Joel and 2 Peter 3 – The Day of the Lord

Revelation describes a time period known as “the day of the Lord”.  The Old Testament is full of prophecies for this time period.  It is called “in that day”, “in the latter days”, and “the day of the Lord”.  Jesus used the terms “last day” and “day of judgment”.  Exactly what is “the day of the Lord”?  It is God’s judgment on the world and the deliverance of His people.  It’s not a single day, but an event.  It’s fulfillments of prophecy that happens in phases.  The final phase or judgment will be unlike anything we have ever seen. 

Joel 1 – 2:1-27 – Locust Plague, Call for Repentance

Joel describes “the day of the Lord” as a severe plague of locust that eat everything.  The fields are ruined; the ground is dried up; the grain is destroyed; farmers are in despair; harvests are destroyed; the vine is dried up; the trees are dried up; the grain offerings have been cut off; priests are mourning.  There is no joy on earth.  Even the animals seem to know it’s a sad time.  Joel appeals to the drunkards, the people, the priests and to the elders.  He calls for repentance of all the people.

This destruction is brought about because of man’s sin and Joel calls for repentance.  God has rules and we must obey.  The Scriptures tell us throughout that we can escape God’s wrath by repenting, believing and trusting in Jesus alone.  We can be saved.  He will always forgive our sin and remember them no more, if we repent and return to Him.

God shows He is full of compassion and grace.  By repenting the Lord will restore everything.  He will take pity on His people and send them grain and new wine enough to satisfy them.  The pastures and trees will be green again.  He will repay them for the locust years.  He will drive the armies far from them.  The people will rejoice in the Lord and know that He is the Lord their God.  Then He will pour out His Spirit on all who believe. 

Joel 2:28-32 – Spirit Poured Out

God promised to pour out His spirit on all people who respond to His call.  The Holy Spirit is the 3^rd person in the Trinity and has always been active in history.  Acts 2 tells of the Holy Spirit pouring out on all believers at Pentecost.    The Holy Spirit is active in the world and has been throughout history.  Gen. 1:2 tells us He is the Creator.  John 3:3-8 tells us to see the kingdom of God you must be born of water and the Spirit.  John 16 tells us He is our Counselor.  Acts 2:1-13 tells us the Holy Spirit filled all the believers at Pentecost.  2 Peter 1:21 tells us Scripture was not written by men’s interpretation, but by the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit was sent to convict the world of quilt.  (John 16:7-11).  He applies the truths of God into our minds.  Once we are saved and belong to God, the Spirit resides in our hearts forever.  Gal. 5:22-23 tells us He begins harvesting His fruit in our lives – the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  He is at work in our lives as He guides us to do the right things, help us make the right decisions, prompts us as to what to say and do. 

It is important that Scripture remind us of the last days, because judgment is coming and people need to repent before it’s too late.  Jesus will return.  That is a fact and we need to be ready.  God promises if we call on the name of the Lord we will be saved. (Joel 2:32)  Then we don’t have to worry or fear the future, because we are sealed forever with the seal of God.  We are His and no one can take us from Him.

Joel 3 – Nations Judge, People Blessed

God controls the destiny of nations and He will be the judge.  On that terrible day it will be too late to decide to follow God.  The time for the decision to follow Him, is NOW!  There will be no escape.  God will restore Judah and Jerusalem and He will judge the nations who were against them.  (Joel 3:17, Rev. 11:8).  Then God will bless His people and Jerusalem will be holy and never again be invaded.  (Joel 3:17-21).  This will be the Millennial Reign referred to in Revelation. 

2 Peter 3 – Be Prepared

Peter tells us when “the day of the Lord” comes there will be scoffers - people who mock Christianity.  They will insult and criticize believers.  This is happening now, but we are to make every effort to be found spotless and blameless and at peace with God so when the day of the Lord comes we will be ready.  We don’t know when Jesus will return.  It could be today or next week.  God’s timing is not our timing.  “… With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping is promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9. 

