The Day Shall Come

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2016 11:17 am Post subject: The Day Shall Come

The Day Shall Come

Scripture:

For behold the day shall come kindled as a furnace: and all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall set them on fire, says the Lord of hosts, it shall not leave them root, nor branch. But unto you that fear my name, the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings: (Malachi 3:19-20A)

For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us. For we were not disorderly among you. Neither did we eat any man?s bread for nothing: but in labor and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you. Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us. For also, when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat. For we have heard there are some among you who walk disorderly: working not at all, but curiously meddling. Now we charge them that are such and beseech them by the Lord Jesus Christ that, working with silence, they would eat their own bread. (2 Thessalonian 3:7-12)

And some saying of the temple that it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said: These things which you see, the days will come in which there shall not be left a stone upon a stone that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying: Master, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when they shall begin to come to pass? Who said: Take heed you be not seduced: for many will come in my name, saying: I am he and the time is at hand. Go ye not therefore after them. And when you shall hear of wars and seditions, be not terrified. These things must first come to pass: but the end is not yet presently.

Then he said to them: Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be great earthquakes in diverse places and pestilences and famines and terrors from heaven: and there shall be great signs. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors, for the sake of my name. And it shall happen unto you for a testimony. Lay it up therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before how you shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and gainsay. And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren and kinsmen and friends: and so me of you they will put to death. And you shall be hated by all men for the sake of my name. But a hair of your head shall not perish. In your patience you shall possess your souls. (Luke 21:5-19)

Reflection:

God loves all the children of His creation, but so many fail to return that love. Some are deceived by the temptations and lures of the evil one to follow their passions within the world rather than the commandments given to us so we may live in love of Him and one another. This was the way of days gone by, of generations past, but as we look through the course of history, as it was then, so it appears to be even now.

In the times of Malachi, the people were tempted to many sins. To the people of that day, they saw the apparent prosperity of evil doers, therefore, they were lured to the same path. The priests did not encourage faith, but to maintain their own comfort, they preached only what the people wanted to hear. The people assumed false faiths, failing to see the blessings they might receive through living by the word of God.

What the people of the time failed to see, and what we fail to see today, is that the day will come where the Lord of our creation shall judge and hold us all accountable for the time He has given us to live and to learn. On that day, it is written, the wicked shall be reduced to stubble and the faithful lifted up.

Each one of us He created for a purpose and with gifts by which we may accomplish what He asks of us. Some respond to His call, but many squander what He has placed within them. Some seek His guidance while others follow the road of temptation. Some seek to live by His Word while others pursue selfish and dark paths. Some live by the responsibility God places upon them to love and care while others seek only to care for their own position and pleasures. Some seek to live as an example to encourage others to faith while there are those who seek to impose their judgments and immorality upon those who surround them as if such darkness were virtues. Some take the hand of the Holy Spirit as their guide while there are those who push it away and take the hand of the one who desires only to lead them to the abyss.

Paul sought to be an example for those to whom he preached. He sought to encourage them to take responsibility for what they are given by God. He also encouraged them to love and to work in humility for the blessings all may receive by living according to the commandments of love. He sought no entitlement, rather, He sought to share the blessings of civility, compassion, charity and love.

Those who pervert His Word for selfish agendas, God leaves to them the consequences of their choices. Scripture reveals miracle after miracle and how God has acted to protect those who are faithful to Him. God gave cunning and strength to one of youthful stature by which the young man was enabled to take down a giant. (1 Samuel 17:37) God destroyed armies who pursued His chosen children. (Exodus 14:23-31) God enabled the people of Israel to prevail over a larger and better trained army. (Exodus 17:8-13), but when some sought to make a name for themselves without following the will of the Lord, God left them to the consequences of defeat. (1 Maccabees 5:55-62)

Jesus warned we should not be seduced by those who claim to speak in His name but do not follow His Word, for with smiles they shall tempt us, but the works or lack of works and the heresies to which they encourage us shall lead us to destruction. (1 Timothy 6:3-5) We are warned that all which we build shall return to dust. (1 Timothy 6:7, 10, James 5:1-6) Our attention, then, should not be focused upon our gain within the world, but upon the care for one another according to the commandments of love.

We are also warned of times of tribulation, for in these moments the strength of what is within our heart shall be tested. There will be those who will be seduced to abandon the Word of God and lured to follow the doctrines of self appointed moralists who care not for the wisdom of His commandments. The righteous shall resist as hearts of evil rise in persecution of the faithful. We should not fear to stand with those who believe in the Lord, for the blessings of God shall be upon those who trust in Him. (Matthew 5:10)

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we leave ourselves vulnerable to the temptations of the evil one?

In what ways do we live as an example for the blessings of others?

How may we prepare to withstand days of tribulation?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier