"The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the Lord has spoken this word."'Despoil' means to strip of possessions, things of value,etc. rob, plunder, pillage. This is something that God will do. Anything worth value he will take. All good will be gone. This chapter is quite terrifying if read with a real sense that this is all going to occur.
We do not wish to hear about such things. I would encourage you to read this chapter slowly and see for yourself just how seriously God takes the sin of mankind. I understand that your eschatological view will shape exactly how you see this chapter, but no matter which way it falls, God is going to do this great thing upon the earth and we ought to be reverent in our thinking concerning such matters. This time will be nothing to smile at and so let us approach this chapter with this way of thinking.
I agree, it is a fearful thing.
ReplyDeleteBe ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).
The Lord's people are to be a separate people (Exod. 33:16; Lev. 20:24; Ezra 6:21).
We really are called to be a holy people unto our God. In the midst of a sinful people, in the midst of a sinful nation, we are exhorted to shine as lights in a world filled with darkness. This darkness beckons us daily to return, it buffets us non-stop. It is reckless, it is relentless, and it never sleeps in it's attempts to destroy the work of God. We are a part of the work of God. We need to be at work for God and constantly going against this great darkness because we can in Christ Jesus our Lord.