“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it” (Isaiah 13:9).
TEXT — Isaiah 13:1-12
Message
Warnings are given so that people can escape impending danger. With the help of technology, nations have developed systems that can predict and give warnings about natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, bushfires, and so on. Most warnings are given well before time to allow people to evacuate the area and escape looming disaster. However, while some people take steps to protect themselves from the coming danger, others ignore it and take chances. In the end, disaster hits, and many people are harmed.
Today’s passage gives a warning about the coming of the Day of the Lord. This prophetic warning of Isaiah was particularly given as he predicted the eventual fall of Babylon. Interestingly, this prophecy was given when the Babylonian Empire had not yet become recognised as a major world power. It was not fulfilled until after about 200 years. The prophecy speaks about the coming day of the Lord, which will bring about God’s judgment upon the nations of the world.
Like many other prophecies of the Bible, this prophecy has double applications: the immediate application and the future, universal reference. While this prophecy concerning the day of the Lord on Babylon became fulfilled around 539 BC when the Babylonian Empire was destroyed, the future fulfilment, which speaks of the final day of judgment upon the whole world, is still being awaited. Though it may seem long in coming, there is no doubt it will happen.
The present time can be seen as “the day of man” – the day of the reign of sin, abominations, wickedness, and all forms of impunity. The day of the Lord is coming which will end the sinful days of man. It is the day that the Lord will judge and punish all sins. Undoubtedly, this day is fast approaching as we see the signs everywhere. Therefore, as Christians, the challenge for us is preparing ourselves for this coming day by living consistently in righteousness and holiness. We also need to continue to sound the alarm as loud as possible so that our sinful neighbours can be awakened from their stupor and prepare to escape the wrath of that day.
Thought for the day
God’s longsuffering towards sinners considers how long they will suffer if they persist!
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
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