The Day of the Lord - Isaiah 11-13 and Ephesians 4
There are a lot of details about the end of time that I am sure I don't fully understand. I am not really sure anyone understands them all. However, the main events seem to be clear to discern. Isaiah 11-13 tells us about some of those events. Jesus is going to come again to reign from the throne of David in Jerusalem for 1,000 years. We call it the Millennium, and it will be a very different time of peace and harmony on this earth. All of the nations of the world will come to worship Jesus in Jerusalem, and the Jews will turn completely to Him and sing His praises, as it says in Isaiah 12. Before this time of peace, there will be a terrible time of war or tribulation. I think Isaiah 13 speaks of this some, even though the direct application was the punishment of Babylon by the Medes. God always brings His judgment on sin, and the Tribulation time will be the most extreme time of God's wrath against sin. All of this is referred to as the "Day of the Lord" in the Bible. It is the time when God will draw everything to a conclusion, and we will all have to stand in judgment before the Lord, both the believers and the unbelievers. Therefore, we need to prepare ourselves for the Day of the Lord. That preparation is by living in right relationship with the Lord each day of our lives as much as we can with His power.
That is what Ephesians 4 is all about. Paul exhorts us to walk worthy of our calling as Christians. We are to live like children of the King of Kings. That requires us to put off the old and to put on the new. Our lives are to be radically different when we come to Christ. Look at the list in these verses. It is not optional. God will cause us to give an account of our lives before Him when the Day of the Lord comes. What are you living for today? Are you just focused on today or on the present? If you are, you might miss the significance of all you do. God is calling on all of us to live for Him, and He is serious about it. He is so serious that He will grade us at the end of time. What kind of grade will you receive on your life? It is important because it will have an impact on you to hear Jesus pronounce how you did. I believe the most precious words we can hear from Him besides, "You are forgiven your sins" are to hear Him say, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 14-16 and Ephesians 5:1-16.
That is what Ephesians 4 is all about. Paul exhorts us to walk worthy of our calling as Christians. We are to live like children of the King of Kings. That requires us to put off the old and to put on the new. Our lives are to be radically different when we come to Christ. Look at the list in these verses. It is not optional. God will cause us to give an account of our lives before Him when the Day of the Lord comes. What are you living for today? Are you just focused on today or on the present? If you are, you might miss the significance of all you do. God is calling on all of us to live for Him, and He is serious about it. He is so serious that He will grade us at the end of time. What kind of grade will you receive on your life? It is important because it will have an impact on you to hear Jesus pronounce how you did. I believe the most precious words we can hear from Him besides, "You are forgiven your sins" are to hear Him say, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 14-16 and Ephesians 5:1-16.