BEHOLD THE LORD WILL COME. The fact that He is coming and in particular the manner of His coming disturbs many. We should not be filled with fear nor consternation concerning that day. To the prepared, it will be a great day. For the unprepared it will be a horrible time. Isaiah was
a true prophet who spoke the Word as it was given him. His prophetic utterances are straight forward and comprehensible. Isa. 66:15 Once again the prophecy emphasized the fashion of the coming of Christ and the force and power that is unleashed at that period of time. As we study Isaiah it becomes very obvious, that by repetition, the message of His coming and the fierceness of that time is to be impressed upon us. Twice, in the preceding scripture, His coming with fire is accented. His chariots like a whirlwind, the stirring and commotion of a fierce storm, bringing
destruction. Then a very human emotion that is not always associated with the Lord. His anger, rendered with fury. Since we are made in the image and likeness of God it is not surprising that we find that He has the same emotion as we.
IS GOD JUST IN BEING ANGRY? The reason for His anger and ours is eons apart. His anger is directed toward sin and wickedness. He is angry every day with the wicked. Ps. 7:11 The corrupt works of unrighteousness and ungodliness are the cause of His anger and justly so. Even the sinner will become angry at certain doings of other sinners. The anger of man is quickly triggered and displayed. The anger of the Lord is a slow process. Only when all efforts to save the sinner have been expended will the Lord react in anger and judgment. Num. 14:18
WHEN HE COMES TO BE GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS. Once again our subject is that glorious moment when the dead in Christ shall be raised from the dead and the living shall be changed. It is vital to emphasize the events that accompany this beautiful moment of time. Isaiah prophesied that he is coming with FIRE, the fire of His wrath. Now, Paul is reiterating the same thing. 2 Thess. 1:8 His coming is with FLAMING FIRE, taking vengeance on those who refuse to know God and consequently refuse to obey the gospel of Christ. Their punishment is everlasting destruction or the second death and eternal separation from the presence of the Lord and His glory. v.9 The day of these occurrences is pinpointed as to being the time of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is essential that the body of believers come to a proper understanding of the Second Coming. It is not a casual affair where the church will escape the tribulation, which we will. It is the catastrophe of all ages for the earth and the sinners who inhabit it. Nothing will ever be the same on this earth. Every man made structure will be broken down. The topography of the earth will be totally altered. No continent will be located in the same area as it is today.