The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
Zephaniah 3:15
I was not going to post today, but world news and God's prompting is leading me to share some thoughts about the nations of the world being judged.
Zephaniah's vision of the Day of the Lord tells of God sending strong judgment on all of the world. "I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant" (3:6). I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD." (1:2-3) The world is seen as joining together in rebellion against Him and God begins to send judgment after judgment in hopes of redeeming many. Eventually, the judgments will turn to wrath as the wicked heart of man rebels against its Maker. Therefore, we can look for more universal troubles as we await the coming of Christ for His bride.
Why would such strong judgment be sent on all of the earth? Could it be that we are seeing a previous scenario playing out as found elsewhere in scripture? There is a definite move towards globalization. Think of the recent news. Here are a few articles to consider on the topic.
In each of these articles, and many others like them, the world is seen joining together to solve a problem. It may be starvation, war, oil, science, or any other topic, but there is a real trend in the popular secular news to view every crisis from the vantage point of a united world and not as independent sovereign nations. We are subtly being sent the message that men need to unite worldwide to solve all of their ills. In the process, God is left out. Let me be more specific. A god in general is not left out. The God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who revealed redemption solely on the merit of the cross of Jesus Christ, He is the God being left out. Without God, the world weighs in on every calamity. It used to be that a country could fight a civil war and the world waited to see who came to power. (Aren't you glad the world did not intervene in the rebellion against the British we call the Revolutionary War or mess with us during the American Civil War?) Today, it becomes a world concern and coalitions are formed to solve the world's newest dilemma.
As a result, the world is becoming increasingly hostile towards "stubborn Christians" who see Jesus as the only means of salvation. Since the true believer sees himself/herself as a citizen of another Kingdom, they need to be ostracized. Jesus said this would happen! Consider this article.
On another post below there is a story about Christians being barred from being foster parents for their stance on homosexuality. We also have seen believers in colleges who are being banned from law and psychology degrees for their faith.
Israel also reminds a godless world of the God of the Bible. Therefore, the world is turning against Israel and standing behind blood soaked, murderous terrorists. God has not forgotten Israel, however. He has promised that they will one day all receive their Messiah. There will be a revival in Israel and the name of Y'shua Mashiyach (Messiah Jesus transliterated in Hebrew) will be on the lips of all. That is what the above text verse is referring to. Jesus will come down! This is the central message of the Bible--God comes down. Jesus returns and the nations and peoples who proudly joined in rebellion against Him will be crushed.
Here is the first Biblical shadow of what will soon happen found in Genesis:
Genesis 11:1-9 A Sovereign God
a. Introduction-all the earth has one language(11:1) Men United against God
b. People settle in Shinar (11:2)
c. Resolution of the people (11:3-4) “come let us”
d. Center : God comes down (11:5)
c. Resolution of God (11:6-7) “come let us”
b. People dispersed from Shinar (11:8)
a. Conclusion: All of the earth now has many languages (11:9) We are the reverse of this pattern in a way. Men are starting with many languages. Zephaniah saw all the nations with one language again and unified under Christ's rule. (Zephaniah 3:9 "For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent."
Truly the nations of the world have aligned themselves against the LORD and His Christ. We will soon see many more judgments against the world as the rebellion intensifies. What they do not realize is that the are following the strategic plans of the god of this world--Satan. Don't worry dear Christian! He is a loser and he can't even harm you without begging your LORD for permission to test you. Remember, OUR GOD REIGNS!
Those who choose to follow the world: however, are in for the judgments that a Holy God will send. As they align themselves against God's final prophetic plans for Israel or rail against his Blessed Church, they are going to face catastrophe after catastrophe until they fulfill Zephaniah 1:2-3! Jesus will shield Israel and take away their reproach. God will also protect His church and soon call His ambassadors home as He declares all out war on an errant world. We will talk about the recall of the ambassadors and the feast they share in His presence another day. God Bless!
Israel and the Middle East
US split on if Islam is more violent than other religions When your head is split open maybe you won't be split in your assessment of this "religion of peace". Islam: Making a True Difference in the World - One Body at a Time
U.S. official: Iran moving to brink of nuclear weapons capability - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News The LORD will not allow nukes there. He will act mightily to prevent this!
Signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars/Earthquakes in Diverse Places
