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Cover of The Day of Doom; Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgement

The Day of Doom; Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgement

Written by Michael Wigglesworth

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Judgment Day

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About this book

"The Day of Doom; Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgement" by Michael Wigglesworth is a religious poem written in the mid-17th century. This work presents a vivid, poetic exploration of biblical themes surrounding Judgment Day and the afterlife, specifically reflecting the Puritan perspective on sin, judgment, and redemption. Through stirring stanzas, the text aims to capture the grave consequences of unrepentant sin and offers a compelling spiritual narrative. The opening of the poem sets a foreboding scene, described as a calm night, while souls remain blissfully unaware of the imminent judgment. It highlights the contrasts between the sleeping world and the upcoming divine reckoning, awakening sinners to the terrifying reality of their fate. As the poem unfolds, images of chaos and terror illustrate the suddenness of Christ's return to judge humanity, culminating in a powerful depiction of the resurrection of the dead. The stark juxtaposition of the secure, sinful lives of the unwise against the approaching doom serves as a dire warning and a call to prepare for the ultimate reckoning.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Day of Doom; Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgement, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • foreboding
  • terrifying
  • didactic

Michael Wigglesworth's "The Day of Doom" is a seminal 17th-century Puritan poem that vividly describes the Last Judgment, serving as a stark warning and spiritual call to action. Through hundreds of rhyming stanzas, it details Christ's sudden return, the resurrection of the dead, and the subsequent trial and sentencing of humanity. The poem meticulously outlines the Puritan theological framework of sin, divine justice, predestination, and the eternal fates of the elect and the damned. It aims to instill fear of God's wrath in unrepentant sinners while offering solace to the faithful, ultimately reinforcing the urgent need for spiritual preparedness in a world oblivious to its imminent reckoning.

“For at midnight breaketh forth a light, which turns the night to day, / And all with terror at the sight, both Earth and Seas dismay.”

Key themes

Divine Judgment and Justice
The central theme, exploring God's absolute authority to judge humanity and the meticulous, unyielding nature of His justice. The poem details the process of judgment, the arguments of the accused, and Christ's irrefutable condemnations, emphasizing that no sin goes unpunished and no plea can overturn divine decree.
Predestination and Election
A core Puritan doctrine, this theme is evident in the poem's clear distinction between the Elect (those chosen for salvation before birth) and the Reprobate (those destined for damnation). The poem illustrates that human actions, while important, ultimately serve to confirm an already decreed fate, and salvation is solely by God's sovereign grace.
The Terrors of Hell and the Glories of Heaven
Wigglesworth vividly contrasts the eternal suffering awaiting the damned in hell with the everlasting bliss enjoyed by the saved in heaven. This stark juxtaposition serves as a powerful motivator for righteous living, emphasizing the infinite difference between temporal earthly pleasures and eternal spiritual consequences.

Worth discussing

How does 'The Day of Doom' reflect the core tenets of 17th-century Puritan theology, particularly regarding predestination and divine justice?

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