The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left. Isaiah 24:4-6 (NIV) The apocalyptic section begins with a picture of universal judgment. The sin of mankind is clearly defined and summed up in the clause “broken the everlasting covenant.” Many covenants are made in the Old Testament all of them looking forward to the covenant fulfilled by the atoning death of Jesus Christ. The ultimate cause of this wrath, therefore is the rejection of the gracious offer of salvation made in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not clear what form of devastation will happen. The imagery pictured suggests drought and maybe earthquakes. Such judgments have happened throughout human history and will be climaxed during the time prior to Christ returning, often referred to as the Great Tribulation. Not only the people will suffer from their sins as the land also will suffer the effects of evil and law breaking. In looking around our own nation we can see the results of sin in our land-pollution, crime, addiction, and poverty. Sin affects every aspect of society so extensively that even those faithful to God suffer. In no way should we blame God for these conditions because human sin has brought them about. The more we who are believers denounce sin, speak against immoral practices, and share God’s Word with others the more we slow our society’s deterioration. We should never give up. Sin is rampant, but as believers we can make a difference.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 13:48:19 +0000
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