God created time and is not limited by it.  Earth’s time is limited and God governs the schedule.  He is waiting for more people to repent, but He won’t wait forever.  He has defined a day when His final judgment will come to the earth.  The time is near.   I have heard that if a 1,000 years is like a day to God then Jesus has been gone only 2 days.  That’s something to think about.

These unbelievers have forgotten the God is the Creator and has a plan.  He is in charge and no one can escape His judgment.  They have forgotten or just don’t want to admit that Jesus is the only way to the kingdom of God.   “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6

How are you resisting God’s truths in Scripture?

How are you preparing for Jesus’ return?

The Bible leaves no doubt this earth as we know it will end and Revelation makes that truth clear.  Now that you know the ending.  Will you choose to live a godly life?

Join me next week as we continue our study in Revelation 6.  Hope to see you here.

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Revelation 5 - The Scroll and the Lamb

In this chapter we see the scroll with 7 seals that no one could open until the Lion of Judah, the Lamb came and was worthy to open them.  “Worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” – Rev. 5:12.   They sang this is a loud voice (Rev. 5:12) 

John saw a scroll with writings on both sides and sealed with 7 seals.  The writing on both sides means it is complete and there is nothing to add to it.  A strong angel (some translations say a mighty angel) said no one was worthy to open the scroll.  These strong angels are mentioned 3 times in Revelation.  These angels are not identified; they are special and proclaim God’s revelation.  God could not open it, because He had given the right to man to rule the earth.  John wept and wept, because he seemed to know the importance of this scroll.  John felt hopeless, but God never leaves us hopeless.  Then an elder told John to stop weeping, because the Lion of Judah, the Root of David has overcome and He could open it.  That was Jesus, the Messiah who was foretold in Genesis 49:9-10, Samuel 7, Isaiah and others books in the Old Testament.

Then John saw a Lamb standing there as if slain meaning He was slain, but now is alive.  He had 7 horns and 7 eyes, which are the 7 Spirits of God.  The Horns indicate great power.  The eyes show He knows everything and nothing is hidden from Him.  The 7 Spirits show His completeness, the Trinity.  The Lamb took the book and the creatures and elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.  They had with them harps and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  This Lamb was Jesus.  Then they sang a new song, “You are worthy, to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” – Rev. 5:9-10. 

He was the only one worthy to open the scroll and the song tells just why He was worthy:

He is the Lamb who had been slain.  He died on a cross for the sins of us all.  Now He lives.

His death provides a ransom for His people.  He bought us freedom from the power of sin.

He makes His people into a kingdom and priests who serve God here on earth.

Then John saw thousands and thousands of angels around the throne and together with the creatures and elders they sang a song of praise.  “Worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” – Rev. 5:12.  You will notice in this verse there are 7 qualities indicating perfection.  Then every creature in heaven and on earth sang, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” – Rev. 5:13.

Wow!  You see a lot of worshipping going on and if anyone deserves it, it is Jesus.  All I can say is WOW!

How are you in awe toward Jesus and what He has done?

Does this chapter challenge you to be more worshipful?

How does this influence your daily worship?

What difference does the exalted Christ make in the way you think and live?

Join me next week we continue our study.  Hope to see you here.

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Revelation 4 - The Heavenly Throne

Worship in Heaven

In our studies of Revelation so far we saw that John wrote to the 7 churches as directed by Jesus.  He was told to write the things he saw, what is now, and what will take place later.  The letters to the churches are what is now.  Now John is shown the heavenly throne in Revelation 4.  This is the start of visions shown to John starting with a description of heaven, including the throne, elders, creatures, and what they are doing.

John heard a voice calling him to come up to heaven so he could be shown what will take place next.  John enters heaven and was in the Spirit - meaning he was in a vision.  He describes what he saw.  John saw God sitting on His heavenly throne.  God is the King of all kings and is the One with all power.  He is the One who controls all of history in heaven and on earth.  He has the end of history planned and He shows John what will happen. 

The throne is in the center of heaven and all of heaven looked to the throne and all worship Him.  God seems to not have a physical body, but one as a bright light shining through precious stones, which showed the glory of God.   Before the throne he described the floor of God’s throne room as a sea of glass.   (Rev. 4:1-3).  This was only John’s impression as he was probably unable to really find words to describe what he saw.  Can you image?  I am sure he was in awe of God’s glory.

In these first verses we can see the Trinity.  I see the door as being Jesus, the One on the throne of course is God and the 7 lamps of fire is the Holy Spirit.

Around the throne were 24 elders on 24 thrones.  These are heavenly beings who serve and worship God.  Some say these are the 12 patriarchs of Israel (the 12 sons of Jacob) and the 12 disciples of Jesus, but we really don’t know exactly who they are.  They wore white clothes and crowns.  The white clothes mean that are clean from any sin and symbolized their purity and victory in Christ.  All believers are promised white garment of righteousness.  Their crowns show they are royalty.  (Rev. 4:4) 

There was lightning and thunder indicating the power of God.  This is the sound of God’s judgment.  God is beautiful yet terrifying at the same time.  There were 7 lamps of fire which represent the Holy Spirit.  He appears as fire in other places in the Bible.  The number 7 means perfection or completeness. (Rev. 4:5-6a).

In the center around the throne were 4 living creatures - a lion, an ox, one with a face one like a man, and an eagle.  They were possibly located in four directions: north, east, south, and west.  This shows that they were strong like a lion, full of power like an ox, wise like a wise man, and fast like a flying eagle.  Each had eyes in front and back and 6 wings.  The eyes could mean they could see everything.  Nothing was hidden from them.  The wings could mean they had speed when obeying God.  These creatures represent the entire created order of animals and mankind.  The creatures constantly praised and gave glory, honor and thanks to the Lord saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” – Rev. 4:6b-8  They express praises of the holy, powerful, and eternal nature of God.

What do these words really mean? 

Holy, holy, holy  - God is perfect and without flaws.  Every part of God’s nature is holy.

Lord God Almighty – God is in control and has His hand in everything.  It shows His power and authority over all.

Who is, and is and is to come - God has always existed and will always exist.  He is active and present.

How do you give glory to God?   We can give Him glory and worship by acknowledging Him, by worshipping, by our gratitude, by recognizing and submitting to His authority, by repenting of sin and following His Word.  He is the object of true worship in heaven and it should be here on earth for us as well.  He is worthy of our worship.

The elders lay their crowns before the throne.  This is an act of honor and respectfully acknowledges God is the source and authority over everything we have.  He is the giver of every gift.  Crowns will be given to the faithful and we will lay our crowns at His feet, because all our rewards come from Him.  No one else, not any king or anyone is worthy of such honor and praise as God.

When the creatures praised God, the elders would fall down before the throne and worship the Lord, because He is the supreme Ruler, the King of Kings and Creator of all things.  The job of these elders was to solely give praises to God.  “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you crated all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” – Rev. 4:11.

Can you image standing before the throne a seeing and worshiping the one true living God?  One day we will be right there in heaven before His throne.  Oh, what a day of glorious worship that will be!  Wait until you see Him!  We will be like the elders and creatures and never tire of giving Him praise.  That will be our job to worship Him.

How often do you think of God?

What is worship to you?

How do you worship God?

Are you frightened by John’s vision?

What do you think you will do when your see God?

Principles:

God is Creator of all things, and everyone and everything owes their existence to Him.

God has always existed and will always exist.

The throne of God reveals God’s limitless power and eternal rule.

Our Creator God is worthy of all honor, glory and worship.

Next week we will study Revelation 5 where John’s vision continues.  Hope to see you here.

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