The Day of Judgment and Destruction
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The Day of Judgment and Destruction
Many people feel that because “God is love” ( 1 John 4:16 ), God does not kill people. But, when we get to thinking about it, God does kill people — and that is just because God is love and love does not allow evil. There are many battle accounts in the Old Testament that tell of how the Lord defeated huge armies through various means — often with battle confusions, hailstorms, etc. But, there is an even greater example.
Genesis, chapters 6-8, tell us of how God destroyed everyone living on earth — except for Noah and his family. Why did God see fit to kill all those people? Genesis 6:12-13 says,
And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth….”
When people refuse to listen to God’s word and belligerently sin in all sorts of ways, they are condemning themselves. They know full well they are being disrespectful and hateful when they purposely revel in their evil ways. They snub God’s authority and choose for themselves all sorts of idols, philosophies, and man-made religions. That is blasphemy. They are daring God Almighty to step up to the plate with judgments upon them, because they think God is weak in comparison to their determined wills.
God showed otherwise with the flood.
But, the story doesn’t end there. Even after the flood, people again defiantly rejected God in their lives. In this long time-frame, God has sent many preachers and the Savior, as proof of His authority over all creation. But, all sorts of fulfilled prophecy is dismissed by willfully arrogant mankind. So, in God’s word, we read about prophecies for the destruction of the world by God. People will have no control over what happens on Judgment Day, but God will. All who mock God’s word will be destroyed by God Himself.
2 Peter 3:5-7 talks about those who mock God’s authority. There Peter writes and refers to the flood,
It escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
People who mock God’s authority don’t notice how God fulfills all of His prophecy over time. Since they haven’t been struck down by lightning yet, they foolishly feel God won’t do anything about their sins. But, Peter gives us the reason for God’s seeming lack of judgment. 2 Peter 3:9 says,
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
So, does God really kill people? Peter assures us that it is true. 2 Peter 3:10-12 says,
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for the hastening of the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
Yes, indeed. Just “what sort of people ought you to be”?
Thankful for the wonder of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, let us not test Your patience. Help us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Your sure redemption and love.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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