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The days of recompense. Hos. 9:7 It must be considered that this is called and numbered as the days (plural) of retribution. It is not a judgment which will last but for a day but in all actuality it will cover a period of time. Having an end time fulfillment, it will last for years. The whole of the period known as the great tribulation will give evidence to the reprisal of the Lord against the sinner, the antichrist and the devil. The second coming of the Lord Jesus is the moment of His revelation. There will not be anything secret about it, for He is coming in flaming fire exacting vengeance on those who do not know and also those who do know but do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus.2 Thess. 1:7-8.
When the scriptures depict Jesus coming as a thief in the night it is in no way referring to a covert event where thousands of people disappear simultaneously. Paul taught, that those who are called brethren, who are not living in darkness will not be surprised at the coming of the Lord Jesus. It will not happen to those who are in Christ as a bolt from the blue. That day will not occur to them as the intrusion of an unanticipated or unexpected thief. 1 Thess. 5:2, 4. The day of the Lord, the day of His second coming will be as a thief to the unsaved. Consider carefully the horrendous events which will take place when He comes. When He comes as a thief, an event absolutely unanticipated by the unsaved, the heavens will pass away in one gigantic explosion. A blast and a noise such as never heard before on this earth. No more ozone layer. All the oxygen will escape from the atmosphere of this globe, making it impossible for the natural man to live on the earth. The elements, the basic construction of the earth, will be melted because of the extreme heat of the fire of His coming. All the works of mankind will be totally destroyed, completely consumed. 2 Peter 3:10.
Israel was to know the visitation of the Lord in the day of recompense. In spite of their lineage dating back to the Patriarchs, if they do not truly follow the Lord they will be treated as any other nation. Hos. 9:7 They did not live in ignorance of the requirements of the Lord but as a stubborn, obstinate people, wanted things to go their way. They looked upon the true prophets as prophesying foolish things. While considering the spiritual person to be insane. All this being the result of the great abundance of their wickedness before the Lord. Likewise the excessive hatred which they had allowed to build up in their hearts. Roots, some as small as the very finest of hair, can increase in our hearts until we lose out with the Lord. Heb. 12:15 Bitterness passed from parents to children will corrupt whole families. It is an emotion which we should clear out of our spiritual lives immediately. No one can afford to live with a bitter spirit. Heb. 12:15.