One of the saddest days in history was twenty years ago this month, on the 11th day of September, and I never saw it coming. Do you remember where you were and what you were doing on that day of tragedy? Were you ready for that news when it hit and unfolded throughout the day? President Bush sat in on a primary school activity and informed what had just happened; he never saw it coming. American flights were all banned from entry as planes over the US were grounded. Most of us watched the footage repeatedly as the planes flew right into the towers. Then, with horror, we watched the towers collapsing with the realization of the thousands who were not ready for that day. If only we had been warned of the events of that day, we could have prepared, and no one’s life would have been lost. May we never forget.
The Bible tells of the ultimate saddest day that we can prepare for – the great day of judgment. Though no one knows the exact day or hour, we have been instructed to be ready whenever it happens. God has paid the way through the death of Jesus Christ for no one to perish. The sad truth is that many will be standing outside the gates of heaven and denied entry. They did not prepare for this day as they have rejected the payment of Christ on their behalf. The Apostle Paul said that God “…has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31). What a sad day for those not prepared and who will be lost (see Matthew 25:1-13). Are you ready for Judgment Day?