A day of wrath is that day, A day of trouble and distress, A day of destruction and desolation, A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness

 Zeph 1:14-18

            14        Near is the great day of the Lord,

Near and coming very quickly;

            15        A day of wrath is that day,

A day of trouble and distress,

A day of destruction and desolation,

A day of darkness and gloom,

A day of clouds and thick darkness, 

            17        I will bring distress on men

So that they will walk like the blind,

Because they have sinned against the Lord;

And their blood will be poured out like dust

And their flesh like dung.

            18        Neither their silver nor their gold

Will be able to deliver them

On the day of the Lord’s wrath;

And all the earth will be devoured

In the fire of His jealousy,

For He will make a complete end,

Indeed a terrifying one,

Of all the inhabitants of the earth.

Near is relative. To us, that was a very long time ago. A thousand years to Him is as a day. After all, God is not affected by time as we know it. The four “D’s (distress, destruction, desolation, and darkness” are overwhelming. The one D (deliverance) trumps them all.

 

4.    If we could hear God speak, He would probably say: “Things may look impossible but remember – keep your eyes on Me. Peter looked at the waves and began to sink. Did you realize, I was only an arm’s length away.”

And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time

 Dan 12:1

1            “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.                                          

        Is your name written in the book? If so, you too will be rescued. If one is rescued, that one must be in danger.

3.    If we could hear God speak, He would probably say: “Don’t train your eyes on the issues that cause the distress. Keep them on Me, and I will deliver you!”

They are coming from a far country, From the farthest horizons, The Lord and His instruments of indignation, To destroy the whole land.

 Is 13:3-5

I have commanded My consecrated ones,

I have even called My mighty warriors,

My proudly exulting ones,

To execute My anger.

            4          A sound of tumult on the mountains,

Like that of many people!

A sound of the uproar of kingdoms,

Of nations gathered together!

The Lord of hosts is mustering the army for battle.

            5          They are coming from a far country,

From the farthest horizons,

The Lord and His instruments of indignation,

To destroy the whole land.

Indignation seems a kind word to describe what is coming. With all this happening, no wonder there is distress. We need to trust in Him.

 

2.    If we could hear God speak, He would probably say: “Stand firm in the midst of turmoil. I am here to shelter you under My wings.”

Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it

I           Distress

Jer 30:7

‘Alas! for that day is great,

There is none like it;

And it is the time of Jacob’s distress,

But he will be saved from it.

As we will see later, calling the Day a time of Jacob’s distress tells of the calamity coming upon the world – especially the Jews (and Christians – we are also Abraham’s seed). Thankfully, God will protect His children. Does this mean we won’t go through that Day, or that it just won’t harm us? That is what we are going to try to determine.

 

1.    If we could hear God speak, He would probably say: “Chill out My children! Nothing can harm you.”