“But who may abide the Day of His coming? And, who shall stand when He appears?. . .”
Malachi 3:2a
To those who refuse to repent, He will not be the rejoicing Father; He will be the Righteous Judge.
Doomsday prophets.
That’s what those who preach like Malachi are called by those who scorn, mock and reject their message. Much better (to their way of thinking) is the popular preacher who waxes eloquently on “health, wealth and prosperity” or “10 Steps on How to Be Successful In Life.”
But, “watchmen on the wall” cannot keep quiet when “there’s a sword in the land” (Ez. 33:2-4). And, his/her failure to do so comes at great peril and price—both to the watchmen and those under their watch (vv.5-8).
Malachi’s question in today’s Manna is a serious one—yea, a quite sobering one: “But who may abide (Heb. ‘kuwl’—‘to measure up, maintain, abide, bear, comprehend, sustain, etc.’) the Day of His coming? And, who shall stand when He appears?”
We know the answer, don’t we?
No one.
Unless, they’re safely within the Ark, which is the Lord Jesus Christ.
For now, the Ark’s Door is open (Rom. 10:9-10, 13; II Cor. 6:2b).
But, the time is coming when that Door of Salvation will close (Gen. 7:16b). And, no amount of pleading, praying, bargaining, weeping, etc., shall avail when that Day of Opportunity is past. That’s why it’s imperative that we “blow the trumpet and sound the alarm” (Ez. 33:3). Otherwise, how shall they know?
“As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days preceding the coming of the Son of Man” (Mt. 24:37). There’ll be “eating and drinking. . .marrying and giving in marriage. . .going to parties. . .having tailgate parties. . .going about life with ‘business as usual’,” etc.
Yet, God’s Righteous Tsunami is coming. Even now He’s “sounding the alarm,” warning those who are unprepared of His Coming and the need to prepare (Mt. 24:4-35). The question is “Are we, who are His People, at our sentry post and sounding the alarm?” If not, who, then, shall warn them?
On that Day none shall “abide/remain unmoved and still be standing” when the Lord Jesus returns with a “Sword in His Mouth and Eyes as flames” (Rev. 19:12, 15, 21). Only those whose lives are “built upon the Rock” (Mt. 7:21-27) shall be unmoved—and even they shall fall down before Him, crying “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12). So, be faithful, Pilgrim. The hour is late and countless souls hang in the balances of eternity. They’re depending on you.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated December 16, 2009
