“…the gath’ring clouds foretell the pending doom”
Have you ever had that feeling of impending doom – you know the anniversary of your “hire date” is near and you know just how difficult the past year has been. There have been solid accomplishments, but you know there are things that should have improved. Maybe the boss knows them too. Your stomach churns whenever you think about your approaching annual performance review and you hope that the date has slipped by unnoticed. Every time the phone on your desk rings and the caller is the boss your palms get a bit shaky and beads of sweat form on your forehead.
Sometimes you just can’t avoid these feelings of uncertainty because the judge is a human being who is imperfect and can’t possibly have an awareness of everything swirling around the workplace, try as they might. We experience a variety of feelings when we know someone will be judging our work – anxiety, fear – and after it’s all done maybe even joy and relief. Sometimes you just don’t know what the boss has in store for you.
The Bible warns that “…Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.” (Luke 21:10-11)
There is a fearful judgment coming. But are we to fear this time as if it were a review performed by a flawed human judge?
Thankfully, we have a heavenly Lord who knows everything about our lives, and the lives of every soul who has ever existed or ever will. The Book of Proverbs (15:3) tells us that “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” So, no one is more qualified to complete our “performance reviews” at the appointed time. God is the perfect Judge.
Jude verses 14 and 15 say, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” Who will the Lord come to judge? The ungodly.
Those who have trusted faithfully in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone for their eternal destiny have a guaranteed glorious future. The promises of eternal doom don’t apply. So be aware of the times, but cling to the promise of our Savior: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
Judgement’s Coming Soon
by Donald Covil
Shadows growing long and dark, trembling ‘neath our feet;
Rumors oft’ of coming wars, disease and famine meet;
Rumblings from the gath’ring clouds foretell the pending doom;
Creation groans in one accord: “Judgement’s coming soon!”
Kings and rulers group themselves to plan in vanity.
Proudly they resist the Lord and His anointed Seed.
Let us break their bands they boast, and cast their cords away.
Let us not believe their threat of pending judgment day.
Oh, men, you fools, you stir the coals of God’s displeasure sore.
Words with rage will vex your souls, His wrath on you He’ll pour.
He has set His righteous King on Zion’s holy hill.
Make haste ye men to mend your ways; or else have no appeal.