Hide in the rocks

Isaiah 2:10-12 Describes the Day of the Lord or 7 year tribulation period. Go into the rocks. Hide in the ground. Hide from the fearful presence of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty!

11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low. The LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty. All that is exalted (and they will be humbled),

Hide in the caves and rocks

Rev. 6:15-17 also pictures this event. 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,

16 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!

17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Jesus says that this time on the earth will be like no other time in the past. There will be no time like it in the future. Matt. 24:21

How do we escape this event?

Jesus also says to pray that we would be counted worthy to stand before the Son of man so that in fact we would not have to suffer these things that will come to pass on the earth. Luke 21:36

Certainly we don’t have to experience this terrible time on earth which is fast approaching. This will be a time of pouring out of God’s wrath upon transgressors and sinners. Where as Believers are not appointed to experience God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? To conclude, we must Repent and trust in Jesus!

The Remnant

Isaiah 1:24-31 speaks of remnant restoration of Israel and the destruction of rebels and sinners during the tribulation period or the "Day of the Lord".

Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel. "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries. And take vengeance on My enemies.

25 I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy.

26 I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."

27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness.

28 The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together. Those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

29 For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees Which you have desired; And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens Which you have chosen.

30 For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades, And as a garden that has no water.

31 The strong shall be as tinder, And the work of it as a spark; Both will burn together, And no one shall quench them.

The Lord turns His hand in grace

In verses 25-27 the Lord turns His hand against His people in grace and purges the dross and takes away the alloy. All of the Lord's dealing with Israel has been with smelting away the dross. He has continued the removing of the tin (alloy).

Verses 28-31 describe the destruction of transgressors and sinners.

The Day of the Lord

The great tribulation or Day of the Lord will climax this process. It will produce a purified remnant who will enter the millennium one thousand year period where Jesus (Yeshua) will rule and reign. Jerusalem will be the capital of the earth at that time. Christian believers will rule and reign along side Jesus (Yeshua) during that time.

Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection (rapture). On such the second death hath no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The Remnant

The Israeli remnant will be supernaturally delivered from the dragon (Satan) regardless of his attack against them. Rev 12:15-16 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman (Israel) by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

Good News

In conclusion the good news is that as believers we don't have to experience this terrible time on earth which is fast approaching. This will be a time of pouring out of God's wrath upon transgressors and sinners. Believers are not appointed to experience God's wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? Repent and trust in Jesus!

The Beast

In Esther chapter 3 we have a picture or a foreshadowing of the beast of Revelation. King Ahasuerus had promoted Haman and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. All were required to bow down and worship Haman as God. Mordecai, a Jew, would not bow down.

Jews would bow down before their kings as God's servants. But they would not bow before a king who claimed to be God. Mordecai's refusal to worship the king's representative would result in a decree for all Jews to be killed.

Jews will refuse to bow to the Antichrist, the beast of Revelation who will demand divine worship. Just as Haman was defeated in his plot to put away God's people so to will Satan be defeated in his last days attempt to set aside the divine program.

Satan is denied

Satan is thwarted in his attempt to destroy Israel. Rev. 12:15, 16 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman (Israel) by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

Satan is enraged at the woman (Israel) and turns his wrath upon the remainder of her descendants. Those who trust in Jesus. Rev. 12:17. The dragon or Satan gives his power to the beast who will wage war on God's holy people (the saints) and overcome them. This all happens during the Day of the Lord or seven year tribulation period. How do we escape this terrible time? Repent and trust in Jesus!

Believers are not appointed to God's wrath

The wrath of God is set against the ungodly and evil on the earth during the tribulation period. Believers are not to experience God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? Repent and trust in Jesus!

The Day of the Lord

The day of the Lord is coming and many bible verses point to it. 2 Peter 3:10 says But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. The heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Jesus speaks of the day of the Lord. Matt 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Again Jesus says that things will be pretty normal and peaceful when describing the same time period. And then death and destruction. Matt. 24:37 so as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 37 “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Daniel's Week of Years

Daniel 9:27 speaks of the day of the Lord. And he (antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (seven years or the day of the Lord). In the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

The wrath of God is set against the ungodly and evil on the earth. Believers are not to experience God's wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

How do we escape the day of the Lord? Repent and trust in Jesus!

