The end of the world?
A Christian Science perspective: The apocalypse? The day of redemption? What does Christ Jesus actually teach about ‘the perfect day’?
Many hope for the perfect day when good alone reigns on earth. In fact, for thousands of years people have had various ideas about the day when evil is finally overcome by good. Some may define this time as apocalyptic – the salvation of a few while others are left behind. Others see it as a day of destruction, punishment, and suffering; while others see it as a day of redemption. Clearly, there are diverse views of what this day will look like and how it will come about.
Christian Science, based on the teachings and life of Christ Jesus, gives a different view from what has been predicted by various religions and philosophies. Instead of a futuristic hope, salvation for humanity is a recognition of the current eternal power of Christ to take away the sins of the world, and this power can and must increasingly grow to include all.
Understood as the healing and saving action of the always present God, who is Love itself (see I John 4:8), the perfect day is experienced, to some degree, each time evil has been dissolved in our lives by the power of good, God. Waiting for thousands of years for the Day of Judgment and redemption is not what Christ Jesus taught and demonstrated. He set no timetable for salvation – the healing effect of God, the divine Life, in our lives. Through the power of Christ, Jesus brought immediate healing power to the sick and the sinner. His ability to heal multitudes of disease and to bring the dead to life, proved that the day of salvation is presently with us. As St. Paul wrote, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2).
Jesus demonstrated for us all that the eternally present Christ – the spirit of God – brings reformation and healing to every aspect of our lives. He said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). This life is experienced through the understanding of God as our Father and that we are His image and likeness (see Genesis 1:27, 28). Understanding that the love of God is attainable here, now, and always, is what Christ Jesus showed us and taught.
Whatever the time, day, or hour, we are all able to embrace the Christ as we strive to demonstrate the power of divine good over evil – such as being truthful in the face of lies or more loving in the face of hate. The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, explains this in her book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures”: “Ask yourself: Am I living the life that approaches the supreme good? Am I demonstrating the healing power of Truth and Love? If so, then the way will grow brighter ‘unto the perfect day.’ Your fruits will prove what the understanding of God brings to man” (p. 496).
The perfect day is not a date on a calendar; it is daily living a life that bears witness to the supreme good, our Father in heaven. Through this we find the salvation of Christ to be the continuous divine healing energy of the Holy Spirit, lifting us out of sin and sickness to express more of our true nature as the sons and daughters of God. The day of Christ can appear hourly through the understanding that God, divine Love, is an irresistible healing force that reforms, blesses, and embraces all, today and always.