"GREAT DAY OF THE LORD!"

Zephaniah 1:14-18          (ESV)
"14 The "GREAT DAY OF THE LORD" is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there.
15 A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements.
17 I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the LORD. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth."




To understand that GOD is merciful should be abundantly clear to our generation in the United States of America.  We continue to live in relative freedom not fully understanding what oppression really is.  Not since the Great Depression of 1929-1939 have we had to endure a  widespread lack of what is needed to not only survive, but flourish in abundance of resources.

Can you imagine the history of the United States being written in the Bible?  In not quite 400 years GOD has allowed prosperity unlike any other kingdom in history.   The past 100 years there has been more wealth created by our fellow countrymen, and we act as though it is just because we are better than others at making certain our bottom line improves every year.

The Hebrew children (GOD's chosen people) were in captivity for 430 years in Egypt all because they didn't recognize GOD for WHO HE is!  The United States of America hasn't been in existence for as long as the Israelites were in captivity!  Yet we live as though we are the children of a dynasty that is above being conquered?

GOD can, AND WILL, judge all sin, no matter who we think we are.   "Our opinion" of what sin is will not make a difference when that day comes either!  HIS WORD is explicitly clear where that is concerned.  The "GREAT DAY OF THE LORD" will not be enjoyable for those who have ignored GOD and HIS precepts.  Being "the voice of one crying out in the wilderness" isn't an enjoyable task, but I'm not called to enjoy myself!