“The
Day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the
Almighty … The Day of the Lord is coming – a cruel Day with fierce anger
… “; “When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven … He will punish
those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.
They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the
presence of the Lord … ” Lord, we read these words, and we wonder, “Is
this what lies ahead of us?” We thank You, Lord, that You speak to us of
something else, something very much more wonderful – the Day of
Christ’s Return, the Day of our salvation: “the Day He comes to be
glorified in His holy people and to be marvelled at among all those who
have believed” (Isaiah 13:6,9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Why, Lord, do You
speak to us about judgment? Does this have anything at all to do with
the Good News of our salvation? You show us, Lord, what we have been
saved from – so that we might appreciate more deeply, more truly and
more fully, the wonder of Your great salvation. You speak to us Your
warning, ‘Don’t let the Day of the Lord “surprise you like a thief” – to
bring us to “Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath,” and to lead
us on to the Day of “salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1
Thessalonians 5:1-4,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).
You call us, Lord, to return to You. You promise to welcome us (2 Chronicles 30:9). Where does our returning come from? Where does our rejoicing come from? They both come from You. You put it into our hearts - to return to You (2 Chronicles 30:12). What joy there is for us when we return to You - "The good Lord pardons every one who sets his heart to seek God" (2 Chronicles 30:18-19).
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