Election verdict: Beyond 29th August – The Great Judgment Day
Ghanaians and the international community are waiting with eager eyes and ears to listen and watch the verdict of the Supreme Court over the election petition on Thursday, August 29.
The election petition hearing which began on April 16, spanned 46 days. It was filed by Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Chairman of the NPP.
The three petitioners are praying the Supreme Court to overturn the results declared by Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission making President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), winner of the 2012 elections.
Whilst the international community and individuals have praised the petitioners for taking to the court rather than to violent street protests to settle the electoral dispute, others have chastised them for contributing to the already simmering tension in the country.
Some hold the view that the party is responsible for the seeming heightened political tension and a possible fall out of investor confidence in the country.
There are speculations that many Ghanaians and foreign nationals have fully booked flights ready to travel outside the country, in case there is violence after the court ruling while others have withdrawn huge sums of money from their banks and stashed in their homes.
To prevent a possible bloodbath, many are praying for peace with assurances from key players in the political corridor that they would ensure that Ghana is not engulfed in war.
President Mahama, Nana Akufo Addo and other presidential hopefuls of the political parties that contested the 2012 election, had pledged their commitment to peace.
Without peace no one could accomplish anything. Peace is also a civic responsibility.
Looking beyond August 29 there is a greater judgment day that mankind should fully prepare for. It is a judgment that is non- political, religious, racial, social and economic.
It is the judgment from Almighty God in which He has appointed a judge to adjudicate the case.
Interestingly, no human petitioners or respondents are involved in the case and it would be a day of salvation for the upright and a day of doom for the unrighteous.
According to the Apostle John, the Judgment Day would be presided over by God himself.
The book of Revelation says judgment day would be when “the earth and the heaven [have] fled away”.
The Bible tells of “a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues” that would appear on earth before Armageddon. These “come out of the great tribulation”; in other words, they survive the end of this ungodly world just as Noah survived the end of the world of his day.
When we think of Judgment Day, we should not be terrified or disgusted. Judgment Day is a time of hope, a time to restore to mankind the everlasting life that Adam lost.
By the end of the thousand-year Judgment Day, faithful humans from all parts of the earth will finally be perfect. They will have “come to life” in the fullest sense, and Judgment Day will have achieved its purpose. (Revelation 20:5)
Preparation for the Day
Jesus advised his followers to prove themselves ready. He set the sterling example of proving himself ready. Firstly, because he loved righteousness, He maintained His integrity to the service of God. If we have similar love for God and live up to His requirements, He would safeguard us.
Secondly, Jesus love for others was manifest when gave of His time, energy and life to teach and care about people. Love for God and for our neighbour keeps us active as Christian ministers and thus helps to prepare us for the great day of God.
Fervent prayer to God helped to prepare Christ Jesus for tests of faith. As we approach God often, lingering in prayer and seeking the direction of Holy Spirit as well as being quick to accept His direction, we will be preparing for the Day of God.
Each of us would do well to examine his or her life to see if any actions or attitudes need to be adjusted. In view of the brevity and uncertainty of present human life, every one of us needs to be spiritually alert each day. Through daily bible reading, we will be able to make the needed adjustments that would help to survive the coming great Day.
Indeed the great and fear-inspiring day of God is a day we need to hope for. It is a day that should come and meet us in an approved state by God. It is a day that we should feverishly prepare for in the most appropriate manner.
Source: GNA