Malachi
4:5 speaks of "that great and dreadful Day of the Lord." The Day of
the Lord will be a Day of Judgment. This is not, however, the full
story. It will also be the great Day of salvation. This comes through
clearly in Revelation 7 - "a great multitude that no-one could count,
from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the
throne and in front of the Lamb ... wearing white robes and ... holding
palm branches ... cried out in a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our
God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb'" (Revelation 7:9-10). This
is our great encouragement as we wage spiritual warfare against the
enemies of God. The glorious celebration in the Kingdom of God is the
outcome of our life of faith. Saved by grace, we are victors in Christ.
"These in white robes ... have come out of the great tribulation; they
have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb"
(Revelation 7:13-14). That is the glorious finale of God's gracious work
of salvation. Here-and-now, we face spiritual warfare. In the midst of
the battle, we say, "Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my
hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my
Fortress, my Stronghold and my Deliverer, my Shield, in whom I take
refuge, who subdues people under me" (Psalm 144:1-2). We, who have had a
glimpse of heavenly glory, a foretaste of glory divine, now pray,
"Part Your heavens, O Lord, and come down" (Psalm 144:5).
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