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When we begin to realize the vast destruction of this future rebellion, and the horrifying eternal consequences for all who allow themselves to be deceived by the Antichrist’s divine delusions, we wince, cringe, and look away. We somehow know that permitting ourselves to fully dwell on that future would bring overwhelming grief. At different points during our examination of these future times, we all, of necessity, have had to look away. We take fleeting glimpses only and dare not look too long.
Yet, for those who must live through the horror of such times, looking away will not be an option. The Antichrist will rise to the pinnacle of earthly power, and brutally deal with any unwilling to yield to his claims to be God. The terror and devastation we see only through short glimpses will be the inescapable reality for everyone. In addition to the ruin brought by the Antichrist will be the culminating judgments from the true God on a rebellious world.
Still, we can’t help but sincerely wish this future need not come. We wish that all who are created in God’s image would willingly yield to his perfect will. Humanity, however, does not yield to its Maker, but rather lives in rebellion against the One whose perfect will alone can bring joy. Unless we yield to the call of God, we invite the judgment we deserve but may avoid. The heartache of realizing that humanity rejects wholeness when we reject the Creator weighs heavily upon everyone who has found that joy through him. The rebellion, so horrible, cruel and destructive, cannot continue forever. So, judgment must fall.
Yet the judgment itself awakens many to the hopelessness of life apart from the Almighty, and many do yield. In the middle of judgment, and even because of it, multitudes find joy and peace in repentance and submission. Even the severity of God will produce fruit.
Come, my people, enter into your rooms,
And close your doors behind you;
Hide for a little while,
Until indignation runs its course,
For behold, the Lord is about to come out from His place
To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;
And the earth will reveal her bloodshed,
And will no longer cover her slain.
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Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth,
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 26:20-21; 55:6-11
The Lord, the Lord-God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.
Exodus 34:6-7a