Reading: Revelation 6-8
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand(Rev. 6:15-17)?
Seven hundred years before the first coming of the Lamb, Isaiah revealed that the administration of justice would rest upon the shoulders of the Messiah-King. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Is. 9:6-7).
Isaiah also foretold that Christ would be led as a lamb unto slaughter, carrying upon his shoulders the entirety of the sins of mankind (53:6-7) and becoming the perfect, permanent, final sacrifice for the remittance of sins, an identity that was later confirmed by the words of John the Baptist. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
During His first appearance on this earth, Christ, the Lamb of God, offered the gentleness of God’s love to all willing to receive Him as their Savior and Lord. This offer of limitless mercy and grace has been open for the past 2000 years, and it will remain open to all who choose to accept it until, in God’s perfect time, the day of the Lord arrives. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father (Mark 13:32). Yet on the great day of His wrath, on judgment day, all who have refused His love and have willfully chosen to remain under the control of Satan in rebellion against God will tremble and fall to their knees in belated acknowledgment and fear, for who shall be able to stand in His terrible presence? Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and His angels (Matt. 25:41).
As true believers, we will have quite a different experience! After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb (Rev. 7:9-10). Our names have been written in the Lambs Book of Life (Rev. 20:15; 21:27), and we have been promised the privilege of living in the presence of the King of kings for all eternity.
Today, as we bow our heads and give thanks for the heavenly birth of a small babe in Bethlehem, let us also raise our voices in prayer and praise. The reign of Satan has ended; All hail our Savior and King!
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:57).
Thought for Today: For God’s faithful, Judgment Day is not a calamity but a victory.
Cross Reference: For Rev. 6:12: See Joel 2:31. Rev. 6:13: See Is. 34:4. Rev. 6:17: See Joel 2:11. Rev. 7:3: See Ezek. 9:4. Rev. 7:17: See Ezek. 34:23.
Word Studies: 6:13 untimely figs = unripe figs; 6:15 bondman = slave.
Pray For :God's Peace throughout the world • Country: Malta (412,655) Islands South of Sicily • Major Languages: Maltese, English • Religious Freedom • 98% Roman Catholic (Official); 2% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Confess your sins to the Lord; He is merciful and forgiving (Dan. 9:4-9).