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Paul is writing concerning the second coming of Christ and stated that at the time of the gathering together of His saints (2 Thess. 1:10), that Jesus would be revealed, that is, plainly seen. 2 Thess. 1:7 Acts 1:11 He will come in flaming fire, to the destruction of those who do not know the Lord and are not obedient to the gospel of the Lord Jesus. 2 Thess. 1:8 He is coming as a thief, that is, to the skeptic and unbeliever, unexpectedly, because they have not believed the pre-coming signs which are manifold. What we see and are experiencing today are just the beginning of sorrows, the introductory signs leading up to the great tribulation and the final judgments of the Lord. Mt. 24:8 The major signs are not yet manifest. Every event scheduled by the Lord must come to pass before the Lord Jesus will return. Do not be deceived into thinking that the day of His coming could be just any day. That day shall not come without the anti-christ first putting in his appearance and reigning on the earth. 2 Thess. 2:1-4 His destiny is be destroyed by the brightness (the flaming fire) of the coming of Christ. 2 Thess. 2:8.
A cry from the heart of the Lord through the prophet expressing the disappointment of His heart because of the continual sin of Israel. The story of the days of Gibeah is rather a gruesome story and is recorded in Judges 19 and 20. There should have been many lessons learned at that time but it is evident that they were not received. Those against whom Israel had fought were called, children of iniquity and for that cause were defeated in battle. Hos. 10:9 The chastisement of the Lord, was by having the enemy gather against them and allowing them to be defeated. The NIV gives an interesting translation of they shall bind themselves in two furrows. It is, to put them in bonds for their double sin. Hos. 10:10 NIV. As there is a double (or full) blessing for those who really serve the Lord. There is also a double punishment for those, particularly in the last days, who follow the way of the false church. Having lived in the double portion, or to the fullness of iniquity. She will receive a double measure of punishment . Rev. 18:6.
Ephriam likened to a heifer that has been trained to tread out the grain. In this fashion the heifer could eat of the grain and consequently grow fat. He was likening Ephriam to an animal which had become overfed, lazy and decadent. Life had been easy for them but now the Lord was about to change all that and they were to know that the wages of sin have their pay day. They were to find themselves in a entirely different situation where life would become difficult and hard, all because they refused to obey the Lord. Hos. 10:11 Even Judah was to learn the hard way. The hand of the Lord was to be totally removed from them.