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Saturday, October 12, 2013

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Joel 4:12-21
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
Luke 11:27-28

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happy judgment day!

"Let the nations bestir themselves and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit in judgment." —Joel 4:12

On Judgment Day, we will be escorted into "the valley of decision" (Jl 4:14). All people of all nations will be present. Adam, Eve, Judas, Napoleon, Hitler, Mother Teresa, your mother, etc. — everyone will be there. The Lord will divide the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right side, and they will live with Him forever in heaven (Mt 25:33-34). Then He will put the goats on His left, and they will be damned forever (Mt 25:33, 46).

"The valley of decision" is a fearsome place. However, "it is no part of your heavenly Father's plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief" (Mt 18:14). The Father's will is not for us to be damned but to be saved (1 Tm 2:4). He even sent His Son to die for us and save us. Because Jesus is with us, we can fearlessly walk through "the valley of decision" and "the valley of the shadow of death" (Ps 23:4, RSV-CE).

On Judgment Day, we can "stand erect and hold" our heads high (Lk 21:28). We can sing: "Alleluia! The Lord is King, our God, the Almighty! Let us rejoice and be glad, and give Him glory! For this is the wedding day of the Lamb" (Rv 19:6-7). "Our love is brought to perfection in this, that we should have confidence on the day of judgment" (1 Jn 4:17), in "the valley of decision."

Prayer:  Jesus, Savior and Judge, have mercy on me.

Promise:  "Blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it." —Lk 11:28

Praise:  Sister Alice has devoted her life to caring for the elderly and dying, bringing the love of Jesus to those nearing the valley of decision.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on Judgment Day on audio AV 75-3 or video V-75.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 22, 2013

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