The day of God's vengenance: Is 63:1-4

“Who is this who comes from Edom, with garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, this One who is majestic in His apparel, marching in the greatness of His strength? ‘It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.’ Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press? ‘I have trodden the wine trough alone, and from the peoples there was no man with Me. I also trod them in My anger and trampled them in My wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, and I stained all My raiment. For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and My year of redemption has come.’” (Isaiah 63:1-4)

I am writing this during the Christmas system when we often romanticize about the cute baby Jesus lying in the manger. During this season we can easily forget that this baby Jesus grew up, became a man, and died for our sins. We can also forget that this grow baby Jesus will one day return to judge the living and the dead. We love the image of “Jesus, meek and mild” but turn away from the image of “Jesus, the concurring king.” Jesus came the first time in humility and weakness, but the next time He will come in strength. “So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” (Hebrews 9:28) Jesus work to provide forgiveness for all mankind is finished. When He returns, it will be to execute justice and judgment. “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31) In that day, Jesus will not be weak, but will judge with righteous judgment and will compel all men to honor Him as Lord. For many, that day will not be a happy day, but a day to fear and of dread. “Alas, you who are longing for the day of the Lord, for what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you? It will be darkness and not light; as when a man flees from a lion and a bear meets him, or goes home, leans his hand against the wall and a snake bites him. Will not the day of the Lord be darkness instead of light, even gloom with no brightness in it?” (Amos 5:18-20)

The Day of Judgment is coming for all. The question is, “for what purpose will that day be for you?” For some, it will be a day they experience to the fullest degree the wrath of God. For others, for those who have become believers in Jesus Christ, it will be a day of inexpressible joy in the presence of God. “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.” (2 Timothy 4:8) For what purpose will that day be for you? That is up to us to decide. Our choices in this life will determine the effect of that day on our lives. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) Now is the time to choose for the Lord. Don’t miss your opportunity, some day it will be too late.

David Robison