Chapter 24-27 contains the third series of oracles and is the vision of God ruling the nations in judgment and salvation. According to my study Bible notes, these chapters are often called "apocalypic" because they depict the final conflict and God's victory.
There is an end of evil and a joyful worship! The Lord will swallow up death forever. In 2 Peter 3:10 - 13, we are told that the day of the Lord will come like a thief. So how are we to live and how what we have to look forward to?
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
So I have to take some time and look at my own life. How am I living? holy and godly? Of course none of us can muster up enough willpower to live perfect lives, but we as children of God we are made holy through the blood of Christ. That doesn't exempt us from working through the process of sanctification with the Holy Spirit. Take some time to inventory your life. Ask God to reveal the areas of your life that He wants you to work on and pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to take you down that path. Then, spend some time praising Him for the promise of a new heaven and a new earth! Isn't it great to have something so amazing to look forward to!!
Todays post submitted by Kelly Coxe
There is coming a terrible day upon the earth, who will be able to stand?
ReplyDeleteCompare this with Rev 6
..The earth is shaken exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard,And shall totter like a hut; 21 It shall come to pass in that day That the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, And on the earth the kings of the earth. 22 They will be gathered together, As prisoners are gathered in the pit, And will be shut up in the prison; After many days they will be punished. 23 Then the moon will be disgraced And the sun ashamed; For the LORD of hosts will reign On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem And before His elders, gloriously.
Rev 6:12-17
I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 and the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Who will be able to stand on the great and terrible Day of the Lord?
Who will have confidence on that day?
Those whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. Those whose lips have been cleansed by the coals from the alter of God. We shall all sing glory to the Lord God Almighty who has redeemed us by His blood and has made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.
Yes, there is a day in which the earth will reel like a drunkard and the mountains of the earth shall fall but those who put their trust in the Lord shall have perfect peace.
Thanks for the lesson, Kelly.
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks to the anonymous comments...
**Although I am to work out my salvation with fear and trembling, I will only go so far with the fear and trembling.
**Is this an arrogant stance? I think not.
**The New Testament is so detailed in it's mercy and it's message of salvation.
I know that all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved.
**I still sin every day! I am to the point in my life where I am convicted when I sin, and it genuinely makes me feel sad, sometimes sick to my stomach.
I also know that true repentance requires a change in behavior.
**I long to be pure and to be blameless;however, just as Paul taught us, I don't do what I want to do because my sinful nature wages war on my mind. Such a powerful message.
**As opposed to going on and on and on...--->**My point is that I am saved by the blood of Jesus. Yes I am a sinner.
I am also instructed(one of those commandments that comes from a man rather than (directly) from God)--->I am commanded by Paul to live the word.
Although I struggle like everyone else, I am trying(now more than ever) to carry out the great commission as well as all the other Gospel instructions!
Peace and love!!!