25/10/10

The Great Day of the Lord is near

Zephaniah 1:14 - The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.


People who do not study or have understanding of scriptures mock or make fun when they see scriptures like 'the Day of the Lord is at hand' or regarding 'Judgment Day'. One needs to understand almost the entire Bible is written about a period of 5500 - 6000years (about 3000years before birth of man Jesus, from the times of Noah and about 2500 years and less than 3000 years after birth of man Jesus).

Jesus warned people of Judgment day even during his time on earth, even though He was aware about (approximately) when it would happen because He knew scriptures well. He was not trying to mislead them or just frighten them. Even today we can warn people about Judgment Day just as Jesus did and this we will understand only when we understand human life.

I have written before and again write, people who have not accepted (believe) Jesus Christ will die and go to hell where their soul and spirit perishes, but the ones who believe irrespective of how good or bad they are they go to sleep (a spiritual level called grave). On Judgment Day the souls that are in hell and yet not perished will die but all those who are asleep will wake up (resurrect) to be judged by the Son of Man - Jesus Christ. For them time of sleep is just a moment. It is like they died and are now alive, like when we go to sleep and wake up, we do not realize the amount of time we have slept but inside we feel the refreshing. It is like we prepare for the morning in the evening itself and not think there are 10 to 12 hours left, for the time we sleep we are not in control of matters or can do anything.

The Day of the Lord or the Day or the Lord's wrath is unlike the Day of Judgment. It is a period connected with earthly life and people living during a specific period of time. It is a time the Lord is going to make His presence manifested more like He did to the people of Israel for the 40 years during the times of Moses and He will take to account all people who continually disobey Him even after many warnings. It is a time when great disasters will occur in this world but only for those who continually disobey God. It does not mean any one who sins will be punished; it is very specific disobeying with regards to things which are holy unto the Lord.

For example during the time of Aaron all drunkards were not destroyed by fire but the sons of Aaron were because they stood on the table of sacrifice in a drunken state.

During these times even those who reject Jesus Christ will experience great turmoil in their lives. This is the time of great harvesting when many will believe and accept Christ. This day does not mean a day, but the word used means a period of time. It could mean a few months or even a few years.

According to my understanding of scriptures this time is very near to us and we may see this period or our next generation would. Thus we need really take things very seriously and prepare ourselves and our children for this day. We need to take account of what we are doing and check if we are walking in the way of the Lord, especially in those things which are holy unto the Lord.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we thank You for enlightening us by your Word of the times ahead. Your people walk in light and You prepare them and build them. Lord straighten our crocked legs (lives) and hands (doings). By your Word and Spirit strengthen us and help us to be a medium to bring others too into light so they too are saved...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
Zephaniah 1:12-18
12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
13 Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD担 wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

Matthew 4:17
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

John 5:24-30
24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
26 "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
27 "and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
28 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice
29 "and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
30 "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

Matthew 24:3-13
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
5 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
6 "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
8 "All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
10 "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
11 "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
12 "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
13 "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)