"Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all it contains. Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord, for His is coming. For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness."
Psalm 96:11-13
As I read Psalm 96 this week I grieved over the response I experience with people who profess to be Christians who don’t rejoice in the prophecies in the Bible that have been in existence for thousands of years. We have seen throughout the history of the world these ancient prophecies fulfilled just as the Bible tells us. However, the second return of Christ has not been fulfilled when satan and all his followers are judged, and put in the lake of fire for eternity for all the evil and atrocities that have been committed. It is also when the righteous will be rewarded for their righteous acts during their lifetime and receive glorifed bodies as described at the Mount of Transfiguration.
Throughout history we have seen good and evil at war. These two powers manifest through people. Everyone has a free will to choose how to live and what to believe. No one can make you believe anything. You have to make that choice from within yourself. It is not external. No one can take your faith from you unless you willingly give it up. That too is from within us where only God can see.
God sees all. He judges the motives of the heart. Because He is the only one that has that power He is the only righteous judge. He is the only God that is holy. Psalm 96:4-5 declares:
"For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens."
There is only one true God. He is the only God living, that was resurrected from the dead, and promises to return for His followers to take them to heaven to live eternally with Him in all holiness, righteousness and perfect love. We will be like Him. If that isn’t enough to make His people rejoice, what is?
I know this is a simplistic approach, but I think it is a profound truth that needs to be surfaced in the body of Christ. If you aren’t anxiously awaiting the end of this world there is something wrong with your theology.
I hesitate to use the word theology. We have plenty of that in our churches, but not the pure Word of God itself. Consequently we fear with everyone else the wrath of God in Revelation that is coming on this world as promised.
Psalm 96 reminded me of how glorious this moment will be for the Bride of Christ! I know if people would prayerfully read their Bibles for themselves in search of understanding the times there would be great rejoicing!
Psalm 96 has three stanzas: The first is a call to the whole earth to praise the Lord because of His righteousness. The second stanza is a call to the nations to worship the Lord because of His righteous reign on the earth. The third is a call to nature itself to rejoice before the Lord. If you will take the time to meditate on this Psalm you will find plenty to rejoice and worship Him alone, for He is worthy of all glory, honor and praise.
Verse seven caught my eye as it was written to families:
"Ascribe to the Lord, O families to the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength."
Are we obeying this command in our families? Fathers and mothers please make this the priority in your home as we prepare for His coming. He is coming back this time as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Let us ready ourselves and be defined as one who loved His appearing. I close with 2 Timothy 4:7-8. May we join Paul in his proclamation:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."
Let us choose to be Biblically informed, and in right relationship with our Lord, that we might be defined as one who loves His return!
In His love.
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
Our God made the heavens! The heavens declaring His glory from the Eagle’s Nest last week! I rejoice in my home!
