There are ten days until Christmas.
The good thing about the holiday is you know when it is coming. I can plan ahead, purchase what is needed, prepare my home. I know how many days I have left.
The second coming of Christ will not be like that. It will be unexpected. Even with the signs He has given us, we will not know the exact day or the hour of His coming. Or the day when He will announce from heaven that He has had enough.
Then I heard a mighty voice from the temple sanctuary saying to the seven angels, Go and empty out on the earth the seven bowls of God’s wrath and indignation. (Revelation 16:1 AMPC)
Why is God doing this? Why is He punishing the people of the earth?
“You are just in these judgments, O Holy One,
You who are and who were;
for they have shed the blood of Your holy people and Your prophets,
and You have given them blood to drink as they deserve.”
(Revelation 16:5-6)
God will bring justice. He would prefer forgiveness, but the remainder of the people on earth refuse Him, no matter what punishment He brings to them.
People were severely burned (scorched) by the fiery heat, and they reviled and blasphemed the name of God, Who has control of these plagues, and they did not repent of their sins [felt no regret, contrition, and compunction for their waywardness, refusing to amend their ways] to give Him glory. (Revelation 16:9 AMPC)
Beloved, help me to feel contrition and deep regret for all my sins. Help me to amend my ways to follow You! Let me not put off until tomorrow what must be done today.
I need not know when You are coming. I need always to be ready to greet You, clothed in Your righteousness alone. Let me not be trapped by my pride, my self-rightousness, or selfish, sinful desires. You alone deserve all my devotion and my praise.
Behold, I am going to come like a thief! Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who stays awake (alert) and who guards his clothes, so that he may not be naked and [have the shame of being] seen exposed! (Revelation 16:15 AMPC)
No comments:
Post a Comment