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Day of the LORD

“Let us …” Part 3

by TerryLema

The last of the three “let us” affirmations in Hebrews 10 is found in verses 24-25.

“Let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  [HCSB]

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we need to look out for each other. We need to do that because we see that “the day [is] drawing near.”

The day he is referring to is the return of the LORD Jesus. We know from other Scriptures that the conditions of this world will worsen as we approach that time. Jesus spoke of events such as wars and famines and pestilence and earthquakes. [Matthew 24]

Paul wrote of the conditions of hearts. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good.” [2 Timothy 3:1-3 HCSB]

All we have to do is watch the evening news to find both these events and conditions of people’s hearts mentioned.

In the midst of all this, the Hebrews passage reminds us to watch out for each other, to promote love and good works, to be consistent in our meeting with other believers, and to keep encouraging each other.

If we are still looking for a resolution(?) or an emphasis for 2023, perhaps we have found one?

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Waiting for the Day of the LORD

by TerryLema

On June 24, a building in Surfside, Florida, collapsed in the middle of the night. In an instant the lives of many people were changed. Many died. Some escaped from parts of the building still standing. Multiple families suffered devastating losses.

On Wednesday, July 8, about two weeks after the building collapsed, the search through the rubble changed from a rescue effort (looking for anyone still alive) to a recovery effort (finding the bodies of the victims). Fire authorities said that there was now “no chance of life.”

As I read the heart-breaking words from the officials and rescue workers, I was reminded of the phrase …. “like a thief in the night.” For many living in that high-rise condo, death truly came like a thief in the night.

Peter’s second letter ends with a discussion of “The Day of the LORD,” which is where the phrase “thief in the night” is found.

Peter tells his listeners that there will always be scoffers about the Lord’s return. There will always be people who willfully argue that Christ is not coming back, and that those who hope in such things are fools. These scoffers live according to their own desires.

Peter reminds; however, about how fast things can change. Long ago God changed the face of the earth in a day when the floods during Noah’s time came. With the LORD, Peter says, one day is like a thousand years. He reminds us that God is delaying His return because He is patient and does not want any to perish.

But, Peter says, the Day of the LORD “will come,” and it will come without warning. [3:10]

And for those of us who wait … “It is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God.” [3:11b-12a HCSB]

If it is not clear, Peter goes on to define what he means by “holy conduct and godliness.”  Tomorrow.

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Just-Like-That!

by TerryLema

The last day of April was sure a wild one in the Treasure Valley in Idaho. It began with a beautiful sunny sky, warm temperatures (the day before had been downright hot!). I was not paying much attention to the weather, however. My attention was focused on waiting for the Governor to affirm that Stage One of opening Idaho back up would begin on May 1 and churches would be allowed to gather, granted with certain protocols in place. (He did, and we are on May 10.)

All that changed early afternoon. A strong wind began, then the sound of distant thunder was heard. Within minutes the rain started. Then it got even more intense. Wind speeds accelerated, the patio cover began to rattle, lightning started and thunder followed right after, and the rain turned into a downpour (in some areas wind gusted to 65 miles per hour, tornado warnings went into effect, and ping-pong size hail fell).

I sat in my chair watching the trees bend and listening to the sounds of a violent storm, and I thought how quickly everything can change.

Shortly before His death, Jesus’ disciples asked Him about what we now call “The End Times.” They wanted to know what would transpire during those final days. Jesus gave them the signs that would be there. You can read those things in Luke 21. Then He told them that when they saw those things happening, they were to “look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.” [v28]

1 Corinthians 15:51 uses the term “twinkling of an eye” to describe the change that will happen when that “trumpet sounds.”

Peter tells us that the “Day of the LORD will come like a thief” and the “heavens will disappear with a roar.” [2 Peter 3:10]

The point is that everything can change in a moment. Just as that storm changed a beautiful day into a terrifying one in a matter of seconds; so the LORD can return JUST-LIKE-THAT!

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