- Day 13 -
Yahveh’s Coming Is Near
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of YAHveh. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of YAHveh is near” (James 5:7-8)
Isaiah 24–26 are key chapters talking about the ruination, destruction, and obliteration by fire of every living creature on the face of the earth, save a few. The reason the earth is destroyed, its inhabitants “transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant” (Isaiah 24:5). They did not remember to keep their eyes and hearts fixed on His Commandments and walk in obedience; instead, they despised His word, defied, and blasphemed Him, and were cut off. “Terror and pit and snare confront you, O inhabitant of the earth. …For the windows above are opened, and the foundations of the earth shake. The earth is broken asunder, the earth is split through, the earth is shaken violently. The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard and it totters like a shack, for its transgression is heavy upon it, and it will fall never to rise again” (Isaiah 24:17-20).
Yet, hear the rejoicing of the righteous, “O YAHveh, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; for you have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. For You have made a city into a heap…” (Isaiah 25:1-2). HalleluYAH! There is going to be a remnant who was warned and took to heart the prophet’s words. As the apostle Peter said, “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place…” (2 Peter 1:19). Their words were not inspired by man, but came forth by the inspiration of the Ruach HaKodesh, the Spirit of YAHveh. He spoke through these prophets to warn of the LORD’s righteousness and the judgments that are going to come upon the unrighteous on the earth. YAHveh will be faithful to do what He planned and spoke of long ago.
A remnant is truly going to rejoice saying that in perfect faithfulness YAHveh (the LORD) has done marvelous things, things planned long ago (see Isaiah 25:1). Hopefully, we will be able to rejoice when everything is a heap of rubble and thank Him, that in faithfulness He made these plans known to us. In making them known, it teaches us to number our days so we can present to Him a heart of wisdom (see Psalm 90:12). How can you rejoice if you don’t have confidence that all His promises are yes and that you have a Home of Righteousness waiting for you? You are not going to be able to rejoice if you have not let your yes be yes to YAHveh’s commands and precepts and let your no be no to all that is not His will. You are going to be condemned, being a wavering hypocrite who has moved boundary stones so you could indulge your flesh. You are going to be in fear and trembling, and it is going to be too late—and you will know it.
The righteous will have their promised Home of Righteousness in YAHveh’s presence forever, where there will be fullness of joy. Joy will be unspeakable and full of glory because He will rule and reign in their presence. HalleluYAH! That is why James says if you are laughing and rejoicing now, stop it. Turn your emotions into sorrow and mourning. When you learn the heart of YAHveh (the LORD), you will be sad and sorrowful for the condition of humankind, beginning with your own sorrowful state within your own corrupt soul. Start wailing over that before YAHveh. For godly sorrow that leads to true repentance will be a gift given to you. You will be made clean, perfect, consecrated and holy; then you can rejoice on that day, because you are spared and made a candidate, an inheritor, of the righteous kingdom for the righteous in YAHshua. Oh, praise be to YAHveh!
“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Yehuda (Judah).” We are going to Yehuda—meaning praisers of YAHveh, the sovereign King through YAHshua (Jesus) our Lamb! “We have a strong city; God sets up walls and ramparts for security. Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, the one that remains faithful” (Isaiah 26:1-2). HalleluYAH, what has He just said? Faith that will not falter with a righteousness that will uphold His righteousness. Read it again, “Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the one that remains faithful.” Faith that brings perseverance, faith that brings acts of righteousness; the righteous acts of the saints that bring the vestments of bridal adornment. Praise His name!