The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; let the earth be moved! The Lord is great in Zion. (Psalm 99:1-2)
When you think about it, the redemption of God’s people is almost always connected to a cataclysmic event. In fact, the word cataclysm is derived from a Greek term that means “deluge” or “flood,” referring to the flood of Noah — an event from which the righteous were delivered. Consider Israel’s redemption from Egyptian bondage; when the children of Israel left Egypt, it was with exultation and joyful shouting. On the other hand, the Egyptians were in mourning having to bury their dead firstborn sons — the culmination of a series of judgments brought upon the gods of Egypt.
Yeshua said that the future redemption, as marvelous as that will be for His people, will be a time of turmoil and distress for the nations; the seas will roar and “the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26). As the psalmist says, it will be a time when the nations will tremble because the Lord who reigns is shaking heaven and earth. That should not be misconstrued as mere poetic language — it is very literal. John foretold that in that day there will be “a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth” (Revelation 16:18). It is written in the prophets that, “the earth is violently broken, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard” (Isaiah 24:19-20).
Again, the Day of the Lord will be a time of great upheaval and reshuffling as the Hand of God moves over the earth in waves. Kings will fall and nations will be toppled. Things will occur in the earth and sky unlike anything man has ever seen; as Messiah said, it will be a time “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). Why must all this happen? Because it is the time to favor Zion. As it is written, in that day, “the nations shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory” (Psalm 102:15). Yes, the coming of the Lord will be preceded by ominous and frightful displays but Messiah told us that, seeing these things, we are to look toward Heaven with hope — the King of Zion is coming.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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