It is Coming- Obadiah 15-16

Christmas coming for children

The upcoming doctor’s appointment

Three important questions we must all ask ourselves

I. What is the Day of the LORD?

We see the phrase “the day of the LORD” throughout Scripture, most commonly in the prophets in the OT, and occasionally in the NT, and depicted in graphic detail in the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. Obadiah warns the Edomites that this Day is near, of which we will discuss in the next point. For now, I want to provide a brief overview of what the Day of the LORD is.

The Day of the LORD is the culmination of God’s salvific work in creation. Listen to this summary from the Baptist Confession of Faith,

“God has appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ;⁠ to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged,⁠ but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.⁠”—London Baptist Confession of Faith 32.1

The Day of the LORD, then, has one purpose with two activities. The ultimate purpose is for His glory. This purpose is carried out in two activities. One relates to God’s people, the other to God’s enemies. One focuses on the completion of salvation, eternal bliss and harmony with God and fellow humanity. The other focuses on utter and intense destruction, eternal torment away from the LORD.

Matthew 24 and 25 provide an overview of the events of this time. It will be horrific. Tribulation is the word Christ uses to describe it. It will be a terrible time prior to the Lord’s return. Various NT authors speak about it, Paul, Peter, and John. This period, this day of the LORD, refers to the ending of all time.

It will be a day of judgment. Notice what Obadiah reveals in verse 15. The Edomites will receive what they have done (Rom. 2:4-9; Rev. 20:6, 11-15; 21-22). The same is found in Matt. 25:31-46. We will discuss the reasons for this toward the end of our time this morning. But for right now, please keep in mind that those who do evil will receive judgment from the LORD on the Day of the LORD. To summarize the Bible’s teaching, then, the Day of the LORD is...

A Day of Judgment on the Wicked (Rev. 20:11-15)

A Day of Reward for the Righteous (Rev. 21, 22)

A Day of Consummation of Salvation (Phil. 1:6, 1 John 3:2)

A Day of Complete and New Creation (Isa. 65:17-25, Rom. 8:18-22, 2 Pet. 3:10-13, Rev. 21:1)

This Day, then, is one of much activity. More than this, however, is the direness of the day. It will be horrific for the sinners. I can think of no more terrifying passage, and summary, of the judgment of the Day of the LORD than Rev. 6:12-17

Revelation 6:12–17 NKJV

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves 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 who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

II. When is the Day of the LORD?

Our next question, considering the importance and the weight of the first question, is When is the Day of the LORD? Obadiah tells us, “For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near...” (15) If it was near in 800s BC, what does that mean for us today?

The NT authors speak of the imminence of the Day of the LORD as well. Imminence, that is the key concept of the timing of the Day of the LORD. Peter describes it as coming as a thief in the night. Thieves are not known for allowing their victims time to prepare for their approach. They come when we least expect it. The Day of the LORD, then, is the same way. It is near.

The Scriptures describe the ending as near, though we do not know the timing. Jesus teaches us, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” It is near. Now, there are things that will happen before this great and terrible day occurs, of which we will speak briefly. Some of these could be completed at the present, though there is definitely room for disagreement.

The Gospel is preached to all nations (Matt. 24:14, Rom. 11:25)

The Conversion of Chosen Israel (Rom. 11:25-29, 2 Cor. 3:15-16)

The Great Apostasy and Tribulation (Matt. 24:9-12, 21-24; 2 Thess. 2:3; 2 Tim. 3:1-5)

The Coming of Antichrist (1 John 2:18,22; 2 Thess. 2:3)

Extravagant Signs and Wonders (Matt. 24:29-30; Rev. 6-19)

(Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology)

It is near, and the constant refrain of our Lord and His apostles is be watchful! Live differently!

III. Why talk about the Day of the LORD?

There is judgment. It is coming. It is sure. There is no stopping it, try as our world may. There is no preventing it, though the antichrists may oppose the true Christ. God’s victory is secured. Why mention this, then? Why does Obadiah bring this up?

We will deal with the good aspects of the Day of the LORD, Lord-willing next Sunday. This morning we focus on the judgment upon sinners. These Edomites, celebrating their victory (“drink, swallow”), are told about the coming Day of the LORD.

Why talk about this coming judgment? Why talk about sin? Peter provides us with the example for our why. After calling out the Jewish people for their hands at the murder of Jesus, they are left facing their sins square in the face. What do they do?

Acts 2:37-38

Acts 2:37–38 NKJV

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Why talk about the Day of the LORD? Because it is a grace of God for people to repent, to turn away from their sins, to receive God’s incredible grace through Jesus Christ. That is one reason.

The other reason is to render individuals from the excuse that they were not warned. This is precisely what Paul teaches us in Romans 2:1-9. Romans 2:4-9

Romans 2:4–9 NKJV

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

There are two responses: fear or joy.