Introduction:
God is admonishing the nation of Israel to come back to Him. Do you think God is admonishing America… the church… families… individuals?
How presumptuous it would be of us to ignore His plea to prepare for His earthly return.
The Main Point: Because Christ is the sovereign Lord; you ought to prepare for His earthly return.
God is giving His people a final admonition to return to Him. He presents the destinies of the righteous and the wicked.
The Day of the Lord is a significant theme in the Scriptures. It is referred to in 12 books of the Bible. It is not a literal day but rather a period of time. It begins at the start of the seven year tribulation and encompasses all end time events until the creation of the new heavens and new earth. Thus it will last over 1000 years.
2Pe 3:10 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 (Zeph. 1:14-18; 1 Thess. 5:2).
Are you preparing for it?
What do you need to know about His earthly return?
I. The righteous will be a distinguished treasure! Vv. 3:17-4:1
ILLUSTRATION
Tares and wheat (Matt 13:24-30; 36-43)
A. The righteous will be spared (3:17-18).
Rom 8:1 … there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
1. HOW: God will show tender compassion or sympathy to them (the helpless).
Psa 103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
2. WHY: They are a peculiar treasure or special property of God.
B. The wicked will be set ablaze (4:1).
1. It is a time of judgment.
2. It is a time of just recompense (payment).
Isa 66:15-16 For behold, the LORD will come in fire And His chariots like the whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For the LORD will execute judgment by fire And by His sword on all flesh, And those slain by the LORD will be many (24).
2Pe 3:7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Should we take this fire as being literal? Consider the following…
Tribulation:
Rev. 8:7-11 Trumpet judgments: hail and fire; Rev. 9:6; 16-18.
Rev. 11:5 (context: two witnesses cast into the earth) fire flows from them
Rev. 14:10-11 (context: people that worship the beast) tormented w/fire
Rev. 16:8-9 (Bowl judgments) no repentance
Rev. 17:16-18 (judgment of Babylon); Rev. 18:7-8
Second Advent:
Rev. 19:12 (coming of Christ); 19:20
End of Millennium Reign:
Rev. 20:9 (wicked try to assault God)
Great White Throne Judgment:
Rev. 20:12 (raise wicked dead in their bodies); 15; 21:8 (who are the wicked?)
Why do these people burn? They are chaff (stubble) (4:1)
Rev. 15:2 (righteous singing)
ILLUSTRATION
The world is one massive farm… every individual is a field… bearing its own yield… some 30/60/100 fold (good or evil)
Application:
Now what?
You yield what you yield because you are the field you are! Minnick
The Day will reveal what every man raised in his field. The field (YOU) will not be consumed only the yield. The field is eternal (wicked will exist in an everlasting fire)!
What yield are you producing? Is anything going to be left over after it is tried by fire? What is your life’s work going to amount to (gold/ashes)? Are there things that need to change in your life? All combustible material will be burnt up!
What do you need to know about His earthly return?
Transitional Statement: First, the righteous will be a distinguished treasure; secondly…
II. The righteous will be completely absolved (vindicated)! Vv. 4:2-3
A. They will be eternally healed (2).
Context: The Future Glory of Zion
Isa 60:1 "Arise, shine; for your light has come(coming Redeemer), And the glory of the LORD (Messiah) has risen upon you.
Physical deliverance and bodily resurrection
1. Your impurities will be forever removed.
2. You will live in perfect obedience to the Lord!
B. They will be instruments of judgment on the wicked (3).
1. You will tread down the wicked.
2. They will be like ashes under their feet.
What do you need to know about His earthly return?
Transitional Statement: First, the righteous will be a distinguished treasure; secondly, the righteous will be completely absolved (vindicated); thirdly, the righteous need to prepare for this coming Day!
III. The righteous need to prepare for this coming Day! V. 4:4
Exo 19:5 'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
ILLUSTRATION
Sow your thoughts, reap your deeds;
Sow your deeds, reap your habits;
Sow your habits, reap your character;
Sow your character, reap your destiny.
Your destiny is being determined everyday… like constructing a building one brick at a time. Your bricks need to be sourced in truth.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.
A. Recall the doctrine of the Word of God.
Deu 4:23 "So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God which He made with you…
1. Its statutes (appointment)… laws
2. Ordinances (verdicts/judgments) or commands
B. Obey the Word of God.
1. Your work (bricks) is being tried by God with fire.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
God is purifying your work now so that it will stand the test of fire at the Bema judgment. What is the result of present testing?
2. So, your work will stand the test of fire later.
1Co 3:14-15 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
ILLUSTRATION
Cantankerous (bad-temper, ornery, crabby, grumpy) boss, neighbor…
You don’t know my boss, spouse, neighbor, etc.
Application:
Now what?
• Do you love the things of this world more than the things of God?
• Would you rather compromise God’s Word than suffer the wrath of man?
Dedicate your life to the preparation of His return. Get ready by learning His doctrines (expectations) and obeying His directives.
How? Make it a priority!
What do you need to know about His earthly return?
Transitional Statement: First, the righteous will be a distinguished treasure; secondly, the righteous will be completely absolved (vindicated); thirdly, the righteous need to prepare for this coming Day!
IV. The righteous will be aided in their preparation by God. V. 4:5
A. He promised to send a prophet.
ILLUSTRATION
John the Baptist
B. He promised to restore relationships.
Gill
Conclusion:
What do you need to know about His earthly return?
1) The righteous will be a distinguished treasure;
2) the righteous will be completely absolved (vindicated);
3) the righteous need to prepare for this coming Day;
4) the righteous will be aided in their preparation by God.
In thy hand and thy choice are life and death, heaven and hell, salvation and damnation, bliss or misery everlasting. Choose which thou willest. Barnes
The Gospel is “GOOD NEWS” because it prepares one for His coming!
Will you prepare for the coming Lord?
Will you obey Him… to what degree?
