February 4: HOW WILL YOU ANSWER HIM?

For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. Isaiah 66:15

God bears the full responsibility for the final destruction of the wicked. He proactively does all that He can do to lead His beloved people toward righteousness. However, those who do not respond will never be forced. Some may make a mental ascent or vaguely agree with the Lord on selected points, but a genuine turnaround — the creation of a new heart written of by David (Psalm 51:10) and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 11:19; 18:31; 36:26) — is accompanied by a wholehearted desire to love and honor the One who loved me first (1 John 4:19). This is what is meant by a new spirit.

Red flag warning: If I have no desire to seek His requirements and will for my life, a deadly lack of understanding regarding the gravity of sin is indicated. This warning sign points not only to disregard for sin’s gravity, but also the Creator’s love. There is no “secret corner” reserved in His kingdom for even the slightest attitude of rebellion against His government, perfectly designed in perfect love, for an outcome of perfect peace.

When Satan launched a campaign of criticism against God’s precepts before our earth was created, he gained the cooperation of one-third of the angels. His presentations were obviously convincing, and we are taught that God created the angels with a higher level of spiritual comprehension than humans (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7). Shortly after the creation of our world, Satan launched a similarly subtle campaign to undermine the word of God in the minds of humans. Whatever God says is met with a contradiction (or many)! The war [that] broke out in heaven (Revelation 12:7) was continued upon the earth. (Note the “war language” in our opening verse.)

For by fire and by His sword The LORD will judge all flesh; And the slain of the LORD will be many. Isaiah 66:16

Isaiah’s vision of the end-time judgment is for the benefit of all flesh. Though the angels may be more intelligent than we, we have the gift of God’s word, the help of His Holy Spirit, and the aid of the angels who remained faithful to Him. He is effectively providing to you and me in this lifetime the needed tools and the golden opportunity to exercise discernment and the good judgement necessary to put to death (Colossians 3:5) those dangerous and deadly traits that lie within us. For by fire — that is, His presence with us by the Spirit — and by His sword — that is, the power of His word, we are given opportunity this very day to “judge” and “execute a death sentence” upon the internal wickedness that is at war with the ways of God. It is easy to find affirmation in the world for wrong actions and attitudes. Determine today to accept all correction, rebuke, and guidance from the Lord.

I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. Habakkuk 2:1

Develop deeper understanding: Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Matthew 3:11; 7:21-23; Luke 3:16; Ephesians 6:12, 17; Hebrews 4:12; 12:4-11, 29; Revelation 12:4; 19:21