Day of the Lord verses

• Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
• Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
• Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Revelation Chapters 6-22 describe the day of the Lord

• Revelation 12:14 1/2 of the day of the Lord is times, time, and half a time or 3 and 1/2 years or 1,260 days
• Revelation 11:2 1/2 of the day of the Lord is 42 months
• Revelation 11:3 1/2 of the day of the Lord is one thousand two hundred and three score days.

World Peace

World peace is a wonderful and noble idea. We are being promised world peace by a president who just might be able to deliver. But it will be short lived according to the bible.

Peace in the middle east has been long sought after. On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. U.S. President Harry S. Truman recognized the new nation on the same day. Since that day, Israel has been at war. They’ve been in a hot war, cold war, or defending against terrorism since May 14, 1948. If the defeat of Iranian proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis is accomplished and peace is established in Israel it will indeed be a glorious time for the world! But according to the bible it will not last.

Gog and Magog

Ezekiel 38:14-16 says Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “On that day when
My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it?
“Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of
them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.
“You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter
days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in
you, O Gog, before their eyes.”

From the far north they will come against Israel during a time of peace when Israel is dwelling safely in the land. The apostle Paul describes the same event in 1 Thess. chapter 5: 2& 3. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

The days of Noah

Jesus says that things will be pretty normal and peaceful when describing the same time period. And then death and destruction. Matt. 24:37 so as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 37 “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Are we all doomed? No, Jesus tells us how to escape this cataclysmic apocalypse. Matt. 24:42. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

We need to watch and be ready! If we are not following Jesus, we need to repent and accept His free gift of salvation and start following Him!

What does it mean to BELIEVE?

 

Highlight

Acts 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. What does it mean to believe?

Explanation

God chose some before the foundation of the world to be in Christ. Eph 1:4 & 5. He also said that whoever believes in Jesus shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. So whether we've been appointed for eternal life or not, it doesn't matter, we all have opportunity to repent, believe in Jesus, and to be saved!

Application

To believe in Jesus is more than just a mental acknowledgement. According to the Amplified bible, believe means to trust in, rely upon, and cling to. Here's the exact reading of John 3:16 from the Greek manuscript.

Because, God has Loved in such a manner the satan's world, so that He Gave His Son, the only Begotten Risen Christ, in order that whoever is Continuously by his choice Committing for the Result and Purpose of Him, should not perish, but definitely should, by his choice, be Continuously Having Eternal Life. [Committing means putting your entire being under the orders of another.]

So, if we believe in someone, then we should express that belief by doing what they ask us to do. We should put our entire being under the orders of that person.

The bible contains examples of people who believe in a shallow way, merely mentally acknowledging Jesus and not putting themselves under His authority.

Simon believed and was baptized. Acts 8:13. Even though he believed and was baptized, Peter told him he better repent because he was full of bitterness and captive to sin. And perhaps the Lord would forgive him. (If repentance was genuine) Acts 8:22.

Response

Lord, help us to realize that to believe in Jesus is more than just a mental acknowledgment of who He is. To believe in Jesus means to trust in, rely upon, and to cling to Him. To believe means to put myself under His authority and keep His commandments.

A New You

 

Because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, there needs to be a new you! Romans 3:23

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned

John 3:3 Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."

We've all sinned

We've all sinned, according to Romans 3:23 & 5:12. Jesus said flesh gives birth to flesh. We're born into this condition. Jesus said unless we're born again, we will not enter the kingdom of God. We all have a natural birth. i.e., flesh. This is natural birth from our mothers. But what is "born of the Spirit"?

We need a personal relationship with Jesus

In Acts 8:12 The people of Samaria believed Philip when he proclaimed Christ, and they were baptized. But the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them! Acts 8:16. They had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. So, they listened and accepted the message, performed all the motions, but they had not entered into a personal relationship with the Lord via the Holy Spirit.

Simon believed and was baptized. Acts 8:13. Even though he believed and was baptized, Peter told him he better repent because he was full of bitterness and captive to sin. And perhaps the Lord would forgive him. (If repentance was genuine) Acts 8:22. More on repentance.

Believe Jesus

We need to get past all of our own ideas about who God is and how He interacts with His creation. We need to start believing Jesus and what He says about God and His creation. To Believe is more than a mental acknowledgement. Believe means to trust in, rely on, and cling to. (Amp) If we believe in someone, then we should probably express that belief by doing what they ask us to do.

Experience Jesus

The Samaritans experienced this personal relationship with Jesus by the laying on of hands of Peter and John. We can experience this personal relationship with Jesus by keeping His commandments.
John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. (Holy Spirit)

17 The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (Via the Holy Spirit)

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. _Jesus