March 15, 2022

Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich 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?” Revelation 6:14-17

Today we are living between verses 13 and 14. The above verses are a glimpse ahead to the upheaval surrounding the coming of the Lord. These four verses clearly describe the terror of those who have refused the offer of salvation. To dread the coming of the Lamb of God is so very sad, and also the very opposite reaction of those who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). Those who dread seeing Him will attempt to hide from Him … reminiscent of Adam and Eve hiding from Him who had been their Friend before. Their Friend had not changed, but they had. Sin has a powerfully negative effect on the paradigm of the sinner. These kings, great men, rich men, slave and free men are asking who could possibly stand on this day? The whole of chapter seven is an answer to that question. Yes, there will be those who are able to stand! Beloved, you want to be among them!

The prophet Joel, whose name means “Yahweh is God,” was God’s spokesman during the reign of Joash when the ominous black cloud of locusts came upon the kingdom of Judah without warning in judgement for their sin. Joel seized the occasion to proclaim judgement on those who choose to become enemies of God. As terrible as that judgement was, Joel sees ahead to communicate that God’s future judgements will make the locusts pale in comparison. He also emphasizes unparalleled blessings upon those who stay true to the Lord in faithful obedience.

Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as destruction from the Almighty. Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, for it is at hand. The LORD gives voice before His army, for His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it?  Joel 1:15, 2:1,11

The questions at the end of the above two passages are the same. As you study the Word, make note of the answers to that important question and ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance to bring your life into harmony and alignment with God’s Word.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Ephesians 6:11,13

Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16

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