J05.10.90.htm

FINDING SHELTER IN THE DAY OF THE LORD'S ANGER.

"Gather together, you unruly nation, gather together, before you are sent far away and vanish like chaff, before the burning anger of the Lord comes upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all in the land who live humbly by His laws, seek righteousness, seek a humble heart; it may be that you will find shelter in the day of the Lord's anger." (Zeph 2:1 3 NEB).

People who have developed such characteristics as overweening self-pride, self-will and arrogance will find it painfully difficult to humbly seek the Lord, even though they may realize it is the only way by which one may find shelter in the day of the Lord's anger. Humility is necessary if one wishes to acquire righteousness. True humility is manifest in a pure heart according to heavenly knowledge. For an imperfect human to seek and possess an acceptable measure of humility and righteousness so that they become part of that one's very nature, takes a great deal of time, effort, and spirit sacrifices. Peter warned: "And if the righteous man is being saved with difficulty, where will the unGodly man and the sinner make a showing?" (1 Peter 4:18).

It is of course difficult to seek righteousness and a humble heart while living in a self-seeking materialistic world. Humble persons are often 'trampled' on by worldly persons. Nevertheless, we must keep seeking these necessary qualities. The following manifestations of a rebellious disposition will not give shelter from the anger of God: Arrogance, loftiness, aloofness, vainglory, snobbishness, disdain, condescension, insolence, race prejudice, obstinacy, conceit, deceit, being stiff-necked, brazen, self-promoting, puffed-up, overbearing, domineering, tyrannical, and things like these. (See also Gal 5:19-21).

To seek humility is to become a lowly person, one who puts others first, one who turns the other cheek and is forgiving. Humility assists the pursuit of righteousness, which is sanctity in justice, in uprightness, in goodness, in good principle, in Godly obedience, in peace, in spirituality, having the "fruitage" of the spirit the approval of God. (See Gal 5:22,23).

By contrast, tyrants of Babylon/Iraq are again aroused in vainglory, and by force of arms have extended their boundaries into those of another nation.* They have readily caused the deaths of many, and have knowingly put many more lives at risk. At the time appointed, our Lord will blot out Babylon. (2 Esdras 15:43 NEB).

TAKING THE LORD'S WORDS TO HEART. (2 Esdras 16:35 NEB).
2 Esdras 16:35-78 (NEB) gives valuable instruction and advice to people of God so that they may find shelter in the day of His anger. When the calamities surround us, we are told we must be as though "strangers on earth". During this calamitous time, the following activities are considered perilous: Buying and selling (trading), house building, lavishing one's care on cities, houses, property, and on one's own person, getting married, and having children. To behave as though "strangers" means having minimal involvement in worldly things that by their loss would bring distress and a burning sense of shame before God. It means keeping a 'low profile' and not setting one's heart on the Godless world. (See 1 John 2:15-17 NEB).

"Do not imitate wickedness, therefore, and her actions. For in a very short time she will be swept from the earth, and the reign of justice over us will begin. The sinner must not deny that he has sinned; he will only bring burning coals on his own head if he says, 'I have committed no sin against the majesty of God.'" (2 Esdras 16:51-53 NEB).

* The origin of the "mark" 666: Pages 27/10/86 and 30/10/86.

5/10/90.