Tag: day of the Lord
God’s patience will run out
Scripture reading for October 21st: Jeremiah 50-51, 2nd Peter 3
2nd Peter 3: 8-10 “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”
God is loving and compassionate, slow to anger and patient in working for salvation of each person and nation. God gives time to repent and sends His messengers and Word. But Peter also warned the Church not to take God’s love and patience as an indication that He was not just and would not bring recompense for those doing evil. Peter warned that the Day of the Lord would come like a thief with sudden destruction. God would punish evil and unrepentant people and would ultimately cleanse the heavens and the earth by the fire of His wrath against sin. This is cause for self-examination and renewed dedication to Christ Jesus and flight from the fallen world system that is under God’s judgment. It is also time to be about God’s business of saving the lost while His patience waits.
2nd Peter 3:11-13 “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great patience and compassion for lost mankind. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ at just the right time to redeem us by His blood. Thank You for sending Your Church with a Gospel of grace and warnings of the coming Day of the Lord and Your just anger and wrath against sin. Use me today to spread the Gospel and proclaim Your call to escape the coming wrath.
Jeremiah 51:5-6 “For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the Lord of Hosts, but the land of the Chaldeans is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel. “Flee from the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life! Be not cut off in her punishment, for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance, the repayment He is rendering her.”
Reward from the Lord!
Scripture reading for January 15th: 2nd Timothy 4
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 4:5-8, 22 “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.” . . . .”The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.”
Paul’s final words to his son in ministry calls him to a reminder of the eternal reward that will come on the Day of Christ when at the Judgment Seat of Christ we will all be rewarded for the deeds done in the body. Paul knew his race was at the end here on earth. He was soon to be beheaded–poured out as a ‘drink offering’! He had maintained his faith and fought a good fight to stay true to Jesus Christ, suffering for the Gospel but anticipating the reward! This reward would also be for Timothy and all others who faithfully followed and endured! God is with us and His grace will bring us through to reward! We will cast our crowns at Christ’s feet!
Daniel 12:18 “But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise of reward from You for faithfulness and endurance through the trials here on earth. Help me to maintain my testimony and finish the good fight in Your grace filled with Your Holy Spirit.
1st Corinthians 3:13-15 “. . .each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”
Our Patient Lord!
Scripture reading for November 16th: Ezekiel 13-16, 2nd Peter 3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Peter 3:8-10 “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”
How thankful we who dwell on the earth should be for our Lord’s patience! He has promised destruction of the wicked and a cleansing of the earth by fire but is patiently waiting for all that will to come to repentance. He would rather bless than judge and destroy. But His patience will ultimately give way to judgment when the day of the Lord comes. Fire and retribution are assured for the wicked.
Ezekiel 16:43 “Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but have enraged Me with all these things, therefore, behold, I have returned your deeds upon your head, declares the Lord God. Have you not committed lewdness in addition to all your abominations?”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your patience with me and with our lost world. Help me to share the Good News of Your patience with the lost. Amen.
The man of lawlessness!
Scripture reading for September 21st: 2nd Thessalonians 2
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Thessalonians 2: 1-4 “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophesy, report, or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
One of the false teaching going around in Paul’s day in the Thessalonian church was that the second coming of Christ known as the ‘day of the Lord’ had already taken place. Paul assured them that this had not taken place and would not take place until a time of rebellion occurred that would culminate with the ‘man of lawlessness’ being revealed. This man would oppose God and God’s people. He would set himself up as ‘god’ and take over the temple. This man would also come with counterfeit signs and wonders from Satan used to deceive those who were perishing. (2nd Thessalonians 2:9) Believers must not worry because this man is doomed to destruction!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers walk in the light of Christ’s prophetic plan and understand the basic events preceding the ‘day of the Lord’. They avoid deception by loving the truth of God’s word and staying in step with the Holy Spirit. “until the time of the end” . . .”The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.” (Daniel 11:35-36)
God’s not slow!
Scripture reading for November 18th: 2nd Peter 3
Have you ever wondered if God was watching the events of this world? Do you sometimes feel that God is slow to respond to the cries of His people during times of testing or persecution? These questions plagued the church in Peter’s day as well as ours. Peter closed this last letter with advice that relates to believers of all generations and cultures!
“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word, the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” (2nd Peter 3:3-7)
Peter went on to teach that “the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2nd Peter 3:9) God is merciful and patient. He would rather see men and women saved than to see them destroyed. He judged the world the first time with water. He is now waiting until the final judgment by fire. Today is the day to buy your “fire insurance”! Call on Jesus Christ to save you and become His disciple!
