Judgment Day

The possibility of the preacher’s going to Mexico to assist Christian with obtaining the visa we have been seeking became a reality last Tuesday when he travelled to Mexico to be with Christian at his two appointments in Nuevo Laredo. The first was at a government facility for Christian to have his photograph taken and to be finger printed. The second was at the US embassy for “judgment day,” which would determine whether or not he would be approved. This article will make a comparison between Christian’s “judgment day,” and the Judgment Day that all Christians (and other people) will face.

An Appointment For Christian

Christian’s second appointment was on Thursday, November 13, 2008. Nuevo Laredo is 165 kilometers from the outskirts of his hometown, Piedras Negras. It took about two hours and fifteen minutes each way. This appointment was a long time in coming. We had been working on this for over a year prior to this date in history. Once the appointment had been set, there was no way Christian was going to miss it. Everything else that had to do with this life would have to wait. This appointment could not be broken. As it seemed to appear, even after the fact, this would be the only chance Christian would have. His opportunity of being allowed in the States would either be now or never!

An Appointment For Christians

The Bible says that “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27, NKJ). While it is true that all humanity will stand before God in the great Judgment Day, (Rev. 20:11-15), there is a sense in which the only people in question from the Gospel age are Christians because all others will have already judged themselves unworthy of eternal life (cf. Acts 13:44-46). Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (Jn. 12:48). No one will be able to break this appointment as per Hebrews 9:27. Our arrival before Christ’s judgment seat is beyond our control (Jn. 5:25-29). 

No Human Could Assist Christian in Judgment

As mentioned earlier, we had been working with our immigration attorney for about a year. During the entire time before the appointment on November 13, Christian had all kinds of people working with him and helping him to obtain the visa. However, once he arrived at the embassy, no one was allowed to enter with him. All others had to wait not only outside the door, but no one else was even allowed on the premises of the embassy. Christian had to go in alone and stand by himself before the person who would pass judgment on his case. The only thing other than his clothes that he was permitted to bring was his paperwork. Fortunately for Christian (and us), our attorney’s office prepared a very thorough packet of documentation to present to the one making judgment. I am convinced that there would have been no hope had Christian not had this paperwork to present!

No Human Can Assist Christians in Judgment

Paul said that pleasing God in this life is most important because “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). While we are on this side of Judgment Day, we must make preparation to face God (Mt. 24:42-47; Jn. 9:41). There will be no more opportunity to prepare when that last appointment arrives (cf. Mt. 25:1-30). There will be three types of “paperwork” involved in our judgment on the last day. First, there will be the “books” of God’s law, in our case the Gospel (Rev. 20:12a). Second, there will be the “Book of Life,” wherein God has record of those who truly belong to Him (Rev. 20:12b). Third, there will be the book that reflects the life that each one of us has written “according to his works” (Rev. 20:13). No mere human can stand for us in judgment!

No Doubt About Christian’s Outcome

The US embassy in Nuevo Laredo was a plain white building with no signs or lettering on it. Armed guards were the only indication. Everybody with an appointment entered through one door and exited through another, both of which faced the main street. Family and friends of those with an appointment had to wait across either the main or side streets. It was easy to tell whether those emerging from the building were approved or not. They would either come out gesturing with their hands and/or head a negative answer or they were visibly joyful. Of about twenty people who came out before Christian, only two showed signs of happiness. Needless to say, Christian’s dad and I were a bit nervous. After over an hour, Christian emerged. Just as we were trying to read his body language, a passing van obstructed our view. Finally, after what seemed hours, Christian gave a “thumbs up.” His dad and I hugged each other with joy and ran to meet Christian with tears in our eyes. We thanked God in prayer upon returning to the car.

No Doubt About Christians’ Outcome

There are only two possible outcomes on Judgment Day: we will either hear, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Mt. 25:34), or we will hear, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt. 25:41). The rich man and Lazarus teach that there will be no doubt as to the eventual outcome of our fate on Judgment Day (Lk. 16:19-31). Which one of those sentences we receive will depend on our response to the Gospel in this life (cf. Eph. 2:8-10; Phil. 2:12). There is one big difference, though, between human courts of judgment and Judgment Day for the faithful Christian—Jesus Christ! We do not have to stand before God alone! Faithful Christians “have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 Jn. 2:1). If we are faithful, our “life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). May we live our lives in such a way that there will be no doubt as to the crown of life we receive (2 Tim. 4:6-8).