Tag: day of wrath
Who can stand?
Scripture reading for December 8th: Nehemiah 4-6, Psalm 98, Revelation 6
Revelation 6: 12-17 “When he opened the sixth seal, I looked and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great Day of their Wrath has come, and who can stand?”
John is given a vision of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) opening the seven seals on the scroll He received from His Father. As the seals are opened, various judgments fall upon the earth and creation. As the sixth seal is opened, a great earthquake rocks the earth and causes such upheaval that the sun is darkened and the moon turns red like blood from all the shaking on earth. During this shaking, those on the earth from rich to poor hide themselves and call to the rocks to protect them from the wrath of the Lamb and God Almighty. This will be known as the great Day of Wrath. The question the earth-dwellers ask is “Who can stand?” Those so hiding have had opportunity to repent and turn to God for salvation but have refused and now rely on the rocks for protection. They cannot and will not stand on the Day of Wrath.
Psalm 98:2-3 “The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing Your salvation and righteousness to me at the ends of the earth. Jesus Christ, Your Son and the Lamb of God is the last and complete revelation to all the earth. Help me today to fight for the souls of my brothers, my sons and daughters, my friends and my compatriots that none may be trusting in rocks but in The Rock, Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord!
Nehemiah 4:14 “And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, Who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
How long, O Sovereign Lord?
Scripture reading for December 9th: Revelation 6
Key Scriptures: Revelation 6:9-13 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before You will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. When he opened the sixth seal, I looked and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.”
John next records the vision he received of the opening of the seven seals that bound the scroll taken by the Lamb/Lion (Jesus Christ) from the hand of God the Father. As each seal was opened, events unfolded in heaven and then there was corresponding action on earth. The fifth seal brought John a vision of souls under the altar of God. These were the souls of martyrs who had been killed on earth for their testimony and their stand for the Word of God. These souls were crying out for an answer: “How long before You judge and avenge our blood. . .” The answer was a command to rest and trust God as His mercy was patient until all of His own were gathered in. As the sixth seal was opened, a great earthquake shook the planet and the heavens darkening the sun and turning the moon red like blood. This brought great fear on the earth among the mighty and the common people.
Revelation 6:14-15 “The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and powerful, and everyone, slave or free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, . .”
Faith confession and prayer: O Sovereign God and Father, thank You for Your patience with me and the grace that is offered to me a great sinner. I am thankful for Your amazing patience with the rebellious of this world, knowing that it is Your patience that has kept them from judgment and justice. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me with grace to live a holy life and proclaim Your love and mercy to a rebellious world before the Day of Your wrath.
Revelation 6:16-17 “. . .calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come.”
Who can stand?
Scripture reading for December 6th: Hosea 3-6, Revelation 6
Key Scriptures: Revelation 6:15-16 “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of Their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
John is describing the opening of the seven seals on the scroll that was taken by the Lamb. With the opening of each seal in heaven, earth was shaken by heavenly messengers and the power of the words from the One on the Throne. Those on earth, from the kings to the slaves, cried out to the rocks and mountains for covering as they sensed the coming judgment and wrath of God.
Hosea 6:5-6 “Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgment goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Prayer: Lord, religion can’t save on the day of wrath. I thank You for Your steadfast love through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through Him alone we can know You and stand in the day of wrath. Amen.
God rejoices over you with singing!
Scripture reading for September 24th: Zephaniah 1-3
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save, He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.“ Zephaniah 3:17
Zephaniah was a prophet around 630 B.C. during the reign of Josiah, a good king of Israel. He spoke some pretty strong words to the nation of Judah concerning the coming day of the Lord. Through Zephaniah, God warned that He would sweep everything from the face of the earth. (Zephaniah 1:2-3) That sounds like a very thorough cleaning similar to the great flood of Noah’s day!
Judah was warned that God’s hand was against those who were idolaters. Those who claimed to be Abraham’s descendants were worshiping Baal, the Canaanite fertility god. Even some of the priests of God’s house were involved. They were worshiping Molech and using astrology. (Zephaniah 1:4-5) Astrology is popular today in America. Almost every newspaper has a horoscope and many read it daily. Many follow the example of Judah in Zephaniah’s day, and turn away from following God. They are complacent or have followed gods of convenience and pleasure. (Zephaniah 1:12)
Zephaniah cried out to the people that their appointed time was coming as a day of wrath and destruction. Trouble, clouds, darkness and death were on the horizon. Their money could not save them on this day of wrath that would come at the appointed time. (Zephaniah 1:17-18)
The only remedy was to seek the Lord with humble hearts and those who responded would be sheltered by the Lord. An appetite for God must come from a heart that is humble. (Zephaniah 2:2-3) Idolatry is making a god that gives me what I want, instead of serving the God who made me to do what He wants!
We know from history that the young king, Josiah, turned to the Lord and led a revival that removed the idols and cleansed the land. He responded to this prophet’s strong preaching. When we repent, God relents! He would rather save us than judge us! He takes great delight in His people and desires to quiet us in His love. He rejoices over us with singing! Picture God spinning around in delight singing a song of joy over us! (Zephaniah 3:17) Turn to Him today before the coming “day of the Lord”.