The coming day of the Lord!
Scripture reading for August 26th: Ezekiel 29-32
One of the bad habits that Israel had developed was a dependence on Egypt for help. After Moses led them out of Egypt with a mighty deliverance, they talked of stoning him and choosing a new leader who would take them back. They easily forgot that Egypt was a land of idolatry that God had called them out of. Even after Babylon had conquered the nation of Israel and left a remnant, that group of Jews went down to Egypt for protection against the advice of Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 42:19-22) (Jeremiah 43:7)
Ezekiel again prophesied concerning Egypt and Pharaoh. God warned them that their pride would bring judgment and defeat. God was bringing a sword against them that would leave the land of Egypt desolate for forty years. (Ezekiel 29:8-12) After forty years, God would bring a remnant of Egyptians back and they would be a lowly kingdom.
The prophet Ezekiel then announced that the day of the Lord was near. That day was to be a day of clouds and darkness. It would be a day of doom for the nations that Ezekiel had spoken about. A sword would arise from Babylon that would bring destruction on Egypt and her surrounding friends. (Ezekiel 30:1-4) This “day of the Lord” came to these people during the lifetime of Ezekiel. His word from the Lord came to pass and Egypt went into captivity; Israel, Cush, and Tyre were destroyed as well.
We often hear the messages of the “day of the Lord” and “the end” and tend to think that it must be a long way off. I want to encourage you that this day could be today! We are told to live in readiness for Christ’s return. (Matthew 22:42-44) We are told that no one will know the day or hour, but that we should be watchful and prepared. (Matthew 24:36) For those who are ready by faith in Jesus Christ, it will be a day of joy and gladness. For those who experience this day outside of God’s mercy, it will be darkness, trouble and doom. We don’t know when that day might come, but we do know that it is nearer today than yesterday!
Something to sing about!
Scripture reading for July 24th: Isaiah 24-27
Isaiah broke forth in a prophesy about the coming “day of the Lord”. This watchman of Israel warned the people of God to be ready for what would surely come. They would welcome it with singing and joy. (Isaiah 24:14-16) The people of earth without a knowledge of the Lord would face it with mourning and terror! (Isaiah 24:11-13)
Out of this vivid description of the terror of the lost comes bright rays of joy and hope for those of faith! Isaiah heard shouts of joy and acclaim for the glory and majesty of the Lord arising from the East and West! He heard singing coming from the islands of the sea and the ends of the earth! God would bring His people together from the nations with great joy in His presence! (Isaiah 24:14-16) God would reign in their midst on Mt. Zion! (Isaiah 24:23)
In Isaiah 25:1-4, Isaiah praised the Lord for the fulfillment of His Word! God had spoken out His plans from ancient times and suddenly brought them to pass! He would humble the proud and exalt his humble people! He would care for the poor and needy and defeat all their enemies! On the mountain of the Lord, Mt. Zion, God would destroy the shroud that enfolded all peoples and swallow up death! He would prepare a great banquet for His people! No wonder His people from the ends of the earth were singing!
These verses were quoted by the Apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians 15:50-57 to describe the resurrection body that would be given to each believer at the coming of Jesus Christ! They were also referred to by the Apostle John in his vision from the island of Patmos in Revelation 21:1-5 as he described the new heavens and new earth where believers would dwell with the Lord forever! There is also a reference in Revelation 19:6-9 as John describes the wedding supper of the Lamb! Whenever we receive Holy Communion, we are proclaiming His victory over death and our hope that great banquet!
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:3-4) Put your trust in Jesus Christ again today! He is our Rock eternal and Prince of Peace!
Babylon will fall!
Scripture reading for July 21st: Isaiah 13-16
Babylon was an ancient kingdom in the time of Isaiah. It rose to world-dominating status a few decades after the ministry of the prophet. As a city, Babylon rose to legendary status with it’s walls surrounding it and it’s hanging gardens. It was located in the present-day country of Iraq. Babylon was characterized by pride, false religion, idolatry and man-centered achievement. God hates pride and idolatry, and promised judgment through His prophet.
