-30). Yet, Paul gives us proper perspective about greatness in 2 Corinthians 4:7. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” 2 Corinthians four talks about the power of the “Word of God” (1), the “truth” (1), the “gospel” (2,4), preaching Christ (5), “the knowledge of the glory of God” (6), what Paul calls “this treasure” in verse seven.

Today, greatness is best found not in saving the lives of heads of state. It is certainly not in winning fleeting fame in pursuits that will ultimately perish. Greatness is found in sharing God’s Word with the world. You may never have your name on a trophy or plaque on this earth, but you will have your name in God’s record book. That Hall of Fame will, on the Judgment Day, be known to all people of all time–what a stage! Just remember, whatever you do for Him, that the greatness is of God and not from ourselves!

Neal Pollard

The coming judgment day

2 Tim. 1:18 “The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day…….”

These words are part of a prayer from the lips of Paul regarding a man named Onesiphorus.

It is right and it is good for us to pray for the physical health and for the spiritual health of each other (3 John 2). Over the course of my 79 years of life I know that many prayers have been raised in my behalf as it regards my physical well being and I deeply appreciate all of them. But, you know, the greatest prayer that can ever be uttered for any of us is the one that Paul prayed for Onesiphorus, namely, that we find mercy in that day. The fruit of mercy is eternal life (Jude 6). Understand, we seek and ask for the help and mercy of the Lord today. How much more is that mercy needed in that day appointed when he will judge us (Acts 17:31). Now, know this, if we are to have mercy in that day, we must seek it today as well (Heb. 4:16).

All of history moves toward that final day of Judgment (Heb. 9:27, Acts 17:30-31). If we learn to properly respect and fear that one hour of the Judgment and point our lives toward that one day, then our life on this side of eternity will be a successful one (Phil. 3:13-14, Phil. 2:12, Rom. 2:5-6, Rom. 14:12, Heb. 10:31).

On that day all races, all nationalities, all nations will be gathered together (Matt. 25:31-46, Rev. 20:11-15). On that day the books will be opened (Rev. 20:12). On that day judgment will be rendered by the great judge—Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 4:1) and he will judge according to his word (John 12:48). Heaven’s record of the lives of all mankind will be opened and every man will stand on his own record (2 Cor. 5:10).  The Lamb’s Book of Life containing the names of the redeemed will be opened and if a man’s name is not written there, he is lost forever (Phil. 4:3, Rev. 20:15).  I must pause here for a moment and ask, how do I stand, how do you stand today? Is our name written in the Lamb’s book of life? Where will we be in eternity. One day we will stand before the great judge and he will either say to us, come ye blessed inherit the kingdom or he will say, depart from me ye cursed. Which will it be, come or depart?

In reality, all of us are facing the sentence of life or death in that day. The life we live today will determine the answer in that day (2 Tim. 4:6-8, Phil. 1:21, Gal. 2:20).

Charles Hicks