The Future, Costly, Glorious, Just Rule of the LORD

Many people wonder what will happen in the future to this world and to the kingdoms of this world. Fox News just reported that there has been a discovery of a "Mass Extinction" event that happened 2 billion years ago. Apparently this wiped out 99% of life on the earth. Is this cause to think that there is a future extinction? Others see this as a world that is heading towards a global warming disaster.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 4885 Worldwide Chaos

4885 Worldwide Chaos

The translation of the church will be worldwide, for there are true believers in Jesus Christ in every country on earth, and they all shall be “taken.” Every country will find itself in turmoil. Each government will have to act as quickly as possible to prevent a wild tide of anarchy and terrorism. Strong measures will be put into effect.

Millions of people will suddenly disappear from the face of the earth, including all of the infant children. From all walks of life, and from virtually every phase of life, there shall be people missing.

The freeways, subways, airports and streets will be in shambles as many engineers, pilots, bus drivers and a multitude of private car owners shall suddenly be caught up out of this world. It will be many days before they can unscramble the mangled cars, trains and fallen aircraft.

Remaining millions of people will be wailing, dazed and shaken by the event. They shall be frantically striving to locate loved ones in all of the rubble of broken cars and amid broken storefronts and smashed residences.

Communications will be greatly disrupted. Many key persons shall disappear and much of the lines of communications which are still above ground will be broken by crashes of cars and aircraft. Distraught and searching multitudes will jam and overload the communication lines and systems that do remain.

Dazed and confused pleas from bewildered men over the “alert” systems will try to bring about some semblance of order. Policemen, firemen and rescue crews will work around the clock. Hospitals will overflow. Emergency shelters and first-aid stations will be inadequate. The Red Cross and all other emergency units, plus the army facilities will still not be enough.

Opportunists will add to the confusion and the misery by looting and killing. They shall feel that under such a total emergency they can get away with anything. CHAOS WILL BE ON EVERY HAND.

—Charles Taylor

Many people wonder what will happen in the future to this world and to the kingdoms of this world. Fox News just reported that there has been a discovery of a "Mass Extinction" event that happened 2 billion years ago. Apparently this wiped out 99% of life on the earth. Is this cause to think that there is a future extinction? Others see this as a world that is heading towards a global warming disaster.

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Order out of Chaos

Harry Reasoner concluded his book, Before the Colors Fade (Alfred A. Knopf, 1981), with a Catholic theologian’s definition of work: “Work is the effort of men and women to bring order out of the chaos left by original sin.” You do not have to agree with this declaration to be challenged by it.

We have to stop and consider what it is that the LORD makes absolutely clear about the future, and what this tells us about Him.

We have to stop and consider what it is that the LORD makes absolutely clear about the future, and what this tells us about Him.

(1) There is a worldwide judgment coming (v. 1 - 12)

(1) There is a worldwide judgment coming (v. 1 - 12) GOD IS THE JUST JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH

GOD IS THE JUST JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH -

Haggai 2:7 KJV 1900

And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: And I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

The accountability of mankind must be in view here.

The accountability of mankind must be in view here.

(1) The worth of the Lord's glory is priceless

(2) The necessity of man glorifying God is often overlooked

(2) There will be a remnant (v. 13-16)

GOD IS GLORIFIED AMONG HIS REMNANT

The appropriate response to God is in view here.

(3) The worldwide judgment is inescapable (v. 17-23)

GOD IS UNAVOIDABLE FOR ALL

The accountability is completely exacted by God.

Psalm 46 KJV 1900

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, What desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

The end is the glorious rule of God!

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At least 5 Conclusions/Applications:

(1) The worth of the Lord's glory is priceless

What we mean by God’s glory. The weighty, honorableness of God. It is that which brilliantly displayed itself in the Tabernacle. It was what made the face of Moses to shine. It is ultimately that which manifests the “presence of God”. It is this which is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

John 1:14 KJV 1900

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

It is a glory that God would prove through the life and finished work of Jesus Christ -

John 17:1 KJV 1900

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

Through the glorification of Jesus Christ, God would be exalted. Authority would be claimed. Jesus has exerted dominion over death, over principalities....

(*) This helps us to understand the authority that Jesus claimed through the Resurrection

We recognize the glorious rule of the Lord now

(i) in salvation - turning from the dominion of sin to believing on Jesus as Lord.

(ii) in surrendered service for the salvation of others - seeking the glory of God in the lives of others, but seeking their submission to the Lord Jesus Christ.

When someone comes to Jesus Christ, submits to Him, they are glorifying the Father.

(2) The necessity of man glorifying God is often overlooked

Man was created to glorify God. If this is the case, then pride/rebellion is in direct conflict to our purpose for existence. It cannot be hidden from God.

Thus, if man was created to glorify God, then he will never be truly filled or satisfied until He is living according to this purpose.

We will squeeze other things and people to trying and find our hunger for purpose in what they produce for us.

(*) This should mature our self-awareness about our sinfulness

(*) This shapes our thoughts about carbon footprints and global warming scares

(3) The mercy of the Lord is praiseworthy among all nations

We note that the LORD is more powerful than all nations, but also that God has given to us a commission among all nations. Our perspective should be shaped by our Lord’s worthiness/authority and not by political news.

(*) This shapes our faith about international conflicts in the news

This should guide our sacrificial considerations. Are our children going, worth the glory of God? Is the missions conference worth the glory of God? Is the expense of missions trips worth the glory of God among all nations?

1 Chronicles 16:24 KJV 1900

Declare his glory among the heathen; His marvellous works among all nations.

(4) The exceeding rebellion of mankind cannot be denied - ,

Jeremiah 2:11 KJV 1900

Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

Jeremiah 2:11–13 KJV 1900

Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

(*) This shapes our thoughts about carbon footprints and global warming scares - it is not global warming that unregenerate man should be cosmically concerned with; but it is the fact that the LORD will exact an unavoidable, just judgment.

(*) This should increase our urgency

We should rethink some of our time investments. We should consider and be honest about the real need of mankind.

(5) The Lord will absolutely & completely reign

(*) This shapes how we understand our marriages and our parenting - ,

(*) This shapes how we see our daily duties

Those who have been mercifully saved by Christ should not wait until THEN to manifest the glorious rule of the LORD.

Conclusion:

What is the worth of God’s glory?

Who/What is the present authority in your life?

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1873 Faraday’s Adoration

1873 Faraday’s Adoration

Michael Faraday, who died in 1867, was one of the most brilliant scientists of modern times. He was a pioneer in electrical discoveries.

Faraday received practically no education, but in the bookbindery where he found work, he also found a few volumes of science. He read and studied these, and then embarked on the experiments that were to become his religious convictions, so that we are not surprised at these words he uttered with his dying breath:

“I bow before Him who is the Lord of all.”

—Selected

How has the inevitable future of God’s judgment shaped your priorities today?

There is a future, costly, glorious rule of God that should be manifest in the lives of His people today.

We recognize the glorious rule of the Lord now (i) in salvation (ii) in surrendered service for the salvation of others

(2) This shapes our faith about international conflicts in the news

(3) This shapes our thoughts about carbon footprints and global warming scares

(5) This should increase our urgency

(5) This should increase our urgency

(6) This shapes how we understand our marriages and our parenting

(7) This shapes how we see our daily duties