God’s army would bring “the day of the Lord”, a day of wrath against sinners. (Isaiah 13:6-9) This judgment would put an end to pride, arrogance, and the evil of the wicked. His army of “holy ones” would be none other than the Medes! (Isaiah 13:17) Isaiah prophetically predicted what God would do over 150 years before it happened! Daniel the prophet, at the end of the Babylonian captivity, got to read the handwriting of God on the wall the night Babylon fell to the Medes! (Daniel 5:25-28) The city would be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah, never to be inhabited again! (Isaiah 13:19-20)
Isaiah saw the day when God would have compassion on Israel and settle them in their own land. (Isaiah 14:1-2) Others would join themselves to Israel and Israel would possess the nations that have taken them captive! God’s Word is full of hope and truth.
The rest of Isaiah 14 is a taunt against the “king of Babylon” spoken by God’s people in the day they are set free! God, Himself, would break the power of this wicked king. He would be brought down to the grave and maggots and worms would cover him. All those leaders of the world now in the grave would ridicule him as he joined them. (Isaiah 14:9-11) Their ridicule turns into what some believe is a description of Satan and his fall. He was cast down because he had said in his heart that he would raise his throne above the stars of God. (Isaiah 14:12-15) But God would bring him down to the grave!
Behind all earthly political power and humanistic pride lurks the evil influence of Satan! We must be born again to escape! God has provided the way out in Jesus Christ! We can take up the taunt today against the “king of Babylon”! He is defeated!
Ready when Christ is revealed!
Scripture reading for October 13th: 2nd Thessalonians 1:1-12
Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and making intercession for His bride, the Church. (Romans 8:34) We don’t see Him, but He is our brother and Priest. One day, He will be revealed from heaven to this earth. Jesus taught that the Son of Man would come on the clouds with power and great glory. His angels would gather the elect from all over the earth. No one knew when this day would occur, but all should be ready and working! (Matthew 24:30-31, 36, 46)
Paul wrote a second letter to the Thessalonians in which he sought to refute a false teaching that Jesus had already come and to strengthen the church there in preparation for the reality of the Day of the Lord. The Thessalonians had taken Paul’s Gospel and instructions in his previous letter to heart. They were growing in faith and love for each other. They were persevering in trials in the face of persecution from the pagans in the culture. (2nd Thessalonians 1:3-4)
Paul told them that those who were troubling them would get their due punishment. They must have patience and endure. “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.” (2nd Thessalonians 1:7b-10)
Jesus will be revealed from heaven! He will come in blazing fire with His holy angels and those who are not standing in faith will not stand. It is truly a terrifying thing to know this truth and not be sharing the Gospel with those who are still lost. The punishment of unbelievers is an everlasting punishment, just like the reward of Christians is everlasting life with Christ! Unbelievers will be shut out from God’s presence forever, in outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth! (Matthew 24:51) Are you ready to meet our Lord?
The day of the Lord is near!
Scripture reading for August 24th: Ezekiel 29-32
One of the bad habits that Israel had developed was a dependence on Egypt for help. After Moses led them out of Egypt by God’s powerful hand, they talked of stoning him and choosing a new leader who would take them back. They easily forgot that Egypt was a land of slavery and God had called them out of there. Even after Babylon had conquered the nation of Israel, a remnant left there in Israel chose to go down to Egypt for protection against the advice of Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 42:19-22) (Jeremiah 43:7) In Ezekiel 29 God gave Ezekiel a prophetic word concerning Egypt and Pharaoh. God warned that their pride would bring judgment and defeat. God was bringing a sword against them that would leave the land of Egypt desolate for forty years. (Ezekiel 29:8-12) After forty years, God would bring a remnant of Egyptians back and they would be a lowly kingdom. Israel was to learn not to rely on Egypt ever again and that the Lord was sovereign over nations. (Ezekiel 29:16)
The prophet Ezekiel announced that the day of the Lord was near. That day would be a day of clouds and darkness. It would be a day of doom for the nations that Ezekiel had spoken about. A sword would arise from Babylon that would bring destruction on Egypt and her surrounding friends. (Ezekiel 30:1-4) This “day of the Lord” came to these people during the lifetime of Ezekiel. Egypt went into captivity; Israel, Cush, and Tyre were destroyed as well.
When we hear the message about the “day of the Lord” and “the end”, we tend to think they are a long way off. We believe that they apply to a distant time, possibly be thousands of years away and surely not in our lifetime. However, we should be living as if today was the day! We are told to live in readiness for Christ’s return. (Matthew 22:42-44) We are told that no one will know the day or hour, but that we should be watchful and prepared. (Matthew 24:36) For those who are ready by faith in Jesus Christ, it will be a day of joy and gladness. For those who experience this day outside of God’s mercy, it will be darkness, trouble and doom. The ‘Day of the Lord’ is nearer today than yesterday! Are you ready?