“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” 2 Peter 3:10 (ESV) 

Any Christian apologetic or meaningful evangelism message that is void of final judgement is lacking, at best. The gospel itself is a message of salvation, but salvation from what? If we are being “saved” there must be something we are being saved from. 

The reason many don’t discuss this very important element of Christianity is because it undermines their flawed theology that focuses on love and grace at the expense of repentance from sin. In the gospel we are being saved from the just wrath of God himself—the wrath and judgement that he will pour out on all things found outside of Christ on the day of the Lord. 

All things outside of Christ are subject to judgement and condemnation. Everything in existence was created by him, for him and is subject to him. This includes everything in creation. There is nothing that will not ultimately surrender to his sovereignty and authority. 

The day of the Lord isn’t just about the wrath of God, it is about the greatness and glory of our God. When Peter preached his first sermon on the day of Pentecost, his gospel presentation centered around the day of the Lord where he quotes from Joel 2:28-32: 

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 

And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Acts 2:17-21 (ESV)  

The day of the Lord will be great and glorious. The King of all Kings will be glorified in all of heaven and in all the earth. God’s people will be delivered and saved for his glory and all of creation will worship him. 

But God will also be glorified in the destruction of his enemies. This is something that most Christian’s in our culture don’t believe or at least don’t want to talk about, but it is as true as everything else written in the Scripture. God is full of love and mercy but to those who reject the sacrifice of Christ and the salvation it provides; their judgment will bring glory to the God they rejected. 

The Bible says it’s not the Lord’s wish that any should perish but that all would have eternal life. But those who are not saved from the due penalty of their sin will receive eternal judgement and condemnation. In Revelation, it says that they rejoice in heaven as the smoke of their enemies goes up forever and ever: 

“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, 

‘Hallelujah! 
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.’
 
Once more they cried out, 
‘Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.’” Revelation 19:1-3 (ESV)

In Christ,

Pastor Joshua 

Joshua West is a pastor, evangelist, and author. He is also director of the World Challenge Pastors Network.