Thurs.'s Devo - Future Judgment 9-1-11

Read Isa. 24:1-13
"Behold" means "look at what will happen in the future". At the end of time the whole earth will be judged. Everyone, no matter their age, occupation, rich or poor - they will all be judged. The earth will be emptied and plundered. Verse 5 tells us why: all the people have broken God's laws, changed their meaning, and violated God's covenant with man. They brought a curse of the earth that caused the earth to be consumed and whoever was still left to burn. In the Old Testament God destroyed the earth by water; it is prophesied that he will destroy it again by fire. (2 Pet. 3) Isaiah gives us a picture of what it will look like. Joy and prosperity is a thing of the past. Fear is everywhere and people have shut themselves up in their homes. There is no hope. All I can say is, I hope the church has been raptured out by this time. But even through the tribulation their will be those who turn to the Lord and these people will be comforted. We will see this in tomorrow's reading.
Lord, we are so sheltered here in America but there are Christian brothers and sisters all over the world who live in war, fear and uncertainty. Help them be strong and protect them. Be their deliverer.