The Great and Terrible Day of God is compared to the natural firestorm that cannot be stopped but is a wrath of destruction. God’s people in a firestorm are like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. A furnace so hot that they only people that fried where the servants of the devil king Nebuchadnezzar. Yet God’s people did not burn with heat of the furnace but the power of God in their life. When the furnace cooled enough for the king and his men to approach to see the sight before them of the men of God still standing in the furnace, what they saw were men that could testify of the greatness of their God and his mighty power.

If one relates the evens of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to the final judgment of God, one will see God’s fury on the earth with God’s servants not with physical fire but spiritual fire that cannot be quenched. A fire burns consuming all in its path toward the pearly gates of the angels with swords of fire guarding it. Jesus promised we will be in heaven with him, but those pearly gates lock out all unbelievers. Imagine for a moment the fire of God consuming what behind you and the flame swords of God in front of you. All dead works are burned up and anything remaining is fit for the God’s use. If a none believer is running to get away from all that heat, and can not they will be consumed. Only choice a non-believer has is repentance. The fire is too hot, and God’s wrath upon the people is too great that the very flames destroy all but His servants.

Even a firefighter cannot put out the flames of God unless they join God’s fire fighting squad that it allows the fire of His Spirit to burn, burn, burn. Not arsonist, but the spiritual fire that one-day will be a reality upon the earth with Christ appearance. A fire is already kindled in the hearts of all believers. There is a fire that will consume the rest of unbelief with Christ appearance. The reality will come and great mourning of repentance with the appearance of Jesus and the voice of God.

Signs in the earth and heavens above only speak of time continuing until the great day of Lord’s wrath. The moon turning to red is only symbol of a beautiful day to come. Yet the day of God’s wrath is not beautiful with the weeping and mourning and gnashing of teeth. It is the reality of their unbelief with the consequences for unbelief. Will God have mercy on the day of Christ return for all unbelievers? God’s word and Christ own words declare it is a time like Noah. It a time of no return and doors shut with no escape, yet God’s people will be running to and fro through the camp, like in the days of great fire of nature fury that spares nothing in its path. Puffy gray clouds a sign of impeding storm. Yet the moon is red with a clear day head. Only for God’s wrath to come despite what the day appears to be.

The day of destruction is like that wedding when the honeymooners go off into the sunset only for family and friends to have nightmare of a call that says they have died in a wreck or lost at sea. It is that call after a good day that makes one wonder if it could get any worse. If tragedy happens on a bad day, it just fit’s the mood of the day.

The exile of Israel came with soldiers coming through their land and taking them from their homes by force. Gathering them to the sanctuary of the temple and hauling them out of the land in one big march. I live in the Appalachian area. The Appalachian Trail marks the history of Indians forced from the homes to go to Okalahoma and Texas. Many Indians died on the trail of tears. Forced to leave their beloved mountain and area of beauty was much like the plight of Israel. Israel sold into bondage and Indians place on reservation in land that did not flow right to their life style. Indians sent to a desolate land of promise. Israel sent to land of people not their own. A people whose ways were different, yet Israel upon knowledge that the prophets were right repented of their sin to God and became on fire for God. The fire of God’s people in land not their own is much like the ark taken into the Philistine camp who then got a plague that would not end until they rid themselves of the ark by sending it home.

Whether one is in exile or whether one is at home, are you on fire for God. Is the hope of Christ shining forth in your life? Are you setting the world on fire by obeying the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel? Are you letting your light shine for Jesus while there still time? Let your light so shine, whether in the storm, or a good day. Israel return happened right before Christ and in 1945. Israel was still under foreign rule before and after Christ, but in 1945 they gained independence and under their own rule with foreign influences. God promises coming to His children and giving them hope of Christ return. Do you believe God’s promises are true just because of proof in scripture and historical events seen by the world? This fire is the later rain of the Holy Spirit at the time of Pentecost that continues flowing even today. It came after Christ dying for our sins and resurrection. His the Holy Spirit power flowing in your life, if not repent of your sins, ask for Christ to come into your heart and receive the Holy Spirit of promise.

Dear Heavenly Father your promise of your Son’s return is coming, you kept your promise to Israel and will to your children gain through Christ Jesus. Your humble servant knows the power of your promises even to the people without the hope of Christ. In Jesus precious name, Amen.