The Coming Storm
Reaping the Whirlwind
by PJ Salas
"That day is a day of wrath, of anguish and distress, a day of threatening thunderous clouds, of gross darkness and gloom, of misery and wasting, a day of desolation, destruction, and death ... silver nor gold will deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; and the whole land will be devoured by the fire of His zeal: for He will surely make a terrible end, a riddance of all those dwelling in the land."
"For they have sown the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind…"
Zephaniah1:15,18;Hosea8:7.
Two-Fold Prophecy
These Scriptures are referencing ancient Israel's rebellion against God, and their day of reckoning, fulfilled in their seventy years of exile. These passages are a two-fold prophecy. They speak of an impending tempest, the whirlwind this earth and all its wicked inhabitants will reap.
There is coming a day in which the Lord will bring judgment on all who live wickedly, and refuse His Lordship. We do not know when that day will come; however, the Lord knows. And whether the coming storm will be in our generation, or in a generation yet to come, we do not know; but it is certain, it will come.
Reaping Consequences
Many of the Old Testament prophets testify of Israel reaping the consequences of their blatant disregard for God. Ancient Israel was God's very special people whom He chose and blessed tremendously. However, as is often the case with people, they turned to their own ways. They wandered so far away from God they were worshiping false gods, and sacrificing their children to them (Jeremaih7:30,31).
Israel neglected and took advantage of the poor, even though the Lord instructed them to look after the impoverished. Perversion of every kind was pervasive. They wandered so far down the slums of sin that God was repulsed and could no longer endure them. The day of reckoning had come, and they reaped the whirlwind of their atrocious behavior.
Gathering Clouds
Ancient Israel's record should alarm us. It should alert us to our need for the Almighty. Storm clouds are gathering; they have been for a long time. Soon we will reap the whirlwind. The storm of the great day of the Lord's wrath is coming.
As Israel continually enlarged the ever-widening gulf between them and God, so are we. Because God forbears, we feel smug. (Ecclesiastes8:11). However, as God finally ended Israel's wickedness, so He will put an end to all evil, allowing the unrepentant to reap the natural consequences of their choices. The clouds are gathering.
Forbearance
Because the Creator forbears, we assume a self-righteous attitude, and mistakenly view God's patience as complacency. Some assume and teach there is no Creator. Many scoff and mock the Almighty, and others proclaim there is no second coming of Jesus.
Unbelief, indifference, and contempt for God do not transmute truth. God will not endure forever.
Warning
"…there will come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, saying, where is the promise of His coming? For…all things continue as they have from the beginning… But fire is reserved for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly…"
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…rather He is enduring, not willing any should perish, desiring all to come to repentance. Nonetheless, the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night; and the heavens will roll up with a great noise. The heavenly bodies will burn with a violent heat and dissolve, and the world and everything in it will be consumed from the fervent burning." 2Peter3:3,4,7,9,10.
"God is patient, slow to anger. His power is great. However, He in no way will allow the wicked to go unpunished. He has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm; thunderclouds are dust beneath His feet. Mountains quake before Him and the hills melt away. The earth heaves at His presence, the world and all who are in it."
"Who can stand before His indignation, or rise before His burning displeasure, the fierceness of His wrath? His fury is poured out as fire, and the rocks beat down." Nahum1:3,5,6.
Wayward
The earth is reeling from our abuse against it, our society is in disarray and chaotic, and families are more and more divided, endangered, and threatened. Our impulsive and unrestrained perversions are carrying us farther and farther away from the Creator.
Blinded by disbelief, our darkened minds are unwilling to see the truth of God, and His Word. We are wayward; we have wandered away from our Maker.
Our Condition
"…in the last days hazardous times will come. People will be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, prideful, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, slanderers, unkind and unloving, brutal, unforgiving, without self-control, not loving what is right, traitors, impetuous, arrogant, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;"
"having an outward appearance of correctness and goodness, but God's power is not in them; from these turn away."
2Timothy3:1-5.
Sounding Alarms
The coming storm, the final crisis approaches. It is a day of desolation, of waste and destruction, of the terrible fury of the Lord; it looms. Whether we see it in our generation or not, it is coming.
The things that are happening in our world are a warning signal of the impending final crisis. We need to pay attention. "Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep … awake, you who are sleeping, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." Romans13:11;Ephesians5:14.
It is time, high time, to awake out of sleep. Awake. Arise. Wake up, turn to God, repent, and be saved.
The Storm
"Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty. The lofty looks and the haughtiness of men will be bowed-down, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day."
"For the day of the Lord of hosts will be upon everyone who is lofty and proud, upon everyone who is lifted up, and they will be brought low. The…Lord alone will be exalted in that day. And the idols He will utterly abolish."
"They will go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake terribly the earth. Stop regarding and trusting in man whose breath is in his nostrils, for of what account is he?"
Isaiah2:10-12,17-19,22.
"The heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Kings of the earth, the great men, and the rich men, the chief captains, and the mighty men, every bondman, and every free man, hide in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains. They say to the mountains and rocks, fall on us, hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of His wrath is come; and who will be able to stand?" Revelation6:14-17.
Hope
There is hope, there is help, and there is a promised land. Jesus is the hope; and He is the help we need to live a right and good life. He is the One who died for our sins, who helps us to live without sin, and who will return for His faithful followers to restore to us eternal life.
Those who reconcile with the Creator, who surrender their life to Jesus, will not suffer the fate of the wicked. Through faith in Jesus, we have deliverance.
"…Michael will stand up, the great Prince who stands by the children of your people, and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation … and at that time your people will be delivered, every one found written in the book." Daniel12:1.
Let this be the day you turn to Jesus and welcome His goodness into your life; let His love into your heart. There is no better life than a life lived in Christ Jesus. It is meaningful, and rich in everlasting treasures, the true riches of God.
Visit our How to Become a Christian page, and contact us to learn more about the coming final crisis, and the hope and help we have in Jesus.
