Monday, October 30, 2017

eschatology, Appointed Time (Ps.75)

I'm only picking the portions of scripture that are clearly talking about end times or doesn't just repeat what has already been covered several times, so I'm looking at this psalm next because of its uniqueness.  God is using David to speak for Him, explaining that God has appointed times, which are very specific and purposeful.  And one of the appointed times is when God will judge the earth - during the Tribulation...

(Psalm 75:1-5)  We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks,
For Your name is near;
Men declare Your wondrous works.
When I select an appointed time,
It is I who judge with equity.
The earth and all who dwell in it melt;
It is I who have firmly set its pillars. Selah.
“I said to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn;
Do not lift up your horn on high,
Do not speak with insolent pride.’”

Note the highlighted portion...
 (Psalm 75:6-8)  For not from the east, nor from the west,
Nor from the desert comes exaltation;
But God is the Judge;
He puts down one and exalts another.
For cup is in the hand of the Lord, and the wine foams;
It is well mixed, and He pours out of this;
Surely all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink down its dregs.

In the Bible, there are several references to the cup of wrath.  The following is found in the book of Revelation, as it is describing just one of the judgments upon the earth during the Tribulation...

(Revelation 16:17-20)  Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.”  18 And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. 19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found... 

Yes, the wicked will perish and the earth as we know it will "melt" - but "the righteous will be lifted up"...
(Psalm 75:9-10)  But as for me, I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off,
But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

Today's takeaway:  Praise God for His amazing grace!!!...

(Romans 5:1-11)  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

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