Martin Luther sometimes referred to judgement day as lieber jungster Tag - "the dear Last Day. Judgment day is "dear" for the believer because it is the day that we will enter heaven. We can look forward to it. Scholars credit Luther and the Reformation with restoring this perspective to the church. During the Middle Ages, the Last Day was primarily a day of wrath to be feared. Luther brought back the attitude of the early Christian church, an attitude of eager anticipation for Christ's return. It was possible to bring back this attitude, of course, when the doctrine of justification by grace through faith was restored. Because we are forgiven in Christ, we can look forward to meeting God on the Last Day.
From "End Times - Jesus Is Coming Soon" by Thomas P. Nass, Northwestern Publishing House, page 232
