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

 

Pray for our country.

 

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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