Mercy in That Day by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 18, 1902

Mercy in That Day

By Uriah Smith

WE cannot better show our gratitude for some men than by offering up a fervent prayer for them. Even the best of men will be made better by our prayers. Paul had thus remembered on a previous occasion the household of Onesiphorus, a special friend of his, for the care and loving kindness shown to him; and finally he engages in a hearty prayer for the good man himself, in these words: “The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day.” 2 Tim. 1:18. The reference to the Lord, and the emphasis attached to his name, make this prayer peculiarly solemn.

The day singled out as “that day,” without any qualifying adjective, refers to the very day so often mentioned in the Scriptures as the most important and decisive day we are to meet in our experience,—the day of judgment. And what better wish could any one express for a friend of his than good wishes and blessings for him in that day?

Onesiphorus had remembered Paul in the days of his calamity and peril, and so Paul begs of the Lord to make a gracious return to him, in kind, in the day of judgment. Yet the utmost he can ask for so excellent a man is that he may “find mercy.” This is the Lord’s benediction upon the merciful, in that day. Matt. 5:7. The day is not here specifically described, because it was so well-known, and was so much dwelt upon among Christians. Do we, even yet, realize what it will be to find mercy when that day really comes?

The date of the coming of that day is not set down in the calendar,—that would but excite curiosity,—and the Lord has said that he has retained the knowledge of “that day and hour” in his own power. The length of that day is not specified, though it is indicated that the day of judgment will begin prior to the thousand years of Revelation 20, and extend for a time after they terminate. At any rate, it will be long enough for the deliberate judgment of all men.

The coming of that day will be solemnly proclaimed. We shall all be aware of it during its progress. It will be ushered in with the pomp and glory of angels, and the great sound of a trumpet. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.” Matt. 25:31. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God.” 1 Thess. 4:16. So none will be ignorant of that day, and unaware of its approach.

The glory of that day is the manifestation of the glory of Jesus Christ, upon the throne of judgment. This will make it a most memorable day. The great event of that day is the last assize, the assembly of the quick and dead for their final account. Consequently the character of that day will be, on the part of all, the excitement of joy, or sorrow. It will be the day for which, in the estimation of all, all other days were made.

The personal relation we each and all sustain to that day will be of paramount interest. The revelation of the secret thoughts, words, or deeds on the part of all, for good or evil, will be most astounding. The decisions of that day will be just and indisputable. As Pollok says, To the sentence of that day the voice of every guilty conscience will be, “Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not.” The sentence then rendered will be unchangeable. Hence all cases will then be fixed for salvation or destruction. Then what better wish could be expressed in regard to any one than for mercy in the day of judgment?

A word for those who will receive no mercy from the Lord in that day: (1) They will be those who had no mercy on others; (2) those who neglect so great salvation, mercy that has been provided at such infinite cost for all. “For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:1-3; (3) those who show, or act in a way to show, that they do not have any sense of the need of mercy,—the self-righteous ones; (4) the procrastinators, or those who are indifferent about securing the provided mercy; (5) those who scoff at Christ, and refuse the gospel; (6) those who have sold their Lord, and apostatized from him.

The prayer of the text is appropriate for all; for all need mercy. The judgment surely is coming, and must be met by all. But we would have no one despair as to the future, but hope for mercy in the present, that they may find it in that day. Remember that “now is the accepted time,” and that “now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2. You are not yet standing at the judgment bar. You are yet where prayer is heard; where faith, if exercised toward Christ, will save; where the Holy Spirit strives; where sins may be forgiven at once and forever. You are where grace reigns, though sin abounds.

When Thomas Hooper was dying, one said to him: “Brother, you are going to your reward, to receive the reward of your labors.” He humbly replied, “Brother, I am going to receive mercy.” It is said that a famous composer once wrote a great anthem to be sung at a festival. He sought to introduce the scenes of the final judgment, and introduced a strain of music representing the final solemn lamentations of the lost. But no singer was found willing to take such a part. So the wailings and woes were omitted. And when the passage was reached, the leader simply beat the time in silence till the awful chasm was passed; and the musicians then gloriously took up the strains of celestial unison, lying on the other side of it,—the shout of them that triumph, and the song of them that feast. U. S.